Assignment Overview

An internal memorandum of law, (the inter-office memo), is requestedfromyou, by your boss. Your boss is tasked with:

• deciding whether or not to accept a case, or
• advising a client about whether to bring suit, or
• deciding how to proceed in a client's case once the suit is brought.

When you prepare the memo, you will be asked to consider issues identified by your boss.

The inter-office memo should bedetailed, neutral, andproperly cited.Your boss will use your work to decide what action to take in a legal dispute involving a client. The strengthsandweaknesses of the client's case must be studied objectively so that your boss can make an informed decision on whether or not to take the case. Often, that decision depends on your prediction as to the success of the case.

Assignment Directions

Step 1: Find samples of an internal legal memorandum

Step 2:Review the fact pattern below:

Donatella and Domenico Doughnuts are the owners of "Panetteria", a fashionable bakery and coffee shop in the town of Sundrench, California, specializing in old-world bread, cakes, and pastries. While on their honeymoon several years ago in the Piedmont region of Italy, they bought their first espresso machine. Their cannoli recipe, which Donatella inherited from her "Nonna", is locked in a safe deposit box at their bank. Despite the high cost of commercial leases, the Doughnuts were able to carve out a very comfortable living. They kept overhead low by hiring family members and local teenagers to serve the coffee and pastries. Two years ago, they decided to move to Walla Walla, Washington, and open a second bakery/coffee shop, "Panetteria Due". The Doughnuts added a drive-thru at both locations. They expanded their menus to include sandwiches, specialty drinks, and salads. La vita era Bella.

Last month, to compete with Starbucks and Panera, the Doughnuts decided the institute a "dress code" for their employees. Male employees are required to wear G-strings, while female employees are required to wear 'pasties' and G-strings. The G-strings of both, male and female, employees are to match the color of their eyes. The Doughnuts supplied the employee 'uniforms'. On the first day of the new uniforms, employees reported a marked increase in their tips, despite the number of customers who left due to the scantily clad staff. As the news of the new "Panetteria" and " Panetteria Due" spread on social media, the second, third, and fourth day of the new uniforms brought consecutive record-breaking profits. The lines outside both shops went around the block. There was a 45-minute wait for a coffee and a pastry; ninety minutes if you order a cannoli and an espresso. Employees were ecstatic with their increase in tips. On the fifth day, town inspectors shut down the "Panetteria". The Doughnuts were served with a cease and desist order from the town. The lawsuit alleges the Doughnuts operate a 'lewd' establishment within the town limits, in an area not zoned for "adult entertainment".

The Doughnuts have scheduled a meeting with your boss, Amber Goody-Two shoes, of Dewy, Cheatem, and Howe, Ltd. Dewy, Cheatem, and Howe, Ltd. Has offices in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Washington. The Doughnuts want to:

• reopen "Panetteria",
• sue the town for their lost profits, and the lost tips of their employees,
• head off any potential lawsuits memo about " Panetteria Due".

Attorney Goody-Two shoes ask you toprepare an internal memo addressing the following:

• Can the "Panetteria" be reopened?
• Can the Doughnuts recover their lost profits?
• Can the Doughnuts recover the lost tips on behalf of their employees?
• Did the town ordinances violate the right to employees' right to free expression under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?

Your internal memo must be properly cited with Bluebook citations.

Step 3: Create a chart dividing the facts in the fact pattern into three categories :

Irrelevant FactsBackground FactsKey Facts

Step 4: Prepare the internal memo requested by Attorney Goody-Two shoes