| name | codexkit-legal-memo-writer |
| description | Write structured legal memoranda following the Issue-Rule-Analysis-Conclusion (IRAC) framework. Suitable for internal legal opinions, advisory memos, and compliance assessments. Use when legal analysis needs to be documented for decision-makers. Do not use as a substitute for licensed legal advice on high-stakes matters. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| category | knowledge |
Legal Memo Writer
Purpose
Produce clear, structured legal analyses using the IRAC framework — turning complex legal questions into actionable recommendations for business decision-makers.
When to use
- documenting legal opinions on business questions
- advising on regulatory compliance issues
- preparing memos for the legal team or management review
- analyzing the legal implications of a proposed business action
When not to use
- drafting contracts (use contract-drafter)
- litigation pleadings or court filings
- matters requiring immediate licensed attorney involvement
Inputs
- the legal question or issue to analyze
- relevant facts and background context
- applicable jurisdiction(s)
- relevant laws, regulations, or internal policies
- specific concerns or risk areas to address
- audience (legal team, C-suite, board)
Procedure
- Define the Issue — state the legal question in one clear sentence.
- Identify the Rule — cite applicable statutes, regulations, case law, or internal policies.
- Apply the Analysis — reason through how the rule applies to the specific facts:
- Identify supporting facts and counterarguments
- Consider analogous precedents
- Assess risk probability and severity
- State the Conclusion — provide a clear answer or recommendation:
- Risk-tiered: Low / Medium / High / Critical
- Include conditions or caveats
- Write recommendations — specific actions the business should take.
- Format for audience — executive summary first, detailed analysis below.
Output
- executive summary (3–5 sentences with conclusion and risk level)
- detailed IRAC analysis per issue
- risk assessment matrix (issue × probability × impact)
- recommended actions with timeline
- caveats and limitations of the analysis
Definition of done
- issue is stated in one clear sentence
- applicable rules/laws are cited
- analysis applies rules to specific facts (not generic)
- conclusion includes a risk tier and specific recommendation
- executive summary is present for non-lawyer audiences
Examples
- "Write a memo analyzing whether our data collection practices comply with GDPR Article 6."
- "Advise on the employment law implications of implementing a 4-day work week."
- "Analyze the tax implications of our proposed restructuring."
Quality Criteria
Verification (4C)
| Check | Question |
|---|
| Correctness | Do referenced frameworks and standards match their official definitions? |
| Completeness | Are all key concepts covered without significant gaps for the stated audience? |
| Context-fit | Would this be useful for someone new to this domain, or is it too advanced/too basic? |
| Consequence | If a stakeholder acted on this immediately, what could they misinterpret? |
Edge Cases
- Conflicting frameworks — State which framework takes precedence and why. Document the trade-off explicitly.
- Rapidly changing domain — Note information currency date. Flag sections likely to need updates.
- Audience has mixed expertise levels — Provide a glossary and mark advanced sections as optional.
Changelog
