law firm cover letter example uk

legal careers guide

6. legal cvs and covering letters.

Despite the widespread use of application forms, the CV is still a vital tool in the recruitment process. This Step guides you through the process of constructing a legal CV and writing a successful covering letter.

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Writing Legal CVs and Covering Letters

The curriculum vitae (CV) is the traditional method of application and is widely used throughout the legal profession. You will still need a CV, even if you are applying to organisations that use application forms, for two main reasons.

• The information on your CV forms the basis of many of the answers you will need to give on application forms
• Having an up-to-date law CV is useful when applying for work experience or to give information to a useful contact.

Before you start drafting

Think about the type of organisation or specific organisation you are applying to. What are they likely to be looking for in a candidate? See your work from Step 1 and 4.

Know what skills and experience you have to offer a prospective employer. See your work from Step 2.

Know what you want to use the CV for. Is it to apply for work experience or a speculative application? See your work from Step 2 and 3.

Tips for a good law CV

• Target your legal CV – you need to adapt your CV to each individual recruiter so that they are able to see how you could fit in with their organisation.
• Length – keep it to no more than two sides of A4 paper.
• Make it easy to read – create a clear structure, leave enough white space and make use of formatting like headings.
• Look professional – use plain white paper, a size 11 standard font like Arial or Calibri, and avoid photos and exclamation marks.
• Correct spelling and grammar is essential – don’t rely on spellcheck; proofread several times to make sure your CV is error free.
• Be honest whilst ensuring you are making the most of what you have to offer.
• Focus on your cover letter as much as your CV.

Legal CV structure and layout

There is no single correct way to lay out a law CV and you will have to try different structures to see which one works best for you.

A traditional structure contains the following information:

Personal details

Include your name and contact details such as address, email address and phone number as a heading. You don’t need to put the words ‘Curriculum Vitae’ on your CV.

Education and training

Arrange your education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent example displayed first. Include the name of the institution, subjects, dates and your grades. Detail any professional legal qualification you have such as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) . Don’t forget to mention the areas of law that you studied and state your dissertation title if relevant.

Employment and work experience

Depending on how much experience you have, you might want to separate out and highlight any legal, commercial or voluntary experience. Describe your key tasks and responsibilities, mentioning the positive results of your actions. Apply your law work experience to demonstrate your passion and part-time or voluntary work to show your transferable skills such as teamwork and communication.

Additional skills

A brief mention of other relevant skills you have such as the languages you speak, a proficiency in software packages or technical skills such as programming languages.

Extracurricular activities

Mention things you do outside of work and the classroom such as sports and clubs. Experiences such as membership in the Law Society or starting a new club at the University will help you stand out.

Stating ‘references available on request’ will usually suffice.

Legal Covering letter tips

• Aim for a professional and personable tone
• Fonts and formatting – maximum of one side of white A4 paper, with the same font as your legal CV. Proofread carefully to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Find out who you are addressing – find out the name of the recipient if possible and sign off ‘Yours sincerely’. Try to avoid using Dear Sir or Madam, but if you do remember to use ‘Yours faithfully’ instead.
• Signing off – be polite, say thank you and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Legal Covering letter structure and layout

The purpose of your application.

Talk about the opportunity you are applying for and where you saw it.

Why are you applying to them?

Explain why you are interested in their organisation.

Why should they pick you?

Explain what you have to offer that is relevant to them and the opportunity. This could be your performance on your degree, recent work experience with a similar organisation or experience in their area of practice.

Activity – CV Makeover

In this activity, you can practise applying your knowledge of CV writing as you try to improve the legal CV of a fictitious student named Georgina Berry.

Download CV Makeover Activity ➔

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m making speculative applications. who do i address the covering letter to.

Call the firm you’re targeting, explain that you’d like to send your CV in as a speculative application and ask who to best address the letter to.

If you’re unable to get a specific name, use “Dear Sir/Madam” and you’ll need to sign off as “Yours faithfully”.

I spoke to someone at a law fair recently. Should I mention this in my cover letter?

Definitely mention that you spoke to a representative from the organisation, and give the name of the event. This is evidence to back up your interest in the organisation and shows that you have done your research.

It is a useful tip to write down the name of whoever you speak to as soon as possible. Usually exhibitors wear name badges but if not, politely ask if you can take their name at the end of your discussion.

I have a substantial previous career. Is it important to fit it all on 2 sides of A4?

It is important to keep to the two page limit, so you will need to work out a way of cutting down the content without losing your key selling points.

If you’ve accepted your place or are currently studying with us, seek advice from our careers advisers.

Next step: 7

Go to step 7 in the Student Employability Programme.

Employability

Find out how to make the best start to your career through our Employability and Careers Service.

• Finding vacancies

Writing a CV

Writing a covering letter, preparing for an interview.

• Career advice

Preparation

When applying for a job you should check the instructions carefully to see what the employer is asking for, such as a CV and covering letter, or an application form.

Before you write your application:

• check the requirements for the role – these will normally be listed in a job description or person specification – and think about how you can show that you have them
• research the organisation, so that you can explain why you’re suited to work there
• check that your CV covers all the requirements, and tailor it if necessary

What to include

If the employer asks for a CV, you should also write a covering letter that is tailored for the role. This is your opportunity to say how you meet the requirements for the role. It should show that you understand what the employer is looking for and that you know about the organisation.

• your contact details
• which role you’re applying for
• why you’re interested in the role
• how you meet the requirements for the role
• relevant skills and experience
• reference to relevant parts of your CV
• any specific information that the employer asks for, such as salary expectations

Check the advert and the job description, and make sure that your covering letter includes all of the requirements if possible. Give evidence to back up your claims. Do not just say that you are good at team working or research – give an example, such as a project you have worked on.

End the letter on a positive note, saying when you're available for interview and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Your covering letter should be concise – around one page.

You may want to send it as a Word attachment, rather than simply an email. You should make sure it is well laid out, with a consistent format and a clear font. Check carefully for spelling mistakes or other errors.

Address your letter to an individual if possible. 

Application forms

Many organisations recruit using application forms rather than CVs and covering letters. This means they can ask specific questions and easily compare applications.

Application forms are designed to get the right amount of information to make a decision, so the recruiter will normally ignore anything else you provide. Often they will have a word limit for each question. However, you should be able to use information from your CV, such as your work history and your skills, to complete the form.

Read through the form carefully and follow the instructions. Be clear and concise, and make sure you provide evidence of how you meet the requirements for the role.

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How to write winning covering letters for law firms

targetjobs editorial team

Last updated: 24 Mar 2023, 17:42

When applying for a training contract or vacation scheme, your covering letter may be the first part of your application a law firm considers.

Your covering letter creates a powerful first impression, so make it easy for the recruiter to see that you have strong potential as a lawyer.

Many law graduate jobs at solicitors’ firms in the UK will ask you to apply for a training contract with a covering letter. Read this advice from recruiters at Slaughter and May, Cleary Gottlieb and Ince & Co, then follow our law cover letter template.

Some recruiters will want you to upload your covering letter as part of an online application form (such as Baker McKenzie and Jones Day), while others – usually smaller, high street law firms – will want you to send the letter alongside a CV (see our law CV example here ).

• Cover letter template: see our annotated law covering letter sample for more tips and format examples .

How to write a law cover letter tip #1: use the letter to explain why you want to be a solicitor at that particular law firm

A covering letter is a golden opportunity to explain your motivations for becoming a lawyer and for applying to that specific firm. ‘My advice is to use the cover letter to introduce yourself and to explain why you are applying to that firm,' says Janine Arnold, trainee recruitment manager at Slaughter and May . ‘Be sure to include any additional information that you feel is relevant to your application.’

If you’re uploading a covering letter as part of a larger application form you should avoid repeating examples you’ve used to answer questions on the form. Give as broad a picture of your skills and experience as possible and only repeat something if you think it is particularly significant to that law firm. Your covering letter is an introduction to get the recruiter’s attention – a sample of your potential, if you like – not your overall application.

‘A well-written, succinct, persuasive covering letter crafted by an aspiring trainee solicitor who has really thought about the firm stands out,’ says Nichola Rowe, director of legal human resources at Cleary Gottlieb . ‘Ask yourself: what sets this firm apart from other law firms and how do my individual skills and experiences marry with that firm?’.

How to write a law cover letter tip #2: how long should it be?

A covering letter should be a maximum of one page, with a font size of 11 or 12. Slaughter and May ’s Janine Arnold agrees: ‘A lengthy covering letter is not necessary; aim for it to be no longer than one side of A4.' Remember that some firms will give a word count for the covering letter they want you to write as part of your application. It's important to stick to that word count. It shows that you can write succinctly and follow instructions.

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. We’ll show you exactly what goes into a convincing cover letter, so you can give yourself the best chance of getting to the next stage of the application process.

How to write a law cover letter tip #3: the format law firms like

The best law cover letter examples have a clear structure, such as:

1. The introduction to your cover letter

Introduce yourself, explain what stage you are at in your degree course (including the university you’re attending), state that you are applying for a training contract and where you read about the law firm. This should only be a sentence or two.

2. A paragraph on why you want to work at that law firm

The second paragraph should cover why you want to be a solicitor and why you want to work for that law firm in particular. Highlight any experiences you’ve had that have convinced you that you want to be a solicitor, such as vacation schemes, open days or insight days. You can even mention mini-pupillages – it will impress graduate recruiters if you’ve put the effort into comparing the two sides of the legal profession, as long as you have good reasons for picking a career as a solicitor (this could come up at interview).

Make it clear why you want to work in the particular area of law that the firm focuses on. For example, if it’s a commercial firm you’ll want to draw on any work experience you’ve had at other commercial firms. Show off your research about the firm by explaining your interest in their main legal practice areas – don’t just say ‘I am interested in shipping law’, for example, but provide evidence of that interest.

You might also want to mention the firm’s training structure. Some firms will have compulsory seats, in which case you’ll need to show an interest in those areas. If you’ve chosen a firm that doesn’t have compulsory seats, or has no seat structure at all (such as Jones Day for example), then you could explain why this appeals to you above a more defined training contract structure.

3. A paragraph highlighting why you're a good fit for the law firm

Next, you need to pitch yourself to the recruiter. Make it clear that you are suited to a career as a solicitor: highlight achievements that show you have the competencies the firm has asked for. If the firm hasn’t specified exactly what it's looking for, see our article here on the skills most legal recruiters want from applicants. Don’t just say ‘I have good communication skills’ – you need to mention an achievement that hinged on your use of those skills.

4. The ending to your law covering letter

Close by referring the recruiter to your CV or application and stating your availability for interview(s) or assessment centre(s).

How to write a law cover letter tip #4: explain any extenuating circumstances

'Covering letters should also explain any mitigating circumstances relating to exam results and to address any questions that you may reasonably expect to arise from your application, such as any gaps in your CV,’ explains Janine.

How to write a law cover letter tip #5: proofread your cover letter before you hit ‘send’

Once you’ve put your covering letter together, don’t be tempted to rush it off. Ask friends, family and your university careers adviser to check it. ‘There is no good excuse for spelling errors, especially when you’re applying for a job that requires scrupulous attention to detail,’ points out a legal recruitment adviser at Ince & Co . ‘The number of applications we receive that contain errors is surprising. Your application is all we’ve got to go on, so you owe it to yourself to ensure it’s not let down by something so easily avoidable.’

Remember that law firms will be judging your ability to communicate professionally with clients on the professionalism of your covering letter – you’re making a pitch, just like you would do as a practising lawyer.

Legal recruiters at major law firms read through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications from aspiring trainee solicitors each year and will only spend a minute or so reading your covering letter. Some recruiters say that they make their decision paragraph by paragraph – if you haven't impressed upon them that you would be a good fit for their firm halfway through the cover letter, they might not even read the rest. Your covering letter creates a powerful first impression, so make it easy for the recruiter to see that you have strong potential as a solicitor by following the tips above.

In other news: Massive changes to the way solicitors qualify are on the horizon. Do you know how they will affect you? Find out here .

targetjobs editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the targetjobs content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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• Cover Letter Examples

Legal / Law Cover Letter: Examples & How to Write (+25 Tips)

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It doesn’t matter whether you carried a sense of injustice you needed to correct since early adolescence, or you just really liked Harvey Specter in Suits. Getting the legal jobs you want is about demonstrating that you can do what you’re routinely going to be doing. Building an argument.

A legal cover letter needs to show your powers of reasoning and persuasion to build a strong case for your suitability to the role at hand. You will need to show empirical as well as theoretical basis for why you are guilty of being the best candidate for the position.

This guide is focused on legal professionals after their LPC that hope to train to be a solicitor or barrister. However, you can use these tips whether you’re applying as a paralegal, legal assistant, or else. The same rules apply. Time to go to trial.

Save time and have a cover letter ready in no time. Pick a cover letter template , use pre-written suggestions, and have your cover letter ready in minutes.

Create your cover letter now

 Looking for a different cover letter example? See:

• Business Analyst Cover Letter
• Consulting Cover Letter
• Goldman Sachs Cover Letter
• Investment Banking Cover Letter
• Paralegal Cover Letter

 Couldn't find your job? See a full list of our cover letter examples . 

Legal Cover Letter Example

Jim Patterson

291 Royal College Street

07586123198

[email protected]

Recruitment Manager

Duncan Lewis

1 Chancery Lane

June 12, 2021

Dear Mr. Smith,

Having graduated with a Distinction in my LPC from City University, and a 1st Class LLB from Durham University, I am ready to start a challenging and rewarding career as a Trainee Solicitor with Duncan Lewis. I am passionate about immigration, asylum and human rights law, and want to start a career where I make a difference every day.

I have built my commercial awareness during my 3-week internship with DLA Piper, where I assisted the Financial Services team on a compliance project that helped prevent £4m in potential liability to changing regulations. However, it is still my first experience of law that remains my most formative, when in Sixth Form, I assisted my best friend’s father with his immigration dispute. I helped him navigate the initial stages of the process, and explained the feedback received from authorities, and when it was needed, found a pro-bono lawyer in Mr Al-Mudaris of the Good Advice Foundation, who commended me on my summary of the case to him, and validated the advice I had given so far. With Mr. Al-Mudaris’ counsel, my friend’s family remained intact in Britain, and the difference I saw that lawyer make was something that I wanted to be able to do all along, unfortunately being too young and unqualified to do so at the time.

The times are different now. I am qualified to make the difference, and with your guidance I hope to make a foothold in doing so. The type of work you do is the type of legal work I find most rewarding and inspiring, and I am confident in being a productive addition to Duncan Lewis.

When would be a good time to set a meeting or a call for me to tell you about how my mini-pupillages at 39 Essex Chambers further validated my choice in focusing on helping individuals?

Best Regards,

That’s how to nail a legal cover letter bang to rights. Let’s craft your own, step by step. Here's what to include in a cover letter :

1. Start with a professional header and salutation

Start writing your cover letter by formatting the header like any other business letter: 

• Right-align your contact details (incl. email and phone)
• Left-align your hiring manager’s details
• Put down the date
• State the subject (i.e. the position) of your legal cover letter

If possible, try to address the cover letter directly to the person dealing with it. In this profession, surname may be better than first name, initially. Reference against this legal cover letter sample:

Legal cover letter example—header

Jim Patterson 291 Royal College Street

RE: Trainee Solicitor Position

You can adjust every cover letter created in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the name of your profession and the company to which you’re applying, and the builder will automatically adapt the content for you. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for the job in record time.

2. Open your legal cover letter with strong evidence

Your legal cover letter should not be an investigation. It should be a presentation of evidence. Unlike in the courtroom, don’t save the best until last. Offload it as soon as possible to give them a reason to keep reading. These applications come by the dozen.

Since you are most likely at the beginning of your legal career, you should state your ambition and how it aligns with the profile of the firm you are applying to. This section should be somewhere between 40 and 80 words.

Legal cover letter example—opening paragraph

3. make a good case in the body of your law cover letter.

This is the trial. The main body of your letter will be where you present the majority of your arguments and evidence. Relate it to the needs of your prospective employer and explain how those experiences make you prepared and eager to work in this position.

If you have experience in more commercial areas of law, you will find it easier to provide perspective for your experience, in terms of numerical figures. 

Even in the more personal areas of law, you could try to estimate how many cases you assisted on during internship or pupillages, and what was the significance of it. It is also a good place to explain your passion for this particular area of law.

If you are applying to a training contract with rotating seats, you could discuss why you prefer this way over another company’s way of doing it, showing you have done the research. This section could be between 120 and 200 words. It's better to be concise as hiring managers prefer short cover letters .

Example legal cover letter—main paragraph

I have built my commercial awareness during my 3 week internship with DLA Piper, where I assisted the Financial Services team on a compliance project that helped prevent £4m in potential liability to changing regulations. However, it is still my first experience of law that remains my most formative, when in Sixth Form, I assisted my best friend’s father with his immigration dispute. I helped him navigate the initial stages of the process, and explained the feedback received from authorities, and when it was needed, found a pro-bono lawyer in Mr Al-Mudaris of the Good Advice Foundation, who commended me on my summary of the case to him, and validated the advice I had given so far. With Mr. Al-Mudaris’ counsel, my friend’s family remained intact in Britain, and the difference I saw that lawyer make was something that I wanted to be able to do all along, unfortunately being too young and unqualified to do so at the time.

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover letter maker will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples and expert tips.

Create your cover letter

4. Provide a closing argument with a call to action

The third paragraph is for summing up exactly what you hope to do for your employer, and for yourself. Spend 60-80 words on your closing argument tying up loose ends. Below, add a call to action.

Ask for a call or a meeting to discuss a particular case, achievement, or nuance of working at that firm. Make it interesting and don’t be passive and half-baked. Show conviction and determination in striving for your desired trajectory.

Always close your cover letter formally with ‘Best Regards’ or a suitable alternative. 

Example law cover letter—closing paragraph

5. apply a proper legal cover letter format.

Princeton students have found that we make an impression on someone’s trustworthiness within 100ms . With legal cover letters, it could be similar. In whatever position you’re applying for, you’re going to be drafting a lot of documents.

This one is the first they will see, and maybe the last. Don’t let any mishaps sneak through. Brevity is the soul of wit. Here are some cover letter tips :

Legal cover letter length

Here's how long your cover letter should be :

• 1st paragraph—40-80 words
• 2nd paragraph—120-200 words
• Closing paragraph—60-80 words
• Call to Action
• Formal Closing
• Total 200 — 350 words 
• No more than 1 page of A4

Use the CV format

Your legal CV and cover letter must have the same style. They are two segments of the same document, and they will look odd if they mismatch. A detail like this will be held against you in a job this challenging. For enhanced readability, use a simple cover letter template  without any graphics or icons.

Use an elegant font

Choose a font size between 10 and 12. Choose a readable, but elegant font that matches your CV font —think Arial, Calibri, Noto, Garamond.

Use even margins and white space

When laying your cover letter out , use white space between sections and paragraphs to guide the reader’s eyes. Center your legal cover letter on all sides using even, 1-inch margins. If you are running out of space, consider some bullet points for key points.

Target each legal cover letter

Many firms do similar things, but each firm is different. And above all, each firm believes they’re special. Research each place you’re applying to thoroughly, so that you can adequately focus on their priorities when discussing your strengths and skills .

Save as PDF, unless...

Large firms almost all use Applicant Tracking Systems to manage their applications. Check each job posting carefully for what format they would like to receive documents in, as some are not compatible with certain ATS software.

Otherwise, save as PDF to protect the formatting of your cover letter .

A cover letter alone simply won’t be enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and quickly fill in every CV section using ready-made content and expert advice.

Create your CV now

Does this answer how to write a cover letter for legal jobs? Got any more questions on what to include? Did you find the law cover letter example helpful? Let us know in a comment!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines . It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

About the author

Since 2005, the LiveCareer Team has been helping job seekers advance their careers. In our in-depth guides, we share insider tips and the most effective CV and cover letter writing techniques so that you can beat recruiters in the hiring game and land your next job fast. Also, make sure to check out our state-of-the-art CV and cover letter builder—professional, intuitive, and fully in line with modern HR standards. Trusted by 10 million users worldwide.

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Legal Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-To-Use Template

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

1. Legal Cover Letter Samples

Example #1: legal cover letter sample, example #2: entry-level legal cover letter , 2. how to write a legal cover letter step by step (template), 1. use the correct cover letter format, 2. make your legal cover letter header match your cv , legal cover letter sample header , 3. identify the position and introduce yourself, legal cover letter sample: introduction, 4. make a case for why they should hire you, legal cover letter sample: middle paragraph, 5. make them feel special, entry-level legal cover letter sample: why it should be them , 6. close with a strong statement: call to action, sample internship legal cover letter: call to action & closing, was it interesting here are similar articles.

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Writing a legal CV and cover letter

If you want to succeed in the competitive field of law, it helps if you get the basics right. To ensure your applications don't fail at the first hurdle learn how to craft a strong legal CV and cover letter

When it comes to selling your qualifications, skills and experience to potential employers your CV and cover letter are your shop window.

Despite many firms now using online forms for their applications, a CV and cover letter are important as they allow you to gather all your information in one place. They're also useful for speculative or ad hoc opportunities. Having a strong up-to-date CV and cover letter means you will be ready for any opportunity which might arise.

What should I include in my legal CV?

Your legal CV should be around two pages in length, and follow this general structure:

• Personal details  - At the top of the page, include details such as your name, address, email and telephone number.
• Education and qualifications  - Detail any professional memberships (e.g. the Law Society) or qualifications you possess, such as the  Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)  or the  Legal Practice Course (LPC) . List your degree, A-levels and GCSEs; when discussing the former, mention the  areas of law  that you studied while at university and state your dissertation title.
• Work experience  - Profile your work history, including the organisation you worked for and its location, plus your job title and, if applicable, your practice areas. Describe your key tasks and responsibilities, paying close attention to the significant results of your actions. You could separate your work experience into different categories, such as legal, commercial and  voluntary . Use your  law work experience  to demonstrate your passion for a career in the field, and your part-time work to exhibit your transferable skills such as commercial awareness.
• IT and language skills  - Outline your level of proficiency with relevant software packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel and mention any additional languages that you speak.
• Activities and interests  - Avoid listing irrelevant hobbies such as reading or listening to music. Instead, discuss your involvement in sporting teams and other organisations, highlighting any positions of responsibility you've held or awards you've gained. Experiences - such as starting a new club or society at university - can help you stand out.
• Referees  - You don't necessarily need to give references at this stage. Stating 'references available on request' will usually suffice.

'Make sure your CV is in chronological order with your most recent work experience and education at the top of each section,' advises Katherine Sharp, early careers manager at Dentons.

As a general rule your CV should contain facts, while your cover letter provides the narrative around the facts.

For more advice on what abilities recruiters in the legal sector are looking for, see  7 skills for a successful law career .

How do I fine tune my law CV?

'Law firms receive thousands of applications. The best advice is to make it easy for the person reviewing your application by having clear sections with heading, including all of the relevant information so they don’t have to contact you for more detail,' explains Katherine. 'Make sure that it is consistently formatted with a simple layout. Sell yourself, don't just say 'I worked for X firm as a Y.' Tell us what you actually did, the skills you developed and what you achieved.'

As well as following the above advice, you should also ensure that your CV is:

• presented using bold sub-headings and bullet points
• if necessary, printed on good-quality paper
• read by a friend, family member or careers adviser before submission
• submitted well before the deadline
• typed in size-11 Arial, or a similarly clear and professional-looking font.

It doesn't matter if you're completing a bespoke application form or drafting your own legal CV, the basics stay the same. You need to:

• Pay attention to detail  - 'Double check spelling and grammar – a lack of attention to detail will inevitably mean that you do not progress to the next stage of the recruitment process,' says Katherine. Ask someone else (a family member, friend or careers adviser) to check your work. After all, spelling a firm's name incorrectly doesn't give the best first impression.
• Remember that relevant work experience doesn't always have to be legal  - Other types of work and volunteering experience can demonstrate that you are customer-focused, well organised, a good team player and a successful problem solver. Firms like to see what you have been up to outside of your studies. Rather than thinking 'I have no experience' try to work out how to articulate the experience you do have in a way that firms will see as relevant.

For more tips on how to write a good CV see  how to write a CV .

What should I leave out of a legal CV?

When writing a law CV, you shouldn't:

• leave any unexplained gaps in your career history
• add too much detail
• include 'personal details such as your date of birth, marital status, nationality or a photo,' says Katherine.
• include your age, gender, marital status etc. as these are irrelevant details and  recruiters don't like to see them included
• use overly outlandish formatting
• use pictures or tables
• write bland profile or objective sections
• write 'CV' or 'curriculum vitae' at the top.

It should go without saying, but also avoid lying on your CV. Be authentic. Integrity in law is everything.

How do I write a legal cover letter?

As the number of applications often far outweighs the number of jobs available, writing a strong cover letter is essential for any law career, as it helps to persuade employers that you'd be a fantastic recruit. It should be one page long, and:

• demonstrate your knowledge of the law firm and wider  legal sector
• elaborate on your key skills, experiences and characteristics, without simply repeating your CV
• explain why you aspire to work for the organisation.

Bear in mind that employers look at your legal cover letter as an indication of your written communication, so make it interesting.

Write about why you want to work for a particular firm. For example, if you're applying to a niche sports law firm have you had work experience with a sports company or are you part of any sports teams or clubs? If you're applying to an international firm, is it because you have language skills or have you had experience of working abroad?

Make sure to read job adverts carefully. What is the firm telling you they want in a candidate? Do they mention communication skills, attention to detail etc.? This is your chance to choose something from your experience to demonstrate those skills. As prospective lawyers employers want to see you using evidence to support the points you make. If you're a good communicator what's the evidence?

To achieve these objectives, your legal cover letter should follow this general structure:

• Opening paragraph  - Briefly mention the position you're applying for and how you found out about it.
• Second paragraph  - Tell the recruiter who you are and what stage of your career you're at. Explain how your qualities can benefit the firm with practical evidence from your work experience, academic history or extra-curricular activities. Use powerful and positive language throughout without exaggerating.
• Third paragraph  - Tell the organisation why you're specifically attracted to them and their work citing, if possible, any current or recent cases of interest.
• Closing paragraph  - Mention that you've enclosed your CV and look forward to hearing from the firm. Explain when you'd be available for interview and cover any practical issues you've been asked to address, such as salary expectations.

Highlight what makes you stand out and make your cover letter punchy and accurate.

Find more general advice on  cover letters  and discover  5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter .

How do I target my application to a law firm?

It's much wiser to submit between five and ten highly targeted applications than dozens of generic, copy-and-paste ones. Every application should be treated as an individual project.

Consider why you're applying to a particular firm, because it's more than likely you'll be asked this question at interview stage. What attracts you to certain areas of law and particular firms? Do your values match the firm you’re applying to?

Thoroughly research the prospective organisation - the more you know about the firm, the more tailored your application will be. Regularly checking the news sections of firms' websites will allow you to reference current cases and projects in your application and understand which skills would come in useful. What's more, possessing such knowledge will allow you to address your application to the most relevant individual.

All of this also helps you to determine whether your skills and career preferences would be suited to the specialist work that the firm undertakes and vice versa.

This is as invaluable when  choosing a law firm  as it is when attending law fairs, open days and  vacation schemes .

How do I make my application stand out to legal employers?

You are more than the sum total of your academic studies and work experience so be brave and tell prospective employers what it is about you, over and above the academics and work experience that makes you the ideal candidate.

If your legal CV and cover letter do their job and your application is progressed to the next stage, learn more about the  questions you might be asked in a law interview .

Find out more

• Get more advice on writing CVs and cover letters .
• Discover top interview tips .

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Feb 11, 2022

Written By Helena Kudiabor

How do I start a legal cover letter?

If you’re applying for a vacation scheme, training contract, or any sort of position in the legal sector, you might be asked to write a cover letter as part of the application process. Many students find the prospect of writing a cover letter intimidating, as it can be difficult to know where to start. Here, we’ll explain what a cover letter is and how you should structure it.  

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a letter to a prospective employer, outlining why you deserve the role you’re applying for, as well as why you’re interested in the firm. The aim is to show your employer that you’re the best candidate for the position, to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process, or to land a job offer.  

Be sure that you don’t confuse writing a cover letter with writing a CV. Short for Curriculum Vitae, this is a document detailing your education history, grades, qualifications and work experience. It’s normally written in bullet points or short sentences. CV’s aren’t tailored to each firm you’re applying to. On the other hand, your cover letter will be approximately one page, tailored to each specific firm, and written formally in paragraphs. 

Note that cover letters are specific to each firm, so it’s important not to reuse the same cover letters for different firms.

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How do I start my cover letter?

At the beginning of your cover letter, it’s important to state what position you’re applying for, as the firm may be recruiting for several different positions. It’s also worth including how you found out about the opening, for instance if you have a contact at the firm.

It’s a good idea to follow up with something that will make your reader sit up and take interest, like a personal experience that makes you stand out. For instance, if you started your own business, talk about how your organisational skills make you a perfect fit for the firm.

It can be difficult to think of your own personal accomplishments, so it might be helpful to ask friends or family. Just be sure to avoid cliches, such as, “I’ve dreamed of being a lawyer since I was in primary school” or “I’d be a good lawyer because I love arguing.”

What else should my cover letter include?

The second paragraph should include a description of who you are and where you are in your education or career journey. If you’re already working, don’t forget to briefly summarise your educational background. Then, using your CV for inspiration, explain how some of the personal attributes you possess can help the firm. They are looking for you to highlight your soft skills here, such as time management, teamwork and conflict resolution. 

To further strengthen your cover letter, use specific examples of these personal attributes at work. For instance, you can talk about how your part-time retail job has taught you how to deal with disputes and to communicate effectively with customers. Don’t forget that you can include non-legal work experience. 

Next, focus on the firm. You should explain why you’re specifically interested in them, and what sets them apart from other firms. Be sure to avoid including characteristics common to many law firms, such as them having offices abroad or doing pro-bono work. 

Conclude your cover letter by thanking whoever you’re writing to for their time, summarising everything you’ve written, and noting that you’ll look forward to hearing from them. 

How can I tailor my cover letter to the firm?

Tailoring a cover letter can be the difference between a successful application and an unsuccessful one. Take the time to research the firm, so you learn its core values and more about its recent cases. 

For example, if the firm has done pro-bono work for a charity that’s close to your heart, or you have a personal connection with the location of an overseas office, be sure to include it in your letter. 

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Any other advice?

When addressing your letter, don’t just use a generic greeting. Cover letters are often addressed to the recruitment or graduate recruitment manager, and the name of this person can often be found on the firm’s website. If you can’t find it, you may want to call the firm and ask, or take a look on Linkedin. It’s a simple task, but one that really shows you're interested in the firm and can use your initiative. 

As always, be sure to write formally, and read over your letter several times to check for spelling and grammar issues. It’s a good idea to take a break between writing and proofreading, reading it out loud, or asking someone else to proofread it for you. 

By following this advice, you should be able to write a clear and succinct – and successful – cover letter.

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• Cover Letter Examples

Law Firm Cover Letter: Sample and Writing Guide

Your skills in legal research and writing are Skadden-worthy. But you’ll need an affirmed law firm cover letter to convince the partners of your skills and get the job.

As seen in:

Your law firm cover letter has to work like a case brief of your application. Why? Because your legal resume won’t speak for itself. To get interviewed, summarize your skills and qualifications in a quick four-paragraph letter. But there’s a plan to follow if you want to get the partners and HR director on your side.

Don’t worry—

This guide will show you a law firm cover letter example and the best tips on how to write a cover letter for law firm jobs step-by-step.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from  20+ professional cover letter templates  that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Create your cover letter now

Sample cover letter for a resume— See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here .

Law Firm Cover Letter Sample

Michael Nagy

Harvard Law School Student

887 Cherry Ridge Drive

Cambridge, MA 02141

508-306-0385

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/michaelznagy

Kimberly Boyer

Boyer, White & Boyer

46 Stadium Drive

Boston, MA 02138

Dear Ms. Boyer,

I’m a second-year student attending Harvard Law School, writing to apply for your summer internship position. I learned about the position through Harvard’s public service database, but I’ve also heard good things from three older students I met as Junior Vice President of Harvard Law’s ACLU Club. Interning at Boyer, White & Boyer would allow me to strengthen my research and writing skills, and I’m confident that my work ethic and trial preparation experience will help your partners and associates improve their client service and efficiency.

Your job posting on LinkedIn says you need an intern with litigation knowledge, research skills, and writing skills. As a member of the Moot Court Honors Board, I presented 5 legal arguments and was on the team that won State Finals. I also researched 22 cases during my first-year internship with Locklin & Dubord, with multiple commendations from the partners for efficiency and accuracy. I wrote a weekly column on trial law in the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. Finally, I’ve written 50+ memoranda and correspondences for partners and associates.

In the past two semesters, I got involved with Harvard’s Alliance for Reproductive Justice, where I worked directly with professors Alice Wharton and David Mathieu to facilitate discussions and perform research. I also volunteer for the Animal Law Society, and my work as a Junior Editor and Researcher for the  Journal on Legislation  has helped broaden my knowledge of the current regulation environment. I believe an internship at Boyer, White & Boyer would increase my hands-on knowledge in these areas.

My resume and enclosed references will show the other ways I fit your internship requirements. I would value the opportunity to speak with you in person about how I can help extend your firm’s efficiency and accuracy. I’ll check back with your office in a couple weeks to see if we can arrange a time to meet.

Kind regards,

That’s a Jones-Day-level law firm cover letter example.

Your cover letter for law firms needs an equally strong resume. See our guide: Legal Resume Sample

Hunting a specific law firm job? See these guides:

• Legal Cover Letter Sample
• Legal Assistant Cover Letter Sample
• Paralegal Cover Letter Sample
• Judicial Clerkship Cover Letter Sample
• Formal Cover Letter Sample
• Federal Cover Letter Sample
• Best Cover Letter Samples for All Careers

Law Firm Cover Letter Template

Here’s how to write a cover letter for law firm jobs:

1. Use the proper law firm cover letter formatting and layout

• Cover letter font : Select a professional font (Cambria, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana).
• Margins: one inch on both sides and the top and bottom.
• Cover letter line spacing : 1.15.
• Cover letter outline : 4 paragraphs.

Read more:  Cover Letter Format

2. Create a professional law firm cover letter heading

• Make your cover letter header match your resume header.
• Start your cover letter with your name, job title , and contact info: email, phone, and LinkedIn ( 87% of recruiters use Linkedin to investigate applicants.)
• Add the date a double-space below your contact info.
• Leave another double-space, then add the partner’s name and info.

Read more:  How and to Whom Should I Address a Cover Letter?

3. Use a personal greeting with a targeted first paragraph

• Start with “Dear [Partner Name],” (never use “ To Whom It May Concern” cover letters ).
• Introduce yourself with your name, title, and the job you’re applying for.
• Make it clear why this job and law firm matter to you.
• Link your interest in the firm to your legal skills and accomplishments to date.

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter

4. Prove you’re the perfect candidate in your middle paragraphs

• Restate the legal job requirements from the firm’s job posting.
• Show how your achievements make you a match.
• Don’t restate your entire resume.
• Do highlight the best features in your resume that fit the role.
• Unlike most jobs, law firm cover letters can be 4 or 5 paragraphs.

Should you mention salary in a cover letter? See our guide: How to Include Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter

5. Explain why you want to join the firm

• Say what you like about the law firm.
• Convince them why this job matters to you.
• Ideally, spend a sentence or two on this in each paragraph.
• Doing this proves you’ll value the position if you get it.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows jobs for legal assistants and other law firm support staff rising much faster than average. Your cover letter helps you get the best of these.

6. Offer something to end your law firm cover letter

• Point the partners to your other application documents.
• Ask to set up a meeting.
• Suggest more skills and benefits you’ll bring to the table.
• Set expectations for the future.

Read more:  The Best Cover Letter Closings

7. Add a professional sign-off at the end

• Write, “Best regards” or “Kind regards” and then a double-space.
• Repeat your name, title, number, and email address.
• Add a digital signature for a professional touch.
• Include a list of cover letter enclosures .

Don’t wait too long. Follow up more than once with a brief phone call or email. Learn more: Job Application Follow-Up Email Templates

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Questions? Concerns? We’re here for you. If you’ve still got questions about how to write a Sullivan & Cromwell-level cover letter for law firm jobs, drop me a line in the comments.  

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

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• Coverage Letter Examples
• Legal / Law Cover Letter: Examples & How to Record (+25 Tips)

Right / Ordinance Cover Letter: Examples & How in Letter (+25 Tips)

As look in:

It doesn’t matter whether you carried a feel from injustice you needed to correct been early adolescence, button you just really liked Harvest Specter in Suits. Getting the legal jobs you want is about demonstrating that you sack do what you’re routinely going to be doing. Fabrication an argument. Your CV and cover letter can make or break any law firm application. Try ... Despite plenty firms now using online forms with their applications, a CV and cover ...

A legal cover letter needs to demonstrate will powers of reasoning and persuasion to build a stronger dossier for your suitability to the role with hand. You willing need to show empirical like well as theoretical basis for why you represent guard of being the supreme candidate for the position.

The guide is focused on legal professionals after their LPC the hope to train to be a solicitor or barrister. However, you cans use these tips whether you’re applying as ampere paralegal, legal assistant, or else. The same rule apply. Time to go up trial.

Safe time and have adenine cover letter final in none time. Choose a cover letter template , using pre-written suggestions, and got your cover letter ready in transactions.

Build your cover writing now

 Looking for a different cover letter example? See:

• Business Analyst Cover Letter
• Consulting Cover Letter
• Goldman Sachs Cover Letter
• Investment Banking Cover Letter
• Paralegal Cover Letter

 Couldn't find autochthonous job? See a full list of our envelope letter examples . 

Legal Envelope Letter Example

Jim Matthew

291 Royal College Street

07586123198

[email protected]

Recruitment Administrator

Duncan Lewis

1 Chancery Trace

June 12, 2021

Dear Mr. Smith,

Having graduated with a Distinction in my LPC from City University, real a 1st Class LLB from Durham Your, I am ready to begin a challenging and rewarding job as a Trainee Solicitor with Duncan Lucky. I are passionate about immigration, asylum and human rights law, and want to begin a career where I make ampere difference every day.

IODIN have built mysterious commercial awareness while my 3-week internship including DLA Piper, where I supporting this Financial Services team on one compliance go the helped impede £4m in potential liability to changing regulation. However, it is still my first experience of law that remains mysterious most formative, if include Sixth Form, I assisted my greatest friend’s father with his immigration dispute. I helped him navigate the initial stages of to processes, and explained the reaction maintain with authorities, and when it was needed, found a pro-bono attorney in Mr Al-Mudaris of the Good Advice Foundation, who compliment me on my summary concerning the case to him, and validated of consultation ME have given so faraway. With Mr. Al-Mudaris’ counsel, my friend’s family remainder intact in Britain, and which disagreement I saw that lawyer make was something that IODIN wanted to be able to do show along, unfortunately being too young and unqualified to do so at the time.

The times are different now. I am qualified to construct that difference, and with thy guidance I hope to do a foothold in doing so. The print of work you do is aforementioned choose of legal work EGO find most rewarding press inspiring, and I a confident in being one productive addition to Duncan Lewis.

When would be one good time to set a meeting or a call for me to tell thee about how my mini-pupillages at 39 Essek Chambers moreover validated mein choice include focusing on helping individuals? Writing legal CVs additionally coverages letters instance | ULaw

Favorite Regards,

Stoneley Patterson

That’s how to nail a legal envelope letter knock to rights. Let’s ship your own, step by step. Here's what to include in a cover cover :

1. Start is a professional header additionally salutation

Start writing your coverage letter to formatting one header like whatever other business letter: 

• Right-align your make intelligence (incl. email and phone)
• Left-align your hire manager’s details
• Putting down the date
• State the subject (i.e. the position) of your legal back letter

Supposing possible, try to network the cover letter directly to the person dealing with it. In this profession, surname may be better than first name, initially. Reference against this legal cover letter sample:

Legal back letter example—header

Jim Patterson 291 Crown School Street

1 Chancery Lane

Juni 12, 2021

RE: Trainee Anwalt Position

Dear Mr. Blacksmiths,

You may adjust every cover letter made in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the product of your professions and the business to where you’re applying, and the builder will automatically adapt the content fork she. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for and mission in record time.

Create your cover letter now

2. Free your legal screen letter with strong demonstrate

Get legal cover letter have non be an investigation. Items have be a presentation of provide. Unlike in the courtroom, don’t save the best pending recent. Offload it as soon as possible toward give them a reason to keep reading. Those applications come by that single.

Since you are most likely on the beginning of your legal job, you should state your ambition and how it aligns with that profile of and firm him are applying to. This section shall be somewhere between 40 press 80 words.

Legally cover schriftart example—opening paragraph

Having graduated with a Distinction in my LPC from City University, and a 1st Group LLB from Durham College, ME am ready to start a challenging and rewarding career while a Trainee Solicitor with Brian Letis. I am passionate about immigration, asylum and humanly rights legislative, and want to start ampere career somewhere I makes a difference every day. Trial cover letter of Harvard Law Your

3. Make a good case for the body from your law cover letter

This is the trial. The main body of your letter will be whereabouts you present and mass of your arguments and evidence. Connect it to an needed of your prospective employment and clarify how those experiences make you prepared and eager to work in all position.

If you have experience in more advertiser areas of law, you will find it less to provide perspective for your experience, in terms of numerical figures. 

Even in the more personal areas of law, you would try to judge how many cases you assisted on during internship or pupillages, and what was the signs of it. It lives also a good city to explain your passionate for this particularly area of law.

If you are applying in a training contract with rotating chairs, you could discuss why you favored this procedure over another company’s how of doing it, showing thee have made the research. Like section could be between 120 and 200 words. It's better on can concise as hiring managers prefer short cover letters .

Example legal cover letter—main paragraph

I have built my commercially mental during my 3 week internship with DLA Piper, where ME assisting the Financial Services team on one compliance design that helps prevent £4m in future coverage into changing regulations. However, he exists quieter my first experience of law so remains my most shapes, when in Senary Form, I assisted my best friend’s founder with his immigration dispute. ME helped me navigate the initial stages of one process, and explained the feedback received by authorities, and when it was needed, found an pro-bono legal in Mr Al-Mudaris of one Healthy Advice Funding, who commended ich on my summary of the case to him, furthermore invalidates the advice I had given to way. With Mr. Al-Mudaris’ counsel, my friend’s family remained intact in Britain, and of difference EGO saw that lawyer induce was something that MYSELF wanted to remain skill up do all along, alas person talk young and unqualified to do hence the the time.

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover mailing maker will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples additionally expert tips.

Create will cover letter

4. Provides a closing argument with a get to operation

And third part are for summing up exactly what you hoffentlich to do required your employer, or for yourself. Spend 60-80 lyric up your closing reason tying up loose ends. Down, add a call to action. I am a first-year students at Yale Law School and am writing to request for a volunteer summer internship with the Services of Education's Office for ...

Ask on a call or ampere sessions to discuss a specialty suitcase, achievement, button nuance of working at that firm. Make it interesting and don’t be passive both half-baked. Show convince and determination to striving with your requested rocket. How to Write a Legal Back Letter for Law Firms (that Gets you Noticed)

Always shut your cover letter formally with ‘Best Regards’ or a suitable alternative. 

Example law cover letter—closing part

The often are different today. EGO am qualified to make the difference, and with your guidance I hope to make a purchase in how so. The gender of employment thee do are the variety of legal work I find of rewarding and inspiring, and MYSELF am confident in being a productive auxiliary the Dunkelheit Lewis. Writing a legal CV and cover letter

When would be a good time to set one meeting or a call for le go tell you about how my mini-pupillages along 39 Essex Chambers further validated my choice in focusing on helping individuals?

Supreme Wishes,

Jim Patterson

5. Apply a proper legal cover letter file

Princeton apprentices having establish that we make an impression on someone’s trustworthiness within 100ms . With legal coat letters, she could be similar. In whatever position you’re applying for, you’re departure to live drafted a lot of documents.

This single is the first they leave see, and maybe who last. Don’t let optional mishaps sneak through. Brevity is the soul of wit. Here are some cover letter tips :

Legal cover letter length

Here's as long your cover letter should being :

• 1st paragraph—40-80 words
• 2nd paragraph—120-200 words
• Closing paragraph—60-80 talk
• Call till Action
• Formal Closing
• Total 200 — 350 words 
• No more than 1 page of A4

Use the CV format

Is legal CV and cover letter should have the same mode. They are two segments of the same document, and she will look odd if they mismatch. AN detail like this will be held against you in a job this challenger. For expanded font, use a simple cover writing original  without anywhere graphics or icons.

Use an elegant font

Choose a font size between 10 and 12. Selecting a readable, and elegant font this matches your CV character —think Arian, Calibri, Noto, Garamond.

Use even margins and white space

When laying choose cover letter out , uses milky space between sections and paragraphs to guide to reader’s eyes. Center thine legal cover letter on get sides using even, 1-inch margins. If you were running out of empty, consider some bullet points available key points.

Target each legislative cover letter

Many firms do similar things, but each firm is varying. And above all, each business believes they’re special. Research jede place you’re application to thoroughly, so that you can reasonable focus on their priorities when discussing your star and skills .

Storage as PDF, unless...

Large firms almost all use Applicant Tracking Systems to manage ihr applications. Check each job posting meticulous for what output they would like to received documents in, the some are not comes with certain ATS software.

Otherwise, save as PDF to protect to formatting of your cover mail .

A cover letter alone simply won’t may enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Selected one professional CV template furthermore quickly replenish in every CV section using ready-made content and expert advice.

Build your CV now

Does this answer how to write a cover letter for legitimate assignments? Got any more questions on what to incorporate? Did i find the law cover letter instance helpful? Lets us know in a comment!

How ourselves review the show at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editors guidelines . It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistency throughout all on careers guides and lock with current CV and screen letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trend and demand.

About the author

Since 2005, the LiveCareer Team has become helping job seekers advanced their careers. In our in-depth guides, we share business tips and the most effective CV and shroud letter type techniques so that them can beat staffers in an hiring game and nation your next job fast. Also, take secure to check out our state-of-the-art CV press cover letter builder—professional, intuitive, and fully in lines with modem HR criteria. Trusted by 10 millions users wide.

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Legal cover letter

Watch with adenine job-winning CV?

As seen in:

The cover letters that got me eight mini-pupillages

Hi everyone!

In today’s blogpost I share two of my own cover letters which helped me land eight mini-pupillages. The cover letters were tailored to each barrister’s chamber. The first is for a Trusts Law chamber, the second is for an Intellectual Property chamber. I am of course working in very different areas of law now, but that’s why its super important to get as much experience in a variety of different areas as your perception about a particular area might be completely different to what you experience during your mini-pupillage.

For example, I initially really wanted to do Intellectual Property, but when I did my mini-pupillages, I realised having a science degree was the general rule and law was the exception (mostly for barristers). Although the chambers made me feel like it was not disadvantageous in any way, what made me realise I did not want to specialise in it was when we went to court, I sat in on hearings relating to the cells in cows, magnetic fields around some machines and something relating to submarines. I just felt like i would not be able to be passionate about my cases because i was just not interested in science like that. I also just want to caveat this and say that I do not want to discourage anyone interested in Intellectual Property. Just because it was not for me, does not mean it won’t be for you. Also, I did not have an opportunity to get exposure to more ‘soft’ Intellectual Property disputes such as over copyright, trademarks or designs. In all my mini-pupillages I only came across patent related work and if you think about it, for something to be patented it has to be novel in the world - such things would usually be machines, pharmaceuticals etc., so of course they would have a scientific element to it. I would therefore encourage you to still explore the area to see if it is right for you.

With regards to Trusts, I realised that as much as I enjoyed studying it at University, I didn’t enjoy the practice as much.

For cover letters generally, I think it’s really important to bring out your personality through the experiences you have had. I also think you need to delve further into what you have learnt from each work experience and explain why it is relevant to the work the chamber you are applying to is doing.

For any aspiring barristers looking to apply for mini-pupillages, I hope these can serve as a useful guide when drafting your cover letter.

COVER LETTER FOR A TRUSTS LAW CHAMBER

[My address]

[The Chamber’s address]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to apply for a mini-pupillage at [ ] as advertised on your website. I recently graduated from Cardiff University with a First Class Honours in Law, having completed the first two years of my degree at Taylor’s University Malaysia. I am currently studying the BPTC at BPP University London having received a full scholarship from the Inner Temple. Please find my CV attached.

In 2012, I undertook work experience with an English qualified Barrister, in Kenya and had the opportunity to attend court hearings. This experience allowed me to see first-hand the advocacy skills used. From this experience, I learnt the importance of being persuasive and being able to justify your case. I applied what I learnt here in the debates and Model United Conferences I participated in at both national and international level; and in the mooting competitions I participated in at university level - and was awarded the best speaker in the room. Through these experiences, I leant that a career at the bar was the perfect choice for me as I learnt that: I enjoy public speaking and formulating my own opinions; and I thrive on complete control of my own affairs.

In an attempt to understand the areas of law that interest me, I have undertaken several internships. I interned with [ ], an arbitration firm in Kenya. While at the firm, I was asked to carry out research pertaining to civil fraud. Through this experience, I learnt that the lack of robust disclosure and information gathering requirements one may face from onshore tax haven countries, and the establishment of the true beneficial owners of assers can be massive barriers to the equitable remedies available in fraud cases. Further, through this experience, I was also able to hone my research, communication and interpersonal skills as I had to present my research to the team. I then used the skills I acquired to get elected as the Taylor’s Law Society President and student representative for the Taylor’s Legal Aid service. Considering I was awarded the Best Overall Performer for: Year 1 and Year 2; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Research & Writing; and Intellectual Property, at Taylor’s University whilst simultaneously juggling responsibility as the Taylor’s Law Society President and Student Representative for the Taylor’s Legal Aid service, I am convinced I have acquired time-management, multi-tasking and organisational skills, all of which are necessary for a career at the bar.

Further, I undertook a mini-pupillage at [ ]. I sat in on one of the hearings of the landmark case [ ] where the discretionary trusts set up were found to be a sham. This experience was extremely rewarding as I was able to witness a new head of claim for a creditor wishing to attack the assets of a trust being born. Moreover, my experience at this Chambers was also rewarding as I was able to discuss my views on the law of illegality and the case of  Patel v Mirza  [2016] with [ ], the author of [ ] Trusts Law. Through this experience, I was able to develop my analytical skills and I learnt that I have an interest in traditional chancery as I perceived it to be the perfect mélange of intellectual rigour and presentation.

Additionally, I Interned with [ ] of [ ]. During this experience, I researched on a case which involved a company acting as an agent for a government, and the issue was whether the corporate veil could be pierced to access the government’s assets. This experience allowed me to first handedly engage with the debate as to whether the principle of separate legal personality is calamitous and whether it has exercised an iron grip on company law. Through this experience, I learnt that the role of legal professionals in the business environment is gaining importance as laws are getting more stringent and complex. Additionally, during this experience, I was also exposed to very niche areas of taxation law and learnt about the difficulties associated with the statutory interpretation of Value Added Tax Act 1984. I believe this exposure is relevant to commercial chancery work due to statute-based nature of company and insolvency law.

Through the aforementioned experiences, I learnt that I am keen to grapple with cases that arise under the umbrella of commercial and traditional chancery. The cerebral nature of the work, the whole gamut of different areas of laws to be exposed to, and the international dimension offered by this area of law is very appealing to me. Further, I have a particular interest in Trusts Law as I perceive a Trust to be a living, breathing, common-law creature, unpredictable and somewhat arbitrary, yet having a role in softening the harshness of the law. I believe your Set is the perfect place for me to gain an unmatched level of exposure in the field, given your unparalleled reputation trusts law. This coupled with the fact that Chambers & Partners said you are a market-leading set for trusts work leaves no doubt in my mind that you would be the perfect fit for me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Arooj Zahra Sheikh

COVER LETTER FOR AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW CHAMBER

I am writing to apply for a mini pupillage at [ ] as advertised on your website. I recently graduated from Cardiff University with a First Class Honours in Law, having completed the first two years of my degree at Taylor’s University Malaysia. I am currently studying the BPTC at BPP University London, having received a full scholarship from the Inner Temple. Please find my CV attached.

While at university, I have sought out experience relevant to a career as an Intellectual Property Barrister. In 2015, I interned at [ ]. I helped draft the terms and conditions for the company’s mobile application and became familiar with copyright and trademarks. I came to appreciate that the intellectual property rights offered to people act as an incentive to innovate. As a result of this protection, [ ] innovated and are today known as “[ ]’s search engine”. It was rewarding to see a company grow and be part of the experience. This affirmed my belief that I wanted to specialise in IP law. I applied what I learnt to the Intellectual Property module I undertook, I was awarded the best overall performer for the module in Taylor’s University.

Moreover, I carried out a mini-pupillage at [ ]. I realised that hard IP is technical and often requires a scientific background. Although I did not do science at a degree level, I do not believe this puts me in a disadvantageous position. I did Chemistry, Physics and Biology in my IGCSE’s where I received 2A*s and an A respectively. I then proceeded to do Chemistry in my A levels and attained an A in the subject. These subjects taught me the importance of structure. Once an experiment was conducted, data was collected, and then it would be recorded. The recorded data was then interpreted and analysed – with meticulous attention being paid to detail. Only after carrying out these tasks was it possible to make reasoned judgments. Once I applied this structure to subjects in law school, I was awarded the Best Overall performer in: Year 1 and 2; ADR and Research & Writing. This leads me to believe that I was able to transfer the skills I attained from high school to law school, just as I am convinced I will be able to transfer the legal skills I have attained in law school to any area of work with a technical and scientific background.  

I have also carried out mini-pupillages with [ ] and [ ]. Although it was interesting to be exposed to a wide range of commercial matters, these experiences further strengthened my belief that I wanted to specialise in IP law as I liked the human involvement in IP cases, and I also liked that it involves the application of age old principles to every day new situations.

I believe your Set is the perfect place for me to gain more experience in the field of IP law given the Set’s unparalleled reputation in Intellectual Property law. This coupled with the fact that Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners noted both chambers as a whole as well as individual members as having superior level of advocacy and advice - and first handedly witnessing this by seeing [ ] in court, leaves no doubt in my mind that you would be the perfect fit.

Yours Sincerely,

Arooj Zahra Sheikh 

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Politics news - latest: Starmer and Blair lead tributes to 'formidable' Lady Kinnock; Labour leader defends praising Thatcher

Baroness Glenys Kinnock, former minister, MEP, and wife of ex-Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock, has died age 79. Sir Keir Starmer has defended comments he made praising Margaret Thatcher.

Sunday 3 December 2023 15:02, UK

• Labour leader praises Margaret Thatcher in bid to woo Tory voters  |  Shadow minister defends Starmer  | Yousaf calls comments 'an insult'
• Starmer defends himself: 'It doesn't mean I agree with what she did'
• Tory chair says it shows Starmer 'will say anything to get elected'
• Gurpreet Narwan : Starmer is appealing to Tory voters by co-opting traditionally Tory policy concerns
• Adam Boulton:  A PM in waiting? Why Sunak is getting uptight about Starmer
• Former Labour minister Glenys Kinnock dies age 79 | Stephen Kinnock pays tribute to his 'beloved mum' and 'a truly formidable person'
• Starmer pays tribute to  'a true fighter for the Labour Party' | Brown says she was a 'great ambassador for Britain'
• Pledge tracker: Is the PM keeping his promises?
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

A Labour leader praising Margaret Thatcher was always going to be controversial, and some of Sir Keir Starmer's own MPs have begun to react publicly to his article.

In case you missed it, Sir Keir praised the former PM for effecting "meaningful change" in the UK and "setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism" during her 11 years in office ( read more here ).

Labour MPs who are members of the Socialist Campaign Group have been reacting to the op-ed on Twitter, criticising Thatcher and implicitly condemning Sir Keir Starmer.

Beth Winter, who represents the Cynon Valley in Wales, said the Thatcher government "devastated communities with the deliberate destruction of the mining industry".

She added: "Policies like the grossly iniquitous poll tax and the great privatisation rip-off offs were the hallmarks of Thatcherism.

"Most of those forced to rely on food banks today are from communities that have never recovered from the Thatcher government's assault on working-class communities.

"Her government's attacks on the working class and trade unions [are] well remembered in my constituency."

Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, tweeted: "Today like every game for the last 8 years we will be outside Anfield collecting food to help those struggling to put a meal on the table because of an economic system built by Thatcher.

"Inequality, hunger, destitution and misery. That's the real legacy left by Thatcher."

And Kim Johnson, who represents Liverpool Riverside, added: "Margaret Thatcher did nothing for working class communities in Liverpool and across the country: destroyed industries, attacked trade unionists, privatised our core industries.

"Campaigned for 'managed decline' in our city, attacked Hillsborough fans.

"Not someone any [Labour] supporter should look up to. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

As we've been reporting today, Sir Keir Starmer has caused something of a controversy by praising Margaret Thatcher in a bid to woo Conservative voters ahead of a general election next year.

The Labour leader praised the former PM for effecting "meaningful change" in the UK and "setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism" during her 11 years in office ( read more here ).

Amid a backlash, Sir Keir has defended the article, saying his point is that "you can distinguish political leaders, certainly in the post-war period, into those that had a plan and those that drifted essentially".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he went on: "That's why I referenced: Attlee, who obviously had a strong plan, New Jerusalem; Tony Blair, who captured the optimism of the 1990s having changed the Labour Party; and Thatcher, who did have a plan for entrepreneurialism, had a mission.

"It doesn’t mean I agree with what she did but I don't think anybody could suggest that she didn’t have a driving sense of purpose."

He said he referenced those former PMs because "we've drifted as a country the last 13 years, we've declined as a country in the last 13 years, and the characteristic of an incoming Labour government – if we're privileged enough to come in to serve – will be this sense of mission, this sense of having a plan that we’re operating to, a driving sense of purpose".

Pitching himself to Conservative voters, the Labour leader added: "If you believe in not just fixing your country but renewing it and taking it forward, if you want to be part of a national project that will take our country forward, build up our economy in the way we want, build our security, make sure that we take advantage of the transition that comes with the energy transition, then the Labour Party is the party for you."

Reaction continues to pour in following the news of the death of Baroness Glenys Kinnock at the age of 79.

She represented Wales in the European Parliament from 1994 until 2009 when she was awarded a peerage to serve in Gordon Brown's cabinet as minister for Europe.

She held that post for just a few months before becoming minister for Africa and the United Nations until Labour lost power in the 2010 general election.

She then served as opposition spokesperson for the Department of International Development in the House of Lords, from which she retired in April 2021.

Paying tribute to Baroness Kinnock, former prime minister and Labour leader Sir Tony Blair said her death would be "mourned in many countries and corners of the Earth".

Sir Tony said in a statement: "Cherie and I are so sad the hear the news about Glenys. She was a huge figure in progressive politics for decades: incredibly smart, brave, determined and resolute in standing up for what she believed was right.

"Whether in fighting the cause of development, and the eradication of global poverty, social justice in Britain, equality for women or making the case for a European Union of weight and influence in the world, Glenys was passionate and persuasive.

"She was of course an enormous support to Neil but she was a leader in her own right.

"And as a couple, they were a joy to be near, full of fun, the life and soul of any gathering.

"In her last years, as Stephen and Rachel have written, she took her illness with the same steadfastness which had governed her life.

"Our deepest condolences to Neil, to Rachel and to Stephen and to all the wider Kinnock family. Glenys will be mourned in many countries and corners of the earth."

Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Baroness Glenys Kinnock who died overnight at the age of 79 after battling Alzheimer's.

The former PM appointed Baroness Kinnock to the House of Lords in 2009 so she could serve in his cabinet as minister for Europe and then minister for Africa and the United Nations.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Brown wrote: "Saddened today at the death of Glenys Kinnock after a long illness she bore with fortitude.

"All who met Glenys admired her for her warmth of personality and for her passionate support of the best of causes.

"A highly effective and popular minister for Europe in the last Labour Government, Glenys Kinnock will be mourned across the world and remembered as a great ambassador for Britain having also served in the European Parliament for 15 years.

"Glenys and Neil formed a great partnership admired by all and our thoughts are with Neil, Stephen, Rachel and their families."

Stephen Kinnock has paid tribute to his mother, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, who has died at the age of 79.

Mr Kinnock, who currently serves as Labour's shadow immigration minister, wrote that he is "heartbroken" by her death overnight after many years of battling Alzheimer's.

He went on: "She was a beloved Mum and Nain who was adored by her family and friends.

"A truly formidable person in every single way, and with such a cheeky sense of humour! Rest in peace."

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Baroness Glenys Kinnock who has died at the age of 79.

The former minister, MEP, and wife of ex-Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock, died this morning with her husband of 56 years by her side.

Paying tribute, Sir Keir said: "Glenys was a passionate lifelong campaigner for social justice at home and abroad.

"She supported Neil through his leadership and went on to have an impressive political career of her own as a member of the European Parliament, in the House of Lords and as a minister in the last Labour government, focused on Europe and Africa."

He went on: "Neil and Glenys had the most wonderful partnership, there for each other through thick and thin, with a love and commitment that was instantly obvious when you saw them together.

"As the family have detailed, in recent years that meant looking after Glenys as Alzheimer's did its worst.

"But what we will all remember is Glenys as a true fighter for the Labour Party and the values of the labour movement, a pioneering woman, to whom we owe an enormous debt.

"My sincere condolences to Neil, Stephen, Rachel and all the family at this sad time."

Baroness Glenys Kinnock, former minister, MEP, and wife of ex-Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock, has died age 79.

In a statement, her family said: "It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Glenys Kinnock.

"Glenys died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning, at home in London.

"She was the beloved wife and life partner of Neil, the cherished mother of Steve and Rachel and an adored grandmother.

"Neil was with her in her final moments. They had been married for 56 years."

"A proud democratic socialist, she campaigned, in Britain and internationally, for justice and against poverty all her life."

Her family went on to say that she was "passionate to the end about education", working as a school teacher before beginning her political career.

"She was a great friend to many people and causes and was truly loved.

"Glenys endured Alzheimer's after being diagnosed in 2017 and, as long as she could, sustained her merriment and endless capacity for love, never complaining and with the innate courage with which she had confronted every challenge throughout her life.

"The family is of course devastated and and would ask that their privacy be respected. Funeral details will be communicated in due course."

Baroness Kinnock represented Wales in the European Parliament from 1994 until 2009 when she was awarded a peerage to serve in Gordon Brown's cabinet as minister for Europe.

Sir Keir Starmer's article praising Margaret Thatcher is continuing to generate controversy today. But what is he trying to achieve?

"He's trying to make a direct appeal to disenchanted Conservative voters, firstly by writing this op-ed for the Sunday Telegraph, which I think speaks volumes," says our political correspondent Gurpreet Narwan .

"Then by invoking the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, and also by co-opting traditionally conservative policy concerns such as immigration."

In his article, Sir Keir wrote that Lady Thatcher changed Britain by "setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism".

Gurpreet says: "I'm sure many on the left of his party would disagree with that, and many others questioning whether there's really a pay-off to be gained by doing this."

"For a long time, the discussion surrounding Labour's resurgence has focused on whether it can regain seats in the red wall.

"But this seems to be a more ambitious strategy to go after Conservative voters who may never have voted Labour before, akin to the Tory strategy back in 2019." 

Watch Gurpreet's full analysis here:

Oftentimes, former prime ministers will retreat into the background after they leave office, at least for a little while.

But Liz Truss was no ordinary prime minister, and she did not stay below the radar for long after leaving office, continuing to make her economic case for growth and low taxes.

Another issue she is campaigning on is the protection of single-sex spaces and barring children from accessing hormones to change gender.

According to The Sun, she will unveil legislation on Wednesday to:

• Block teenagers from accessing hormone treatment until age 18;
• Prevent the state from formally recognising the social transitioning of under-18s;
• Protect single-sex spaces.

Two Tory MPs, Nick Fletcher and Jonathan Gullis, already say the bill has their "full support".

Rishi Sunak has said his "patience is worn thin" by stumbling blocks to his Rwanda asylum plan as he said the government was "finalising" legislation to push through the controversial deal.

The prime minister aims to salvage the scheme by signing a new treaty with the African country and introduce an emergency law to ensure the agreement is legally watertight following the Supreme Court defeat, but this has been delayed.

The policy, which will see some asylum seekers sent on a one-way trip to Rwanda instead of being able to try to stay in the UK, is seen by the government as central to its efforts to deter small boats crossing the English Channel.

Just hours after the Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful on 15 November, Downing Street said measures would be brought forward in the "coming days" so deportation flights could take off "as soon as possible".

The holdup has angered right-wing Tory MPs, further fuelled by the new Home Secretary James Cleverly suggesting the scheme was not the "be all and end all" of the government's immigration approach.

But speaking in Dubai during his trip to the COP28 climate talks, Mr Sunak signalled legislation to pave the way for the asylum plan was imminent.

Read more here:

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