The client letter (sometimes called a client advisory letter or opinion letter) is one of the most common forms of legal communication in practice, yet it receives surprisingly little attention in law school. A client letter translates your legal analysis into language a non-lawyer can understand and act upon. It requires a fundamentally different writing style than a brief or memo — you must convey complex legal concepts clearly without talking down to the reader or oversimplifying to the point of inaccuracy.
The primary purpose of a client letter is to help the client make an informed decision. That means you need to explain not just the law, but the practical implications of the law for the client's specific situation. A letter that accurately recites the legal standard but fails to explain what it means for the client has not accomplished its purpose. The client is not looking for a law review article — they want to know what they should do and why.
Tone is critical in a client letter. You must be professional yet accessible, confident yet honest about uncertainties. Managing client expectations is one of the most important skills a lawyer can develop, and the client letter is often where that skill is exercised. Never promise a particular outcome, but do provide your candid assessment of the likely result and the risks involved.
Document Structure
Opening
Establish the context for the letter and remind the client why you are writing.
Reference the client's question or the matter you are addressing. For example: 'You asked me to evaluate whether your non-compete agreement is enforceable under California law.' This grounds the reader immediately and shows you are addressing their specific concern.
Summary of Issue
Briefly describe the legal question in plain language.
Translate the legal issue into everyday terms. Instead of 'whether the covenant not to compete is supported by adequate consideration,' write 'whether the non-compete clause in your employment agreement would hold up in court.' Keep this to 2-3 sentences.
Analysis
Explain the relevant law and how it applies to the client's situation.
Use plain language but do not sacrifice accuracy. Break complex analysis into numbered points or short paragraphs. Avoid long block quotes from cases — paraphrase the key holdings instead. Explain both the favorable and unfavorable aspects of the client's position.
Recommendation
Provide your professional assessment and suggested course of action.
Be direct about your recommendation while acknowledging uncertainties. Use phrases like 'Based on my analysis, I recommend...' or 'In my assessment, the strongest course of action is...' Never guarantee an outcome — instead, explain the likelihood and the risks.
Next Steps
Outline specific actions the client should take and any deadlines.
Be concrete. Instead of 'we should move forward soon,' write 'The statute of limitations expires on September 15, so we need to file the complaint by September 1 at the latest to allow time for service.' Include any documents or information you need from the client.
Closing
Invite further questions and reaffirm your availability.
End with a warm but professional closing that invites the client to reach out with questions. Include your direct contact information. Remind the client of any time-sensitive deadlines mentioned in the letter.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Write in plain English — avoid Latin phrases, legal jargon, and unnecessarily complex sentence structures
- Explain both the strengths and weaknesses of the client's position honestly
- Include specific deadlines and action items so the client knows exactly what to do next
- Use headings and short paragraphs to make the letter scannable
- Address the client by name and maintain a professional but personable tone
Don't
- Do not guarantee outcomes — use language like 'likely,' 'in my assessment,' or 'a court would probably find'
- Do not use dense legal citations in the body of the letter — footnotes are acceptable if necessary
- Do not assume the client understands legal terminology — define terms the first time you use them
- Do not bury the recommendation at the end of a long analysis — front-load your conclusion
- Do not include caveats and qualifications to the point where the client cannot figure out what you are actually recommending
- Do not send the letter without proofreading for typos — errors erode client confidence
Before & After Examples
Before
Pursuant to our telephonic conference of recent date, enclosed herewith please find my analysis of the aforementioned contractual dispute. The res judicata implications of the prior adjudication may impact the viability of your prospective cause of action.
After
Thank you for meeting with me last Tuesday to discuss the dispute with your former business partner. As we discussed, you asked me to evaluate whether you can sue for breach of contract despite the prior lawsuit that was dismissed. Here is my analysis and recommendation.
The improved version is clear, direct, and uses language a non-lawyer can immediately understand. The bad version uses archaic legal jargon ('pursuant to,' 'herewith,' 'aforementioned,' 'res judicata,' 'prospective cause of action') that confuses rather than informs.
Before
You should probably think about doing something about this soon because there might be some time limits.
After
You need to file the complaint by March 15, 2025, at the latest. The statute of limitations for breach of contract in Illinois is five years, and the breach occurred on March 15, 2020. I recommend that we file no later than February 28 to allow adequate time for preparation and service. Please confirm by January 30 whether you would like to proceed.
The improved version provides specific dates, explains the legal basis for the deadline, builds in a practical buffer, and requests a clear decision by a specific date. The vague version provides no actionable information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using legal jargon without explanation — clients do not know what 'summary judgment,' 'discovery,' or 'motion to compel' means
Burying the recommendation deep in the letter instead of stating it prominently near the beginning
Failing to include specific deadlines and next steps, leaving the client unsure of what to do
Being so hedged and qualified that the client cannot determine what you actually recommend
Sending a letter that reads like a legal memo — client letters require a fundamentally different tone and structure
Forgetting to explain what happens if the client does nothing — sometimes inaction has consequences the client does not realize