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The "Memoranda To Clerks" file provides a unique perspective on the operation of the Powell chambers. More than just writing assignments, these memoranda demonstrate the role of the law clerk in the Powell chambers. Powell's respect and affection for these young men and women is evident here. The memoranda contain as much advice and philosophy as they do work assignments and schedules.

Most of these memoranda are copies of documents from case files.

The "General" subject files treat a variety of subject matters. There are two alphabetical groupings here with no obvious distinction in content. A small amount of the correspondence centers around dealings with individuals on specific topics. Other correspondence continues his longtime relations with associations including the American Bar Association, the American Bar Foundation and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Correspondence regarding the clubs to which he belonged is also present. Research files for possible speeches are here, as are housekeeping records like address files. Files on specific topics not related to the Court, such as Powell's published memorandum entitled "Attack On American Free Enterprise System," are here, as well. Fully half-a-foot of papers concerning media criticism is here. His response to an erroneous report by CBS news correspondent and Powell friend, Fred Graham, is part of this portion of the subject files. He corresponded, and kept a clipping file, about the controversial book about the Supreme Court, The Brethren.

This subseries contains subject files about day-to-day Court administration and operation. Included here is almost a foot of files on Powell's service on the Court's budget committee. There is an equal amount of documentation concerning disqualification problems. These files deal with actual and potential conflicts of interest concerning cases that Powell might have heard as a member of the Supreme Court. The conflicts primarily involved Hunton & Williams retained clients, and companies in which Powell had investments.

The mutual bond between Justice Powell and his clerks, was maintained through the annual clerks' reunion. These reunions included a dinner in the Supreme Court Building and brunch at the Alibi Club. The plans for these occasions dominate this subseries. There are also papers relating to the several dinners that Jo and Lewis Powell hosted at the Supreme Court Building for the other Justices and their spouses.

For the contents of these boxes, see this spreadsheet at the Powell Archives website.

These are some forty five Supreme Court slip opinions that Justice Powell annotated as he read or re-read them. Nine of these are from after Powell retired from the Court. A spreadsheet listing the cases for which there are annotated slip opinions is available on the Powell Archives website.

These memoranda were prepared for Justice Powell by his clerks or other Supreme Court clerks. The clerks briefed Powell on the facts and merits of the applications and made recommendations for action.