A paralegal cover letter should highlight your resourcefulness as both a researcher and communication specialist. Emphasize your ability to draft complex legal documents with accuracy and precision while meeting hard deadlines. This guide provides expert tips and examples to help you build a winning cover letter and secure your next big job opportunity.
Paralegal Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Paralegal Cover Letter
A great paralegal 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. Lead with a strong opening paragraph to grab the hiring manager’s attention and convey your interest in the job. Highlight your years of experience as a paralegal and emphasize the types of cases you’ve worked on throughout your career. Demonstrate how you’ve supported attorneys and positively impacted previous employers.
Example
I would like to apply for the senior paralegal position with Smith & Klein Law Firm. As you can see from my attached resume, I have over eight years of experience performing legal research for a wide range of criminal and civil cases. I’ve also liaised with judges, opposing counsel, clients, and courtroom staff during trials. I believe that my dynamic legal background makes me an ideal candidate for this role.
4. Body paragraphs. Continue to describe your professional experience, qualifications, and achievements in the body paragraphs of your cover letter. Start by mentioning something specific about the law firm’s reputation or legal specialty and why this draws you to apply for the position. Feature accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to support attorneys during trials. Consider incorporating a list of bullet points to break up the text on the page and improve the readability of your document.
Example
Keystone Law Partners’ reputation for excellence in real estate law draws me to apply for this opportunity. During my six years with Folgers Legal Team, I advanced from a legal assistant to a senior paralegal charged with training new hires. I am confident my supervisory and legal experience would be an asset to your team based on my professional achievements:
- Conducted legal research and due diligence on multi-million dollar commercial real estate transactions, which included title searches, zoning laws, and environmental regulations
- Identified potential risks, performed contract management reviews, analyzed legal and financial documentation, and maintained case databases
- Drafted correspondence and facilitated meetings with clients and legal parties
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 both criminal and civil law would be an asset to your legal team. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Aliya Jackson
Paralegal Cover Letter Tips
1. Feature specific case types
Although it is recommended to never disclose confidential details regarding cases while crafting your resume, you can paint a picture of the types of cases you worked on as a paralegal. It’s appropriate to talk about your experience as long as you aren’t disclosing sensitive information related to an individual case. For instance, you might mention you provided legal support for multi-million dollar personal injury cases. This establishes a sense of scope for your accomplishments without breaching client confidentiality.
2. Highlight your legal expertise
In addition to showing your experience with various types of cases, it’s also important to emphasize other areas of legal knowledge. For instance, you might mention that you performed research to inform pre-trial motions or identified legal precedents for dismissals. As you build your cover letter, be specific in how you supported attorneys and legal teams.
3. Showcase your communication skills
Being a strong communicator is an essential aspect of any paralegal role. You’ll be regularly tasked with drafting motions, emails, and other forms of legal correspondence. In some instances, you may also serve as a liaison between your law firm, opposing counsel, judges, and courtroom staff. Rather than simply listing communication as a skill, feature tangible examples from your career that speak to this.
Paralegal Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Anthony Gentile
Senior Paralegal | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Patricia Jones
Hiring Manager
Keystone Law Partners
(837) 774-3300
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Jones:
As a senior real estate paralegal with Folgers Legal Team, I’ve coordinated multi-million dollar commercial real estate transactions as well as residential contracts for five attorneys. Also, I meticulously maintained case databases, conducted title searches, and prepared financial documentation. I believe I can achieve similar results for your organization in the senior paralegal position.
Keystone Law Partners’ reputation for excellence in real estate law is what draws me to apply for this opportunity. During my six years with Folgers Legal Team, I advanced from a legal assistant to a senior paralegal charged with training new hires. I am confident my supervisory and legal experience would be an asset to your team based on my professional achievements:
- Conducted legal research and due diligence on multi-million dollar commercial real estate transactions, which included title searches, zoning laws, and environmental regulations
- Identified potential risks, performed contract management reviews, analyzed legal and financial documentation, and maintained case databases
- Drafted correspondence and facilitated meetings with clients and legal parties
I hope to speak with you further regarding how my experience in commercial real estate law would benefit your organization. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Anthony Gentile
Paralegal Cover Letter FAQs
Why should I submit a paralegal cover letter?-
While not every law firm will require a cover letter, submitting one is never a bad idea. This allows you to display your acumen for written communication, which is critical for success as a paralegal. The cover letter also provides an opportunity to express why you’re enthusiastic about joining a particular law firm, which may help differentiate you from other applicants.
How long should my cover letter be?-
It’s best to keep your cover letter relatively brief, limited to no more than three or four paragraphs. Concise and clear language is important when drafting motions and legal correspondence, so it’s important to demonstrate that you can articulate your points in a succinct yet compelling manner.
How do I make my cover letter stand out?-
To grab the attention of prospective employers, you’ll need to customize your cover letter for each individual job application. Mention a specific detail about the firm you’re applying to and how your legal background would be an asset to the team. Capture your unique story as a paralegal and avoid relying on generic buzzwords and phrases.
Craft a new cover letter in minutes
Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.
