If you are looking for a legal position in a firm, it is very important that your cover letter stands out. First impressions are lasting, and your cover letter is your first introduction to your potential employer. It is therefore expected that you put your best foot forward. You should be able to sell your suitability for your target legal job through your cover letter.
Your cover letter should have a clear structure, with an introduction that summarizes your relevant legal skills and experiences suitable for the job, followed by closing remarks that reiterate your interest in the job.
What to Include in a Legal Cover Letter
Your cover letter should be built on four main paragraphs:
The opening paragraph
This paragraph usually explains the position you are applying for and how you came to know about the job. This could be through a social media platform or a newspaper ad, among other sources. Getting the opening paragraph right will increase your chances of getting the job. Do not bore the recruiter in the first paragraph. This can actually make him or her throw away your letter without further consideration. Be brief and concise with your information.
Second paragraph
It explains to the job recruiter who you are. This is the most important part of a cover letter, as it also indicates your qualifications, skills, and experiences. Try as much as possible to be straightforward and to indicate the skills and experiences that can be backed by your resume if required. Enlighten the recruiter on how these qualities can benefit the firm with practical evidence from the resume.
Third paragraph
It usually tells why you are specifically attracted to the legal organization or firm. If possible, cite recent cases of interest.
‘ I have been following your project, “justice for all” and the recent legal outcomes from the project have shown me that this is the right platform for me to develop my legal career and become a better person in society.’
This is a good way of making the job recruiter develop an interest in your skills and knowledge and they are therefore likely to invite you for an interview.
Closing paragraph
This paragraph requires that you mention that you have enclosed any necessary attachments or documents as per the job advertisement. Most job ads usually require your CV or resume, photocopies of your documents, and other attachments. Also, indicate that you look forward to hearing from the firm and explain any other issues they might have asked about, such as salary expectations and so on.
Sample Legal Cover Letter
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Junior Associate position at Smith & Associates Legal Firm, as recently advertised on the American Bar Association’s job board. Your firm’s innovative approach to corporate law and its impressive record of representing high-profile clients in groundbreaking cases have inspired me to seek an opportunity to be a part of your esteemed team.
As a recent magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, I have developed a strong foundation in corporate and intellectual property law. My internship with Global Law Inc., where I assisted in a landmark intellectual property case, has equipped me with practical skills in legal research and client consultation. This experience, detailed in my enclosed resume, underscores my ability to contribute meaningfully to your firm’s ongoing projects and client needs.
What particularly draws me to Smith & Associates is your recent involvement in the high-profile case of Johnson v. InnovateTech, which set a precedent in tech industry patent law. My academic focus on patent law and my passion for technology make me particularly excited about the prospect of working on similar cases and contributing to the firm’s continued success in this area.
Enclosed are my resume and other documents as per your job advertisement’s requirements. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills would be a perfect match for Smith & Associates. I look forward to the possibility of an interview and am prepared to discuss my salary expectations and any other details at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application for this exciting opportunity.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Key Takeaways
This sample cover letter is a useful example for several reasons:
- The letter is well-structured with distinct sections – an opening paragraph, two body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. This clear layout makes it easy to follow and understand.
- She begins by expressing her interest in the role and why the firm appeals to her. This demonstrates her enthusiasm and also shows she’s done her research about the firm.
- The writer outlines her relevant qualifications and experience, like her degree and internship. This is crucial, as it shows her suitability for the role. She effectively links her experience to the job requirements.
- She specifically mentions a case the firm has worked on and relates it to her own interests and expertise. This not only shows her knowledge about the firm but also how her skills and interests align with the firm’s work.
- The writer ends with a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to review her resume and other documents. She expresses eagerness for an interview and willingness to discuss further details, which shows her proactive approach and flexibility.
- Throughout the letter, the tone is professional, and the content is clear and concise. This demonstrates her ability to communicate effectively, an important skill in the legal profession.
Things to avoid when writing a legal cover letter
Failure to write a cover letter
One of the mistakes that most people make is failing to include a cover letter when sending their CV. Instead of uploading a cover letter, other applicants may include statements like ‘ resume attached’ or, worse yet, add nothing at all. If you are looking for a job, your cover letter is what entices the employer to read through your resume and other attached documents. For the legal position, it is the cover letter that measures your writing skills. Suppose you do not attach a cover letter. In that case, it may indicate to your potential employer that you are not interested in the job enough to take time and summarize your details or you do not have enough skills to qualify for the job.
Failure to follow instructions
The second mistake to avoid when writing a legal cover letter is failing to follow instructions. If,
for instance
The job posting clearly explains that you should include some additional documents and your expected salary, it is important to follow this instruction. Sadly enough, most applicants fail to do this.
Well, failure to adhere to such instructions may not make a good first impression It may also portray you as a careless person, or you may not be very interested in the position. You will only stand a higher chance of getting the job if you ensure that all the employer’s instructions are followed.
Generic cover letter
You should also avoid writing a generic cover letter. You should ensure to write the skills you have that qualify you for the job and avoid any irrelevant information. Writing a cover letter in the legal field, for instance, requires you to be very precise.
A weak opening
Lastly, avoid writing a cover letter with a weak opening. A weak opening in the legal field for instance can be something like;
‘I went through your job posting on Craigslist and I have the skills required to offer litigation paralegal services’.
Rather, you should come up with something like;
‘I have worked as a litigation paralegal for a period of five years and have handled all the litigation phases, helped in more than 10 trials, and assisted the legal team in recovering at least 20 million in settlements.
The latter clearly explains the relevant skills that make you the best candidate for the post, and it will encourage the hiring employee to want to know more about you.
Conclusion
A good cover letter indicates your interest in the job while putting forth your qualifications to the potential employer. It reflects the job advertisement and discusses how the application meets each and every requirement outlined in the posting. This means that you should be able to indicate the availability of each and every requirement that is listed. This is the best way to ensure that your cover letter is impeccable.
If you are looking for a legal position in a firm, it is very important that your cover letter stands out. First impressions are lasting, and your cover letter is your first introduction to your potential employer. It is therefore expected that you put your best foot forward. You should be able to sell your own suitability for your target legal job through your cover letter.
Your cover letter should depict a clear structure with an introduction that leads to a summary of your relevant legal skills and experiences suitable for the job, followed by closing remarks that reiterate your interest in the job.
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