Your CV can help you to start outlining your legal experience and relevant qualifications, but the recruiter certainly won’t object to an accompanying cover letter.
In fact, this is likely to boost your chances of being invited in for an interview.
To help you perfect your application so the recruiter can judge you accordingly, we’ve put together this step-by-step writing guide, complete with detailed legal cover letter examples.
The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Legal cover letter should be formatted and written.
The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.
Here’s how to write your own winning Legal cover letter
When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.
Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.
If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.
So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.
To build an instant connection with the recruiter reading your cover letter, start with a warm greeting.
It should be friendly but not casual – keeping it professional at all times.
Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” unless applying to very traditional companies.
Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.
Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.
Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.
Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.
The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.
Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.
The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.
Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.
A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.
Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers.
Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.
To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.
This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.
Include the following points;
Here is an example signature;
Aaron Smith
Customer service professional
075557437373
Aaron@smith.com
LinkedIn
Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.
Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Legal cover letter…
The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.
Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.
Copy and paste these Legal cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.
Hope you’re well. I am writing in response to your company’s advertisement for Senior Lawyers listed on LinkedIn. With 12 years’ experience as a Lawyer for Latham & Watkins, I possess a successful track record in diverse practice areas, a passion for advocating for clients’ rights, and a commitment to delivering exceptional legal counsel.
I obtained my LLB from the University of London, which has enabled me to handle complex legal matters and provide strategic guidance to clients concerning family, labour, and civil procedural law. I consistently earn recognition for my exceptional results, strong leadership, and dedication to client satisfaction. Some of my key achievements include attaining an impressive 90% success rate in litigation and negotiation cases, as well as actively participating in business development activities which increased the firm’s client base by 60%.
I am excited about the opportunity to discuss how my expertise can contribute to the ongoing growth of Fosters LLP at your earliest convenience. I have attached my CV, which provides further details on my professional achievements and qualifications.
Phillip White
I am writing in application for the Court Judge position at the Judicial Appointments Commission. As a highly qualified Advocate with 23 years of experience, a deep-rooted passion for justice and an extensive background in the legal field, I am eager to bring my commitment to your establishment.
I have represented minorities across civil litigation and criminal defence, as well as family, property, immigration, common, and corporate law cases. My diverse experience has honed my ability to approach legal challenges with both tenacity and empathy, ensuring that my clients’ rights and interests are protected. I possess an unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law.
Over the past few years, I recovered £20M through negotiating a settlement, won 80% of cases, and mentored 400+ junior associates who have gone on to forge successful careers. I possess an LLM and passed Bar Training with exceptional results and have attached my CV for your review.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to discussing my suitability for the position at interview.
Adv. Stephen Morris
Good morning, Harvey
I have attached my CV in application for the Paralegal position at Hogan Lovett, as advertised on Indeed. I obtained my paralegal certificate from the Law Training Centre, which will make me a valuable addition to your team.
I am excited to embark on a rewarding legal career and believe that your firm offers the perfect platform for professional growth and development. Throughout my academic journey and practical training, I acquired a comprehensive understanding of various areas of civil litigation and family, contract, and real estate law. I can conduct legal research, draft relevant documents, and assist attorneys in preparing for trials and hearings.
My contributions in an internship role spanning 2 years at Clifford Chance enabled me to support the implementation of a case management system that reduced document retrieval time by 30% and saved £10K annually in admin costs. I also maintained a 95% client satisfaction rate through proactive communication and promptly addressing inquiries.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining your department and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.
Debbie Sloane
Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Legal job, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.
By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.
Good luck with your job search!
