Cover letter for a big law firm (5 samples)

This article will list samples of “cover letters for a big law firm.”

How to write a cover letter for a big law firm

When applying for a position in a big law firm, your cover letter is an opportunity for you to tell your story, without being stuck in the formatting constraints of the resume. The best format for writing a cover letter is:

• Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).” If you do not know the recipient’s name, you can refer to them as the hiring manager.

• The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 

• Make a brief statement about why you’re interested in the position. Write a paragraph about why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

• State your skills and work experience. Ensure your skills and experiences are similar to the job position. When highlighting skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 

• Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position with you further.”

Sample 1: “Cover letter for a big law firm”

“July 10, 2016,

Ms. Jennifer Stewart

Director of Legal Recruitment

Jones, Smith & Taylor

200 Washington Street

Boston, MA 02210

Dear Ms. Stewart:

I am a second-year law student at Boston University School of Law, and I am

writing to apply for a summer associate position with Jones, Smith & Taylor. As a

Boston native with an interest in transactional law, I am particularly interested in the

corporate practice of \RXUILUP¶VBoston office. My academic achievements, strong

interpersonal and communication skills, and collaborative nature make me an ideal

candidate for this position.

During my first year at BU Law, I developed a solid academic foundation that will

serve me well as a summer associate. I particularly enjoyed and excelled in

contracts, property and legal research and writing. I also learned valuable client

FRXQVHOLQJDQGQHJRWLDWLRQVNLOOVLQ%8/DZ¶VRQH-week intensive lawyering lab.

This summer, I was able to draw upon my academic experience and further develop

my legal research and writing skills as a judicial intern for Massachusetts

Superior Court. I plan to continue to strengthen these skills and my core legal

knowledge through my second-year coursework, including corporations, tax and

contract drafting, as well as my work on the Boston University Law Review and as a

Writing Fellow in the BU Law First Year Legal Research and Writing Program.

In addition to a solid academic base, I have strong interpersonal and communication

skills and enjoy working collaboratively with others in a stimulating environment.

Prior to law school, I worked as a project coordinator for a Boston-based marketing

firm. In this role, I worked closely with a team of professionals to develop

individualized marketing and communications plans for a variety of corporate

clients. I developed many skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and

effectively in a business setting, and experienced first-hand the satisfaction that

comes from working diligently with your colleagues toward a common goal. This

was particularly evident when we successfully developed and pitched an extensive

marketing campaign for a new client on an accelerated schedule.

I would be pleased to have the opportunity to discuss my background and skills with

you in further detail. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to

hearing from you.

Regards,

Aaron Paik”

Sample 2: “Cover letter for a big law firm”

“January 2, 20XX

Ms. Sara Smith

Director of Legal Recruiting

Thomas & Thomas LLP

123 Avenue A

San Francisco, CA 94102

Dear Ms. Smith:

I am a first-year student at Columbia Law School, writing to apply for a 20XX Summer

Associate position with Thomas & Thomas LLP. I learned about your firm at the Commercial

Litigation Panel held at Columbia Law School last October. Having been raised in San

Francisco, and having completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley,

I look forward to returning to San Francisco this upcoming summer and upon graduation. I am

particularly interested in the firm’s Litigation practice.

Through my prior experiences, I have developed strong time management, writing, research, and analytical skills, which I am refining at Columbia Law School. At Columbia, I am also

developing the oral advocacy skills required for litigation. In the Foundation Moot Court course

at Columbia, I am conducting legal research and drafting our team’s appellate advocacy brief.

Next semester, I will present our arguments orally in the Moot Court competition. Previously, as

an intern in the Office of U.S. Senator Joseph Douglas, I balanced extensive research on business and economic affairs with timely responses to a high volume of daily inquiries from constituents.

Additionally, my work as a Research Assistant for the Department of Political Science at

University of California, Berkeley, and the related research that I completed for my senior thesis,

have prepared me for the demands of analyzing evidence in complex litigation matters. For these projects, I synthesized large amounts of data, reviewed international trade agreements,

conducted literature reviews on economic development initiatives, and prepared summaries of

the same.

Please find attached my resume and a writing sample. I will forward my law school transcript as

soon as my grades become available. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me at jjob@law.columbia.edu or 917-888-8888. I will be in San Francisco over the winter break (December 22-January 11) and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you then to discuss my qualifications and interest in the position. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Joseph Job”

Sample 3: “Cover letter for a big law firm”

“Street Address

Suburb

City

Postal Code

Date

Law Firm Name e.g. XXX

Dear Sir/Madam,

APPLICATION FOR A POSITION AS A CANDIDATE ATTORNEY (YEAR)

It is with great enthusiasm that I address this letter to you to apply for a position as a candidate attorney with XXX in (year). 

Currently, I am in the Intermediate Year of my LLB and have recently completed my first degree, Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Psychology and Law.

I am a friendly, articulate and focused person who is used to working under pressure and managing an intense workload. By obtaining of a BsocSci with Majors in Psychology and Law is testimony to my diligence, commitment and acceptance of hard work. The two faculties operate in constant conflict, which resulted in me often having to submit a Psychology assignment or test on the same day as one I needed to submit for Law.

Despite the difficulties faced, I have managed to complete my BsocSci and can now set my primary focus to an area I feel passionate about – Law. Every year I have developed a newfound interest in a subject and am almost constantly surprised at finding I enjoy a course that I did not expect to. I am certain that my final year (year) will be no exception. I believe, that the rotation regime XXX offers, will help me decide on the exact field of law I am most suited for and give me the opportunity to explore both the litigation and commercial departments in law, before settling on one I want to specialize in.

The combination of humanity courses and the law has provided me with a fresh and dynamic insight into legal problems, which assists me in finding innovative solutions to challenges faced. The combination has also helped me hone my research and analyzing abilities, as both Psychology and Law are research-based faculties. In addition to the above, my work at a YYY has helped me develop proficient communication skills which I consider to be vital when meeting new clients and helping them establish the practice’s ability to provide necessary advice and services. The above knowledge and experience are ones I intend to extend to my work as a candidate attorney.

I consider myself a worthy candidate as I possess numerous interests outside of my studies, such as archery, reading, my church and being a member of the SLSJ (Students for Law and Social Justice). This shows that I am a well-rounded applicant as opposed to a purely academic one. My drive, ambition and ability to work well with almost anyone, is what sets me apart from others.

I am applying to XXX, as I believe your firm can help me reach my full potential under the guidance and supervision of leading lawyers. Despite being a leading commercial South African Law firm, what excites me the most, is that you offer an in-depth rotation programme and take a keen interest in your candidate attorneys. I am confident that the experience and work ethic I will be exposed to as a candidate attorney in your firm, will guide me in shaping my Law career.

My online application has a copy of my curriculum vitae and supporting documents for your perusal. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information and/or documents. I eagerly await a response and appreciate the time and effort it took to read through my application.

Yours faithfully,

Name and surname 

Cell:

Email:”

Sample 4: “Cover letter for a big law firm”

“December 15, 2016

Jane Doe

Manager, Legal Recruiting

Big Law Firm

1218 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20001

Dear Ms. Doe:

In this paragraph, you will discuss who you are and what you want. You may include ties to the area or employer, as well as if someone referred you to the particular employer. If you are changing careers, you might state that, although you began your career in the private sector, you have long been committed to public interest (and, in the following paragraph, cite examples of that commitment through your law school activities and your pro bono and other activities).

This paragraph (and a third paragraph, where necessary) will begin with strong topic sentences that stress your best qualities. Rather than repeating what’s on your resume, use specific examples to support your proposition in the first sentence of why you’re right for the position. You should focus on what makes you unique – the fact that you went to a good law school and have been in private practice for two years does not differentiate you from others looking to lateral to the same position.

Demonstrate that you have the skills required of the position, rather than simply stating that you do –provide examples. Vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition and do not start every sentence or clause with “I.” For public sector positions, remember that passion and commitment are as critical as skills and credentials.

The final paragraph will state that your resume is enclosed, if you will be in a particular location for a set period of time, if searching in another city, and how you can be reached, including phone number and email. Thank the reader for his or her time.

Sincerely,

Your Name”

Sample 5: “Cover letter for a big law firm”

“Joseph Smith

Recruiting Coordinator

Legal, Lawful, P.C.

2317 Market Street

This City, State ZIP

Dear Mr. Smith:

I am a third-year student at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and seek an associate position to begin in Fall 2018. Enclosed please find my resume and transcript for your review.

I am particularly interested in Legal, Lawful, P.C. because of the fine reputation of its Corporate Finance Department. As my resume indicates, I was involved in numerous corporate finance transactions during my employment at Do, Good & Work this past summer. At Penn Law, I have been concentrating my studies on corporate finance markets and have gained a well-rounded understanding of U.S. corporate law.

My experience and course work would enable me to make a strong contribution to your firm’s practice.

Should you be interested in scheduling a screening interview with me, I would be more than happy to come to your office. I will be in This City through January 5th, and can meet with you at your convenience. I can be reached at PHONE NUMBERand EMAIL ADDRESS.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Student Signature

Kai D. Johnson

Enclosure”

Frequently Asked Questions: How to write a cover letter for a big law firm

How do I write a cover letter for a large law?

Tips for using your cover letter to stand out

• Make it personal.
• Prioritize the positive. 
• Get to the point. 
• Set the right tone.

Do you need a cover letter for KPMG?

Yes. A cover letter showcases how well you communicate and provides more information about who you are as a person.

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

Citations

https://www.clio.com/blog/cover-letter-for-law-firms/

https://www.bu.edu/law/files/2015/11/Sample-Large-Law-Firm-Cover-Letter.pdf

https://www.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/2020-03/jd-sample-cover-letters.pdf

https://www.mindsumo.com/cover-letters/law-firm/Full-Time/6948