Cover letter for a law firm (5 samples)

This blog post will show samples of “cover letters for a law firm position.”

Examples of cover letters for a law firm position

To get a law firm position, you need a well-written cover letter that showcases your passion for and dedication to the industry. When writing a cover letter for a law firm job, these are some of the essential things to include in your letter:

• Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient or hiring manager).”

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

• Write a short sentence about why you’re interested in the position.

• State your skills and work experience; ensure they are similar to the job position. When stating your skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 

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

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

“December 1, 2010

Miriam A. Nunberg

Staff Attorney

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

32 Old Slip, 26th Fl.

New York, NY 10005-2500

Dear Ms. Nunberg:

I am a first-year student at Harvard Law School and am writing to apply for a volunteer summer

internship with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights in New York City. I

learned about your organization through Harvard Law School’s public service database and

through Harvard students who have interned at branches of the OCR in other cities. Interning at

the OCR would allow me to continue my commitment to civil rights in education, and I feel

confident that I could contribute substantively to the work of your office while strengthening the

skills I’ll need for a career in education law.

As a senior at Cornell University, I wrote an honors thesis on the politics of bilingual education in

California and New York, focusing on strategies for protecting minority students’ language

rights. Because my career goal is to work on language issues, and discrimination generally, in

American education, I wrote my master’s thesis on language policy in Spanish schools in order to gain knowledge of how other countries handle these complex issues.

This semester, I’ve gotten involved with Harvard Law School’s Advocates for Education, as well

as the Child and Youth Advocates, organizations that have exposed me to the work lawyers can

do to promote education rights. Additionally, joining the Latino Law Review has kept me

updated on the issues facing minority students. My work with the Harvard Defenders has begun

to give me experience in public interest litigation, and working at the OCR would allow me to

gain experience advocating for the specific client populations I hope to assist in my career.

Because of my familiarity with language issues and New York’s bilingual education policies, as

well as my fluency in Spanish, I would be very happy to work on cases dealing with language or

national origin discrimination, but I’d also be delighted at the opportunity to work in any of the

areas on which your office focuses, including LGBT and disability rights.

I have enclosed a resume highlighting my education and work experience. I hope to have the

opportunity to interview with you about a summer position, and I will call your office in a few

weeks to see if I may schedule a time to speak with you. Thank you in advance for your time and

consideration.

Sincerely,

Samantha Pierce”

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

“5 January 2011

Hyeon-Ju Rho

Country Director, China Program, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative

Oriental Kenzo (Dongfang Yinzuo)

No. 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie

Dongcheng District

Beijing 100027 P.R. China

Dear Ms. Rho:

I am a first-year Harvard Law School student and am writing to apply for a summer internship with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative’s China Program. I first learned about ABA ROLI from Hakim Lakhdar, Program Manager of Harvard’s Program on the Legal Profession, and former ABA ROLI staff in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. I was especially excited to learn of the China Program because of my longstanding interest in working to promote good governance and the rule of law in China.

After working in China each summer during college, in 2008 I began a 15-month internship with the International Justice Mission (IJM) in Bangalore, India. IJM focuses specifically on promoting rule of law and improving public justice systems through local, individual human rights casework in the countries where it operates. As a legal assistant, I helped our office’s four staff lawyers coordinate with the local government and judiciary to release bonded-debt laborers and prosecute their oppressors. In this role, I researched and drafted memos, reports, and pleadings; managed case data and documents; and collaborated with business and legal experts to create a training booklet for orienting police in major Indian cities to law enforcement core competencies and specific bonded labor and IP issues.

I left IJM excited about strengthening public justice systems in developing countries, and more hopeful than ever to do so in China. A specific desire to strengthen the enforcement of Chinese labor law brought me to law school with the ultimate career goal of promoting healthy, safe, and respectful work environments in China. Toward that end, editing an article on rule of law and the World Bank for the upcoming issue of Harvard’s International Law Journal bolstered my enthusiasm and valuably exposed me to a wide variety of resources on rule of law efforts and theory. I believe my eagerness to learn about and promote rule of law coupled with my relevant past experience, familiarity with China, diligent work ethic, and flexible attitude would make me an excellent summer intern for the ABA ROLI China Program. I would tremendously value the opportunity to work for highly motivated Chinese and American legal experts, network with Chinese lawyers and judges, and gain practical skills specifically relevant to my long-term interest in improving public justice in China.

Enclosed please find a detailed resume highlighting my relevant experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss summer opportunities with the China Program and can be reached at epouliot@jd13.law.harvard.edu or 617-495-3108. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Evan Pauline”

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

“Michael Nagy

Harvard Law School Student

887 Cherry Ridge Drive

Cambridge, MA 02141

508-306-0385

michaelznagy@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/michaelznagy

3/30/20

Kimberly Boyer

Partner

Boyer, White & Boyer

46 Stadium Drive

Boston, MA 02138

Dear Ms. Boyer,

I’m a second-year student attending Harvard Law School, writing to apply for your summer internship position. I learned about the position through Harvard’s public service database, but I’ve also heard good things from three older students I met as Junior Vice President of Harvard Law’s ACLU Club. Interning at Boyer, White & Boyer would allow me to strengthen my research and writing skills, and I’m confident that my work ethic and trial preparation experience will help your partners and associates improve their client service and efficiency.

Your job posting on LinkedIn says you need an intern with litigation knowledge, research skills, and writing skills. As a member of the Moot Court Honors Board, I presented 5 legal arguments and was on the team that won State Finals. I also researched 22 cases during my first-year internship with Locklin & Dubord, with multiple commendations from the partners for efficiency and accuracy. I wrote a weekly column on trial law in the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. Finally, I’ve written 50+ memoranda and correspondences for partners and associates.

In the past two semesters, I got involved with Harvard’s Alliance for Reproductive Justice, where I worked directly with professors Alice Wharton and David Mathieu to facilitate discussions and perform research. I also volunteer for the Animal Law Society, and my work as a Junior Editor and Researcher for the Journal on Legislation has helped broaden my knowledge of the current regulation environment. I believe an internship at Boyer, White & Boyer would increase my hands-on knowledge in these areas.

My resume and enclosed references will show the other ways I fit your internship requirements. I would value the opportunity to speak with you in person about how I can help extend your firm’s efficiency and accuracy. I’ll check back with your office in a couple weeks to see if we can arrange a time to meet.

Kind regards,

Michael Nagy

Harvard Law School Student

508-306-0385

michaelznagy@gmail.com”

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

“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 my 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 work load. My 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 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 law has provided me with a fresh and dynamic insight to 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 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 ethics I will be exposed to as a candidate attorney in your firm, will guide me into 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 5: “Cover letter for a law firm position”

“Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m excited to be applying for the Attorney position at Crane & Jenkins. I have a high level of interest in this role because my experience aligns well with your firm’s approach to clients and cases. I have previous law firm experience and am an articulate litigator. I’m very interested in learning more about this position and your needs for a motivated and driven Attorney.

In my 10 years of firm experience, I played a critical role in a variety of high-profile cases with the top 10% of the firm’s largest clients. I am skilled in client consultations, discovery and trial preparation, all which require a high level of diplomacy and sound judgement. I am proficient in and passionate about deposition preparation, case strategy and evidence investigation. I have strong analytical and problem-resolution skills.

I have the unique ability to interact with a wide range of personalities in many different professions. My current supervisory responsibilities include overseeing and leading a team of contract administrators, paralegals and administrators, and I serve as a point of escalation and direction. I am licensed by the State Bar of Vermont, and I received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Northwest Vermont University, graduating in the top 5% of my class.

I believe that my background in corporate law will be an asset to your firm. I look forward to learning more about this Attorney position and discussing how my experience would be beneficial to your firm’s goals and strategy.

Sincerely,

Cody Fredrickson”

Frequently Asked Questions: Examples of cover letters for a law firm position

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

Tips for using your cover letter to stand out

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

How do I write a legal cover letter?

How to write a legal cover letter:

• State why you want to work at that law firm.
• Highlight why you’re a good fit.
• Ending the law covering letter with a thank you and looking forward message.

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Citations

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

https://hls.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/allcoverlettersweb2011.pdf

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/law/how-write-winning-covering-letters-law-firms

https://zety.com/blog/law-firm-cover-letter-example