Guidelines for Writing Effective Cover Letters for Legal Internships, Schemes and Mind Maps of Law

Download Guidelines for Writing Effective Cover Letters for Legal Internships and more Schemes and Mind Maps Law in PDF only on Docsity! Cover Letters a TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Office of Career Services  ProTip!  If you do not know that person’s name or title, you should call the employer directly.  Be sure to use the correct honorific, such as “Judge” or “Justice” for a judge.  Use “Ms.” (not “Mrs.” not “Miss”) to address females. Cover letters are one of the most important tools for your job search. Cover letters serve as an introduction to potential employers, highlight your skills, interests, and experience, and convey your writing style and writing ability. Page length: One page, four paragraphs at most Margins: You should not go smaller than .75 inches on the top and sides and .5 on the bottom. Fonts: Font Size: Should be no less than 11pt Salutation: Your letter should always be addressed to a named individual, usually called the Recruiting Coordinator or the Hiring Partner, who is responsible for hiring. Composition: The first paragraph tells the employer who you are and why you are writing. The second, and possibly third, paragraphs comprise the body of the letter. These tell the employer more about your skills and why you would be a good fit for the position. The final paragraph is your closing. It wraps up the letter and lets the employer know what you want from them in the future.  Calibri  Arial  Helvetica  Book Antiqua  Century Schoolbook  Garamond  Times New Roman  Verdana ProTip! Your font should match your resume font. ProTip! Cover letters should be tailored to the firm or organization to which you are applying. Research the employer so you can express in your letter why you are a perfect fit for them. Paragraph II/III The second, and possibly third, paragraphs of your cover letter compose the body of the letter. The body should describe:  Your skills  Your experience  How you will meet the employer’s needs Always emphasize your strongest qualities in the letter, whether that is your academic performance, performance in activities such as mock trial, or work experience. If you have a particular background, have taken a specific course, or have other attributes that fit the employer, mention it. Give specifics, and use your research on the employer to show how your skills will benefit the employer. Avoid repeating exactly what is on your resume, and avoid making general statements about your skills and abilities. Instead, support your skills and abilities with specific examples. If responding to a posted job, the posting will give you a good idea of which skills to highlight that will be most important to the employer. Here are some examples of what to include in body paragraphs: Examples “I have worked very hard to develop practical experience and skills in trial advocacy and criminal law. As a result, I feel prepared to provide Doherty & Barât with competent, professional assistance in your criminal defense practice.” “As the enclosed resume indicates, I have intered at a district attorney’s office and a federal administrative agency. I was exposed to a number of substantive legal issues in different areas of law, was given rigorous assignments that helped me develop strong research and writing skills, and was fortunate to be able to appear regularly in court. I am interested in working in the litigation department of a mid-sized general practice firm after graduation. I am particularly interested in Sloane, Sark & Derevko because of its involvement in diverse practice areas and its excellent reputation for quality work. I believe that my strong legal skills and work ethic, combined with my academic achievements, will enable me to make a valuable contribution to your firm.” “In addition to the research and writing skills I have developed through my courses in law school, I gained extensive writing experience in the professional positions I held prior to beginning law school. I worked as a non-profit grant writer, and was successful in obtaining several major grants for my employer. I tremendously enjoy the creative process involved in analyzing matters and producing written work products. It is because of this practical experience that I am confident in my ability to successfully meet the demands of a fast-paced and diverse working environment as an associate in your office.” “My academic achievements demonstrate that I am dedicated and produce quality work. My GPA places me in the top 15% of my class.” ProTip! Don’t neglect your experiences and work history prior to law school. Many tasks you have performed before— whether in previous jobs, volunteer work, or in college—involve skills directly transferable to legal practice. Conclusion The final paragraph is the closing. 1. Be sure to conclude in a polite way. 2. Thank the employer for their time. 3. Let the employer know what you want to happen next. For example, if you will be available for an interview on a specific date, or if you will telephone the employer to schedule an interview, put that in your closing. Above all, be confident and positive. Here are some examples of closing paragraphs: Examples “If my experience and background meet your requirements for a summer law clerk, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or student@tamu.edu. I will be available to interview any afternoon after 1 p.m.” “I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about what I believe I can bring to Black & Bianco. I do have capabilities from my prior work that I believe can be transferred to the legal office in a way that will help in your practice.” “I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to review my resume. I will call your office to set up a time when we can meet. I look forward to discussing my experience and qualifications with you.” PROOFREAD! Be sure to proofread your letter before sending it. Don’t rely on spell check to do the work for you. ProTip! Reading a letter out loud can often help you catch errors. Include “Enclosure” underneath your signature if you are enclosing materials such as a resume, transcript, or writing sample. Sample Cover Letters – DO NOT COPY. USE AS A GUIDE ONLY. Walter White 308 Negra Arroyo Lane Fort Worth, TX 76107 October 1, 2021 Tony Stark, Esq. Hiring Partner Stark and Banner 2011 Avengers Drive Fort Worth, TX 76102 Dear Mr. Stark: One of your former summer associates, Jesse Pinkman, urged me to contact you regarding a summer clerkship at your firm. He spoke highly of the standard of work at your firm as well as your reputation for mentoring young attorneys. I am attracted to Stark and Banner because of its reputation for being a leader in patent prosecution. Prior to entering Texas A&M School of Law, I had an extensive career in chemical engineering, and it is my goal to combine that experience with my legal education as a patent attorney after completing my J.D. I believe that my prior work experience as well as my academic achievements would make me an excellent fit for Stark and Banner. While working as an engineer, I developed skills in project management and leading teams to meet strict deadlines and budgets. As outlined on my resume, I was given positions of increasing responsibility during my time at my previous employer, and I exceeded all required targets. I realize that time is also a valuable commodity in legal practice, and as an intern I will strive to continue to complete assignments on time with minimum oversight. To prepare myself for practice, I have concentrated on improving my research and writing skills. My diligence in this area helped me improve my Legal Analysis, Research and Writing grade from a B+ to an A+ over two semesters. Overall, my work ethic and drive has resulted in my ranking in the top 25% of my class. I would bring this same dedication to hard work to your firm. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the success and goals of Stark and Banner. I am available at your convenience to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you. Sincerely, Walter White Enclosure Don’t forget to add title If you are recommended/ referred be sure to include Highlight prior professional experience