An attorney opinion letter is a formal piece of advice or an expression of judgment. It’s based on a professional’s expert knowledge.
An opinion letter mostly refers to a document that contains an attorney’s understanding of the law.
Whether you want to avoid costly litigation or correctly navigate your way through a current lawsuit, you and your business must make the right choices. To make sound choices, it’s important to understand how the law applies to your circumstances.
When it comes to running a business, knowing how the law applies can make a big difference. An opinion letter can offer a specialized opinion, helping you stay on the right, and lawful, path for all your business endeavors.
Usually, an opinion letter is drafted at your request.
Understanding the Opinion Letter
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
- Statements on how a judge should rule on a legal matter
- Suggestions for updating or creating a business’ actions receivable/collections practices
- Analysis of licensing regulations and how they apply to a business
- Advise on prevailing wage requirements for certain projects
- Analysis of labor laws and how they relate to hiring and firing staff
- Analysis of labor union regulations for certain businesses or projects
- Advice for other legal issues your business faces
Why Would You Need an Opinion Letter in Florida?
There are several reasons you might need an attorney opinion letter, including:
Lawfulness of An Action
You can request a legal opinion letter if you need to know whether or not an action is lawful or if that action could lead to the desired lawful consequences.
To Satisfy Contractual Agreements
Opinion letters are often issued to investors concerning the sale of securities, among other occasions.
To Answer Questions
An attorney’s opinion letter can also address questions raised by other professionals. In other words, opinion letters provide an authoritative basis for opinions, reports, and matters where other professionals are unable (professionally) to make judgments.
An opinion letter may also be necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements.
What Does An Opinion Letter Include?
Opinion letters are commonly drafted before you enter, litigate or defend transactions. The aim of the letter is to address all the questions you need answers to.
When we draft a letter, we set out to clarify all the areas of concern.
This is what you’ll find in an attorney opinion letter:
The Facts
The facts answer your concerns or questions with a straightforward “yes” or “no.” Sometimes an attorney may include professional personal opinions, and these will be stated as such.
An Analysis
Your opinion letter will first set out the provision of the law and the actual law. There will also be a summary of Florida jurisdiction. In this section, you will find extracts that help your attorney reach their opinion. There will also be clear steps you should take if you’re ever in similar situations.
An Answer
The fact and analysis sections answer a query. The answers are simplified into “yes” or no” answers.
Disclaimers
Disclaimers save the attorney from being reported for malpractice should their opinion be incorrect. In this section, you’ll find the disclaimer states that all opinions are based on Florida law at the time of drafting the letter.
Do You Really Need an Opinion Letter?
At attorney opinion letter gives you a clear understanding of your legal rights. What’s more, a legal letter can help protect you from future liability.
No matter what type of business you conduct, or what legal issue you may have, we can help you. We draft opinion letters for businesses and individuals in Florida. We’ve already written many legal opinion letters on a variety of different circumstances, and we’re happy to help prepare a strong, authoritative letter for you.
Book a consultation at Principal Law Firm to discuss an attorney opinion letter today.
Image: Freepik
