Your legal career begins with a compelling cover letter. It's not just for experienced lawyers but also for interns eyeing their real-world experience and law students ready to make a mark. Leverage our cover letter examples, samples, and templates to showcase your abilities and charm hiring managers.
Julia Belak Certified Professional Résumé Writer Last updated: Feb. 14, 2024 Average: 4.9 ( 131 votes )
Writing a compelling legal cover letter is your ticket to landing an interview in the legal field. Whether you're an experienced attorney or an aspiring paralegal, understanding how to build an attention-grabbing cover letter is just as important as your resume.
Judge Cover Letter Sample
In this guide, we'll deep-dive into practical tips, share some compelling examples, and teach you the art of creating a standout legal cover letter!
Keep reading and find out more about:
Correct formatting is vital when it comes to leaving a strong first impression. Here's how you can refine your legal cover letter, ensuring it's smooth to read and easy to navigate:
Use our AI Cover Letter Writer to generate a great first draft of your cover letter. Find the right words fast with the help of the world’s most powerful language model — OpenAI’s GPT-4.
The header of your cover letter plays the role of introducing your personal and professional details. It should be crisply formatted, containing accurate, necessary information.
The contents of the header should include:
Understand better with the following examples:
Lawyer Tom
Phone: 123456789
Email: TomaceLawyer@freemail.com
To: Pearson Specter Litt
Why isn't this correct? This example doesn't reflect the standard professional legal cover letter header. Here's why:
Thomas Brennan
(123) 456-7890
tbrennan.professional@email.com
March 3, 2023
To: Mr. Jonathan Adams
Hiring Manager
Pearson Specter Litt
456 Barrister Blvd, New York, NY 10012
What makes this correct?
By following these tips, you ensure your header is professional, making it easier for the hiring manager to contact you.
Your cover letter's headline is essentially your first impression, making it key in capturing the hiring manager's attention. A powerful headline is concise, targeted, and indicates the value you bring to the role.
Why are they weak?
What makes them strong?
Remember that your headline works similar to a captivating tagline representing your professional identity. Invest thought into crafting it. Showcase your unique strengths and features boldly.
Addressing your cover letter properly is a crucial step that shouldn't be overlooked. It shows respect, professionalism, and that you've done your homework.
Customizing the greeting specifically for the hiring manager takes your game up a notch. Ideally, you can find their name on the job posting or on the company's website. If not, LinkedIn and the firm’s official website are other good places to look for it.
When the hiring manager's name is unknown, it's best to use a generalized professional greeting. Avoid using "To whom it may concern," as it's overly formal and outdated. Here's how to better address your cover letter:
Remember, every detail counts. Tailoring your greeting demonstrates initiative and respect, and these small touches could give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
The introduction of your cover letter sets the tone for the rest of the document. It should capture interest, radiate enthusiasm, and briefly highlight professional achievements or academic acumen.
Include why you're applying for the specific position, and if applicable, leverage a mutual connection to further enhance your credibility.
I came across your job posting and thought I should apply, given my background in law.
Why is this not effective?
As an accomplished attorney with over 12 years of experience in corporate law, and a track record of securing favorable outcomes in over 85% of my cases, I am excited by the opportunity to bring my skills and expertise to ABC Law Firm's legal team.
What makes this good?
Just out of law school and ready to conquer the legal world? Now, let's see how a hard-hitting introduction for a recent law graduate should look like:
With a Juris Doctor degree from XYZ University and an internship experience at a reputable law firm, I am keen to apply for the Associate Attorney position at ABC Law Firm. My academic achievements and hands-on experience in handling various legal cases make me a strong candidate for this role.
What sets this apart?
In crafting your cover letter's opening, be bold and specific. Highlight the best parts of your career or educational background and make them intrigued to keep reading.
The body of your cover letter is essentially your stage, it's where you impress the audience with your star qualities. In a neat and structured format, it should showcase your top skills, key achievements, and explain how these align with the requirements of the job role.
To effectively spotlight your legal skills and achievements:
These are just a few examples of the key skills you might want to highlight when applying for a legal role. Remember, it’s not just about listing your skills, but demonstrating how they have made a tangible impact in your career or studies.
My successes in the legal field have been thanks to my combination of skills and experience. For example:
If you're just starting your legal career, focus on transferable skills, academic achievements, or relevant internships. Perhaps you led a successful group project in your law course, or you have honed your researching abilities during your internship. Make these the highlight of your letter.
Despite my lack of professional experience, my training and academia have equipped me with a robust skill set:
Remember, writing a cover letter is about promoting yourself without sounding boastful. The goal is to show the reader why you're the best fit for the job. So shine a large spotlight on your skills, qualifications, and experiences that align with the requirements of the job.
Estate Manager Cover Letter Example 
The conclusion of your legal cover letter is equally as important as the introduction. This is your closing argument and final chance to emphasize your interest in the position, and how you can be an asset to the company.
Your conclusion should include:
I am genuinely excited about the prospect of bringing my unique blend of skills and experience to your esteemed legal team. I am confident that my expertise in corporate law will be beneficial to XYZ Law Firm. I can be reached at any time via phone or email, and I am looking forward to your feedback by the end of this month, at the latest. In case I have not heard from you by then, I will take the initiative to follow up to ensure my application has been received. Thank you for taking time to consider my application.
Remember, a persuasive conclusion leaves a lasting good impression, and that's exactly what you're aiming for. Wrap it up professionally, confidently, and courteously.
Despite your best intentions, easy-to-make mistakes can creep into your legal cover letter, potentially jeopardizing your chances of landing the job. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
By circumventing these common errors, you enhance the potential of your application, making it more compelling and professional.
Choosing a career in law comes with impressive financial prospects. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly salary for lawyers as of May 2022 was a handsome $135,740. This salary can of course vary depending on your specialization, location, and level of experience.
But it's not just about the money — the job outlook for lawyers is also promising. Employment of lawyers is set to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth rate surpasses the average for all other occupations, making the legal field a viable and attractive career path.
Digging deeper, the data reveals an anticipated average of 39,100 openings for lawyers each year over the next decade.
With its attractive salary and robust employment outlook, pursuing a career as a lawyer could lead to a bright and prosperous future.
Navigating the job market can be challenging, and having the right resources at your disposal can make a significant difference. Whether you're a student considering a career in law or an experienced lawyer seeking a new opportunity, the following resources can be invaluable:
Stepping into your legal career or seeking the next big opportunity can be a daunting task. However, using these resources can guide you on the right path, equipping you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in your legal profession. All it takes is a little direction and a hefty dose of determination. Good luck!
Your tone should be professional and confident. Though you're writing a formal legal document, avoid overly complex legal jargon. It's essential to show your personality and passion for the role.
In your cover letter, make it clear why you're interested in the job and willing to relocate. However, focus primarily on your qualifications and why you're the best choice for the role.
If you have significant employment gaps, it may be wise to address them briefly in your cover letter. Be straightforward, focusing on the positive outcomes like any skills or knowledge learned during the gap.
It's always best to customize your cover letter for each job application. Using the same cover letter for different job applications might come across as lazy and could potentially cost you the job.
Only include references if the job advertisement specifically asks for them. Otherwise, wait until the interview. When choosing, find professional contacts who can attest to your skills and qualifications.
