what is a legal opinion from an attorney

by Dominic Moen Sr. 7 min read

Legal opinion Also called an opinion letter. An opinion from lawyers issued in letter form expressing legal conclusions about and/or legal analysis of a transaction or matter which is relied on by the addressee of the opinion.

Legal opinions involve conclusions of law as applied to facts that are either known to or assumed by the law firm. (1) Legal opinions usually should not contain representations of fact by the law firm.

Full Answer

How do you write a legal opinion?

Mar 01, 2019 · A legal opinion is a written statement by a lawyer, legal expert or a court as to the legality of a condition, or action. In business, a legal opinion represents the opinion giver’s professional understanding of a particular aspect of a transaction or a specific transaction based on legal principles.

Who can provide a legal opinion?

Dec 01, 2021 · A legal opinion is a formal letter from your company’s corporate counsel to the investors containing counsel’s conclusions about various legal matters relevant to the company and the transaction, based on counsel’s review of a defined body of documents and information. Legal opinions may include, e.g., the company’s valid existence, the ...

What can be learned from a legal opinion?

Dec 24, 2018 · The opinion letter is a formal letter drafted by an attorney. The aim is to verify the legal status of either you or your business. Some situations that might require an opinion letter include: Verifying a person’s lack of criminal status. Validating a company or organization.

How to write a legal opinion?

Aug 05, 2016 · A legal opinion is a written statement by a judicial officer, legal expert or a court as to the illegibility or legibility of a condition, intendant or action. In business, an opinion letter represents the opinion giver’s professional understanding of a particular aspect of a transaction or a specific transaction based on legal principles.

image

What does a legal opinion do?

The purpose of a legal opinion in a transaction is to provide an additional layer of assurance to the party receiving the opinion. In loan transactions in the United States, it is customary for the borrower's counsel to provide an opinion to the lender (but not vice versa).

What does a legal opinion say?

In law, a legal opinion is in certain jurisdictions a written explanation by a judge or group of judges that accompanies an order or ruling in a case, laying out the rationale and legal principles for the ruling.

What is a legal opinion document?

A legal opinion is a formal letter from your company's corporate counsel to the investors containing counsel's conclusions about various legal matters relevant to the company and the transaction, based on counsel's review of a defined body of documents and information.

What does a legal opinion cover?

A legal opinion identifies legal risks and issues that the recipient should address as part of the transaction. For example, an opinion may identify certain documents that have not been validly executed and which are therefore unenforceable.Aug 22, 2018

Who can provide a legal opinion?

Depending on the analysis of some facts which may be past or present, a lawyer can give a legal opinion. In some cases such as property cases, a legal opinion can be obtained, for other issues related to past or current affairs, a legal opinion can be obtained.Oct 12, 2020

Are legal opinions binding?

Are the Attorney General's opinions binding? The Attorney General's opinions are advisory, and not legally binding on courts, agencies, or individuals.

What is the purpose of an opinion letter?

An opinion letter is a formal expression of a judgment or advice based on an expert's special knowledge. The term is commonly used to refer to a document containing a lawyer's understanding of the law that applies to a particular case. Opinion letters are usually drafted at a client's request.

What is the difference between legal opinion and legal advice?

Often , legal advice and legal opinion are swapped and the terms are often confused. There is a border of difference between the terms : legal advice and legal opinion. A client can consult a lawyer as to what steps or measures should be taken in the coming times and the advice given by lawyer is called legal advice.Apr 7, 2020

What are the types of opinion?

Contents2.1 Public opinion.2.2 Group opinion.2.3 Scientific opinion.2.4 Legal opinion.2.5 Judicial opinion.2.6 Editorial opinion.

Who can provide a legal opinion?

Depending on the analysis of some facts which may be past or present, a lawyer can give a legal opinion. In some cases such as property cases, a legal opinion can be obtained, for other issues related to past or current affairs, a legal opinion can be obtained.Oct 12, 2020

What is the difference between legal advice and legal opinion?

It points to the key difference between a legal opinion and legal advice—i.e., that a legal opinion is an attorney's analysis based on past or present facts, while legal advice is an attorney's counsel and guidance as to what future actions the client should take.

What is the benefit of a legal opinion?

The main purposes of a legal opinion are: To inform the addressee of the legal effect of a transaction or matter. To identify legal risks that the addressee should consider further and evaluate.

What is the point of a legal opinion?

The purpose of a legal opinion in a transaction is to provide an additional layer of assurance to the party receiving the opinion. In loan transactions in the United States, it is customary for the borrower's counsel to provide an opinion to the lender (but not vice versa).

Is legal opinion legally binding?

A legal opinion will seek to reassure a lender that the transaction documents will: (i) bind the parties involved in the transaction; and (ii) be enforceable against those parties.Aug 22, 2018

Are legal opinions binding?

Are the Attorney General's opinions binding? The Attorney General's opinions are advisory, and not legally binding on courts, agencies, or individuals.

What is the most important part of a legal opinion letter?

When a reasoned opinion is rendered, the most important parts of the opinion are the statement of facts, particularly including the facts assumed to be true, the exceptions and the analysis on which the conclusion is based.