Sample
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for the Associate position in your litigation team. In 4 years of practice I have drafted pleadings in civil and commercial matters and appeared before district courts and tribunals.
In my current role I drafted plaints, written statements and applications for civil suits. I would bring the same care to your team, along with strengths in Litigation, Legal drafting and Legal research.
Thank you for your time. I would be glad to talk about how I can help. I can join within 30 days.
Yours sincerely,
Sample Candidate
What to highlight
- Practice areas
- Drafting and court experience
- Research skills
Who you may be writing to
- Law firms
- Chambers of senior advocates
- Corporate legal teams
- Legal process outsourcing
- Government legal departments
Tips
- Name the exact role and where you saw it.
- Pick 2 results that match the job post and give numbers.
- Do not repeat your whole resume.
- Keep the tone polite and simple.
Recruiters often read the letter only after an ATS (applicant tracking system, the software many employers use to store, search and filter resumes) has shortlisted your resume, so use the job post’s key skills in both.
Resume examples for this field
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a legal cover letter?
Name the role and give one line on why you fit, as in the sample above.
Should I mention salary?
Only if the job post asks. Otherwise discuss it later in the process.
How do I end the letter?
Thank them, say you would like to talk, and mention your notice period if relevant.