Writing a Good Legal Cover Letter

Use a personalized cover letter to present the unique reasons why you are the best candidate. Show that you know the person you`re writing to and highlight connections. If that`s not possible, you can always write about the company to show you`ve done your research. The first example of a legal cover letter comes from Frank, who is applying with several years of experience as a paralegal. A big part of why I`m applying is your commitment to employee development. I was inspired when one of your partners talked about his journey from law clerk to associate during his career years at my university`s law school. I am strongly committed to my development, and Bear & Jones would be the most fertile ground for that. Since you want to make a lasting impression on a single page, it`s also a good idea to check the sentence structure of your cover letter. Do you start all your sentences the same way? Are they all the same length? Make sure there is some variety to keep your reader engaged.

Customize the format of your cover letter – readable, clear and accessible: highlight what sets you apart and make your cover letter impactful and accurate. I have 4+ years of experience as a legal assistant at Sutton, Sachs, Meyer, which has allowed me to constantly acquire and practice the legal skills you currently need for your paralegal. You describe your priorities such as reporting, customer contact and case preparation research. In my previous position, I provided at least 2 daily reports on important developments and other factors affecting ongoing cases, with flawless accuracy. I have assisted paralegals and lawyers in providing personal advice to client companies at least once a week, as well as through the reports I have produced, which have often been used directly with clients. The reality of day-to-day work at many fast-paced law firms can be brutal, and by letting them know you`ve done a little research before writing your legal cover letter, you can skip many less in-depth candidates. Other errors in the cover letter are: defensive or apologetic; seem arrogant or justified and be too long and wordy. Unsubstantiated statements about your qualities (“I am highly motivated and I study quickly”) will not help your case.

Generic reasons for your interest in the employer (e.g. Its “excellent reputation”) tends to prove your lack of specific knowledge. Of course, typos and inaccuracies, such as misspelled names or (please!) expressing an interest in a domain the company doesn`t have, are automatic app killers. As a lawyer and consultant at [Former Employer], one of my main tasks was to facilitate communication between the firm and the municipal court. By installing a new digital recording system, I was able to improve the efficiency of external communication by 35% and reduce misunderstandings and recording errors by 60%. Here are some best practices for handling your legal cover letter: Summarize the points in your letter and end with an open statement that shows that you expect an interview (instead of passively saying, “I`m waiting for your call”). In the title of your cover letter, tell the employer that the letter was written specifically for them. Even after reviewing a few examples of legal cover letters, the do`s and don`ts of the legal cover letter aren`t always easy to spot. You may be wondering: What should a legal cover letter for a law firm contain? While the content of your cover letter varies from employer to employer, these etiquette points shouldn`t. To achieve these goals, your legal cover letter should follow this general structure: I am a lawyer who has more than 7 years of experience as a trainee lawyer and administrative assistant. As an award-winning lawyer, I am confident that I can provide your team with the support you need to succeed.

My mentor, Ms. Molly Jackson, is one of the key members of your firm`s legal staff and has strongly recommended that I apply for this position. Writing a solid cover letter is essential for any legal career, as it helps convince employers that you are a fantastic employee. It should make a page, and: This last detail will help you create a personalized greeting that addresses the person by name. With this type of greeting, you immediately show that you have taken the time to adapt the letter. Lawyers can hold a variety of positions, ranging from lawyers, legal counsel, administrative assistants to articling students. To get your dream job in the legal industry, you need to write a captivating cover letter that shows your best professional qualifications. If you are uploading a cover letter as part of a larger application form, avoid repeating the examples you used to answer the questions on the form. Give as complete a picture as possible of your skills and experience and repeat something if you think it is of particular importance to this company.

Your cover letter is an introduction to grab the recruiter`s attention – a sample of your potential, if you want – not your entire application. 2. When you respond to a job offer, you will usually be asked to submit a cover letter as part of your application. In this case, use the job description and the qualifications required as a guide. While you may not only imitate the language of registration, your letter should show that you have what the employer is looking for. While there are many ways to write a cover letter, the following format has worked well for students in the past.