How to build a compelling lawyer cover letter

Lawyers are an essential member of any functioning legal system, helping to provide their clients with the legal support needed to win a case. To land a position as a lawyer, you need to write a compelling cover letter that convinces employers you are the best fit for the job.

In this guide, we will teach you 5 crucial steps for writing a cover letter as a lawyer. Keep reading to learn all about how to:

• Create a well-formatted header & headline as a lawyer
• Tailor your lawyer cover letter for the exact job you are applying to
• Craft an excellent introduction that hooks employers’ attention
• Demonstrate your value by describing your skills & accomplishments
• Conclude your lawyer cover letter with an effective closing statement

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1. Create a well-formatted header & headline as a lawyer

To begin your lawyer cover letter, the first key step to take is to create a well-formatted header and headline. These elements give your letter more visual structure and flow.

First up is your cover letter header, which should include:

• Your name and professional title
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the law firm or organization you are applying to
• The address of the law firm or organization

Directly after your header is your cover letter headline, which should include:

• A keyword or keyphrase related to the job
• An eye-catching number or trigger word
• An appropriate adjective and/or verb
• A promise to the employer that this letter is written exclusively for them

Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Corporate Lawyer
Adjective/Verb: Positively Impact
Promise: Your Business

2. Tailor your lawyer cover letter for the exact job you are applying to

Whenever you write a cover letter as a lawyer, it is crucial to tailor that letter for the exact job or position you are applying for.

By tailoring your cover letter, you can help your letter to stand out from your competing applicants’ letters. The tailoring process involves thoroughly researching the company before applying, looking for specific and relevant information that can be referenced throughout your letter.

Additionally, while researching the employer, take note of which staff member is most likely to review applications. You can use this information to include a personalized greeting that addresses that specific person by name.

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3. Craft an impactful lawyer cover letter introduction

A cover letter introduction is one of the most powerful elements of the document, as it not only helps to hook an employer’s attention but can often be the defining factor in whether or not an employer continues reading.

To write an excellent introduction that grabs an employer’s attention, make sure to include:

• A brief overview of your professional history and specializations
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible)

Pro Tip: Mutual acquaintances help you to get a foot in the door immediately by providing a trustworthy professional reference. To gain a mutual acquaintance, try connecting with relevant employees of the companies you are most interested in on LinkedIn.

4. Showcase your best skills & accomplishments as a lawyer

Your skills and accomplishments have a vital role to play in your cover letter.

Unlike a resume, a cover letter gives you ample space to fully describe and contextualize your skills and accomplishments. As such, you must always strive to describe these qualifications in a way that is highly specific and quantifiable to give the employer the best overview of your professional prowess.

5. Conclude your lawyer cover letter with an effective closing statement

The fifth and final step to writing your lawyer cover letter is to finish with an effective closing statement.

Your goal when writing your conclusion should be to encourage the employer to get in contact with you, including key details such as:

• An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
• An additional sentence stating when and how you can best be contacted
• Information on when and how you plan to follow up
• A formal sign-off

If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.