Structure of a Legal Opinion

Parts of the Opinion

Title and Heading

Introduction
Brief summary of decision Facts/Background Standard of Review Issues/Analysis Legal Reasoning Holding

Conclusion

Title and Heading

Official Citation

Court Name
Plaintiffs and Defendants Docket Number

Date of Decision
Synopsis of Case Brief disposition of case

Official Citation
Case Name (Plaintiffs and Defendants)

Volume Number of Reporter

Reporter Beginning Page Number Court Name Year of Decision

Example: NRDC v. Evans, 254 F.Supp.2d 434 (S.D.N.Y. 2003).

Introduction

Often includes: Facts Procedural history Resolution of case

Standard of Review
Often crucial to the outcome of the case! The more deferential the standard of review, the more likely the defendant will prevail.

Analysis: IRAC
Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion

IRAC
Issue: The legal question court is asked to solve.
Rule: The general legal rules governing the issue (statutes and

common law) Analysis: The court explains how the legal rules apply to the facts of this case Conclusion: The courts decision, or holding, on each issue presented

Elements of a Case Brief

1. Identification of the Case

2. Facts
3. Procedural History 4. Issue(s) and Holding(s) 5. Reasoning 6. Evaluation

Identification of Case
1. Name of case 2. Full citation 3. Optional: vote, author of opinion, legal topic classification, etc. Example: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, 74 S. Ct. 686, 98 L. Ed. 873 (1954). Vote: 9-0. Author: Warren, C.J. Legal Topics: Const. Law; Civil Rights

Facts
1. Principal parties to the dispute 2. Relationships among those parties

3. Events that led to the dispute

Procedural History
1. Which party/parties initiated legal action against which others? 2. The legal claims and relief sought (but keep this short!) 3. The disposition(s) of lower courts, if any 4. The authoring courts disposition

Issue Statement (a.k.a Question Presented)

A material question of fact or law that arises from the claims, defenses, and arguments of the parties Hint: Try to state the issue as narrowly as possible, tailoring it to the crucial facts and legal rules of the case

EXAMPLE ISSUE STATEMENTS BAD: Did the trial court correctly grant summary judgment for the defendant?
BETTER: Is an employer liable in tort for discharging an at-will employee for a reason that violates public policy?

BEST: Is the employer liable in tort for discharging an at-will employee because of her refusal to participate in a public mooning, a discharge that contravened the public policy against indecent exposure reflected in a criminal statute?

Holding: The courts answer to the question presented in the issue

Simple answer: Yes or No Detailed answer: Transform issue into a holding in the form of a statement Example: Yes. By discharging the employee because she refused to participate in a public mooning, the employer violated public policy reflected in a criminal statute prohibiting indecent exposure.

Reasoning
1. Rule and Rationale
2. Distinguishing Dicta Dicta: Statements in the opinion that help explain the courts reasoning but address questions not squarely presented in the dispute before the court

Evaluation
1. Was the reasoning convincing? 2. Did the court apply the proper standard of review? 3. Did the court properly analyze the statute or constitutional provision?

4. Did the court put the proper amount of emphasis on equitable considerations?

Martin v. City of Seattle, 105 Wn.App. 1041 (2001)

Martin and other named plaintiffs appeal the trial court's dismissal on summary judgment of their class action lawsuit against the City of Seattle. The purported class consists of all persons who received parking tickets as a result of short-changing meters during a six-year period. Each parking ticket incurred a $20 fine. We do not reach the merits of the claim because we conclude that this court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. Under RCW 2.06.030, the appellate jurisdiction of this court does not extend to civil actions at law for the recovery of money or personal property when the original amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of $200. Appellants may not aggregate their claims against the City in order to reach the $200 limit so as to confer jurisdiction. [FN1] Therefore, we must dismiss the case.