how to write a lateral attorney cover letter

Be concise. Try to find the appropriate recipient’s name. I am always turned off by the “To Whom it May Concern” letters. If you are applying for a lateral law firm position and your class year for promotion purposes is different from your JD year, be sure to highlight this.

Full Answer

How to write a great attorney cover letter?

Writing a great Attorney cover letter is an important step in your job search journey. When writing a cover letter, be sure to reference the requirements listed in the job description. In your letter, reference your most relevant or exceptional qualifications to help employers see why you're a great fit for the role.

How to tailor your cover letter to your job?

It should be authentic and, if signed by you, in your voice. Even using the same cover letter to apply for multiple positions can get risky. It’s easy to spot the non-tailored cover letter. Read the job description. Read it line by line. I cannot stress enough the importance of tailoring your cover letter to the specific job.

How do you address a letter to a law firm?

If you are applying to law firms, address your letter to the recruiting director, unless you have reason to do otherwise—for example, if you have been instructed to address the letter to a particular attorney at the firm. For NALP member firms, use www.nalpdirectory.com to obtain that contact information.

How do you write a cover letter for a senior partner?

Include specific reasons, as you’re looking for a way to create connections with the senior partner or hiring manager. The body section of your cover letter is your chance to shine—and to succinctly summarize exactly how you meet the requirements set out in the job description.

How do you write a strong cover letter law?

The best law cover letter examples have a clear structure, such as:The introduction to your cover letter. ... A paragraph on why you want to work at that law firm. ... A paragraph highlighting why you're a good fit for the law firm. ... The ending to your law covering letter.

How do you write a cover letter for a lawyer?

Main cover letter bodyPast legal work experience or positions.Community service roles.Academic or research specializations.Publications.Relevant awards you've received.Your personal background.

How do you start a legal cover letter?

In the first paragraph of your cover letter, explain why you are sending your resume to the employer: “I am a first-year student at Yale Law School and am seeking a position with your organization for the summer 20xx.” If you are applying to public interest employers and are eligible for SPIF funding, you can mention ...

What are 5 formatting guidelines for a cover letter?

How to Format a Cover Letter?Set one-inch margins on all sides.Left-align all contents. ... Use business letter format spacing: 1 or 1.15.Put double spaces between paragraphs.Optionally, include a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off. ... Save your cover letter in PDF.

What a cover letter should include?

Key Elements of a Cover LetterInformation about you.Date.Contact Person's Name, Title, Employer, and Address.Salutation.Opening Paragraph.Middle Paragraph.Second Middle Paragraph.Contact Information and Closing.

How long should a cover letter be word count?

between 200 and 400 wordsCover letter word count should be between 200 and 400 words (300 is the sweet spot.) Why? Because that's the right length to fill up slightly more than half a page with 12-point font. But that's not how you'll get the interview.

How do you address a cover letter for a legal job?

What to Include in Your Cover Letter. Include your full name, and be sure to use the one under which you've been admitted to the bar if you're a lawyer. Give your street address, not a P.O. box, including your city, state, and zip code.

How do you write a legal writing sample?

Legal Reasoning—A writing sample must demonstrate your legal reasoning and analytical skills, i.e., apply law to facts, and distinguish cases on their facts. Thus, an academic survey of case law or a note that summarizes a recently published decision is not the best choice as it does not include legal analysis.

How should you address a cover letter?

If you know the hiring manager's name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you're unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name. If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it's more appropriate to address them using their title.

What are the 3 parts of a cover letter?

A cover letter should be 3 paragraphs – Introduction, Sales Pitch and Conclusion. were personally referred or have a contact, drop the name here.

What are the 7 parts of a cover letter?

There are seven sections that every cover letter should include to fit employer expectations and highlight your best qualities:Header. All cover letters start with a header that includes your contact information. ... Greeting. ... Introduction. ... Qualifications. ... Values and goals. ... Call to action. ... Signature.

What are 3 reasons a cover letter is important?

3 Reasons Why You Should Still Use a Cover LetterThey offer a more relevant explanation than a resume can. Your resume can only do so much in terms of explaining things like a gap in employment, a promotion, or why you held two jobs at once. ... They demonstrate how you communicate. ... They show you're a serious candidate.

How do you address a letter to a law firm?

If you're mailing your letter, write the attorney's full name on the envelope, followed by a comma and the abbreviation "Esq." If you use the title "Esquire" after the attorney's name, do not use "Mr." or "Ms." before their name.

How should you address a cover letter?

If you know the hiring manager's name, go with “Dear Mr./Miss Last Name,” but if you're unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, just address them using their full name. If the recruiter has a professional or academic title, it's more appropriate to address them using their title.

How do you write a legal writing sample?

Legal Reasoning—A writing sample must demonstrate your legal reasoning and analytical skills, i.e., apply law to facts, and distinguish cases on their facts. Thus, an academic survey of case law or a note that summarizes a recently published decision is not the best choice as it does not include legal analysis.

Benefits of Working as an Attorney

Aside from the knowledge that you’re helping people at a time of urgent need, you’ll also benefit from having steady work since the legal profession is considered an evergreen field, meaning there will always be a need for lawyers in our society regardless of the economic climate.

Why You Need an Attorney Cover Letter

Competition is high, so an Attorney cover letter is essential. It doesn’t hurt to throw in a couple of facts you’ve learned about your perspective employer. You could, for instance, reference their reputation for handling certain types of cases to show that you’ve done your homework.

Cover Letter Examples by Industry

Taking the first step toward writing a cover letter can be scary, especially if you’re unsure about what to focus on for a particular line of work. Browse our collection of industry-specific cover letter samples and learn about what to zero in on your cover letter!

How to address a cover letter to a law firm?

Determine to whom you should address the cover letter. If you are applying to law firms, address your letter to the recruiting director, unless you have reason to do otherwise—for example, if you have been instructed to address the letter to a particular attorney at the firm. For NALP member firms, use www.nalpdirectory.com to obtain that contact information. For other firms and public interest employers, you can refer to their websites, or contact the office to determine to whom your materials should be directed. The name of the person to whom the letter is addressed, his or her title, the employer’s name, and address follow the date and are aligned with the left margin. If writing to an attorney, include Esq. after the person’s name. The greeting appears two lines below the employer’s address and should be “Dear Mr.,” “Dear Ms.,” “Dear Mx.,” “Dear [First Name] [LastName],” or “Dear Judge.” When possible, avoid addressing your letter generally, such as Dear Sir or Madam, or “To Whom It May Concern”; instead take the time to find the contact person and address the letter to that individual.

How to write a cover letter for a job?

A good cover letter 1 Tells the employer who you are and what you are seeking; 2 Shows that you know about the particular employer and the kind of work the employer does (i.e., civil or criminal work, direct client service, “impact” cases, antitrust litigation); 3 Demonstrates your writing skills; 4 Demonstrates your commitment to the work of that particular employer; 5 Conveys that you have something to contribute to the employer; 6 Shows that you and that employer are a good “fit;” and 7 Tells the employer how to get in touch with you by email, telephone, and mail.

What should the final paragraph of an application say?

The final paragraph should thank the employer for taking the time to review your application and inform the employer of how you can be reached to set up an interview. You may wish to state that you will contact the employer in a couple of weeks to follow up and then actually do so. This is especially true with public interest employers who are often understaffed and will appreciate your extra effort.

How to write a cover letter in single space?

The body of the cover letter ought to be single-spaced with a line between each paragraph. The closing of the letter (“Sincerely” and your signature) should be two lines below the last line of the letter and either in the center of the page or aligned with the left margin, consistent with how you set up the top of your letter.

What is a good cover letter?

A good cover letter. Shows that you know about the particular employer and the kind of work the employer does (i.e., civil or criminal work, direct client service, “impact” cases, antitrust litigation); Tells the employer how to get in touch with you by email, telephone, and mail.

What to write in the third paragraph of a resume?

Try not to reiterate what is already included on your resume. Elaborate on the qualifications and experience you have that make you an exceptional attorney. As a lateral candidate it is particularly important to show the value you will bring to the organization.

How to write a cover letter for a job?

Use a personalized cover letter to showcase the unique reasons why you’re the best candidate. Show that you know the person that you’re writing to and highlight any connections. If that isn’t possible, you can always write about the firm to show that you’ve done your research.

What should be included in a cover letter for personal injury?

If you were applying for this role, your cover letter’s body paragraphs might detail your past personal injury litigation experience, as well as specific examples of how you’ve successfully communicated within a team and in a fast-paced environment.

What is the purpose of salutation in a letter?

Be careful with salutations. The salutation is a place to convey respect and showcase that you’ve taken the time to personalize the letter . Mistakes in the salutation are a sign that you’ll miss details, which won’t bode well for your chances at impressing your potential employer.

What is the body section of a cover letter?

Main cover letter body. The body section of your cover letter is your chance to shine— and to succinctly summarize exactly how you meet the requirements set out in the job description. In one or two paragraphs, give a high-level overview of your legal education and experience to show: Why you want to work for this firm.

Why is it important to check the sentence structure of a cover letter?

Because you want to make a lasting impression in a single page, it’s also a good idea to check your cover letter’s sentence structure. Do you start all of your sentences the same way? Are they all the same length? Ensure there’s some variety, so your reader stays engaged .

Is there a way around it to look for a job at a law firm?

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced legal professional seeking a new role, there’s no way around it: If you’re looking for a job at a law firm in our current economic climate, you’re in for a challenge. But with the right technique and tools, that challenge is not insurmountable.

Do lawyers have to proofread their cover letters?

There is zero room for typos or grammatical errors in cover letters for lawyers. With the high level of competition for legal jobs, don’t give hiring managers a reason to eliminate you—take the time to carefully proofread. It’s also a good idea to enlist someone else to proofread your cover letters as well, as you might miss your own errors.