assn 2-legal writing and research

From: Boss Partner

To: Assistant

Date: 01/18/YR01

Re: Smith v. Johnson

Thanks for your help last week. You really gave me a good sense of what that

case was about and it got me thinking about what this case is going to entail. As you may

have heard, we met with Jane Johnson by teleconference from Portland yesterday and my

distinct impression is that she has no interest in settling any of these claims. So, I can see

we really have our work cut out for us in this matter. Thankfully, Jane was able to afford

our request for a $10,000 retainer and so we really need to get moving on this case.

To start with, I'm going to ask you to prepare kind of an initial analysis of the

issues they were going to be dealing with in this case. For example, the issue of personal

jurisdiction certainly seems like it may be important and of course issues such as whether

James’ actions constitute defamation and invasion of privacy. In addition, Jane also wants

us, while we're working for her, to look at the issue of whether pissedconsumer.com has

any action against her for any kind of intellectual property violation.

Please prepare a memorandum for me, discussing a brief synopsis of all the issues

that might come up in our representation of Jane. I do not need you to analyze these

issues in depth at this point or to try to make a determination as to whether Jane will be

liable and to whom. All I am looking for at this point is that you determine what issues

might be relevant to this case and, for each issue, let me know what the applicable rule is.

In other words, what is the plaintiff going to have to show for each potential cause of

action against Jane? As sources for these rules, you can use any applicable California or

federal statute and/or case law. Of course, binding case law is best but nonbinding case

law is certainly better than nothing.

Please discuss each issue separately and for each issue, just let me know what

elements the plaintiff is going to have to prove and what defenses we may want to use on

behalf of Jane. Again, at this point I do not expect you to analyze the strengths and

weaknesses of the case against Jane or her defenses. All I'm looking for is a little lesson

on the applicable law that is relevant to our client.

Because I'm not looking for in-depth analysis or application to this case, I think

that the entire memo could be done in three typed (single spaced, with paragraph breaks)

pages or less.

Thanks!

B. Partner