Attorney Cover Letter—Sample & Writing Guide

These days, it’s not too hard to land a job as an attorney—

But that’s any job we’re talking about. Finding one that enables you to practice in your chosen field, in a decent location, for good money, and with high-end benefits is much more challenging. 

For those, you’ll need an attorney cover letter that states your case so clearly and convincingly there won’t be any need for an appeal.

In this article, you’ll get:

• A sample attorney cover letter that you can copy, adjust, and use. 
• Step-by-step instructions on how to write a cover letter for attorney jobs that will land you more interviews.
• Tips on describing your skills and accomplishments on an attorney cover letter. 

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Take a look at some of our other cover letter examples:

• Account Manager Cover Letter Example
• Consulting Cover Letter Example
• Federal Cover Letter Example
• Investment Banking Cover Letter Example
• Legal Assistant Cover Letter Example
• Legal Cover Letter Example
• Non-Profit Cover Letter Example
• Paralegal Cover Letter Example
• Post Doc Cover Letter Example
• Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example

Searching for a different profession? Check the full list: Cover Letter Examples for Every Industry.

Sample Attorney Cover Letter

Katherine’s determined to settle for nothing short of a job—and she has every chance to win this one with that cover letter! 

Let’s go over the process of writing an attorney cover letter for you that’s just as good. And if you haven’t done your due diligence on your resume yet, check out this article: Attorney Resume—Sample & How to Write. Now, though—

How to Write a Cover Letter for Attorney Jobs

Attorneys are lawyers who have passed the state bar exam and earned a license to practice law. They work in various specializations, including criminal, corporate, or immigration law. Your attorney cover letter should explain why your experience makes you the ideal candidate for your desired job. 

Here’s how to write a cover letter just like that: 

1. Use the Accepted Format on Your Cover Letter

As a formal correspondence, your cover letter must follow the same rules as a business letter. 

You undoubtedly know what that entails, but let’s review the basics to get everyone on the same page. Here’s how to format your cover letter the right way:

• Left-align all contents of your letter to make it easier to read. 
• Set standard, one-inch margins around the page and use 1.15 line spacing. 
• Choose an elegant, legible font—a sophisticated serif like Georgia or Cambria will work great in your line of work. Match it with your resume font for a professional, branded look. 
• Include a formal cover letter heading with your details, the date and place of writing, and the recipient's contact information. 
• Remember that the best length for a cover letter is 3 to 4 paragraphs on a single one-sided A4 page.

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2. Deliver a Compelling Opening Statement

There’s no denying the importance of a strong opening in court or writing. So—

First, address the cover letter directly to the reader. It beats the old-fashioned ‘To Whom It May Concern’ any day of the week. If the job advertisement doesn’t mention the name of the person responsible for recruitment, do some research online or call the firm to ask. 

After Dear [Reader’s Name] comes your opening paragraph. Start your cover letter by introducing yourself—mention your job title and years of experience. Then, show your value: mention your professional achievement and/or state why you’d make a great asset to the organization. 

3. State Your Case and Argue Your Key Points

Once you have the reader’s attention, it’s time to elaborate on your strengths and prove your suitability for the position. Here’s how: 

First, review the job advertisement and do some research on the company. What skills are they looking for in their new attorney? Mention those to show that you understand what this role will require from you. 

Next comes your evidence: outline a few of your most relevant professional accomplishments that show you have those skills. Use numbers wherever possible and include plenty of active verbs to show initiative and impact. 

Expert hint: What if the job ad doesn’t mention specific skills, or there is no job ad at all because you’re, say, applying through a contact? In that case, use your best judgment on what skills to include in your cover letter. What abilities do you think are crucial for this particular role? What skills do your achievements show? 

4. Present Your Motivation

We all have a motive for everything we do—

What’s yours for applying to this particular firm or company? 

That’s what the third paragraph of your attorney cover letter is for. It explains why you want this particular job more than any other. Rely on company values, the field in which it operates, its past successes—anything that stands out. 

You’ll prove you care about this opportunity rather than looking for any ol’ job. In the recruiter’s eyes, that will make you more likely to stick around for the long term and represent the company well instead of moving on the moment something better happens.

5. Close on a Strong Note 

You’ve stated your case, presented the evidence and argued your side. Now comes your closing statement—

End your cover letter with an offer to discuss your skills in depth during an interview—it strongly implies you’re ready to meet and have more skills and achievements to share. Or you can ask for a meeting or call if that’s your preferred style. 

Sign, seal, deliver—and wait for that interview invite! 

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Key Points

Here’s a recap of how to write an attorney cover letter that gets results: 

• Use the standard business letter format—one page with one-inch margins and left-aligned text in a clear, pleasant font. 
• Address your cover letter directly to the reader to impact your greeting and make a personal connection. 
• Open your attorney cover letter with a one-sentence introduction of your experience and something to catch the reader’s eye—such as an achievement or an offer. 
• Elaborate on your strengths in the second paragraph, focusing on the skills and experience the employer highlighted in the job advertisement. 
• Outline your motivation in the next paragraph to show this is a tailored application rather than a copy-pasted, generic one. 
• End on an offer to meet and discuss the role in more detail. 

Thanks for reading! Do you have any unanswered questions about writing a job-winning attorney cover letter? Can you advise on ensuring a cover letter for attorney jobs is successful? Let me know in the comments below! 

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