Module 03 Written Assignment, Course Project – Analyzing Using IRAC

Time Line

Purpose of Assignment: The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate use of IRAC to analyze a fact pattern.

Course Competency: Apply legal sources to a specific set of facts using the Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion (IRAC) method of writing.

Instructions:

Content:

• For this assignment you will be preparing your own analysis of a fact pattern, using IRAC. You should provide the issue, state the rules you obtain from the cases provided, analyze the facts considering the case law, and then draw a conclusion, using the IRAC method. The cases you should read to locate the rules have been provided for you here:
  • • Rambaum v. Swisher, 435 N.W.2d 19 (Minn. 1989)
    • Mjos v. Village of Howard Lake, 178 N.W.2d 862 (Minn. 1970)
    • Trail v. Elk River, 175 N.W.2d 916 (Minn. 1970)
• The following is your set of facts to analyze:
  • Steven owns a bar, The Lucky Duck. The Lucky Duck employs five bartenders, all of whom he has provided training on mixing drinks and general employment issues. It also employs a security person on weekends, when the patrons are a bit rowdier. The Lucky Duck has posted signs in the restroom giving patrons the phone number for local cab companies in the event they are too intoxicated to drink home.
  • One Saturday night, Michael went to The Lucky Duck with a group of friends to celebrate his promotion. His group of friends was ordering rounds of shots from all the bartenders, and large beers all night, toasting to Michael’s recent success. As the night went on, the group became more intoxicated, and rowdier. At 1am, one of the bartenders, Melissa, told Michael that it was his “last round,” as he was staggering when he walked up to the bar. After finishing that beer, Michael had his friend go buy him another beer from a different bartender, Sally. Shortly after he finished his last drink, Michael decided that he was ready to head home. Security watched as Michael walked out towards the parking lot, muttering “what a drunk.”
  • On his way home, Michael ran a stop sign and ran into Mindy, who was driving home from a late shift as a nurse at the local hospital. Mindy was severely injured with a concussion, fractured ribs, internal bleeding, a broken arm, and lacerations to her face and hands, and contusions where her seatbelt dug into her. Mindy was forced to take several months off work to recover, and her hospital bills were large.
  • Mindy sought out an attorney, who told her that she should sue Michael. Michael however, lost his job after the accident, and was drowning in debt. Therefore, the attorney told Mindy that she should also sue The Lucky Duck for overserving Michael.
• You should discuss the liability of The Lucky Duck and any potential outcome to a suit against The Lucky Duck using IRAC. You should use the case law and facts provided in your analysis.

Format:

• Your final assignment should be formatted as follows:
  • Write the caption “Issue” and list the issue under it
  • Write the caption “Rule” and list the rule under it
    • After each rule, you should indicate where you obtained that rule in proper Bluebook formatting as we learned last week.
  • Write the caption “Analysis” and provide your analysis under it
  • Repeat the steps for “Rule” and “Analysis” if needed
  • Write the caption “Conclusion” and provide your conclusion under it
• Your assignment should have proper spelling and grammar throughout.

Resources:

• Microsoft Word
• IRAC FAQ