Attorney cover letter example
A strong attorney cover letter helps you show a firm you can carry a matter with the judgment and precision clients are paying for. This example shows what that looks like in practice, and the guide below walks through how to write your own — what to include, how to format it, and the mistakes to avoid.
Jordan Ellis Attorney Austin, TX | (555) 123-4567 | jordan.ellis@email.com Dear Margaret Osei, I'm writing to apply for the Associate Attorney position at Halloway & Pierce LLP. Clients hire a firm for judgment as much as knowledge of the law, and building that judgment through real casework has been the focus of my six years in practice. I currently manage a caseload of commercial litigation matters from filing through resolution, and I recently negotiated a settlement that resolved a contract dispute favorably for our client without the cost of trial. I'm licensed and in good standing with the state bar, comfortable managing discovery and motion practice independently, and I keep clients informed at every stage so nothing catches them off guard. I'd welcome the opportunity to bring that same judgment to Halloway & Pierce's clients. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Jordan Ellis
How to write a attorney cover letter
Legal hiring managers screen for precision and judgment before anything else — a strong attorney cover letter demonstrates both, then show a firm you can carry a matter with the judgment and precision clients are paying for.
Your resume lists your matters and credentials; the letter's job is to show the judgment behind them — a specific case, filing, or client situation you handled well, in your own words.
Follow these steps to write yours.
1. Lead with your credentials and one concrete result
State your bar admission, certification, or relevant credential clearly near the top, then open with one specific matter or outcome you contributed to — not a general claim of being detail-oriented.
2. Show precise, professional writing
Legal hiring managers read your letter as a writing sample as much as an application. Keep sentences tight, avoid hedging language, and proofread it as carefully as you would a filing.
3. Close with your credentials and availability
Restate your bar status or certification, note any relevant practice area focus, and invite a conversation. Keep the sign-off formal and precise.
Key skills for a attorney cover letter
- State bar admission (good standing)
- Commercial litigation
- Discovery & motion practice
- Settlement negotiation
- Client communication
- Legal research & writing
- Case management
Formatting tips
- Keep it to one page — precision matters more than length in legal hiring.
- State your bar admission, certification, or licensure clearly near the top of the letter.
- Use a single-column, ATS-safe layout with a traditional, conservative font.
- Match the header and formatting to your resume so the application reads as one package.
- Export a text-based PDF unless the employer's application system requests another format.
ATS tips
- Use the exact practice area, jurisdiction, and credential terms from the attorney posting (e.g., "litigation," "state bar admission," "e-discovery") rather than paraphrasing them.
- Spell out acronyms at least once so both parsers and non-legal HR staff can follow.
- List certifications and software (e.g., Westlaw, Relativity) as plain text — avoid icons or graphical skill ratings.
- State bar admission and jurisdiction by their exact, official names.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Claiming to be detail-oriented without a specific example that proves it.
- Burying your bar admission or certification status instead of stating it clearly near the top.
- Describing duties instead of a specific matter or outcome relevant to the attorney role.
- Naming specific clients or disclosing confidential case details — describe matters generally to protect privilege and confidentiality.
- Sending an identical letter to every posting instead of matching it to the firm's practice areas and clients.
Frequently asked questions
Should an attorney cover letter mention bar admission?
Yes, clearly. State bar admission and standing are typically screening requirements, so state them directly near the top of the letter.
How do I describe a case result without disclosing client details?
Describe the type of matter and the general outcome — a favorable settlement, a motion granted — without naming the client or identifying case specifics.
How formal should an attorney cover letter be?
Formal and precise. Legal hiring managers read the letter as a writing sample, so tight sentences and careful proofreading matter as much as content.
What if I'm moving between practice areas?
Lead with your bar admission and transferable litigation or transactional skills, and be direct about your genuine interest in the new practice area.