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Cover Letter Advice & Samples

Cover letter advice and samples.

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• Draft your cover letter knowing it is your first writing sample.
• Understand that a cover letter should persuade the reader.
• Use the cover letter to “connect the dots” of your experiences.
• Resist the temptation to restate your resume.
• Keep your cover letter to one page.
• Use the font style and point size that match your resume.
• Remember that the reader is busy: less is more.
• Ensure your cover letter is error free.

Cover Letter Construction

Address block and salutation.

• Address the cover letter to an actual person.
• Research websites or call employer to determine recipient’s name.
• If you cannot find the name of a hiring contact, address your letter to the head of the unit, department, or office.
• While this is the least-preferred option, you may address your letter to “Dear Hiring Committee” if you cannot locate the name of an actual person.
• For firms, address your letter to the recruiting director. For larger firms, contact information for recruiting directors is available at www.nalpdirectory.com in the Basic Information section.
• In the salutation, include the recipient’s title and last name (e.g., “Dear Ms. Raintree”) or write the recipient’s entire name (e.g., “Dear Jamie Morales”).

Paragraph One

• Tell the employer who you are and what you are seeking.
• Highlight (past, present, and future) geographic connections.
• Indicate if you have talked to students/faculty/friends/alumni who speak highly of the organization.

Paragraph Two

• Show that you understand the employer’s mission/practice, the work its attorneys do, and the clients it serves.
• Demonstrate your proven interest in and connection to that mission/practice, work, and clients.

Paragraph Three

• Describe skills you will contribute to support that mission/practice, work, and clients.
• Provide evidence from your experiences and coursework.

Paragraph Four

• List the documents included with the letter.
• Tell the employer how to get in touch with you by email, telephone, and mail.
• Convey your availability for a conversation, mentioning upcoming trips to the area.
• Thank the employer for considering you.
• Mention availability of Yale summer funding, if applicable.
• Optional: Promise that you will follow up in a few weeks if you think the employer would appreciate the diligence.

Sample Cover Letters (PDF)

First Year Student Examples | Second Year Student Examples | Third Year Student Examples

Cover Letters

E. common cover letter mistakes.

• Vide o and Slides from the CDO program “ Cover Letters That Do The Job” and handouts: Job Postings & Tips and Sample PIPS Cover Letters .

Your cover letter is as important as your resume because it is often read first and plays a vital role in your quest for an interview. A cover letter is not a transmittal letter, and you may be surprised at how time-consuming it is to craft a good one. A cover letter has a purpose, which is to let an employer know why they should bother reading your resume and why they should meet you. It also serves as an example of your written work product; thus it should be clear, brief, and written in a business letter style, without any typographical errors.

1. Cover letters for unsolicited applications come in three main types:

• Personal Letter. These are the most effective cover letters and are sent to people you have met or with whom you have a mutual acquaintance. These letters should all start with the sentence: “_______ recommended that I contact you.” As this type of letter is most likely to get a response, if you have any possibility of establishing this sort of connection to a prospective employer in advance of sending your letter, you should try your best to do so.
• Targeted Letters. Next best thing. Targeted letters are based on research of the employer, and are individually tailored. Your letter should incorporate the information learned through your research to show the employer that you have skills they will be able to put to use.
• Mass Mailers. Least desirable. These are generic except for the name and address of the employer, and have a very low success rate of getting interviews.

2. When you respond to a job listing, you will usually be requested to submit a cover letter as part of your application. In this case, use the job description and requested qualifications as a guide. While not simply imitating the language of the listing, your letter should demonstrate that you have what the employer is looking for.

3. A few employers at OCI request that students bring a cover letter to the initial interview. This is essentially to require students to think about why they want to work for this employer, but it makes for a letter which deviates from the usual “please consider me for an interview” approach. See below for suggestions on OCI cover letters.

Cover letters should follow standard business letter format, as to spacing, salutation, etc. If you are not sure of the fine points, consult a business correspondence reference source. Avoid abbreviations, contractions and shortcuts (such as a slash instead of “or”), although if there is an accepted short form of the name of the organization you are writing to (e.g., ACLU or Coblentz) it is acceptable to use it in the text of your letter. Your telephone number and email address should appear somewhere in the letter, either at the top with your address, or in the closing paragraph, when you ask them to contact you. Note that your resume is “enclosed,” not “attached” (which means clipped or stapled).

If you are not sure to whom you should send your letter, it is always acceptable to write to the executive director of a nonprofit, or the hiring partner or head of recruiting at a firm; they can forward your application to the appropriate person within the organization. If at all possible, write to an individual by name, not to “Director” or “Recruiting Coordinator.” Firm and organization web sites are very useful in finding this information (and for confirming correct spellings and the like); it may be more difficult to find the name of an individual addressee for government job opportunities. If you do not have the name of an individual, the salutation should be “Dear Sir or Madam” (not “To Whom It May Concern”). Of course if you are responding to a job posting, address your letter exactly as instructed.

As for the appropriate salutation, traditionally, it is “Dear [Mr./Ms.] [Last Name].  However, we understand that this prevailing business norm may not be inclusive of individuals who do not use either of those titles (for example, because they identify as gender nonconforming). One alternative, “Dear [First Name] [Last Name]”, avoids presuming how the recipient may identify, but it is not without some risk.  

If you use this approach, a recipient less attuned to thinking about gender inclusivity (and accustomed to seeing only “Dear [Mr./Ms] [Last Name]”) may wrongly conclude that you were unfamiliar with professional etiquette or that you used a mail merge template and did not bother to customize it.  While awareness around these issues is increasing, we believe that, unfortunately, it is still not a small number of recruiting representatives and attorneys who might draw the wrong conclusion.

One way to navigate this tricky situation might be to see if the recipient has an online presence (e.g., on the firm website or LinkedIn) that might give you a strong clue as to how they would like to be addressed.  Otherwise, you will need to make your own judgment as to whether recipients are more likely to recognize your inclusivity or to view the greeting as awkward or erroneous.

In our office, we are also working to help employers become familiar with gender-inclusive approaches like “Dear [First Name] [Last Name],” but like any process of education, this will take time. In the meantime, our primary goal is to make sure that all Berkeley Law students are fully informed as you navigate legal job markets. We are always available to discuss individually what approach would be the best fit for you.

First Paragraph. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing. Introduce yourself as a law student (including the year you are in) or a graduate of Berkeley Law and specify what it is you are seeking: a summer job, an associate position, a clerkship, part-time work during the school year, etc.

The goal of this paragraph is to give the reader a reason to want to finish reading the letter. If you don’t have a personal connection to cite, try to establish a nexus between yourself and the employer, such as knowledge of their practice, an established commitment to or interest in their work, a connection to their city, or something else which conveys that you are not just writing to them as part of a mass mailing for any job in any location. (If that in fact is what you are doing, try not to be too obvious about it. An employer wants to think that you sought him or her out purposely rather than randomly.)

Body Paragraph(s). This is the section in which you “sell” your experience and qualifications to the employer. Your goal here is to answer the question, “Why should the employer meet you?”

Call attention to something which substantiates your interest in this particular employer. It could be coursework in their specialty, the recommendation of a professor in their area of practice, undergraduate residency in their city, or any other indication of your interest. Try also to show how your experiences will translate into skills which will be useful to this particular employer. Highlight relevant qualifications which are not on your resume, such as coursework, research, or a prior connection to the organization or the issues they work on. If you have general legal skills such as negotiation, litigation, client counseling, interviewing, mock trials, etc., you may want to include them. As much as possible, try to convey understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the aims of the organization.

Employers do not expect first-year students to have highly-developed legal skills to offer. Therefore, for first-year students writing to private firms, this section can be a single, short paragraph, unless you have a strong background in a relevant area. However, even inexperienced first-year students writing to public interest/sector organizations should make an effort to describe skills and interests that are relevant to the employer.

It is appropriate and not uncommon for a public interest cover letter to be somewhat more detailed or personal than a private sector cover letter. Of course, it is still very important to be concise, but it is acceptable for the letter to be a full page if your experience dictates. In a public interest cover letter, it is important both to highlight your demonstrated commitment to the mission/work/client base of the organization through your own relevant work or life experience, and to illustrate your relevant skills. Take another look at your resume for items that show your interest, commitment and skills. Even if you do not have experience in the specific area in which an organization works, it is still important to emphasize your demonstrated commitment to the public interest, and to draw connections between that general commitment and the specific work of the organization. As it is important not to merely regurgitate your resume, consider including a story that illustrates you are interested or qualified in the position.

If your application raises questions that are readily answered, such as availability after the Bar exam, judicial clerkship plans, etc., the letter can address those; other issues may be better deferred to the interview stage. Consult a CDO attorney-counselor if you’re not sure whether to include something in your cover letter.

Final Paragraph. In your last paragraph, thank them for their consideration, and say you hope to hear from them soon. For out-of-town employers, indicate when you plan to be in their geographic area and state your availability for an interview. Be sure to include your phone number and email in this paragraph unless you use a letterhead style that includes them at the top of the page. If you state that you will call the employer to follow up on your application, be sure you do so.

If you are bringing a cover letter to an on-campus interview (which you should do only if the employer requests you to), the content will be a bit different. You don’t need to introduce yourself, as you will be there in person, and you won’t request an interview at the closing. But you can thank the employer for interviewing you and say that you welcome the opportunity to learn more about the employer and to discuss the possibility of working for them. The important thing is to show why you are interested in this particular employer, and how you think your background makes you a good match for them.

The mistakes most commonly found in student cover letters are:

• Restating your resume. “ I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2005, with a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science, then worked as a substitute teacher in an urban high school before starting law school in the fall of 2008 .” Don’t waste space with facts that are readily gleaned from your resume! Instead, you could say (briefly) how your work experience led you to pursue a legal career in an area practiced by the employer.
• Focusing on what you stand to gain from the job . “ I am particularly interested in your firm’s excellent training program for summer associates, and in gaining exposure to a variety of different practice areas.” Remember, employers only grant interviews to candidates who offer something of potential use to the employer. Try to say how your skills and enthusiasm will help the employer serve its clients, or otherwise further its aims.
• Being too informal or familiar. “I’m thrilled by the possibility of working with you this summer, and would love to meet with you in person/by phone to chat about what the options might be.” Enthusiasm is good, but it must be presented professionally.

Other cover letter mistakes include: being defensive or apologetic; appearing arrogant or entitled, and being too long and wordy. Unsupported statements of your qualities (“I am highly motivated and a quick study”) do not help your case. Generic reasons for your interest in the employer (e.g., its “excellent reputation”) tend to demonstrate your lack of specific knowledge. Of course typos and inaccuracies, such as misspelled names, or (please!) stating an interest in a practice area that the firm doesn’t have, are automatic application-killers.

Our cover letter template  provides suggestions only; please do not feel excessively constrained by its approach. Your letter should, of course, be original work that reflects your unique background and the job you are aiming at.

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5 Attorney Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide in 2024

• Attorney Cover Letter
• Lateral Attorney
• Associate Attorney
• Senior Attorney
• Trademark Attorney
• Writing Your Best Attorney Cover Letter

As an attorney with unparalleled writing skills, legal acumen, and a knack for winning justice, your first challenge is to prove your worth. Although your history of victorious cases speaks volumes, securing a job hinges on the strength of your attorney resume and cover letter, highlighting your on-the-job skills and qualifications.

The task of crafting these documents might seem daunting, especially after long days filled with legal research and complex language. However, our resources, including a free cover letter builder , five attorney cover letter examples, and a comprehensive writing guide, are here to simplify the process.

With our assistance, you’ll easily write a cover letter that not only gets you noticed but also establishes a strong precedent for your career moves.

Attorney   Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

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Block Format

Copy this text for your Attorney cover letter!

123 Fictional Lane Everett, WA (123) 456-7890

January 23, 2023

Heather Adams, Firm Administrator Reed McClure 1215 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1700 Seattle, WA 98161

Dear Ms. Adams:

I am impressed by Reed McClure’s commitment to practical knowledge and exceptional service as demonstrated by the extensive awards your attorneys have won. It is clear your team excels in a multitude of practices and has provided quality legal services to your community for quite some time. I would be honored to join your firm to independently manage civil litigation cases and provide attentive legal assistance to clients.

For the last three years, I have prepared, researched, and settled over 40 medical malpractice cases regarding surgical errors as an attorney for Thomas J. Henry Law. While there, my focus revolved around intense investigation and testing to determine validity of evidence. Using this method, I tried and won two jury trials for local medical providers, resulting in full compensation for both clients.

During my time as an insurance attorney with Cross Insurance Agency, I drew up legal documents, clarified misunderstandings, and reviewed all legal documentation before completion. During my two years with the company, I caught roughly 200 false claims. Many were exaggerations of losses owned to the policyholder, but several were completely fictitious incidents. Through careful claim investigations, we successfully mediated 93 percent of cases internally without going to trial.

My goal has always been to provide clients with trustworthy, honest service that makes clients feel safe and valued. Reed McClure shares my vision of providing litigation services to improve the lives of both clients and the community. At your convenience, I welcome the chance to further demonstrate how our goals are aligned and how I can personally contribute to Seattle’s civil case resolution.

Nastasiya Vlasenko

Enclosures: Resume Job application Writing sample

Why this cover letter works

• Just as you would for your resume, include metrics in your attorney cover letter. If you drafted a new substantive motion, explain how your efforts created a positive impact for the client or company.
• As much as you can, include experience that matches the  attorney job description . 
• If you don’t have experience in the chosen field, share your transferable skills and your eagerness to transition to a new practice area.

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Lateral Attorney Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Lateral Attorney cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Columbus, OH 43201 (123) 456-7890

November 26, 2023

Evelyn Martinez Bricker & Eckler 123 Fictional Lane Columbus, OH 43201

Dear Ms. Martinez:

I wholeheartedly concur that every legal case has its unique rhythm and story, much like a well-orchestrated symphony, and I share Bricker & Eckler commitment to delivering exceptional service to every client. Given my knack for untangling complex legal issues, I’m suited for the lateral attorney role, well-equipped with experience in drafting legal documents, trial preparation, and client counseling.

While operating in a senior role at Stavroff Law Firm, my fascination with the intricacy of legal document drafting grew. I drafted 750+ intricate contracts and legal instruments, effectively outlining the rights, obligations, and remedies of parties. This key role drastically increased client satisfaction.

Moving on to my tenure at the legal department of OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, my focus was on trial preparation. Here, I fine-tuned my skills, extracting crucial information from the mounds of documentary evidence obtained through discovery. I prepared an impressive 374 trial-ready cases for the firm, contributing to a 32% increase in our victory ratio.

Earlier in my career at Frost Brown Todd, it was the responsibility of client counseling that deepened my passion for law. Aided by legal tech software like Clio and MyCase, my interactions fostered more solid relationships with our clientele. There was a noticeable 22% acceleration in case resolution times, enhancing the overall client satisfaction and trust.

Believing that each legal case affects real lives, not just abstract principles and statutes excites me about the prospect of working at Bricker & Eckler. Much like a conductor brings every instrument together for a powerful finale, my goal is to orchestrate successful case outcomes. I’d be thrilled to discuss how I can contribute to your renowned team. Thank you for considering my application.

Ava Johansson

• It’s like riding back in time through your career, starting from your latest, most senior roles and backward to the junior positions. You bet the recruiter will be hooked on an intriguing tale of your progression from rookie phases to the top leagues.

Associate Attorney Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Associate Attorney cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Charlotte, NC 28201 (123) 456-7890

Henry Robinson Alston & Bird 123 Fictional Lane Charlotte, NC 28201

Dear Mr. Robinson:

As I reflected on the journey of a close friend, who, after a challenging legal dispute, finally secured justice thanks to exemplary legal representation, I was prompted to explore opportunities at Alston & Bird. With advanced legal analysis skills, articulate communication, and a solid sense of empathy, I’m ready to enhance your team’s solid legal track record and contribute to excellent legal outcomes for your clients.

At Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, I exercised my legal writing and drafting proficiency to compose 217 cogent documents ranging from pleadings to briefs. That proved instrumental in facilitating successful case outcomes, ultimately increasing the firm’s success rate by 27%.

During my tenure at Morgan Law, another Charlotte-based firm, my adeptness in legal analytics allowed me to excel in stratagem and risk assessment. Using legal research tools like LexisNexis and Westlaw, I pinpointed case-winning legal authorities and devised assertive legal arguments that bolstered the firm’s victory ratio by an impressive 34%.

Early in my career at Hunton Andrews Kurth, I argued passionately on behalf of clients in appellate courts. Here, I contributed to a 17% rise in overturned judgments thanks to clear articulation and crafting persuasive legal arguments.

As an associate attorney, I’m deeply committed to skilfully navigating the legal playing field. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skill set can further elevate Alston & Bird’s esteemed legal team. Thank you for considering my application.

Jayden Patel

• Just like Jayden recalls his friend’s legal tussle, all thanks to remarkable representation, a powerful personal narrative instantly captures the attention and sets the right tone for the rest of the masterpiece.

Senior Attorney Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Senior Attorney cover letter!

Valente Ferreira [email protected] Indianapolis, IN 123-456-7890

Andrea Lutz, Director of Advancement Conservation Law Center, Inc. 116 South Indiana Bloomington, IN 47408

Dear Ms. Lutz:

The Conservation Law Center’s mission to provide legal assistance to conservation organizations exemplifies my goals as a senior attorney. Throughout my career, I have offered at least 60 hours a year of pro bono work surrounding environmental law. The senior staff attorney position at your law center is a way to combine my passion for conservation, my love of mentorship, and my years of experience to provide assistance where needed most.

During my time as an associate general counsel at the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS), I provided legal assistance for all documentation and initiatives, including presentations and chapter events. Most of my time was spent communicating with INPS partners and external parties to grow trust and build strong relationships. By my second year, we had increased our external funding from partners by 38 percent and grown our community reach by 20 percent.

As a senior associate with Pincus & Associates, PC, I mentored summer and junior associates throughout their onboarding process. After the initial training period, I realized many mentees struggled with repeat issues, such as voir dire and preparing witnesses. To combat this, I created video lectures and PowerPoint slides to help them build their litigation skills. After two months of video training, the new hires completed double the number of tasks, and their client satisfaction scores rose by 18 percent.

I am ready to conserve Indiana’s native flora and fauna by contributing my legal expertise to societies such as the Conservation Law Center. I would be honored to supervise your legal team, lead cases, and build relationships with your partners. I deeply respect your efforts toward saving our environment, and I look forward to meeting with you in the future.

Valente Ferreira

• In your senior attorney cover letter, follow an outline (like the one we’ll provide in a bit) to ensure you’re including the necessary details.
• Specifically for your body paragraphs, shoot for three objectives: explaining your experience, a specific task or requirement you accomplished, and what resulted from it.   
• Derive a theme (or multiple) from the organization’s mission or job description to center your cover letter around; then, include details from your experience that relate to that theme.

Trademark Attorney Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Trademark Attorney cover letter!

123 Fictional Lane Cumberland, RI (123) 456-7890

Becky Lukacs, Senior Talent Acquisition Hasbro 1027 Newport Avenue Pawtucket, RI 02862

Dear Ms. Lukacs:

When I heard you needed a trademark and copyright attorney, I started my application right away. Hasbro played a huge part in my childhood and still binds my family and friends together every time we play Monopoly or Betrayal. I believe gaming and entertainment have deeper impacts on our culture than many realize, and it’s my vision to help Hasbro create and protect its trademarks, so future generations can continue to enjoy quality entertainment.

As an associate attorney with KPMG, my team and I worked to provide quality service to over 90 clients. I managed legal risks by proactively identifying legal issues and suggesting revisions to resolve disagreements, prevent non-compliance, and drive future action. By the end of my time there, I had annually exceeded our sales targets by 19 percent and added 7 new clients through referrals.

Later, as a trademark attorney for Classics United Entertainment, I had the opportunity to work with a cross-functional team of designers, actors, producers, directors, and artists to create trademarks for all six departments within the Spears & Things division. For each trademark, I conducted a rigorous trademark clearance search to ensure trademark law compliance and eligibility. Once completing the trademark clearance process, my team and I successfully gave our efforts to developing clearance search procedures for future legal staff, creating a cohesive system across the three CUE divisions.

Establishing unity through trademark creation and protection has been a hallmark throughout my career, and I endeavor to do the same at Hasbro. I’m inspired by Hasbro’s ability to promote creativity, empathy, and ethical action across the globe, and I’m eager for the chance to protect and maintain your assets as your trademark and copyright attorney. Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours respectfully,

Stella Drake

Enclosures: Resume J.D. transcript Writing sample USPTO Law School Clinic Certificate

• It’s okay to get a little personal if you can connect it with the job description. Use your experiences and knowledge of the company to discuss a goal, ideal, or passion you both share. 
• Not every past position you’ve held will perfectly fit this new role, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t transferable skills you can include in your trademark attorney cover letter. 
• Scour the  attorney job ad  for general responsibilities instead of strict specifics. Look for keywords like “collaboration,” “develop,” “identify,” and “research;” then incorporate positions where you used those  job skills . 

Need a Matching Resume for Your Attorney Cover Letter?

You can start editing this template immediately, you can choose a template that matches the first two attorney cover letter samples, or you can choose a completely different  resume template . They’re all free, and they’re all there to make your life a little easier as you work on securing your next attorney position.

Attorney Resume

Need a resume to pair with your attorney cover letter?

or download as PDF

Beat the Competition with Your Best Attorney Cover Letter

As an attorney, you know how you can best help your client, but do you know how to advocate for yourself? Your cover letter must present a favorable argument for your qualifications, exhibit knowledge of the company, and relate your skills to the job description’s requirements—all with a professional yet ardent tone.

It’s a lot, but if anyone can effectively present their accomplishments to a tough crowd, it’s you. Write a hard-hitting attorney cover letter with these simple tips.

Tip 1: Due diligence is a must

There’s  no point in submitting a generic cover letter . If your cover letter looks like it’s been submitted to multiple organizations, employers will assume you’re not all that interested in the job. 

Moreover, if your cover letter doesn’t speak to their job description, they’ll assume you aren’t a good fit. Instead, hit the books (figuratively) and research the company. Then address their specific needs based on what you find online and in their job description.

If you reveal a strong link between your qualifications and their requirements, employers will be hard-pressed not to consider you.

Tip 2: Detail a couple of major accomplishments

No one likes a broken record, so your attorney cover letter can’t simply repeat your resume. A cover letter’s purpose is to relate your experiences and skills to the company in a way your resume can’t. 

A cover letter also gives you the space to examine specific accomplishments in detail. You may argue that you’ve covered everything in your resume, but we know that’s not the case. Go beyond the basics to explore the motivations behind your achievements and how they reveal your value on the job. Are you exceptionally thorough? Find a task that highlights your attention to detail. Are you a whiz at research? Integrate that detail into a metric about your cases.

Here’s one example that gives you a glimpse into the candidate’s methods and motivations.

As a senior associate with Pincus & Associates, PC, I mentored summer and junior associates throughout their onboarding process. After the initial training period, I realized many mentees were struggling with repeat issues, such as voir dire and preparing witnesses. To combat this, I created video lectures and PowerPoint slides to explain procedures and laws surrounding the issues and gave examples, both good and bad. After two months of video training, the new hires completed double the number of tasks, and their client satisfaction scores rose by 18 percent.

These examples show the candidate’s passion for the job and their relevant experience. Moreover, the candidate demonstrates the value they’ll bring to their next role. 

Tip 3: Nail down a winning tone & persuasive message

You’ve successfully incorporated your research, accomplishments, and personal style into your cover letter, but a cover letter is more than that. Here comes the tricky part: adjusting your message and tone.

The correct message and tone can mean the difference between getting dismissed or getting noticed. Remember, although we’ve compared a cover letter to a trial, your letter shouldn’t sound like a cross-examination. It also shouldn’t come across as flattering, casual, or confusing.

Think of your cover letter as the pre-interview. It’s a way to get your foot in the door and encourage further communication. Nailing the right message and tone isn’t easy, but there is good news: unlike a trial, you can start over. 

Revision plays a huge part in writing cover letters. No one has a perfect first draft, and oftentimes, even the second or third drafts aren’t ideal (ask us how many times we’ve revised our cover letter examples). Luckily, you can keep revising and editing until you have an error-free draft that accurately sums up your experience and fervor for the job. 

If you think your judgment isn’t perfectly sound, you can appeal to a coworker and ask them to suggest edits. Their new perspective is more likely to catch content errors and grammatical faux-pas. 

Think of your cover letter as the pre-interview. It’s a way to get your foot in the door and encourage further communication.

All that’s left is one last round of revision before you save it and send in your application to the attorney job you’ve been eyeing.

How to Format an Attorney Cover Letter

Building arguments are your strong suit, which will help you immensely when writing your cover letter. But even the most experienced of writers can find themselves paralyzed by the blank page. Use our outline to build a case employers can’t refuse.

Attorney cover letter header and greeting

Your contact info:  Don’t leave your future employer wondering how to contact you. Include your email, number, and address (city and state) at the top of your cover letter. Many employers also like to see your LinkedIn profile.

• Formatting:  Don’t include your name in the address, whether in a template or block format. In block format, you’ll only need to include your name in the signature. In a template, your name goes on the letterhead, too.

Date:  Adding a date to your cover letter is a professional touch, and it can help both you and the employer keep track of your documents. Just change the date to reflect the actual day you submit your application.

• Formatting:  Write out the full date, e.g. January 3, 2023.

Inside address:  Although a virtual cover letter doesn’t need to be sent by post, you should still include the employer’s address, also known as the inside address. Include the hiring manager’s name, their official title, and the company’s physical location.

Some companies are a bit tricky to track down, especially if they have multiple locations. Scouring Facebook, LinkedIn, and the company’s website usually yields favorable results. Also, check the job description—sometimes they specify where or to whom your documents should be sent. If there are multiple locations, use the address of the location in which you’ll work. 

• Formatting : Each part of the address should be on a new line. Double-space between the inside address and greeting. 

Greeting:  Every word of your cover letter matters, including your greeting (also called the salutation). A poor greeting indicates a lack of etiquette (dangerous in the highly competitive legal field). The good news? A good greeting is pretty easy to get right. Use “dear” and the name of the hiring manager.

• Formatting:  Plenty of letters use a comma in the greeting, but colons are more professional, especially for an attorney.

Attorney cover letter introduction

Introduction:  Applying to job after job might get monotonous, but your opener has to sound genuinely excited. Don’t underestimate the power of sincere enthusiasm for the organization and knowledge of its operations. It can also help to include personal details to empathize with the employer. Although, we would urge you not to include intimate details like this:

Your law firm values hard work and dedication, which sums up my career. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to become a lawyer. I even acted out cases with my stuffed animals! As I grew older, I made sure I received top marks in every class so I could attend Harvard, the law school of my dreams. My commitment was so intense that I never had a relationship that lasted more than 3 months, but it was so worth it.

Although this opener definitely keeps the hiring manager reading, it’s probably because they find your cover letter funny (also known as you don’t stand a chance) instead of compelling. It’s far too personal and has no real relevance to the job. Instead, include details that relate to the company and what you can offer:

Here, Valente explains his background in environmental law and why he wants to work for the company. He leaves no doubt that he wants to work for them specifically, which will make any hiring manager take notice.

Attorney cover letter body

Body paragraphs:  Each paragraph should substantiate your claims in the opening paragraph. Your space is limited, so focus on the highlights. Ideally, keep each paragraph focused on one accomplishment like this: 

Although this paragraph isn’t focused on one task, it is focused on one process, and one aspect of that process in particular. Stella explains the overall trademark clearance process but keeps the focus on teamwork with phrases like “work[ing] with a cross-functional team” and “[giving] our efforts.” She effectively shows her legal abilities  and her team-building strategy, both of which bode well for future employers.

Attorney cover letter closing

Closing paragraph:  Good endings are hard to achieve because they have to leave the recruiters both curious yet satisfied. Scale back and reiterate the big-picture view of your values and qualifications and how they align with what the company/organization needs. End with a call to action that encourages the employer to reach out. Just don’t fall into arrogance like this:

This job requires someone who has years of experience and who values justice. In that case, I am your perfect candidate. In my 10 years of work, I have never lost a case, and I love to argue until everyone knows I’m right. I know I can win the most cases for your company; reach out to me if you want to hire a winner.

Not only is this arrogant, but it’s also unprofessional. Instead, write something that humbly indicates your enthusiasm:

This close reminds the employer of the candidate’s persona, values, and aligned goals. It’s also clear that a follow-up is desired and anticipated.

• Formatting : Single-space your paragraphs, but double-space in between paragraphs. 

Signature:  Mind your manners and say “thank you” if you haven’t already said it in the closing paragraph. Then, sign off with a professional closer along with your name.

Respectfully,

• Formatting : If you’re presenting any hard copies of your attorney cover letter, quadruple space to sign your name in blue/black ink. 

Enclosure(s):  This is an important piece to include although many cover letters miss it. This section delineates any other documents you’re attaching, which shows employers you’ve done your research regarding their requests and requirements. In addition to your resume, you may need to include documents like your law school transcript, a writing sample, and/or the job application.

• Formatting : Use the singular or plural form of “enclosure” depending on what you’re enclosing. 

Your Dream Attorney Role Awaits…Almost

Your cover letter is finished! Case closed, right? Objection—you still have to perfect your  attorney resume . Both resume and cover letter work in tandem to affirm and defend your qualifications, so both must be polished and complete.

But don’t stress—we have you covered. We offer free  modern resume templates  for you to use, or you can try one of our  Word resume templates  (there’s one created especially for a lawyer). You can craft a winning resume in no time; in fact, if you like this attorney resume example, you can begin editing it now. 

Senior Attorney Resume

Need a resume to pair with your AP English teacher cover letter?

Whether you’re  outlining your resume  or checking it over a final time, an AI resume generator will help you identify gaps and errors. We’re here for you every step of the way, so you can keep doing what you do best—fighting for justice.

You know the significance of formalities in the legal profession, so optimizing the greeting is an important step. Carefully review the attorney job description to see if a hiring manager or decision-making partner is listed as a contact person. Additionally, check the law firm’s website or LinkedIn profiles to see if you can find the name of a specific person in charge of hiring. If you still can’t find anything, you can simply lead off with “Dear [Name of Law Firm] hiring staff” or a similar greeting.

Legal cover letters should be more formal than other careers. Think about all the formal correspondence you must write up for contracts and legal proceedings. However, you should still review the job description’s tone to determine the level of formality. Some firms do value a more friendly and casual atmosphere, so adjusting your tone in those instances is a good idea.

Consider the stylistic choices you’d make when writing up a case brief for a client. Everything should be concise, well-spaced, in an easy-to-read 11-12 point font, and ideally addressed to a specific person. It helps present a professional feel and allows hiring managers to easily identify your top skills in aspects like settlements and tort laws.