Write a matter status memo for a client.

Client name: [name]
Matter: [brief description]
What has happened since the last communication: [specific events — filings, rulings, depositions, negotiations]
What is happening next: [next step and expected timeline]
Decisions the client needs to make: [if any — be specific]
Action items for the client: [if any]

Tone: professional, accessible, direct. Under 300 words. Translate all procedural developments into their practical meaning for the client. Do not say "the court issued an order" — say "the judge ruled that [practical impact]."

Write a fee arrangement explanation letter for a new client.

Fee type: [hourly / contingency / flat fee / hybrid]
Rate or percentage: [specific]
Billing cycle: [monthly / as incurred / upon milestone]
What is and is not included: [specific scope]
Retainer requirement: [$amount and replenishment terms if applicable]
Expense policy: [what expenses are billed separately]

Tone: clear, client-friendly, transparent. Under 300 words. Avoid legalese. The client should be able to understand exactly what they're paying for and when. Note that the engagement letter will follow with formal terms.

Write a letter communicating an adverse outcome to a client.

Client name: [name]
Outcome: [what happened — ruling against us / settlement rejected / appeal denied]
Why it happened: [honest assessment of the factors that led to this result]
What options remain: [if any — appeal / refile / negotiate / accept]
Your recommendation: [if appropriate]
Next step: [specific action and timeline]

Tone: direct, honest, compassionate. Do not minimize the loss or over-promise on next steps. Under 300 words. The client deserves a clear explanation, not false comfort.

Write a cover letter to accompany an engagement agreement.

Client name: [name]
Matter type: [e.g., breach of contract litigation / estate plan / business formation]
Scope of representation in plain English: [what you will and won't do]
Key terms to highlight: [fee, scope, termination, confidentiality]
What the client needs to sign and return: [specific documents]
Questions contact: [your contact info]

Tone: welcoming, professional. Under 200 words. This is the first formal document the client receives — it should make them feel competent and informed, not overwhelmed.

Write a non-engagement letter for a prospective client I will not be representing.

Prospective client name: [name]
Reason for not engaging (general category): [conflict of interest / outside my practice area / declined to engage]
If there is a deadline concern: [mention any statute of limitations or deadline they should be aware of, without providing legal advice]
Referral suggestion: [e.g., state bar referral service / specific organization]

Tone: professional, clear, warm where appropriate. Under 200 words. Explicitly state that this firm does not represent them in this matter. Note the importance of consulting another attorney promptly if there is a time-sensitive issue.

Draft an opening argument section for a motion.

Motion type: [e.g., motion to dismiss / motion for summary judgment / motion to compel]
Our position: [one-sentence statement of what we're asking for and why]
Legal standard applicable: [e.g., Rule 12(b)(6) pleading standard / summary judgment standard]
Our strongest argument: [the single most persuasive reason we win]

Write an opening argument section that: states the relief requested, establishes the legal standard, and previews the argument structure. Under 300 words. Direct, confident, no hedging. This section must make the court want to rule in our favor before reading the details.

Draft a statement of facts for a legal brief.

Case type: [litigation type]
Key facts supporting our position: [list in chronological order]
Adverse facts we must acknowledge: [list — it's better to address them than be blindsided]
Overall narrative we want to establish: [the "story" of our case in one sentence]

Write a statement of facts that: tells our client's story coherently, integrates the key favorable facts naturally, and addresses adverse facts without emphasizing them. Under 500 words. No argument in this section — facts only, but selected and sequenced deliberately.

Draft a legal argument section for a brief.

Issue: [specific legal question]
Applicable rule: [statute, regulation, or case law standard]
Our argument: [how the rule applies to our facts]
Key case supporting our position: [citation and brief holding]
Counter-argument we need to address: [opposing argument]
Our response to the counter-argument: [specific rebuttal]

Format: IRAC structure — Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion. Under 500 words. Use point headings. Do not over-cite — use the 2-3 strongest cases, not every case you found.

Draft the introduction for a reply brief.

What the opposing party argued in their response: [summary of their main points]
Which of their arguments we are directly refuting: [list]
Which of their arguments we are not addressing (and why): [e.g., already addressed / irrelevant / conceded a narrow point]
Our thesis: [one sentence on why we still win despite their response]

Write an introduction that: acknowledges the response, reframes the dispute in our favor, and previews our reply. Under 250 words. Do not recap our opening brief — this reader has read both; go straight to the response.

Create an oral argument preparation outline.

Case: [name]
Court and argument date: [info]
Time allotted: [X minutes]
Our top 3 arguments in order of strength: [list]
The question we expect the bench to ask first: [specific anticipated question]
Our answer to that question: [prepared response]
The weakest point in our case: [specific vulnerability]
How we frame it if it comes up: [defensive talking point]

Format: structured outline, not a script. Under 400 words. Include a 60-second opening statement that gets to the point immediately — most oral arguments are won or lost in the first minute.

Write a contract review summary memo for a client.

Contract type: [e.g., services agreement / lease / employment agreement]
Party names: [our client and the counterparty]
Key favorable terms: [list 3-5]
Key concerning terms: [list 3-5 with brief explanation of why each is a concern]
Missing provisions: [important clauses that are absent]
Recommended redlines: [specific changes to request]
Overall risk assessment: [low / medium / high — with brief reasoning]

Format: client-accessible memo. Use plain English explanations for each concerning term. Under 400 words. End with a clear recommendation: sign as-is / sign with changes / do not sign.

Write an explanation of contract redlines for a client to review.

Contract type: [type]
Our redlines summary: [list each change with the reason in plain English]
Changes the other side is likely to accept: [your assessment]
Changes they're likely to push back on: [your assessment and fallback position]
Non-negotiable terms for our client: [what they must have]

Format: plain-English memo, under 350 words. The client needs to understand what we changed and why, not just see tracked changes in a document. Include a "bottom line" section at the end.

Draft a force majeure clause for a commercial contract.

Contract type: [type of agreement]
Our client's position: [buyer / seller / service provider / recipient]
Events to include: [e.g., pandemic / natural disaster / government action / supply chain disruption]
Notification requirement: [X days notice to invoke]
Obligation during force majeure event: [suspended / partial performance / duty to mitigate]
Termination trigger: [if event lasts longer than X days, either party may terminate]

Format: formal contract clause language. Professional, specific, no ambiguity. Include a catch-all provision after the specific enumerated events. Attorney review required before final inclusion.

Analyze the following indemnification clause and write a summary for client review.

Clause text: [paste the indemnification clause]
Our client's role: [indemnitor / indemnitee / both]
Scope of indemnification as written: [what is covered]
Caps or limitations on indemnification: [if any]
Missing protections: [what should be there but isn't]
Risk assessment: [what's the realistic exposure our client faces under this clause]

Format: plain-English analysis memo, under 300 words. Tell the client what this clause means in practical terms, not just legal terms. Include a specific redline recommendation.

Draft a mutual non-disclosure agreement.

Parties: [Party A name / Party B name]
Purpose of disclosure: [why they're sharing confidential information]
Definition of confidential information: [broad or narrow — specify]
Exclusions from confidential information: [standard exclusions: publicly available, independently developed, etc.]
Term: [X years from date of agreement]
Obligation: [do not disclose, use only for stated purpose, protect with reasonable care]
Return/destruction of information: [upon request or termination]

Format: standard mutual NDA structure. Balanced obligations — neither party favored. Under 500 words. Attorney review required for jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Write an email to a prospective client confirming their initial consultation.

Client name: [name]
Consultation date and time: [date, time]
Format: [in-person address / video link]
What to bring or prepare: [specific documents or information relevant to their matter type]
What to expect: [how long, what we'll discuss, what happens next]
Confidentiality note: [brief statement that the consultation is confidential]

Tone: professional, organized, reassuring. Under 200 words. A prepared client makes for a more efficient consultation. Be specific about what to bring — not "any relevant documents" but specific items.

Write a welcome package cover letter for a newly retained client.

Client name: [name]
Matter type: [description]
Documents included in the package: [list — engagement letter, intake form, fee schedule, etc.]
What the client needs to do: [sign and return / complete the intake form / provide documents]
Timeline for initial work: [when they'll hear from us next]
Primary contact for questions: [attorney name and contact]

Tone: welcoming, organized. Under 250 words. Make the client feel they've made a good decision. Be specific about next steps and timelines.

Write an internal matter opening summary for the file.

Client name: [name]
Matter name/number: [identifier]
Date retained: [date]
Scope of representation: [specific — what we're doing and what we're not doing]
Key facts as understood at intake: [brief summary]
Statute of limitations: [relevant date, if applicable]
Immediate action items: [what needs to happen in the first 30 days]
Conflicts check completed: [yes/no]

Format: internal file memo, under 300 words. This document becomes the orientation point for anyone who touches the file later. Be specific about scope — "we're handling the contract dispute only, not the related employment claim" should be explicit.

Write a scope of representation clarification letter.

Client name: [name]
Original matter: [what we were retained for]
Issue in question: [what the client is now asking about that may be outside our scope]
Our position: [is this covered / not covered / requires a new engagement]
If not covered: brief explanation of why and what they should do to address it
If covered: clarification of what we will and won't do

Tone: professional, clear, without defensiveness. Under 200 words. Scope clarifications protect both the attorney and the client — frame it as defining expectations, not declining to help.

Write a matter closing letter.

Client name: [name]
Matter: [description]
What was accomplished: [specific outcome — not "the matter has been resolved" but what specifically happened]
What the client should do going forward: [any ongoing obligations, maintenance, or follow-up]
File retention and document return policy: [what happens to their documents]
Future representation: [note that this closes this specific matter and future matters require a new engagement]

Tone: professional, warm. Under 250 words. This letter closes the representation formally and creates a record. If the outcome was favorable, acknowledge it specifically.

Draft a pre-litigation demand letter.

Our client: [name, role]
Opposing party: [name, role]
Nature of the dispute: [what happened]
Legal basis for our claim: [specific — breach of contract / negligence / statutory violation]
Specific demand: [exact relief sought — dollar amount or specific action]
Evidence supporting our position: [list key documents or facts — don't over-detail]
Response deadline: [date — typically 14-30 days]
Consequence of non-response: [we will file suit / escalate]

Format: formal demand letter. Assertive without threats beyond legal action. Under 400 words. This letter may be exhibit A at trial — write accordingly.

Draft a cease and desist letter.

Our client: [name]
Responding party: [name]
Conduct to cease: [specific — be precise about what they must stop doing]
Legal basis: [trademark infringement / defamation / breach of NDA / tortious interference / etc.]
Evidence of the conduct: [brief reference — not a full recitation]
Demand: [stop the conduct by X date / confirm cessation in writing]
Our position if they do not comply: [legal action we will take]

Format: formal, professional. Under 350 words. Specific about the conduct — vague cease and desist letters are ignored. Attorney to review before sending.

Write a professional letter to opposing counsel.

Subject: [specific topic — case scheduling / discovery dispute / settlement proposal / document request]
Our position: [what we want]
Legal or factual basis: [brief]
Request or proposal: [specific ask]
Deadline for response: [date]

Tone: professional, direct, without personal hostility. Under 200 words. In litigation, letters to opposing counsel may be read by a judge — write accordingly. Do not threaten anything you're not prepared to follow through on.

Draft a preservation demand letter to an opposing party or their counsel.

Recipient: [party / counsel]
Our client's claim: [brief description of the dispute]
Categories of documents to preserve: [specific — emails, texts, financial records, etc.]
Time period covered: [from / to]
Legal basis for preservation obligation: [anticipated litigation / pending claim / regulatory requirement]
Consequence of failure to preserve: [spoliation motion / adverse inference request]

Format: formal demand letter. Under 300 words. Specific about what must be preserved and why. Send certified mail and keep a copy — this letter may support a spoliation motion later.

Draft a response to a demand letter received from opposing counsel.

Original demand: [summary of what they're claiming and demanding]
Our client's position: [what actually happened — brief factual summary]
Our legal response to their legal theory: [why their claim fails or is overstated]
Counter-position (if any): [what we believe they owe or should do]
Next steps: [our offer / proposal / rejection and what follows]

Tone: professional, non-inflammatory. Under 350 words. Acknowledge receipt, respond to each specific demand, state our position clearly. Do not admit or concede anything not specifically intended.

Draft an initial settlement offer letter.

Our client: [name, role]
Matter: [brief description]
Claims at issue: [list]
Our opening offer: [$amount or specific terms]
Basis for the offer: [brief statement of why this is reasonable]
Non-monetary terms (if any): [confidentiality / release scope / payment timeline]
Acceptance deadline: [date]

Format: formal but negotiation-calibrated — this is an opening, not a final position. Under 300 words. Lead with the offer, not the demand. Frame as the first step toward resolution, not the last word.

Draft a settlement counter-proposal letter.

Original offer: [what they proposed]
Our counter: [$amount or terms]
Why our counter is reasonable: [brief — not a full brief, just the key points]
What we're accepting from their proposal: [areas of agreement to acknowledge]
What we're changing: [specific modifications with rationale]
Counter deadline: [date]

Format: professional negotiation letter. Under 300 words. Acknowledge the prior offer constructively. Narrow the issues — show movement toward resolution even if not accepting their position.

Write a client memo summarizing a proposed settlement agreement.

Settlement amount: [$amount or terms]
What claims are released: [specific]
What claims are NOT released: [any carve-outs]
Non-monetary obligations: [if any — confidentiality, non-disparagement, cooperation, etc.]
Payment timeline: [$X by Y date / installment schedule]
Tax implications note: [brief — note they should consult a tax advisor]
Recommendation: [accept / negotiate further / decline]

Format: client-accessible plain-English summary, under 350 words. Clients sign settlement agreements they don't fully understand. This memo should remove that problem.

Write a mediation position statement.

Matter: [case name and brief description]
Our client: [name, role]
Claims presented: [list]
Damages calculation: [specific — with supporting basis]
Our settlement range (confidential, for mediator only): [bottom line / target]
Our view of the opposing party's strengths: [honest assessment]
Our view of their weaknesses: [specific]
What would resolve this for our client: [beyond money, if applicable]

Format: confidential mediator-only submission, under 400 words. Be honest about weaknesses — mediators use this information to move the other side; give them what they need.

Draft a general release agreement.

Releasing party: [name]
Released party: [name]
Claims being released: [specific — "all claims arising from..." or list specific claims]
Consideration: [$amount or other consideration]
Effective date: [date]
Unknown claims inclusion: [include Civil Code Section 1542 waiver language / omit — specify jurisdiction]
Confidentiality: [required / not required]

Format: standard general release structure. Professional, balanced. Under 400 words. Flag jurisdiction-specific requirements with [VERIFY LOCAL LAW]. Attorney review required before execution.

Write an objective legal research memo.

To: [supervising attorney]
From: [your name]
Date: [date]
Re: [research question]

Issue: [precise legal question]
Brief Answer: [direct answer in 2-3 sentences]
Discussion: [organized by sub-issue — rule, case support, application to our facts]
Conclusion: [recommended course of action or assessment of legal position]

Facts as given to me: [state the facts you researched under — flag any facts that need confirmation]
Research sources: [cases, statutes, secondary sources reviewed]
Open questions: [what remains uncertain and why]

Format: standard objective memo. Under 600 words for the discussion section. Be honest about uncertainty — an objective memo that over-argues one side fails its purpose.

Write a persuasive research summary for brief writing.

Issue: [specific legal question]
Our position: [what we're arguing]
Best cases supporting our position: [list citations with brief holding summaries]
How each case applies to our facts: [application analysis]
Opposing cases we need to distinguish: [citations and our distinguishing arguments]
Winning argument structure: [the order in which to make these arguments for maximum impact]

Format: working document for brief preparation, under 400 words. Organized by strength of argument, not chronologically. This is a planning document — focus on what's most persuasive, not what's most comprehensive.

Write a statute of limitations analysis memo.

Claim type: [specific cause of action]
Jurisdiction: [state/federal]
Applicable limitations period: [length and source]
Accrual rule: [when does the clock start — discovery rule / occurrence rule]
Tolling doctrines potentially applicable: [fraud / minority / discovery / equitable tolling]
Key facts relevant to accrual and tolling: [what we know]
Deadline assessment: [when the claim expires based on available facts]
Risk assessment: [low / medium / high — is there a real limitations risk?]

Format: concise legal memo, under 350 words. Include a "bottom line" at the top. This analysis has real deadlines attached — be specific and conservative.

Write a damages analysis memo.

Claim type: [e.g., breach of contract / personal injury / employment discrimination]
Damages categories available: [compensatory / consequential / punitive / emotional distress / attorney fees]
Our client's specific damages: [itemized — with dollar amounts or calculation method for each]
Evidence available to support each category: [list]
Categories that may not be recoverable: [and why]
Rough range estimate: [low / mid / high scenarios]

Format: internal analysis memo, under 400 words. Be conservative in estimates — overvaluing a case harms the client. Note any categories that depend on facts still being developed.

Write a jurisdiction and venue analysis memo.

Parties: [plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) with states of residence/incorporation]
Subject matter: [dispute type]
Potential federal grounds: [diversity / federal question — if applicable]
Potential state court venues: [courts where we could file and legal basis]
Strategic considerations for each venue: [judicial temperament / local rules / jury pool / home court advantage]
Recommended venue: [specific recommendation with reasoning]

Format: concise memo, under 350 words. This is a strategic document — include the tactical analysis, not just the legal analysis. Where we file can determine whether we win.