Legal Research Assignment

Research the legal issues presented in the GreenLeaf matter, comparing AI-assisted and traditional research approaches.

⚠️ Treat as Real Client Matter

Although this matter is fictitious, apply the same confidentiality analysis you would with a real client. Before using any tool, consider what information you're inputting and whether that use is appropriate.

Tool Selection for Legal Research

This assignment requires you to compare approaches. For at least one research question, use both traditional methods and AI-assisted research, then evaluate the results.

Non-AI Options
  • Traditional Boolean/terms-and-connectors searching on Westlaw or Lexis
  • Secondary sources: Texas Jurisprudence, Dorsaneo's Texas Litigation Guide, O'Connor's Texas Causes of Action
  • Texas Pattern Jury Charges for element analysis
  • Restatement (Second) of Contracts for general principles
AI Options (Tools You Have)
  • Westlaw CoCounsel: AI-assisted research, case synthesis, research memo generation
  • Lexis Protégé: AI search features, document analysis
  • Gemini/Copilot: Can explain general legal concepts—but what are the citation risks? Can these tools provide reliable Texas authority?
✓ Required Verification

Every citation must be verified. Use KeyCite (Westlaw) or Shepard's (Lexis) to confirm cases are good law. Read the cases yourself—do not rely solely on AI summaries.

LEGAL RESEARCH MEMORANDUM ASSIGNMENT

THORNFIELD & ASSOCIATES, LLP

TO: Associate Attorney
FROM: Senior Partner
DATE: February 9, 2026
RE: GreenLeaf Technologies, Inc. — Initial Legal Research

Assignment Overview

After reviewing the client intake materials, we need to research several legal issues before advising GreenLeaf on its options. Please research the following questions under Texas law and prepare a brief memorandum summarizing your findings.

This assignment requires you to compare research approaches. For at least one question below, conduct research using both (1) traditional methods (Boolean searching, secondary sources) and (2) AI-assisted tools (CoCounsel, Protégé). Document what each approach found, what it missed, and which produced better results for that question.

Research Questions

Question 1: Contract Interpretation

The Software Development Agreement requires the software to "maintain accuracy within acceptable industry tolerances." The contract does not define this phrase.

Research: Under Texas law, how do courts interpret ambiguous contract terms? What extrinsic evidence, if any, may be considered? What is the role of industry custom and usage in interpreting technical specifications?

Question 2: Material Breach

GreenLeaf contends that Vertex delivered non-conforming software. Vertex claims it substantially performed.

Research: Under Texas law, what constitutes a "material breach" of contract? What factors do courts consider in distinguishing material breach from minor or partial breach? How does the doctrine of substantial performance apply to contracts for custom software development?

Question 3: Notice and Cure

The contract provides a 30-day acceptance period and a 15-day cure period. GreenLeaf sent a defect notice on February 10, 2026 (within 30 days of delivery). Vertex did not attempt any repairs.

Research: Under Texas law, when a contract provides for notice and an opportunity to cure, what are the consequences if the breaching party fails to cure within the specified period? Does the non-breaching party have an obligation to cooperate with cure efforts?

Question 4: Remedies

GreenLeaf has paid $120,000 of the $180,000 contract price. If Vertex materially breached, GreenLeaf wants to know what it can recover.

Research: Under Texas law, what remedies are available to a non-breaching party when the other party materially breaches? Specifically, research: (a) the availability of restitution/refund of payments made; (b) whether consequential damages are recoverable; and (c) the effect of the contract's limitation of liability clause (Article 7).

Deliverable

Prepare a research memorandum (3-5 pages) addressing each question. For each issue:

  1. State the applicable legal rule under Texas law
  2. Cite at least two relevant Texas cases (verified as good law)
  3. Briefly apply the rule to the facts of GreenLeaf's situation
  4. Note any areas of uncertainty or issues requiring further research

Tool Use Statement (Required)

Your memorandum must include a Tool Use Statement documenting:

  1. Tools used: List all tools—AI tools (specify which), research platforms, secondary sources, templates
  2. How used: Describe what you used each tool for
  3. Tool selection reasoning: Explain why you chose these tools, including why you chose not to use certain tools
  4. Comparison results: For the question where you compared approaches, describe what each method found and which was more effective

Reflection Questions

In addition to your memorandum, include a brief reflection (1-2 paragraphs) addressing:

  • Comparison: For the question where you used both traditional and AI-assisted research, which approach was more effective? Why? What did each method find that the other missed?
  • Verification: What verification steps did you perform? Did you find any errors in AI-generated content (hallucinated citations, mischaracterized holdings, missing authority)?
  • Confidentiality: What confidentiality considerations affected your tool selection? Did you input any client-specific information into general-purpose AI? Why or why not?
  • Efficiency: Which approach was faster? Did the faster approach sacrifice quality?

Resources

Suggested Starting Points (Non-AI):

  • Texas Pattern Jury Charges — Business, Consumer, Insurance & Employment
  • Dorsaneo, Texas Litigation Guide
  • O'Connor's Texas Causes of Action
  • Restatement (Second) of Contracts §§ 241, 243, 373-377

Traditional Search Terms:

  • "material breach" /s Texas /s contract
  • "substantial performance" /s software /s Texas
  • ambiguous /s contract /s "extrinsic evidence" /s Texas
  • "opportunity to cure" /s breach /s Texas
  • restitution /s "material breach" /s Texas

AI Research Prompts to Try:

  • "Under Texas law, what factors determine whether a breach of contract is material?"
  • "How do Texas courts interpret ambiguous contract terms when the contract involves technical specifications?"
  • "What remedies are available in Texas when a vendor breaches a software development contract?"

Note: Compare results from these prompts against your traditional research. What did each approach find? What did each miss?