The Memo.

Let's talk about The Memo. It deserves caps, it really does. It's a nightmare. It seems so easy: Take the assignment, do some research, find some applicable case law, statutes, codes, whatever and then write a 15pp paper on it. Simple, right? But no. First is the problem that you have to write it in a specific legalese format... Conclusion, Rule, Explanation, Analysis, Conclusion (again)... and the sections have to be in a specific order. Second problem is that of course the assignment has all these twists and turns and little things that cause headaches. It's a lot like trying to write a term paper about the astrobiology of Mars. The astro-whaaaaat? Yeah, exactly. You have to learn everything about the background of the topic, the judicial & legislative history, the background of the client... all before you can even write.

I am at the cusp of writing, at the point where I am peering over the edge of the cliff, waiting to jump off... waiting for what? The right wind, the right moment. I take a deep breath and dive...