Drafting Assignment – Research Memorandum
Drafting Assignment – Research Memorandum
PLA 1103 Legal Research & Writing I
Drafting Assignment (AI Integrated Assignment)
Assignment purpose: To give students an opportunity to research and draft a Research Memorandum and to also create an AI generated Memorandum based on the same set of facts. You would then be required to compare and contrast both Memorandums and answer questions concerning the use of AI technology for this type of assignment. The goal is for students to understand the advantages and disadvantages of using AI technology in the legal field and to be able to explain any ethical issues involved with using this kind of technology.
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Instructions: Please read the instructions carefully as this is a multipart assignment which consists of the following parts:
Part I (50%): Research and draft a Memorandum based on the given fact pattern.
Part II (10%): Create an AI generated Memorandum based on the same fact pattern.
Part III (20%): Compare and contrast your Memorandum to the AI generated Memorandum.
Part IV (20%): Answer follow-up questions.
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Part I: You will conduct legal research and draft a Research Memorandum as though you were presenting information to an attorney for whom you work.
You are to research the law(s) that applies to the issue(s) in this case.
Make sure you analyze this issue(s) from both perspectives (plaintiff and defendant), including any possible defenses available for each side.
The Research Memorandum must be at least 3-4 pages (no title or cover page should be included).
You must use at least 5 relevant sources of law (at least 3 must be cases). Select any state of your choice and use that state’s law only. Remember to follow appropriate Bluebook citation rules for all authority you use. You must cite all law properly.
Facts:
Our client, John Doe, was shopping in the local Budget Foods store on March 15th of last year. As he was pushing a shopping cart down one of the aisles, he slipped on a small area of previously spilled soda on the floor. Doe was taken to the emergency room at the local hospital and treated for a fractured wrist and a broken arm. It was determined that Doe was texting on his cell phone when he encountered the spilled soda.
NOTE: Your research and the drafting of your Memorandum must be done prior to moving on to Part II.
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Part II: This part involves the use of AI tools to research and generate a Memorandum based on the same Fact pattern from Part I. You will need to input the information from the Fact pattern from Part I into the AI tool to create the AI generated memorandum.
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Part III: You will need to compare and contrast your research and writing (Memorandum) with the AI generated Memorandum. Answer the following:
Compare the sources cited in your Memorandum to the AI generated Memorandum and discuss any similarities or differences.
Identify any differences in the discussion and analysis between the Memorandums.
Explain any variations in the application of the law in each Memorandum.
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Part IV:
After you have completed Parts I, II, and III, answer the following questions in detail:
What did you find most useful or helpful about using AI for this assignment?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI for this type of assignment?
Do you believe that AI should be used in the legal field? Explain why or why not.
How can we ensure that AI is used in an ethical manner?
AI Websites:
The following links are ChatGPT / AI websites specifically designed for law-related queries.
Suggested AI Law Websites
Ask Legal Bot
Ask Legal
My Pocket Lawyer
Ask AI Lawyer
Use the Memorandum of Law Formatting Guide uploaded under Getting Started/Course Resources to format your Research Memorandum. Use the FIRAC method to analyze the cases you discuss in the memo.
Part I Grading Rubric
Issue Section = 5 points
Brief Answer = 5 points
Facts = 5 points
Discussion (Analysis) = 40 points
Conclusion = 5 points
Use 5 Original Sources = 25 points (5 points each)
Proper Citation = 10 points
Grammar/Punctuation/Layout, etc. = 5 points
**This rubric is a maximum number of points available per component. You will earn the maximum points per component if the component is presented thoroughly and professionally. Mere inclusion of a component in your memo does not mean you are automatically entitled to all the component points.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT SHOULD BE AS FOLLOWS:
Double-spaced
Times New Roman (12) font
One-inch margins all around
Please include a citation page of your sources (this is not included in the 3-4 page requirement).
You must include citations to legal authority in your paper. All cites should be in Blue Book form (Please see the Legal Help Center tab on the left of the screen of the homepage for the course. The site provides links to information on how to cite various court opinions, primary sources and secondary courses).
NOTE: Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable source due to the fact that it can be changed by almost anyone with a computer. You must use Westlaw, as well as any other source provided on the Online Law Library. If after using both, you still have trouble locating authority, please let me know well before the due date of the project.
Your paper must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Sunday of Week 3. Late work may not be accepted or may be subject to a late penalty.
