Since your competences can be highly varied and demanding, to earn a position in this profession, you need a standout attorney cover letter that showcases your best professional attributes. Follow our detailed guide and discover all the best writing tips, customizable templates, cover letter samples, and plenty of examples that will make your job application one to remember!
See more examples like these
In this guide, we teach you how to write an eye-catching cover letter as an attorney and what key details you should include. Keep reading to learn all about:
- How to craft a visually appealing cover letter header & headline
- Why you need to tailor the content of your cover letter as an attorney
- What to say in your attorney cover letter introduction
- Ways to highlight your skills & accomplishments to impress employers
- How to conclude your attorney cover letter persuasively
- Where to look for suitable opportunities for job-seeking attorneys
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. How to craft a visually appealing attorney cover letter header & headline
Starting at the very top of your attorney cover letter, the first element to create is a cover letter header. This header not only provides the employer with all of your identifying and contact information but also helps to give the letter visual appeal and structure.
In your header, you should include:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name & department of the law firm or organization you are applying to
- The address of the law firm or legal organization
Here is an example of a well-formatted header on an attorney’s cover letter
John Doe, Attorney
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
To: Central Pheonix Law Associates
Attorneys’ Department
1234 Street Address
Phoenix, AZ 85001
Directly after your header comes your cover letter headline, a brief title statement used for introducing the main ideas of your cover letter and hooking the attention of the employer.
To write a strong headline as an attorney, make sure to include:
- A keyword or phrase related to the job (attorney, law, legal, etc.)
- An attention-grabbing number or trigger word (3 skills, 4-step approach, etc.)
- A complimentary adjective or verb (best, benefit, etc.)
- A promise statement that indicates to the employer the letter is specifically for them
Here is an example of a well-written attorney headline, followed by a brief breakdown of its main parts
My 3 Major Successes as an Attorney & How I Can Achieve Them at Your Law Firm
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Successes
Keyword: Attorney
Adjective/Verb: Major, Achieve
Promise: Your Law Firm
Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.
2. How to successfully tailor the content of your attorney cover letter
While it can be tempting to write a generic cover letter that you can use again and again for different job applications, this type of generalized approach is not the most impressive to employers.
To truly hook an employer’s attention and write a memorable cover letter, you need to tailor the content of your letter for the exact job you are applying to. This will require you to perform thorough research on the company before applying, searching for information you can reference in your letter such as:
- The organization’s area of legal specialization
- Well-known clients or associations of the organization
- Who at the organization is responsible for hiring and reviewing applications
Using this last piece of info, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name. In doing so, you showcase that you have taken the time to tailor the letter and ensure their interest is piqued right from the beginning.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Head Attorney Mack Henson,
- Dear Mr. Mack Henson,
- Dear Hiring Manager Jane Smith,
3. What to say in your attorney cover letter introduction
Now that you have the beginning elements in place, you can finally begin writing the actual body text of your cover letter — starting with your introduction.
To craft a powerful introduction that keeps the employer interested and wanting to know more, you’ll need to include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and specialized expertise
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) — naming a mutual acquaintance helps you make an immediate positive impression on employers by providing a trusted professional reference.
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write an attorney cover letter introduction
Dear Head Attorney Mack Henson,
I am a defense attorney with more than 8 years of experience working in criminal justice and defense, specifically in cases involving drug possession and distribution. As a dedicated social advocate, I was impressed by your firm’s commitment to ensuring each client receives a fair and balanced trial. My former graduate professor, Dr. Grant Percy, works closely with your law firm on university-related cases and strongly recommended I consider applying for this opening.
Find out your resume score!
4. How to highlight your skills & accomplishments to impress employers
After you’ve introduced yourself effectively in your introduction, your next major step is to provide concise yet detailed descriptions of your most relevant skills and accomplishments as an attorney.
As you describe these qualifications, make sure to write details that are:
- Specific: Avoid vagueness at all times when writing a cover letter as an attorney. Any skills or accomplishments you include should have a description that specifies why this qualification is important and how you can apply them in this new position.
- Contextual: When describing skills especially, make sure you include the proper context needed to make the information highly valuable to employers. For instance, don’t just say you have great collaboration skills; instead, describe an instance in which you had to use these skills and how they benefited both you and your professional associates.
- Quantifiable: Whenever possible, include information that has quantifiable numbers or data. This will help to show an employer exactly what you have to offer and the real-life, proven value you can bring to their company.
Here are 6 examples of attorney skills to describe in a cover letter
- Collecting and presenting evidence
- Developing legal arguments
- Practicing total client confidentiality
- Knowledge of court conduct and proceedings
- Providing legal counseling to clients
- Writing contracts, legal drafts, and other legal documents
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in an attorney cover letter
As a prosecuting attorney at [Former Employer], I worked with local law enforcement to help shut down and prosecute 3 separate drug smuggling operations, leading to the removal of more than $3 million worth of illegal contraband from the streets.
5. How to conclude your attorney cover letter persuasively
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of your cover letter!
To end on a strong note, you should aim to write a persuasive conclusion that encourages the employer to get in contact with you in a timely manner.
This conclusion should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- When and how you can best be contacted
- When and how you intend to follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a persuasive closing statement from an attorney’s cover letter
I am thrilled to be considered for this position and look forward to getting to know your legal team better. To best reach me to schedule a meeting or interview, call me at (123) 456-7890 any weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. As I am eager to speak with you directly, I will follow up via email next Tuesday if I have not yet heard back.
Best Wishes,
[Applicant Name]
6. Valuable job search resources for attorneys
With your attorney cover letter application-ready, all you need to do now is start looking for the right work opportunities. Since the legal sector can sometimes be a maze, we've gathered a list of resources that might make your job search a little bit easier:
- Martindale-Hubbell: This website gives you access to a job search tool that allows attorneys to find opportunities that match their expertise and career goals like a glove.
- The American Bar Association (ABA): Next, this unique platform brings you a variety of networking opportunities, job listings, and career advice specifically tailored to the legal industry.
- LawJobs.com: This is yet another great resource! It boasts a robust listing of jobs ranging from associate positions to partner opportunities in law firms of all sizes.
- EuroLegalJobs: This website is ideal for attorneys looking to work within the EU framework or multinational corporations. So, if you specialize in European Union law, competition law, and other areas of international law, this is the resource for you.
- GoInhouse: If you're looking to transition from law firms to corporate legal departments, check out this platform. As the name suggests, it's primarily focused on in-house counsel positions.
- National Association for Law Placement (NALP): NALP is a resource for legal career professionals offering job listings, career fairs, and educational programs designed to assist you in career development.
- Specialty legal associations: Depending on your area of specialization, consider joining niche associations like the National Employment Lawyers Association or the American Health Lawyers Association, which offer job boards and networking opportunities specific to their legal sectors.
Remember that job hunting is a process that can sometimes take months. That's why it's so important to keep your eyes on the prize and keep on pursuing your dream job despite initial setbacks. Good luck!
Attorney Cover Letter FAQ
It's not usual to mention salary requirements or logistical details in your initial cover letter unless explicitly requested by the employer in the job posting. Instead, keep the focus on your qualifications and fit for the position. Salary discussions are typically more appropriate for the interview stage or a follow-up conversation.
The million-dollar question! You can always personalize your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager by name. Also, try to relate your past work experiences to the firm’s recent cases, projects, or values. Include unique career highlights or achievements not common among other candidates. For instance, mention any high-profile cases, specialized certifications, or contributions to legal publications.
If there's a gap on your resume, the best way to give it context and positive framing is through your cover letter. The crucial thing is to be upfront about career gaps. You can explain them very briefly in a positive light. For example, if you took time off to care for a family member or to pursue further education, write it down and focus on how the experience has enriched your professional capabilities or perspective.
Ideally, your cover letter should be one page long. Always try to keep your cover letter concise and focused on the most relevant information. Every single sentence should serve its purpose in selling your qualifications to the employer.
Yes, following up is appropriate and can show your enthusiasm and commitment to the position. Wait about a week or two after submitting your application before sending a polite follow-up email. In your follow-up, briefly restate your interest in the position and mention your previous application submission date.
