How to write a client memo

[Eamon]

Alot of people are having/going to have assessment centres. Whilst it's not really possible to prepare for the written exercises, it seems a lot of them involve writing a client memo.

I was wondering what is the best way to structure a client memo? I'm still slightly confused as to what the purpose of a memo is! If any trainees/vac schemers have done any, think their opinions could be really useful!
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've had a search and it doesn't seem as if this has been discussed before! Apologies if it has!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Alot of people are having/going to have assessment centres. Whilst it's not really possible to prepare for the written exercises, it seems a lot of them involve writing a client memo.

I was wondering what is the best way to structure a client memo? I'm still slightly confused as to what the purpose of a memo is! If any trainees/vac schemers have done any, think their opinions could be really useful!
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've had a search and it doesn't seem as if this has been discussed before! Apologies if it has!

Conciseness and structure
Clarify any ambiguous elements or what the clients might not know/or understand
Focus on advice/actions

 

[Jaysen]

Don't worry about this for an AC, but just for reference - a law firm's template memo might begin something like this:



(Copied from here: https://info.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/pdf/perspec/1999-fall/1999-fall-11.pdf).

If it's a report/a summary of some legal research, you might want to ask yourself: What is the purpose of this memo? What is the best way to lay out the information (e.g. clear subheadings/a summary of your findings at the beginning)?

 

[AJ]

Alot of people are having/going to have assessment centres. Whilst it's not really possible to prepare for the written exercises, it seems a lot of them involve writing a client memo.

I was wondering what is the best way to structure a client memo? I'm still slightly confused as to what the purpose of a memo is! If any trainees/vac schemers have done any, think their opinions could be really useful!
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

I've had a search and it doesn't seem as if this has been discussed before! Apologies if it has!

From experience the structure is key, especially if you are then asked to present on the memo. It will be easier to use as a presentation tool if you have structured it well, and the headings act as a guide to your presentation.

 

[Aspiring.lawyer.to.be]

Avoid legal jargon when writing to a client

 

[Jen E C]

Would a memo to a Partner involve the same structure?