To secure a position with a premiere law firm, write a strong lawyer cover letter that captures the most compelling aspects of your legal career. Emphasize your knowledge of particular areas of law using tangible examples from your work history. Also, demonstrate your proven track record of litigating complex cases and achieving positive outcomes for clients. Learn from our examples and expert advice to translate your legal experience into a powerful cover letter.
Lawyer Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Lawyer Cover Letter
A great lawyer cover letter has five main elements:
1. Heading. Use a professional template to enhance the style and presentation of your cover letter. Be sure your heading includes:
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The current date
- The addressee’s details
2. Salutation. Greet the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”
3. Introduction. The introduction of your cover letter is your first chance to impress the hiring manager and showcase your unique legal background. Center the opening paragraph around one of your most compelling legal achievements. Choose something that can be expressed in numbers, such as the number of cases you’ve handled or the average dollar value of the settlements you’ve won.
Example
As you can see from my attached resume, I have 15 years of experience managing various corporate legal cases for two leading law firms in Manhattan. In the past six years, I’ve secured over 50 new clients, which resulted in over $10 million in new revenue. My expertise in both corporate law and relationship building would be a strong asset to your organization in the senior associate role.
4. Body paragraphs. Describe your professional achievements and legal experience in the body paragraphs of the cover letter. Start by mentioning something specific about the firm’s reputation or values and how it aligns with your background. Highlight your specific areas of legal expertise, such as family, corporate, civil, or criminal law. When possible, incorporate numbers to establish a sense of scope for the cases you’ve handled throughout your career.
Example
Halsin Law Associates’ reputation for client advocacy strongly aligns with my values as a legal practitioner. My expertise in navigating complex family law cases can help further grow your firm’s recognition for client service and excellence. Some of my recent achievements include:
- Represented and advised clients during over 100 cases in matters involving civil litigation with a focus on divorce proceedings, parental rights, adoptions, child custody, and property disputes
- Conducted research for complex litigations, developed comprehensive legal strategies, and achieved favorable outcomes in 80% of cases in 2023
- Built and maintained strong relationships with clients and communicated legal advice and status updates with empathy and compassion during emotionally challenging cases
5. Closing section. Think of your conclusion as a call to action. Ask the hiring manager to contact you so you can learn more about the position. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration.
Example
I hope to speak with you further regarding how my extensive background in corporate law can help your firm continue to grow its market share. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Yaling Zhang
Lawyer Cover Letter Tips
1. Quantify your legal achievements
When possible, incorporate hard numbers and monetary figures to bolster the impact of your accomplishments. That said, as a legal professional, be highly conscious about sharing sensitive information on your document. The best way to approach this is to provide a range or estimate rather than divulging exact numbers for your cases. This establishes a sense of scope for the hiring manager without infringing on client confidentiality.
2. Highlight your leadership capabilities and communication skills
Lawyers need to communicate effectively with a range of parties, clients, and legal teams to achieve successful outcomes. As you build your cover letter, be sure to provide examples of you liaising with various parties throughout all phases of the legal process. Below, the candidate draws specific intention to how they interfaced with clients during cases in family law, which can be particularly emotional and traumatic:
- Represented and advised clients during over 100 cases in matters involving civil litigation with a focus on divorce proceedings, parental rights, adoptions, child custody, and property disputes
- Conducted research for complex litigations, developed comprehensive legal strategies, and achieved favorable outcomes in 80% of cases in 2023
- Built and maintained strong relationships with clients and communicated legal advice and status updates with empathy and compassion during emotionally challenging cases
3. Align your cover letter with the firm you’re applying to
It’s important to tailor your application to each individual organization during the job search. This sends a clear message that your legal background is properly aligned with the unique needs and client base of potential employers. In the example below, the candidate emphasizes their knowledge of environmental regulations, perfectly suited for a firm that specializes in climate change-related issues:
Engel Legal Associates’ reputation as one of the premiere law firms for climate change-related issues draws me to apply for this opportunity. Throughout my career, I’ve advised various clients on environmental compliance. I’m confident that I can provide value to your firm based on my career achievements:
Lawyer Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Allison Rosenberg
Lawyer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Matthew Johnson
Hiring Manager
Engel Legal Associates
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Johnson:
During my time with Corbin Law Firm, I advised clients on various environmental litigation issues for multi-million dollar projects, including crisis management, incident response, and criminal enforcement actions. I hope to bring my legal expertise to your organization in the associate attorney role.
Engel Legal Associates’ reputation as one of the premiere law firms for climate change-related issues draws me to apply for this opportunity. Throughout my career, I’ve advised various clients on environmental compliance. I’m confident I can provide value to your firm based on my career achievements:
- Provided legal support to businesses regarding water quality permit compliance, stormwater pollution prevention, hazardous waste spill cleanup, and cost recovery litigation
- Advised clients on the potential implications of climate change on complex business decisions, including long-term environmental compliance
- Researched legal issues and drafted internal strategy memos, motions, and briefs
I look forward to telling you more about how my knowledge of environmental regulatory compliance could benefit your clients at Engel Legal Associates. You may contact me via phone or email for any additional questions you may have on my background. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Allison Rosenberg
Lawyer Cover Letter FAQs
Why should I submit a lawyer cover letter?-
When a firm hires a new associate, they’re trusting them with both their clients and industry reputation. As a result, hiring managers are likely to be more thorough than normal when vetting potential candidates for job openings. Introducing yourself with a strong cover letter is a great way to convey your professionalism, legal knowledge, and written communication skills, all essential for any successful lawyer.
How long should my lawyer cover letter be?-
Although you’re likely used to drafting long, comprehensive documentation and correspondence in your legal profession, it’s best to keep your cover letter concise and focused. Aim for three to four paragraphs that encapsulate the strongest aspects of your career, and avoid re-stating mundane job responsibilities from the resume.
Should I use artificial intelligence to write my cover letter?-
Using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to build your cover letter is not advisable, especially when applying for law firm positions. In this particular case, it’s especially important to articulate the nuances of your legal career using your own words and voice. Although AI has continued to advance rapidly in recent years, you will likely be left with a generic and uninspiring document.
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