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To those of you who did not do Big Law 2L Summer but now work in Big Law, how did you do it? Forum

To those of you who did not do big law 2l summer but now work in big law, how did you do it.

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Biglaw Advice

How to optimize your cover letter and resume for biglaw success.

You’ve sent the emails .

You’ve had the slightly awkward phone calls and coffees with a firm’s attorneys who went to your law school.

And now you’re ready to submit your cover letter and resume to your school’s job platform.

But how do you know what will stand out to biglaw attorneys who review your application? As with everything in the legal profession, it depends. It depends on the firm, the reviewing attorney, the input from HR, the firm’s availability for the next summer associate class, the time of day , and countless other factors. But you still have the power to make sure your resume stands out – or put a different (and more relevant) way – you have the power to make sure your resume doesn’t immediately wind up at the bottom of the pile.

Control What You Can .

Just like when you get to the interview , there’s no going back now on your school and GPA and work experience – that die is already cast. You’ve probably heard advice on all sorts of techniques to make sure your application stands out, but it’s most important to focus on these three rules for your cover letter and resume:

Little Things Matter in Big Ways

A typo shouldn’t matter this much…but it does. When I’m reviewing an application, I’m looking for filters. Both good and bad. A glaring typo can help me filter that resume to the trash almost immediately. I say almost because there are always exceptions. If a student has work experience that sticks out or has an incredibly high GPA, I’ll do what I can to keep them in the game. Of course, it all depends on the type of typo. And that takes me to the next point…

Address Your Materials to the Correct Firm

You’d be shocked but it happens every year. And I get why. You are hustling at your post-1L internship , you are probably cite-checking or performing some other mundane journal busy work, and you’re trying to land interviews with any firm that will help you repay your loans back within a few years. None of these reasons, however, will excuse putting the wrong firm at the top of the cover letter. You must triple-check everything you are sending: print it out, read it, send it to your mom, dad, or a friend (or all of them) to give these career-altering documents a second set of eyes. The stakes are too high for you not to do this.

Make Your Materials Specific to Each Firm

Assuming you are typo-free and have included the correct name of the firm on your application package, what should you actually include in the text of the letter? This is where the leg work of reaching out to your school’s alumni generates a strong return on your early investment. In your cover letter, name drop like there’s no tomorrow if you had coffee or a phone call or attended a networking reception with an attorney of the firm. It shows you put in the effort, that you are taking this seriously, and that you actually have some specific knowledge of this firm. We know you are applying to more than 1 firm, but everyone wants to feel special – even hiring attorneys in biglaw.

Highlight What Makes You Special

On that note, highlight what sets you apart from other applicants. For me, it was work experience. I spent valuable real estate on my cover letter (i.e. a full paragraph) explaining my experience in consulting before law school and how that translated to working in the legal profession. I put work experience at the top of my resume – to keep eyes on that before seeing my slightly-above-median GPA on the resume (some advocate for keeping it off entirely if not near the top of the class – but to me, the omission triggers a raised eyebrow if I don’t see it on the resume…I’m going to see it on the transcript no matter what). If it’s strong and relevant work experience, a killer GPA, membership on Law Review, you need to make it easy for the attorney reviewing hundreds of applications to notice you.

Litigation or Corporate?

If you have a strong preference for litigation or corporate , I would highlight that preference in your cover letter. It’s tough to know and don’t feel bad if you don’t have a strong preference after your first-year doctrinal courses – it’s nearly impossible to have a sense of what corporate law actually is after your first year anyway (or even when I practiced corporate law). That said, if your background is in finance or accounting, for example, and you have some interest in corporate law, then feel free to note it on your cover letter. Same thing with litigation if you are drawn to clerking, loved the litigation writing assignments your first year, or have some other justification for your interest.

What’s Next?

Print out your resume and cover letter. Send them to people you trust for their review. Read all of your materials multiple times to make sure you abide by the golden rule of applications: no typos.

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Business Posts

How to Write a Legal Cover Letter for Law Firms (that Gets you Noticed)

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Whether you’re just starting your legal journey or are an experienced legal professional seeking a new role, there’s no way around it: demand for legal positions is high, and the job outlook for lawyers in the US grows at a faster-than-average pace . Pair this industry growth with movement from lawyers already working in the industry (the 2022 Legal Trends Report found that in the 12 months before April 2022, nearly one in five lawyers left the law firm they were working for, and nine percent planned to leave their firm in the next six months), and it’s clear that many lawyers will find themselves needing to stand out in a competitive job market.

However, despite the high demand for legal positions, people still need legal expertise—and law firms need capable legal professionals to fill open roles.

Whether you’re a law student, recent graduate, or experienced legal professional, this post will help you with your legal cover letter writing. We’ve started by providing sample cover letters for legal positions below and will then guide you through the essentials of writing a compelling cover letter for law firms.

Legal cover letter examples

If you’re feeling overwhelmed when drafting a cover letter for law firms, don’t worry. Seeing a legal cover letter example can give you the confidence to write your own. Below, we’ve compiled some sample cover letters for legal positions, covering different backgrounds and levels of experience.

Cover letter examples for summer associates and interns, Columbia Law School.
Cover letter examples for 1L – 3L students, Harvard Law School .
Cover letter examples for 1L – 3L students, Yale Law School .
Cover letter example for applying to an immigration law firm by a recent graduate with previous paralegal experience .
Cover letter example for applying to a Big Law firm, Boston University.
Cover letter example for an IP lawyer with 11 years experience, Monster .
Cover letter example for a litigation attorney with 12 years experience, My Perfect Resume .
Cover letter examples for applying for private sector roles, Yale Law School .
Cover letter example for seeking a summer judicial internship, University of Georgia School of Law .

Berkeley Law also provides an excellent guide for legal cover letters.

You can start by using one of these examples as inspiration when structuring your cover letter and what you may want to highlight. You can also take insights from these sample cover letters for lawyers—insights you can apply to your own cover letter when following our tips below.

How to draft a cover letter for a law firm

It’s one thing to review examples of legal cover letters, but how to write one? By following the standard etiquette and structure—and then personalizing it—you can draft an effective cover letter. First, let’s review some legal cover letter best practices.

Addressing cover letters for lawyers

To whom it may concern: Always take the time to find the correct contact. When writing cover letters for law firms, it’s a common misstep to dedicate so much time and attention to the body of the letter that you overlook the basics—like who and how you’re addressing the letter.

Here are some best practices for addressing your legal cover letter:

Know who you’re speaking to. Do your research and be specific. Address your cover letter to the person responsible for hiring at the firm you’re contacting, like the senior partner or hiring manager. If you don’t have this information, the law firm’s website might come in handy, or you can contact the law firm’s human resources department for guidance.
Be careful with salutations. The salutation is a place to convey respect and showcase that you’ve taken the time to personalize the letter. Mistakes in the salutation are a sign that you’ll miss details, which won’t bode well for your chances of impressing your potential employer. If you’re certain of the recipient’s preferred gender-identifying language, you can write the salutation as “Dear Ms.” or “Dear Mr.”; however, if you aren’t certain (and don’t make assumptions) or you don’t want to use gender-identifying language, drop the “Ms.” or “Mr.” and write out the person’s full first and last name.
Double-check your spelling. People will always notice if you spell their name wrong, and there are multiple ways to spell even common names. Ensure you start on the right foot by getting the basics right.

Introductory paragraph

In your cover letter’s opening paragraph, you have two main goals:

Introduce who you are.
Explain why you’d be a good fit for this particular firm.

In the first paragraph, include details about:

Who you are. Are you currently a law student? Are you an associate at a law firm?
Who you know. Mention any referrals or mutual acquaintances right away.
Why you’d be a great fit for the firm. Include specific reasons—you’re looking for a way to create connections with the senior partner or hiring manager.

Main cover letter body

The body section of your cover letter is your chance to shine—and to concisely summarize exactly how you meet the requirements in the job description.

In one or two paragraphs, give a high-level overview of your legal education and experience to show:

Why you want to work for this firm. Elaborate on what makes you genuinely excited about the firm—whether it is an area of interest you’ve specialized in, the firm’s reputation or mission, or past experiences that will make you a uniquely good fit.
Why this firm should hire you. Make clear connections between your qualifications and aspects of the role you’re applying for. If there is a job posting, look closely for key attributes that the firm is looking for, and then detail how you meet those expectations.

Highlighting your qualifications

Above all else, ensure your legal cover letter highlights your skills. Relevant qualifications for a law firm cover letter include:

Past legal work experience or positions.
Community service roles.
Academic or research specializations.
Publications.
Relevant awards you’ve received.
Your personal background.

For example, consider a job posting that describes their ideal candidate as someone with personal injury litigation experience, excellent communication skills, and who works well both independently and as a part of a team in a fast-paced office environment.

If you were applying for this role, your cover letter’s body paragraphs might detail your past personal injury litigation experience and specific examples of how you’ve successfully communicated within a team and in a fast-paced environment.

Remember: Be specific, but keep in mind that this is not the place to restate your resume —if you can grab the hiring manager’s attention here, they will read your resume for those details. Your cover letter is where you can entice the reader to move on to your resume by providing context and highlighting how your experience lines up with what’s needed for the role.

For tips on writing a standout lawyer resume, read our blog post here.

Concluding paragraph

Finally, your concluding paragraph is where you’ll succinctly wrap the cover letter up, close the loop, and leave a positive impression. In your closing paragraph, be sure to:

Say thank you. Gratitude can make a difference, so always thank the reader for their consideration.
Assert your next steps. It’s fine to clearly outline how and when you will follow up on your application, rather than waiting indefinitely for an answer. And, if you say that you’ll follow up at a specific time, be sure to do it—and hold yourself to your word.
Provide relevant contact details. Let the reader know how to reach you by phone or email, if these details are not already outlined in your letter’s header.

Tips for using your legal cover letter to stand out

The legal industry is rapidly evolving, and job hunters need to set themselves apart to get hired (unless, of course, you decide to start your own law firm ).

If you’re applying for a job as a lawyer, whether it’s a traditional position or a legal work-from-home job , here are five tips to make sure your cover letter lands at the top of the pile.

1. Make it personal

Perhaps the most important tip for writing cover letters for lawyers is to make it personal.

Many of your competitors have similar education and professional experience, so being generic is a fast track to being forgotten.

Use a personalized cover letter to showcase the unique reasons why you’re the best candidate. Show that you know the person you’re writing to, and highlight any connections. If that isn’t possible, you can always write about the firm to show that you’ve done your research.

2. Prioritize the positive

When writing a lawyer cover letter, focus on what you have to offer. Regardless of why you’re looking for a new job, you bring a unique mix of attributes to the table. Highlight these attributes, whether they’re your:

Other legal careers
Relevant work experience

If you’re a law student or recent graduate, you may not have a long legal career to highlight. However, you can still note strengths like technology skills that make you an asset.

To a hiring law firm, being tech-competent and familiar with certain cloud-based tools like Clio could be an advantage that sets you apart from other candidates.

For example, more and more law firms are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help them run their practices more efficiently, with the 2023 Legal Trends Report finding that nearly one in five legal professionals are using some form of AI in their practices already. With this in mind, lawyers up-to-date with AI technology may stand out for hiring law firms.

3. Get to the point

Legal cover letters are not the place to be long-winded, and droning on will almost certainly have the opposite effect of what you’re going for. Keep cover letters for attorneys short, to the point, and persuasive—the trick is to be memorable and limit yourself to one page. Because you want to make a lasting impression on a single page, it’s also a good idea to check your cover letter’s sentence structure. Do you start all of your sentences the same way? Are they all the same length? Ensure there’s some variety so your reader stays engaged.

4. Set the right tone

Tone matters. While what you say in a cover letter for lawyers is obviously important, it also matters how you say it.

No matter what type of legal job you’re applying for, you always want to convey a professional tone. However, depending on the law firm you’re applying to, using a personal tone may work to your advantage. Tailor your tone to match the law firm you’re applying to.

If you’re writing a Big Law cover letter, for example, you’ll want to err on the side of being more formal. For a smaller local law firm? Check their website and match the tone to demonstrate your familiarity with their firm.

5. Proofread

There is zero room for typos or grammatical errors in cover letters for lawyers. With so much competition for legal jobs, don’t give hiring managers a reason to eliminate you. Take the time to carefully proofread your cover letter yourself, and consider enlisting someone else to proofread your cover letters as well.

Final thoughts on how to write a legal cover letter for a law firm

In a crowded legal job market, there’s no better way to outshine the competition than an excellent legal cover letter. Ensure you’re putting your best foot forward with your future employer by:

Making it personal. At every step, customize your cover letter to the firm you’re applying to—from the tone to the specific skills you detail.
Keeping it brief. Cover letters for lawyers are a one-page summary to let the hiring manager know that you’re a candidate they should talk to further. You want to give them enough information to draw them in, but not overwhelm them and risk losing interest.
Showcasing your strengths. Focus on the positives, and don’t be afraid to highlight how your past experiences make you uniquely qualified.

While finding a new legal job in a competitive market isn’t exactly easy, staying resilient and adaptive will lead you to success. By crafting a great cover letter, you’re more likely to be noticed in this—and any—job market.

And, no matter what job you’re applying for, knowing technology can help set you apart—both when job hunting and once you’re working at your new firm. If you’re a law student and want a head start, you may be able to get free Clio access via Clio’s Academic Access Program (CAAP) at your law school. Learn more about CAAP here .

Do law firms read cover letters?

In a competitive job market, hiring managers at law firms read cover letters to help determine which candidates may be the best fit. A well-written legal cover letter can entice the reader to review your resume—and, hopefully, invite you for an interview—by showcasing how your experience and skills align with the role.

We published this blog post in June 2020. Last updated: June 13, 2024 .

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Tips For Crafting An Effective Resume As A Lateral Associate

While there is no one-size-fits-all model for drafting an exemplary resume, implementing some best practices can help enhance your candidacy and set the tone for a positive interview process..

Your resume is one element in the lateral hiring process over which you have complete control. While there is no one-size-fits-all model for drafting an exemplary resume, implementing some best practices can help enhance your candidacy and set the tone for a positive interview process.

Structuring Your Resume

Keep in mind that firms focus on three main factors when reviewing lateral associate resumes and extending interview invitations: (1) law school ranking and academic performance; (2) the reputability and practice sophistication of the associate’s current firm; and (3) having the level of experience needed to fill the associate role. In addition, firms consider elements such as diversity, firm committee involvement, pro-bono work, and leadership roles in bar associations and community organizations.

The two most important sections are Experience and Education. The optimal order of these sections depends on your tenure. For junior associates with academic credentials at least as strong as the prestige of your current firm, beginning with the education section is customary. At the junior level, your academic performance matters more to firms, and you will also have less law firm experience to describe. If you are a junior associate who attended a lower-ranked law school or attained a mediocre GPA, but you work at a prestigious firm, it is better to lead with your experience section. You may also consider beginning with your experience section if you have more experience than would be typical for your year level (e.g., a corporate associate with substantial ancillary document drafting experience or a litigation associate with motion practice or deposition experience). Leading with your experience section in this context can be particularly helpful if you are applying for a position where you may be just under the targeted year level.

For mid-level and senior associates (i.e., third-year level and up), firms will generally expect you to lead with your experience section, demonstrating core practitioner skills and establishing that you will be able to hit the ground running. Firms typically also expect a deal-sheet for corporate transactional associates when they reach their third year of practice.

After your experience and education sections, you should include your bar admissions (if relocating, you can include a brief explanatory statement about your bar admission status or bar eligibility in the state of the firm’s office). You can also include positions held in bar associations as well as involvement in community and philanthropic organizations. For associates with a significant gap between college and law school, it is helpful to include your work experience during these years. Showcasing this experience can be especially helpful for IP associates who were engineers prior to attending law school. It is appropriate to include interests or hobbies outside of work, as this can help make an associate more relatable in the interview process.

Either one or two pages is an acceptable length. However, if your resume is two pages, it is critical that there be some content relevant to practicing law on the second page. Do not devote a second page only to interests or hobbies.

Education Section

The education section, and specifically your law school section, should highlight honors such as cum laude , magna cum laude , with Honors, with Distinction, and Order of the Coif. I recommend including your law school GPA if it is at least 3.3. While most firms will have your law school transcript, attorneys briefly reviewing your resume may assume your GPA is low if you do not list it. Class rank is helpful to include only if you are in the top 20% of your class. Law review membership is the most valued law school credential after academic performance. Editorial positions and membership on primary or other law reviews should be highlighted. It is also helpful to include positions and membership in student organizations, such as the Student Bar Association and diversity affinity groups. Finally, while I do not see this mistake frequently, I see it often enough to mention — your degree is a “Juris Doctor,” not a “Juris Doctorate.”

Firms are less focused on undergraduate academic performance and do not typically expect you to include your GPA. For most majors, you should only include a GPA of 3.5 or higher. However, IP associates with hard science majors should include their GPA if it is at least 3.3, as firms look closer at candidates’ college grades for patent prosecution and IP litigation positions. Note that for consistency, if you are not including your law school GPA, you should not include your undergraduate GPA.

Experience Section

The law firm experience section of your resume should effectively demonstrate substantive experience handling sophisticated matters in your practice area. It is essential to provide details regarding both the types of matters you have worked on and, importantly, your specific role and the assignments you completed for the transactions or cases. Law firms want to know what types of assignments prospective associates can handle from day one. In reviewing associate resumes, I often see initial drafts containing general practice descriptions, such as: “Represent and advise clients on a range of M&A, private equity, and other corporate transactions.” An improvement of this description will encompass more pertinent details on the client base, types of transactions, and deal-size range, such as: “Represent private equity sponsors and public and privately held corporate clients on complex transactions ranging from $100 million to $10 billion in deal value, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, divestitures, growth equity investments, joint ventures, and other corporate matters.”

Litigation associates should similarly describe their practice in detail. An example of a compelling introductory bullet point for a litigation associate: “Represent public and privately-held companies and shareholders in federal and state court in connection with a variety of litigation matters, including litigation under federal securities and commodities laws, class action defense, breach of contract and restrictive covenants, breach of fiduciary duty, media and defamation law, and other complex commercial litigation.”

Following an initial practice overview bullet point, it is vital to detail specific functions you performed on matters and the types of work product that you completed. In describing your work, remember that corporate transactional practice groups appreciate document drafting and negotiation experience more than due diligence. Thus, the second experience bullet point should specify the types of transactional documents you have drafted, prioritizing primary documents over ancillary ones. Litigation associates should lead with deposition, trial, and motion practice experience over document review and written discovery.

The law firm experience section should also contain involvement in firm committees and other initiatives, such as summer associate recruiting, diversity and inclusion affinity groups, and pro bono work. Including committee positions and participation demonstrates leadership qualities, good corporate citizenship, shared DEI values, and being well-regarded at your current firm.

Be sure to consistently use present tense for your current position and past tense for previous positions. Additionally, while not major issue, if listing a series of matters or types of work product, there is a slight preference for using a serial/Oxford comma. The most important thing is to be consistent.

Ed. note : This is the latest installment in a series of posts from Lateral Link’s team of expert contributors. This post is by Jesse Hyde, a Senior Director based in the Chicago office, where he oversees attorney placements and client services in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. He specializes in placing associates, partners, and in-house counsel with leading Am Law 100 and 200 law firms and premier corporations. With a proven successful track record, Jesse advises attorneys, law firms, and companies through all stages of the recruitment and hiring process to effectively reach their objectives. Jesse received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law where he was on the Dean’s List and a Member of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. Jesse received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and majored in history. Before recruiting, he practiced as a commercial litigation attorney with a Chicago-based law firm for four years.

Biglaw , Career Advice , Jesse Hyde , Lateral Link , Lateral Moves , Legal Recruiting , Resume Tips , Sponsored Content

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Law School Toolbox®

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Ahead of the Curve: What Are Big Law Recruiters Really Looking For?

June 1, 2017 By Law School Toolbox Team 2 Comments

Whether you are applying to law school, just starting, or are finishing up your first year, you’re probably already thinking about what will come after graduation. Will you be able to make the cut and get that job you’ve heard about in “big law” with the astronomical starting salary? You will probably have student loans to pay back, and a high-paying first attorney position could help you to make those repayments quicker, as well as offer resources and excellent training for a new lawyer. But you may be wondering, what are those recruiters at the big firms looking for? And can you really get one of those coveted positions?

As someone who worked as a recruiter in a few of those top firms for over ten years, I have some insight into what they are really looking for in a summer associate or new hire, and I know the common mistakes that will prevent you from even meeting anyone in person.

Here’s my best advice to you, if you want a position in a large law firm.

Proofread Your Materials

I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes and cover letters, and was always shocked at how often there were typos or other errors. I would see these mistakes on resumes from top ten law schools, where students have access to all the best resources and career services help.

My top tip is to make sure the materials you submit are in perfect shape . This includes making sure you are addressing it to the correct recruiter, and that their name and the name of the firm is spelled correctly. I had one student submit materials to our former firm name (when we had gone through a merger TWO years before)!

Know Your Story

Obviously, big firms are looking for top grades and top law schools, but, even if you fit that profile, you may have something on your resume that needs explaining. Make sure you have that all figured out before you even submit your materials. If there is a gap on your resume, you need to be able to explain that. If you had some lower grades one semester because of an illness or family situation, you need to explain that, too. If you are applying to a firm in a different location than where you’ve ever lived or gone to school, it is key that you can explain why.

Firms don’t want to take a big chance on their new hires, so make sure they think you are not a risk.

Let Yourself Shine

I’ve been in many meetings when we discuss which candidates we want to make an offer to, for summer associate positions as well as for full-time employment, and, often, the candidates all have the same credentials (or close enough). This is where personality and some intangible qualities come into play. Starting with your cover letter, make sure to give a sense of who you are and why you think you are a good fit for that firm.

I always recommend having an interest section in your resume. I know that you may think you don’t have a lot of interesting hobbies, but pick anything, even if it seems random (while I didn’t do it that long, I usually refer to my glassblowing hobby because people are interested in it). It gives something for the interviewer to talk to you about in person. I also suggest being specific with interests – it’s better to say you have traveled to 6/7 continents than just that you like to travel. That goes even further when you actually get a call-back interview .

These lawyers are often conducting many, many interviews and you want to make sure they remember you. Now that doesn’t mean going overboard and doing anything outrageous (although we remember those students for the wrong reasons), but make sure you show the part of you that you think distinguishes you from all the other law students they are meeting.

Don’t ask the typical questions. Prepare a few things that go beyond the usual, “what is it like to work here?” types of questions. The questions you ask will give them insight into what is important to you in a workplace, and show that you took the time to research and think of something creative. Be yourself and, remember, it’s really just a conversation!

On-Campus Interviewing

On-campus interviewing is the time when employers interview rising 2Ls for summer associate positions, and it is really your best shot at starting your career at a big law firm. While most schools have lottery systems for matching up students with employers for interviews, there is always a chance at being added into a schedule or gaining an open spot that you weren’t assigned.

The first place you can do this is by contacting the recruiter sometime in the week or so before the interviews, once the schedule has come out. Send an email to the recruiter with your materials and make the case for why you deserve a spot. The second chance you may have is to go to the hospitality suite the day of interviews and, again, ask the recruiter to add you on to the schedule.

I have sometimes ended up with half of my summer associate class coming from additions to the schedule. If I felt a student was great, I would ask my interviewer to stay late or even cut into their lunch break. It’s key that you’re prepared with copies of both your resume and transcript (if a student doesn’t submit a transcript, it will make a recruiter assume you are hiding your grades, so do not run out of copies!). Also, make sure you are polite and friendly to everyone in the suite and spend some time there, ask questions, get to know them.

Big law may seem very far away when you are just starting law school, but, if it is something you want, there are many firms out there, and they are looking for law students who will eventually become associates and even partners. While you do need some basic credentials to get in the door, recruiters are looking for more than that, and if you are able to show why you would be a good fit for the firm, you may just get that dream summer associate job!

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.

Reader Interactions

Hey, thank you for this post. I am an international student/non US citizen who is joining Juris Doctor program in August 2019. However, my law school is not one of the T-20 law school. Can i still have a shot at big law firm job? Specially after all the work visa/work permit hassles?

Hi Dharvi, It really depends. I think you certainly have a shot if you’re at the top of your class, but it also depends what law school it is beyond just not being T-20. I would see how you do your first year and try to get the best 1L summer job you can before exploring BigLaw. Hope that helps!

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Lawyer Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

You've come a long way to reach your legal goals.

From your early dreams to helping justice thrive to making a career in the world of law, your journey has been amazing.

But as you’re preparing for your next big professional step, there's a challenge: writing a great lawyer cover letter.

We don’t blame you; showing off your legal skills can be tough.

That’s why, in this article, we'll help you create a cover letter that highlights your skills and gets you closer to your dream legal job.

Here’s what’ll cover:

An Outstanding Lawyer Cover Letter Example
5 Essential Steps to Crafting a Top-tier Legal Cover Letter
3 Lawyer Cover Letter Tips

...and much more!

Lawyer Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Law Cover Letter

You've just had a glimpse of what a stellar cover letter looks like, and now you're well-equipped to craft your own .

It's as simple as following a few straightforward steps to make it shine, starting with:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Your cover letter should start with your contact information neatly placed in the header, just like on your resume.

Here's what you should include:

Full Name: Your complete name should be at the top of the page.
Professional Title: Tailor your professional title to match the precise job you're seeking. Hiring managers juggle applications for several roles at the same time, so making the position you’re interested in clear can help make their lives easier.
Email Address: Opt for a professional and straightforward email address, like a combination of your first and last name. Those quirky high school email addresses won't cut it. (e.g., [email protected] is good, but [email protected] isn't)
Phone Number: Ensure the number you provide is accurate for easy contact. If you're applying for an international position, include the appropriate dial code.
Location: Typically, your city and state or country suffice. However, if you're pursuing a remote position or considering relocation, make that clear in your lawyer cover letter.
Relevant Links (Optional): You can include links to pertinent websites or social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.

Next, it's time to include the hiring manager's details:

Company Name: Specify the name of the company you're applying to.
Hiring Manager's Name: If possible, identify the hiring manager for the department you're interested in. You can check the job listing, the company's website, or their LinkedIn page to find this information.
Hiring Manager's Title: If you discover the name of the hiring manager for the specific job listing and realize they're the head of the department, use that instead of "Hiring Manager."
Location: Mention the city, state, or country, particularly for globally operating companies. If you want to be more specific, you can add the company's exact street address.
Email Address (Optional): If available, include the hiring manager's email address.
Date of Writing (Optional): Consider adding the precise date when you composed your cover letter for a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After jotting down all the necessary contact details, ensure you address your cover letter to its intended audience.

And, skip the old-fashioned "To Whom It May Concern" while you’re at it.

The way you address your cover letter can set a positive tone with the recruiter, especially if you give it some thought.

Start with a bit of digging around. Scour the job advertisement, law firm's website, or LinkedIn profile to pinpoint the person in charge of hiring for the position you're eyeing. A bit of effort can help you discover their name and email contact.

Next, greet them respectfully. Opt for Ms. or Mr., followed by their surname. If you're uncertain about their gender or marital status, simply use their complete name. For instance:

Dear Mr. Thompson,
Dear Jordan Thompson,

If you can’t find out their details, though, no worries! You can address your letter to the specific department or the law firm more broadly:

Dear Legal Department,
Dear Legal Hiring Committee,
Dear HR Selection Team,
Dear Lead Attorney,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers often spend just seven seconds scanning an application to decide whether it’s worth their time and attention.

So, it's crucial to grab their attention fast with your lawyer cover letter.

Start your cover letter with your name and why you're interested in the legal job. Show your passion for law to make them want to know more about you.

Researching the law firm also helps. Knowing about their work and values lets you show what a great fit you’d be for the job. Not to mention, it proves you're really interested in this specific role, not just any role out there.

If you've got lots of legal experience, mention an important achievement , like a big case you've won, or special skills you have that are relevant to the position. But remember to keep your introduction short. Your aim is to get the hiring manager to read the rest of your cover letter.

Check out our other cover letter examples to write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The main part of your legal cover letter lets you explain why you're the right fit for the job in more detail.

The trick here is to not merely repeat your lawyer resume. This is where you get to put your top legal skills and experiences into the spotlight. Your goal? To show the hiring manager you're the best choice among all the candidates.

For starters, mention any big achievements in law and explain how you accomplished them or what skills it took you. Let the job ad guide you through for the best possible outcome. For example, if the role you’re gunning for is related to intellectual property law, focus on your knowledge of that instead of other law areas.

Additionally, show that you know about the firm's big cases or how they work. This proves you're really interested in working with them and that you fit their culture.

End by showing how passionate you are about the role. Say how you believe you can add value to their team with your legal skills and experience.

Also, make sure to avoid making any of these common cover letter mistakes to make sure your application is spotless.

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Ending your cover letter is like giving a strong closing in court.

Make sure your ending leaves the hiring manager convinced about your abilities and interested in calling you in for an interview. It should build trust in what you offer and remove any doubts that you may not be the right fit for the role.

Your cover letter’s ending is your time to summarize your top legal skills and why you're a great fit for their team. Alternatively, talk about your biggest achievements or the unique things you can bring to the table.

After that, urge the hiring manager to take the next step by including a call to action. That could be a chat or an in-person meeting. This shows you're invested in the position and could help you get an interview.

Finally, when you sign off, stay professional. End with a simple sign-off and your full name. For example:

Should you wish for further clarification or insights regarding my legal qualifications, please reach out via the provided email or contact number. I eagerly anticipate the prospect of delving deeper into how I can contribute to your esteemed legal firm.

Yours sincerely,

If you feel "Yours sincerely" is rather commonplace, here are some alternative sign-offs tailored for the legal profession:

In utmost respect,
With appreciation,
Thank you for your due consideration,

3 Essential Law Cover Letter Tips

You've mastered the cover letter fundamentals! Let's step it up and delve into some key cover letter tips specifically designed for lawyers to make your letter truly stand out:

#1. Match Your Resume

When applying for a legal position, consistency is your best friend.

Make sure your cover letter matches your resume visually as much as it matches it in content quality. This will help you come across as attentive to detail and well-organized.

Your name and contact details should sit tidily on the page. Also, keep your fonts and their sizes uniform throughout both documents. Remember to also adjust the margins and space between lines to keep your cover letter to a single page .

Ready to make a great impression?

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Starting from scratch can be a drag.

Take advantage of our cover letter templates for a swift fix. Together with our free resume templates , they can be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Made hand-in-hand with global hiring pros, they hit all industry marks and just pop. Go on, match that resume with style!

#2. Emphasize Your Achievements

Highlighting your achievements isn't just about a humble brag; it's about showcasing the tangible results of your dedication and expertise.

When hiring managers sift through stacks of cover letters, they're not just looking for claims. They want evidence. They want to see that spark of exceptional talent and commitment. Achievements offer a snapshot of what you've accomplished and hint at what you're capable of achieving in the future.

Now, here's the tricky part. While your resume might list your achievements in bullet points, your cover letter should weave them into a compelling narrative. Think of it as telling a story, where your achievements serve as key plot points and demonstrate your ability to handle challenges and achieve results.

For instance, instead of just stating you led a high-profile case, delve a bit into the complexities of the case and how your innovative approach made a difference. Link these accomplishments directly to the requirements of the job you're applying for. This not only reinforces your capabilities but also illustrates your deep understanding of the role.

#3. Add Any Relevant Links

Including relevant links in your cover letter is like opening a door for hiring managers to step right into your professional world. While your resume provides a structured outline of your career journey, links offer a more dynamic glimpse into your accomplishments, be it published articles, notable cases, or a well-curated LinkedIn profile.

Imagine the hiring manager's perspective. They’re intrigued by your cover letter and think you might be a good fit. Now, instead of Googling you or hunting down that specific case you mentioned, they have instant access via a link you provided. It's immediate, efficient, and showcases your proactive nature.

Links also offer a chance for you to steer the narrative. By guiding hiring managers to specific pages or platforms, you're highlighting the parts of your career you're most proud of. It might be a detailed portfolio, showcasing your prowess in legal briefs, or perhaps glowing recommendations on your LinkedIn profile.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to crafting a stellar lawyer cover letter! Hopefully, you’re on track to secure that ideal legal position in no time.

But before you send off your cover letter, here are some main points from our article:

Start your lawyer cover letter by detailing both your contact information and that of the hiring attorney or law firm's HR representative. Ensure your details are accurate so that they can reach out to you for a potential interview.
The opening paragraph of your lawyer's cover letter should capture the interest of the hiring party, compelling them to continue reading.
In the main section of your cover letter, emphasize your most notable achievements and skills that align with the legal role you're pursuing.
It's effective to include a persuasive call to action towards the conclusion of your law firm cover letter, prompting the hiring party to consider calling you or arranging an interview.
Maintain a consistent design between your cover letter and resume. If you're short on time, think about using one of our resume and cover letter templates for a cohesive appearance.

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Beginning the Biglaw Lateral Process: A Guide for Associates

The current Biglaw lateral market is overwhelming. There are more variables influencing associates’ career planning and strategic decision-making than ever before. A byproduct is that getting started on a lateral search can be intimidating. My goal here is to advise you on how to take the first few steps, because the way in which you target and contact firms can hugely influence your ability to make a change. Below is a list of factors I encourage you to consider, and a quality recruiter will view each as an opportunity to maximize the likelihood of attractive offers. 1. Timing Take advantage of active markets like this one to at least do your diligence. It’s frustrating when you’d like to talk to a firm and they’re simply not hiring or unable to give you the kind of attractive offer you’d need to make the jump. Also realize that offers have expiration dates and if you receive an offer from firm X, but wish you were able to talk to firm Y, it may be too late. Do what you can up front to minimize the risk that timing negatively influences your options. 2. Who reaches out on your behalf The best way to maximize options and ensure a successful process is by choosing a recruiter you trust and then leveraging contacts at other firms after your recruiter connects directly with each firm. Yes, this will take away a friend’s referral bonus, but a good recruiter can effectively manage a comprehensive and targeted search, bump your resume to the top of a pile, and negotiate terms in a way that friends simply can’t. When evaluating recruiters, pick someone who is an expert with respect to the space in which you operate so that they appreciate your practice and what could make it better in both a micro and macro sense. 3. Which firms you target This alone depends on a ton of factors and personal preference, but it’s worth taking the time up front to think about what elements of your current practice you want to maintain and where there is room for improvement. Your recruiter should discuss this with you and in turn provide insight into which platforms will check certain boxes on paper (e.g., bonuses, remote flex, substantive pivot, change in location, elevation of title, etc.). Cultural fit is crucial, but it’s impossible to get a true sense for the people and environment before starting the dialogue. 4. Whom your recruiter contacts Most firms have generic submission emails and/or online portals. A quality recruiter should have personal contacts at the firms you’re interested in and the ability to sidestep the normal process to make sure your materials get in front of the right people as opposed to lost in the ether. 5. Marketing Success in the recruiting process largely depends on your ability to package and relay a clear and authentic narrative that aligns with what other firms are looking for. If your materials and initial outreach don’t reflect that approach, you risk squandering opportunities. Be thoughtful about what differentiates you from other candidates even if it’s not directly related to your practice. Things like entrepreneurship, interesting work experience, and excelling at a sport or other activity can help endear you to partners.

6. Mental state

Take the process one step at a time. Making a move is a big deal and you can’t understate the importance of doing so thoughtfully, but it’s important to think of interviews as casual conversations that allow you to explore fit and value. A Zoom call costs nothing and having an open mind is the only way to truly evaluate the opportunity in front of you. At the outset of the process, be open to introductions and save the real decisionmaking for when an offer is sitting in front of you.

Home » Beginning the Biglaw Lateral Process: A Guide for Associates

Cover Letter Advice & Samples

Cover letter advice and samples.

Section Menu

Draft your cover letter knowing it is your first writing sample.
Understand that a cover letter should persuade the reader.
Use the cover letter to “connect the dots” of your experiences.
Resist the temptation to restate your resume.
Keep your cover letter to one page.
Use the font style and point size that match your resume.
Remember that the reader is busy: less is more.
Ensure your cover letter is error free.

Cover Letter Construction

Address block and salutation.

Address the cover letter to an actual person.
Research websites or call employer to determine recipient’s name.
If you cannot find the name of a hiring contact, address your letter to the head of the unit, department, or office.
While this is the least-preferred option, you may address your letter to “Dear Hiring Committee” if you cannot locate the name of an actual person.
For firms, address your letter to the recruiting director. For larger firms, contact information for recruiting directors is available at www.nalpdirectory.com in the Basic Information section.
In the salutation, include the recipient’s title and last name (e.g., “Dear Ms. Raintree”) or write the recipient’s entire name (e.g., “Dear Jamie Morales”).

Paragraph One

Tell the employer who you are and what you are seeking.
Highlight (past, present, and future) geographic connections.
Indicate if you have talked to students/faculty/friends/alumni who speak highly of the organization.

Paragraph Two

Show that you understand the employer’s mission/practice, the work its attorneys do, and the clients it serves.
Demonstrate your proven interest in and connection to that mission/practice, work, and clients.

Paragraph Three

Describe skills you will contribute to support that mission/practice, work, and clients.
Provide evidence from your experiences and coursework.

Paragraph Four

List the documents included with the letter.
Tell the employer how to get in touch with you by email, telephone, and mail.
Convey your availability for a conversation, mentioning upcoming trips to the area.
Thank the employer for considering you.
Mention availability of Yale summer funding, if applicable.
Optional: Promise that you will follow up in a few weeks if you think the employer would appreciate the diligence.

Sample Cover Letters (PDF)

First Year Student Examples | Second Year Student Examples | Third Year Student Examples

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1L Job Cover Letters

Do most people change much in their cover letters aside from the employer when they are applying places? Like do you have a template for BigLaw, PI, and Judicial internships then just fill in the blank and send them out by the masses? I just feel it’s hard to be specific with most of these apps because I don’t really know what I want to do/haven’t experienced enough yet.

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Cover Letters

E. common cover letter mistakes.

Vide o and Slides from the CDO program “ Cover Letters That Do The Job” and handouts: Job Postings & Tips and Sample PIPS Cover Letters .

Your cover letter is as important as your resume because it is often read first and plays a vital role in your quest for an interview. A cover letter is not a transmittal letter, and you may be surprised at how time-consuming it is to craft a good one. A cover letter has a purpose, which is to let an employer know why they should bother reading your resume and why they should meet you. It also serves as an example of your written work product; thus it should be clear, brief, and written in a business letter style, without any typographical errors.

1. Cover letters for unsolicited applications come in three main types:

Personal Letter. These are the most effective cover letters and are sent to people you have met or with whom you have a mutual acquaintance. These letters should all start with the sentence: “_______ recommended that I contact you.” As this type of letter is most likely to get a response, if you have any possibility of establishing this sort of connection to a prospective employer in advance of sending your letter, you should try your best to do so.
Targeted Letters. Next best thing. Targeted letters are based on research of the employer, and are individually tailored. Your letter should incorporate the information learned through your research to show the employer that you have skills they will be able to put to use.
Mass Mailers. Least desirable. These are generic except for the name and address of the employer, and have a very low success rate of getting interviews.

2. When you respond to a job listing, you will usually be requested to submit a cover letter as part of your application. In this case, use the job description and requested qualifications as a guide. While not simply imitating the language of the listing, your letter should demonstrate that you have what the employer is looking for.

3. A few employers at OCI request that students bring a cover letter to the initial interview. This is essentially to require students to think about why they want to work for this employer, but it makes for a letter which deviates from the usual “please consider me for an interview” approach. See below for suggestions on OCI cover letters.

Cover letters should follow standard business letter format, as to spacing, salutation, etc. If you are not sure of the fine points, consult a business correspondence reference source. Avoid abbreviations, contractions and shortcuts (such as a slash instead of “or”), although if there is an accepted short form of the name of the organization you are writing to (e.g., ACLU or Coblentz) it is acceptable to use it in the text of your letter. Your telephone number and email address should appear somewhere in the letter, either at the top with your address, or in the closing paragraph, when you ask them to contact you. Note that your resume is “enclosed,” not “attached” (which means clipped or stapled).

If you are not sure to whom you should send your letter, it is always acceptable to write to the executive director of a nonprofit, or the hiring partner or head of recruiting at a firm; they can forward your application to the appropriate person within the organization. If at all possible, write to an individual by name, not to “Director” or “Recruiting Coordinator.” Firm and organization web sites are very useful in finding this information (and for confirming correct spellings and the like); it may be more difficult to find the name of an individual addressee for government job opportunities. If you do not have the name of an individual, the salutation should be “Dear Sir or Madam” (not “To Whom It May Concern”). Of course if you are responding to a job posting, address your letter exactly as instructed.

As for the appropriate salutation, traditionally, it is “Dear [Mr./Ms.] [Last Name]. However, we understand that this prevailing business norm may not be inclusive of individuals who do not use either of those titles (for example, because they identify as gender nonconforming). One alternative, “Dear [First Name] [Last Name]”, avoids presuming how the recipient may identify, but it is not without some risk.

If you use this approach, a recipient less attuned to thinking about gender inclusivity (and accustomed to seeing only “Dear [Mr./Ms] [Last Name]”) may wrongly conclude that you were unfamiliar with professional etiquette or that you used a mail merge template and did not bother to customize it. While awareness around these issues is increasing, we believe that, unfortunately, it is still not a small number of recruiting representatives and attorneys who might draw the wrong conclusion.

One way to navigate this tricky situation might be to see if the recipient has an online presence (e.g., on the firm website or LinkedIn) that might give you a strong clue as to how they would like to be addressed. Otherwise, you will need to make your own judgment as to whether recipients are more likely to recognize your inclusivity or to view the greeting as awkward or erroneous.

In our office, we are also working to help employers become familiar with gender-inclusive approaches like “Dear [First Name] [Last Name],” but like any process of education, this will take time. In the meantime, our primary goal is to make sure that all Berkeley Law students are fully informed as you navigate legal job markets. We are always available to discuss individually what approach would be the best fit for you.

First Paragraph. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing. Introduce yourself as a law student (including the year you are in) or a graduate of Berkeley Law and specify what it is you are seeking: a summer job, an associate position, a clerkship, part-time work during the school year, etc.

The goal of this paragraph is to give the reader a reason to want to finish reading the letter. If you don’t have a personal connection to cite, try to establish a nexus between yourself and the employer, such as knowledge of their practice, an established commitment to or interest in their work, a connection to their city, or something else which conveys that you are not just writing to them as part of a mass mailing for any job in any location. (If that in fact is what you are doing, try not to be too obvious about it. An employer wants to think that you sought him or her out purposely rather than randomly.)

Body Paragraph(s). This is the section in which you “sell” your experience and qualifications to the employer. Your goal here is to answer the question, “Why should the employer meet you?”

Call attention to something which substantiates your interest in this particular employer. It could be coursework in their specialty, the recommendation of a professor in their area of practice, undergraduate residency in their city, or any other indication of your interest. Try also to show how your experiences will translate into skills which will be useful to this particular employer. Highlight relevant qualifications which are not on your resume, such as coursework, research, or a prior connection to the organization or the issues they work on. If you have general legal skills such as negotiation, litigation, client counseling, interviewing, mock trials, etc., you may want to include them. As much as possible, try to convey understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the aims of the organization.

Employers do not expect first-year students to have highly-developed legal skills to offer. Therefore, for first-year students writing to private firms, this section can be a single, short paragraph, unless you have a strong background in a relevant area. However, even inexperienced first-year students writing to public interest/sector organizations should make an effort to describe skills and interests that are relevant to the employer.

It is appropriate and not uncommon for a public interest cover letter to be somewhat more detailed or personal than a private sector cover letter. Of course, it is still very important to be concise, but it is acceptable for the letter to be a full page if your experience dictates. In a public interest cover letter, it is important both to highlight your demonstrated commitment to the mission/work/client base of the organization through your own relevant work or life experience, and to illustrate your relevant skills. Take another look at your resume for items that show your interest, commitment and skills. Even if you do not have experience in the specific area in which an organization works, it is still important to emphasize your demonstrated commitment to the public interest, and to draw connections between that general commitment and the specific work of the organization. As it is important not to merely regurgitate your resume, consider including a story that illustrates you are interested or qualified in the position.

If your application raises questions that are readily answered, such as availability after the Bar exam, judicial clerkship plans, etc., the letter can address those; other issues may be better deferred to the interview stage. Consult a CDO attorney-counselor if you’re not sure whether to include something in your cover letter.

Final Paragraph. In your last paragraph, thank them for their consideration, and say you hope to hear from them soon. For out-of-town employers, indicate when you plan to be in their geographic area and state your availability for an interview. Be sure to include your phone number and email in this paragraph unless you use a letterhead style that includes them at the top of the page. If you state that you will call the employer to follow up on your application, be sure you do so.

If you are bringing a cover letter to an on-campus interview (which you should do only if the employer requests you to), the content will be a bit different. You don’t need to introduce yourself, as you will be there in person, and you won’t request an interview at the closing. But you can thank the employer for interviewing you and say that you welcome the opportunity to learn more about the employer and to discuss the possibility of working for them. The important thing is to show why you are interested in this particular employer, and how you think your background makes you a good match for them.

The mistakes most commonly found in student cover letters are:

Restating your resume. “ I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2005, with a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science, then worked as a substitute teacher in an urban high school before starting law school in the fall of 2008 .” Don’t waste space with facts that are readily gleaned from your resume! Instead, you could say (briefly) how your work experience led you to pursue a legal career in an area practiced by the employer.
Focusing on what you stand to gain from the job . “ I am particularly interested in your firm’s excellent training program for summer associates, and in gaining exposure to a variety of different practice areas.” Remember, employers only grant interviews to candidates who offer something of potential use to the employer. Try to say how your skills and enthusiasm will help the employer serve its clients, or otherwise further its aims.
Being too informal or familiar. “I’m thrilled by the possibility of working with you this summer, and would love to meet with you in person/by phone to chat about what the options might be.” Enthusiasm is good, but it must be presented professionally.

Other cover letter mistakes include: being defensive or apologetic; appearing arrogant or entitled, and being too long and wordy. Unsupported statements of your qualities (“I am highly motivated and a quick study”) do not help your case. Generic reasons for your interest in the employer (e.g., its “excellent reputation”) tend to demonstrate your lack of specific knowledge. Of course typos and inaccuracies, such as misspelled names, or (please!) stating an interest in a practice area that the firm doesn’t have, are automatic application-killers.

Our cover letter template provides suggestions only; please do not feel excessively constrained by its approach. Your letter should, of course, be original work that reflects your unique background and the job you are aiming at.

Return to Contents

1L Guide to Summer Jobs

Bernard Koteen Office of Public Interest Advising

You are beginning a process of exploration, reflection, and decision-making that may last your entire career. But right now, concretely, you will be focusing on your 1L summer job search.

How do I find a summer public interest job?

You can start by checking out our Summer Job Search FAQs , which cover topics such as resume and cover letter writing, preparing for interviews, and negotiating offers and monitoring our 1L Summer Jobs Feed for the most recent summer jobs we receive. In addition, we have created this guide specifically for the 1L summer job search.

Key summer job search goals:

Try out an area of the law (civil rights, environmental, antitrust, etc.), type of employer (government agency, nonprofit, union, etc.), or legal skill (litigation, policy, transactional, client-based work, etc.) that might be of interest to you professionally; i.e., begin to answer the question: “what kind of law practice is the right fit for me?”
Begin to demonstrate a commitment to public service generally, and perhaps to a particular field of interest or type of practice specifically.
Build your connections to organizations and practitioners working in fields that may be of interest to you.
Build marketable skills (e.g., client interviewing, drafting skills, etc.).

Step One: Reflection and Planning

(beginning in Fall and continuing throughout the year)

Why did I come to law school?
What have my prior work experiences, internships, and extracurriculars told me about how I like to work, the kind of day-to-day work that plays to my strengths, and the work environments I most enjoy?
What issue areas, practice settings, or work types are most interesting to me? Why?
How important is geography this summer? What cities or states are of greatest interest?
OPIA’s self-assessment.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
Our Practice Setting Webcasts (hear what lawyers say about their day-to-day jobs and what they most and least enjoy about their work).
Wasserstein Fellow meetings . The Wasserstein Public Interest Fellows Program brings outstanding public interest attorneys to Harvard Law School to counsel students about public service. 2-3 Day Wasserstein Fellows are on campus for a few days during the fall semester and J-term to meet with HLS students one-on-one. Schedule a meeting with a Wasserstein Fellow to ask about their current work, how they chose that work, or how they might compare prior professional experiences to their current one.
Our career guides.
Our 1L E-Advising series on exploring public interest resources at HLS .
Informational interviews with practicing public interest attorneys (if you don’t know any, OPIA is happy to provide you with contact information for lawyers willing to talk to current students).
Familiarize yourself with SPIF amounts.
Use the SPIF budget interactive tool .
Determine cost of summer living in cities of interest.
Make a note in your personal calendar re: the SPIF deadline (you DON’T have to wait until you have a summer job lined up in order to apply).
Appointments for 1Ls are available after October 15 – watch for an e-mail from OPIA indicating sign ups are open. We encourage students to try to make their first appointment during the fall semester, even if they don’t apply for jobs until later in the year.
Discuss the results of your self-reflection, including any sticking points.
Brainstorm about the summer options that might best align with your goals and interests.
Develop a personal job search plan.
Begin to explore your longer term employment goals.
Discuss courses, clinics, and extracurricular activities that might also allow you to pursue your interests.
Prepare for your advising appointment.
Learn further guidelines on 1L advising.

Step Two: Identifying Potential Employers

(can begin in Fall)

Develop a list of public interest organizations to apply to that meet your summer goals/interests. Ideally, narrow down your list to no more than 2 issue areas or types of work, to give your search some focus.
There are a plethora of resources you can use to find public interest organizations that may be of interest to you: our job search boards and databases list ; the Helios organizations database ; OPIA advisers ; OPIA career guides ; student-to-student job fair (usually occurring in mid-October); Who Worked Where lists; PSJD ; faculty ; your own network if you have one.
The number of applications you submit will vary depending on the type of work you are pursuing, the competitiveness of the organizations you’re interested in, your background, and the cities you are targeting. Most students apply to around 10 organizations, but that number may be lower or higher for an individual student.
Make sure the organizations to which you wish to apply are SPIF-eligible .
Remember to make another appointment with an OPIA adviser if you need more guidance or help finding organizations that may be a good fit for you.
Does the organization have a job posting? Read our weekly email jobs bulletins and check out these job databases.
Does it have application instructions on its website?
Many students participate in the Massachusetts Law School Consortium (MLSC) (note that MA USAO hires exclusively through MLSC) or in the Spring Interview Program (SIP) (note that only a handful of public interest employers participate in this program).
If none of the above, you can still apply to the organization by sending a resume and cover letter directly to the designated intern coordinator or to the legal director (don’t assume an organization without a posting or intern page won’t take an intern!).
National nonprofits (ACLU, NAACP, CCR, Earthjustice, etc.).
Federal agencies, particularly the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ (including many U.S. Attorney’s Offices, or USAOs), and defense/national security oriented agencies.
Legal aid organizations and public defenders in popular cities (Bronx Defenders, DC Legal Aid, etc.).
That said, plan to start applying for summer jobs at the time that’s right for you! There are great employers that hire throughout January and February; a smaller number of employers will also hire in March.
The international search tends to begin later; it is common to see applications in the winter months (but there are a few exceptions for certain international courts/organizations).
If you are applying for federal government jobs that require a security clearance (DOJ, USAOs, national security agencies, etc.), review OPIA guidance on security clearances and check for any potential issues (particularly drug use). Consult with an OPIA adviser as necessary.
If you are applying to DOJ (including USAOs), you must have lived within the U.S. for at least 3 of the last 5 years (though the years need not be sequential).

Step Three: Preparing Materials

(October through January) and Applying (as of November 15)

Check out OPIA’s preparing materials guidance on tackling resumes, cover letters, writing samples, references, and more. You can also find resume samples and cover letter samples , as well a resume workshop and cover letter workshop video prepared by OPIA and OCS.
The Summer Job Search FAQs also have plenty of tips and tricks for creating a stand-out public interest application.
Polish your online presence .
Submit your resume and cover letter for review by an OPIA adviser (note there is a 10-14 business day turn around; do not wait until Thanksgiving to send us your materials if you hope to submit applications early in December).
Check to see if any of your applications require that you submit other materials (for example, a transcript ), and if so, prepare those materials.
Check for typos (again).
You may begin to submit applications as of November 15.
Make sure you follow all application instructions where relevant, including instructions (such as bidding deadlines) for participating in specific job fairs.
If you have not heard anything from employers you have applied to after two or three weeks, follow up with them to see if they need any additional materials.

Remember to review and, if necessary, clean up your online presence . Employers may do an online search of you, and your online presence should be professional. Make sure you review your social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), email signatures, and voicemail. Also make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional and up-to-date.

Step Four: Interviewing and Managing Offers

(beginning in November and continuing through March)

Remember to respond to all employer emails and phone calls within 24 hours.
Err on the side of formality. Use last names and don’t start an email with “hi” or “hey” or no greeting at all.
Not hearing back from employers after two weeks or so? Follow our guidelines for following up on applications .
Some employers may require in-person interviews; most will be ok with a video or phone interview.
Review our information on p rofessional attire in our Professionalism Guide . If you are in need of a professional outfit for an interview, check out the HLS Clerkship and Professional Attire Expense Policy .
Practice is key! Participate in the OPIA/OCS mock interview program and/or make an appointment with an advisor. You should also watch our OPIA/OCS interviewing video and practice with a family member or a friend.
Why law school?
Why this type of work?
Why this organization?
Be prepared to talk about anything on your resume (including SPOs and extracurriculars), highlighting key skills and learning experiences.
Be prepared to answer questions about your writing sample.
Have two or three questions prepared for each interviewer (don’t ask anything that can be Googled!).
If you don’t have a strong “public interest” resume, talk to an OPIA advisor about experiences you can highlight and ways to convey your interest in an authentic manner.
Send thank-you notes (usually an email within 24 hours after your interview).
Read our FAQs , guidance , and e-advising post on responding to, accepting, and declining offers.
If you receive an offer, acknowledge it by phone (if offer was by phone) or email (if offer was by email) within 24 hours.
If you need more time to decide on an offer, you may politely request a reasonable extension. Learn more about what is “reasonable.”
Do not accept an offer and then later withdraw. You should be aware that the legal community is much smaller than you may think, and reneging on a job offer can have negative consequences for your career.
If you are in a position to have multiple offers at the same time, or if you have an offer and haven’t heard from your top choice, visit our virtual office hours to discuss how to handle these situations.
Office hours are also great for discussing whether to accept or reject a specific offer.
Keep these dates in mind as you plan your summer.

If you have not gotten any offers and are starting to panic, don’t! Make an appointment with an OPIA adviser to talk about your options and come up with a game plan.

Step Five: Funding, Visas, and Housing

(beginning in January and continuing through April)

Check the status of your SPIF application and address any follow ups as needed.
Check out options for supplemental funding beyond SPIF, and be sure to apply if you qualify. PSJD also has a guide on public interest job searching with additional funding resources and information.
If you are an international student and will be working in the United States, talk to the Harvard International Office about CPT requirements .
Explore housing options in the area and secure a place to live for the duration of your internship. Employers may be able to help with this, especially if they have taken on summer interns in the past.
If you’re looking for an apartment to sublet for a few months, one way to start your search is by looking for Facebook housing/subletting groups for the area where you will be living. If there is a university in the town or city where you will be living, that is a good place to start. For example, if you will be in NYC, try searching for Columbia or NYU summer sublet Facebook groups.

Step Six: Making the Most of Your Summer

(beginning in Spring and continuing through Summer)

After accepting your offer, ask your employer whether there are any steps you can take to prepare for your summer internship. Also, feel free to check out the Who Worked Where lists and reach out to other HLS students who have worked in your office to ask them for any advice.
Remember that your summer position is relatively brief and you should try to keep your number of absences to zero. However, there may be instances where an absence is necessary (attending a family wedding, for example); to avoid any surprises, speak with your primary summer contact well in advance of any possible absence. Avoid being presumptuous or unreasonable when making an absence request.
Be on time. Check with your contact about what time to arrive on your first day; after that, look around and see when attorneys generally arrive in the morning and follow their lead. Also, observe what time the attorneys tend to leave the office. While you do not need to be the last one out the door, you should not always be the first one, either.
Be sure to check out our tips on workplace attire, email etiquette, interacting with coworkers, and workplace conduct. Don’t assume that all public interest work atmospheres are the same; read the room and err on the side of formality.
Maintain a friendly and enthusiastic attitude throughout the summer.
Be detail-oriented. Bring a notepad with you everywhere you go and take notes when receiving assignments. Always submit your best work, and remain positive and open-minded when it comes to feedback and constructive criticism.
Say thank you – including to support staff, your supervisor(s), and any formal intern coordinators who might be part of your summer experience.
Be social at work. Take your supervisor(s) to lunch. Grab coffee with other attorneys in your organization whose work interests you. Attend any trainings or brown bag information sessions offered to summer interns. If your office hosts happy hours, barbecues, or even a weekly softball game, go! Let your summer colleagues get to know you, and pick their brains about the legal market in your city, organizations doing similar work, and contacts you should be reaching out to.
Go to events. State and local bar associations, national affinity organizations, and even law schools offer both substantive and networking-driven summer programming. For example, check out the calendars of the Federal Bar Association , DC Bar Association , Washington Council of Lawyers , New York City Bar Association , and San Francisco Bar Association . (Note that student membership may be required to attend an event.)
Ask OPIA for networking contacts in your field(s) of interest! We are happy to connect you with attorneys practicing in your summer city or elsewhere.
Student Practice Organizations (SPOs).
Clinics (in-house and independent, with opportunities during the fall, winter “J term,” and spring).
Pro bono and volunteer work.
Research work.
Shadowing a practicing attorney for 1-2 days.

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COMMENTS

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The less you write, the less they laugh. I am a law student applying to 2L SAs. Cover letters are pro-forma for this process. The focus will be on your résumé, transcript, and interviews. Craft a cover letter that doesn't hurt your chances; easiest way to do so is to be totally unremarkable. cite a highly relevant article in my cover letter.
What do you write for why X law firm in cover letters?
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