yale law school sample cover letter

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Law student cover letter: what you need to know + samples.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 4/12/24

Need to write a law student cover letter? We’ve got you covered! Below, we discuss the dos and don’ts of writing a cover letter for law school. 

A cover letter is often an overlooked aspect of any application, but it is the first thing potential employers read. If your cover letter doesn’t impress the reader, your entire application risks being passed over. 

If you are unsure of how to write a strong cover letter, look no further. We’ll outline key tips, review examples of cover letters, and answer some frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!

What Is a Law Student Cover Letter? 

A law student cover letter is a document a law student submits with their resume to potential employers for internships or employment opportunities within their field of study.

It serves as a personalized introduction and persuasive pitch to potential employers. This letter connects the applicant's qualifications and experiences listed in their resume to the specific position they're applying for, highlighting their suitability for the role. 

It concludes with a call to action, expressing interest in an interview. Moreover, a cover letter is a tool for law students to demonstrate their qualifications and enthusiasm, aiming to secure an interview and the desired role.

Why Do You Need a Cover Letter as a Law Student?

Cover letters are a key part of any job application, whether you are in law school or not. It is important to include a cover letter unless specified otherwise, especially if you’re applying to multiple law schools . They allow you to demonstrate professionalism and show off your communication and writing skills. 

Cover letters are important for law students; they allow you to discuss important qualifications and experiences that aren’t always included within your resume, such as extracurricular activities . Here’s the information you should include in your cover letter: 

• Research experience and activities 
• Coursework 
• Other valuable skills 

A cover letter for law students is a great opportunity to share your accomplishments and skills outside of your work experience. 

What to Include in Your Law Student Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the first thing an employer will read, so be positive and enthusiastic! While your resume outlines your relevant work experience and education, it doesn’t show off your personality. 

A cover letter can be a great opportunity to humanize yourself to the employer and make them want you to be a part of their team. 

Berkeley Law outlines the precise content you should include in your cover letter : 

• First Paragraph : Introduce yourself and why you are interested in applying for the position. 
• Body Paragraphs : This is where you show off all your work experience, research, achievements, qualifications, and other skills that are related to the position you are applying to. Be persuasive but not too showy. Remember to be honest and genuine. 
• Final Paragraph : To conclude, thank the employer for taking the time to read and consider your application, and leave contact information for a prospective interview. Remain positive and confident that you will get an interview!

While these are just suggestions to help you get started and structure your cover letter, you should try to follow this format as closely as you can. 

What NOT to Include in Your Law Student Cover Letter

It is tempting to highlight all of your experiences, but that is not the purpose of a cover letter. Cover letters should be concise and to the point. You should only mention experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for. 

When deciding which experiences to include, focus on those that you have completed recently. You only have a few short paragraphs to sell yourself to employers, so be sure to avoid accomplishments from over three years ago. 

You also want to avoid being negative, doubtful, or coming across as insecure in your cover letter. 

Formatting Tips for Law Students Cover Letter

Understanding the structure of a cover letter for a law student is essential to creating an impressive and effective application for legal internships or job opportunities. Here are some easy to follow tips to help you format your cover letter. 

1. Include a Header

Prior to writing the main sections of your cover letter, review and update your personal information. Make it easily accessible by positioning your contact details in the header section at the top of the letter. 

This includes your full name, email address, phone number, city, state, and date. This ensures the hiring manager can quickly locate your information for interview scheduling.

2. Address the Hiring Manager

Begin your letter with a professional and personalized greeting by addressing the hiring manager by name, incorporating their appropriate title (e.g., Mr. or Ms.). If you don't have their name, conduct online research, as law firms often provide employee information on their websites. 

In cases where you can't find a name, you can use the standard "Dear Hiring Manager" as your greeting.

3. Page Format and Length

When crafting your cover letter, remember to keep it concise, fitting all content onto a single page. Structure it with an introductory paragraph, followed by one to three skill-highlighting paragraphs, and wrap it up with a concluding paragraph. This format ensures that your message is clear and impactful while respecting the reader's time.

4. Margins and Alignment 

Ensure you follow the standard margins , typically one inch on all sides. If you opt for smaller margins, such as around 0.7 inches, make sure to maintain consistency across all sides of the page. 

Additionally, align all paragraphs to the left for a clean and conventional presentation, although some choose to use an indentation for the first line of each paragraph, although this is less common in modern formatting.

5. Use a Suitable Sign-Off

Conclude your cover letter with a professional and balanced tone. It shows your professionalism, which law firms often value in candidates. Consider sign-offs like "Regards," "Sincerely," or "Best Regards." Allow some space after this closing for your name.

Law Student Cover Letter Example

We have some sample legal cover letters from law students below to give you an idea of tone, style, and length. 

Here is an example of a strong cover letter for a first-year law student at Yale University: 

Dear [Employer’s Name]: 

I am a first-year student at Yale Law School seeking a position with Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle for Summer 20XX. I am a native New Yorker and hope to work in New York City this coming summer. 

I am interested in your firm because of its international law practice generally and, more particularly, because of your firm’s presence in France and numerous French clients. Your Paris office’s focus in the areas of international commercial arbitration, as well as corporate, banking, and finance work, aligns with my long-term interests in a practice serving international corporations. Having lived and studied in Paris for one year during college and having served as a teaching assistant for French language and literature courses, I am fluent in French and knowledgeable about French culture. My undergraduate majors in International Relations and in Economics provided me with an understanding of many of the complex issues facing businesses with the increase in globalization. I plan to further my understanding of these issues as a member of the Yale Journal of International Law. 

To your firm I will bring proven legal research, writing, and analytical skills that will support your firm and its clients. During my undergraduate education, I served as a member of the University Judiciary Committee, and as a student judge I heard cases, interpreted university codes, and wrote rulings summarizing the Committee’s conclusions. I also drafted a thesis in which I drew from archived primary sources and first-person interviews to write a fifty-page document over the course of a year. Here at Yale, through our first-year writing course this fall, I have streamlined my skills and adapted them to the legal environment. Next semester, I will enroll in YLS’s Advanced Legal Writing course to deepen my understanding and experience. 

Attached please find my resume. If you would like me to provide you with additional materials, I would be more than happy to do so. I am confident that my background and skills will enable me to make a positive contribution to your clients. Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Sincerely, [Your Name]

This is a successful cover letter because the individual outlines specific academic skills and experience that make them a qualified candidate. Remember, being specific is key to writing a strong cover letter. 

Employers want to read about a couple of examples rather than a general (and usually vague) overview of all your qualifications and experiences. 

For first year law students, you can highlight where you completed your undergrad and your major, as you will have most likely just completed this degree. You can also include why you are interested in pursuing a law career. 

For those who are in their second year of law school, here is another excellent sample legal cover letter :

I am a second-year student at Yale Law School seeking employment with the Food Research and Action Center for the summer. If funding is not available for summer interns, Yale could fund my summer employment. 

FRAC’s mandate to eradicate poverty-related hunger and undernutrition in the United States is compelling to me. I understand that through a combination of research, advocacy, program monitoring, training, collaboration, and public-information campaigns you seek to address the root causes of hunger. As a former nurse who has worked on issues of nutrition and health policy, I am very interested in the work of the Center in the areas of health law and nutrition in maternal and child health. I would greatly value the opportunity to work with and learn from your attorneys, policy analysts, and advocates. 

I have practical work experience in these fields that would be of service to you and your clients. My work as an assistant ombudsperson at a major hospital helped me to understand the importance of nutrition for health and the need for advocacy on behalf of those who cannot effectively advocate for themselves. My experience with the National Health Law program exposed me to the legislative and policy side of health law and the value of legal training in public service. After my first year of law school, I was able to combine my nursing degree and health care experience with my new legal research and writing skills at the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy. This experience has strengthened my interest in grassroots organizing and advocacy of nutrition issues for low income Americans.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you or someone in your office about a position as a summer intern at the Center. I will call your office in the next few weeks to see whether it might be possible to arrange an interview and look forward to speaking with you then. 

I have enclosed my resume, law school transcript, a writing sample, and a reference list. Should you require additional application materials, please let me know, and I will forward them to you immediately. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Like the first example, this cover letter works so well because it clearly outlines and describes the specific experience of the candidate. 

As a second year law student, the individual speaks about how their experience relates to the areas of law the student is interested in pursuing, demonstrating that the position the candidate is applying for will help them achieve their career goals.    

These examples are a good starting point to structure your own letter off of, but remember to make your cover letter your own.

Cover Letter Template for a Law Student 

Here is a cover letter template for law students provided by the University of Notre Dame. 

Your City, State Zip

Your Phone Number 

Your Email Address

Name of Contact Person 

Title of Contact Person 

Employer Name 

Address City, State Zip     

Dear Mr. (Ms.) last name of contact person:   

First Paragraph: Tell why you are writing – name the position for which you are applying. If you have a personal referral or connection, mention it here. Identify your career goals and indicate why you are interested in working for this employer. If you have ties to or have lived in the area, mention it. Specify your interests in the type of work the employer does. Describe what is particularly appealing to you about the employer.    

Second Paragraph: Show how your background qualifies you for the position. Point out the experience and coursework you have that relate to the employer's field or type of work. Focus on what skills or experiences you would bring to the employer. Emphasize pertinent items on your resume and supplement it with other details. Tie experience to tangible, transferable skills. Convince the employer that you would be an asset.   

Third Paragraph: Restate your interest in working for the employer. Have an appropriate closing to pave the way for an interview. Indicate your willingness to interview personally by stating when you will be in the area or by offering to make yourself available at the employer's convenience. Thank the employer for his/her consideration.   

Sincerely,    

(leave 4 blank lines for signature)     

Your full typed name 

There are many law school application mistakes to avoid . If you’re having trouble writing your cover letter, this help template will aid you in writing a stellar one! 

FAQs: Law Student Cover Letter

Still have questions about writing a cover letter for law school? We answer some of your frequently asked questions below. 

1. How Do I Write a Cover Letter for a Law Student?

Before you begin writing any cover letter, familiarize yourself with the job posting, the company/organization you are applying to, and use words and phrases found in the job posting. 

This will demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in the specific job, and will also show off your attention to detail (a skill employers always look for). After you have written the cover letter, proofread and edit for grammar and spelling errors before you submit your application. 

2. What Should Be Included in a Cover Letter for Law?

Your cover letter should include: 

• Your Address and Contact Information 
• Your Full Name and Location 
• The Date of Your Application 
• A Brief Introduction to Yourself 
• Concise Outline of Professional and Academic Experience 
• Highlights of Why You Are Qualified for the Position 
• A Professional and Polite Closing 

Highlight the school you’re attending, as law firms may prefer students from certain colleges. 

Take your time when writing your cover letter; it takes quite a bit of work to craft an impactful one. However, a strong cover letter will maximize your chances of getting the job or internship you want, so it will be well worth it. 

3. How Long Should a Law School Cover Letter Be?

A cover letter should only be one page long and broken up into a few short paragraphs for ease of reading. Make sure that you follow typical business correspondence formatting. 

4. How Do You Address a Law School Cover Letter?

Normally, people have addressed cover letters with Mr. or Mrs. [Last name] . However, this may not always be appropriate because you do not know how the individual would like to be addressed. 

Nowadays, people typically address employers with a simple Dear [First and last name] . This is still a personal and respectful way to address someone, and avoids assuming someone’s gender identity and offending them. 

Yale Law School suggests addressing your cover letter to a specific individual rather than a vague ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam.’

5. ​​Can I Use The Same Cover Letter For Multiple Law Schools?

Yes, you can use the same cover letter for multiple law schools . However, you may only reuse parts of it. It’s important that you personalize every cover letter you write and tailor it to the school you’re sending it to. 

6. Do I Need Multiple Cover Letters?

Yes, you need multiple cover letters. You’ll need to personalize each cover letter you write. However, you can reuse parts of your cover letter that are generic. 

Final Thoughts

Writing a cover letter is not as easy as many people may think. You need to pay close attention to detail, flex your communication and writing skills, and professionally brag about your accomplishments and capabilities in a way that compliments your resume. 

If you would like help with your resume, we also have tips on building a great resume to go along with your cover letter. Good luck!

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Cover Letters & Correspondence

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• Sample Cover Letters & Correspondence

One of the most common forms of professional correspondence is the cover letter, often requested with your resume when you apply for a position. This page provides guidance on writing a cover letter and introduces other important forms of correspondence.

OCS has numerous  cover letters and correspondence samples  that can be downloaded and personalized. Choose the one right for your area of interest!

Visitors to this website should refer to our  terms of use policy .

The Cover Letter: Format & Content

• What is the employer looking for in a candidate?
• What skills/attributes do you have that match the skills/attributes that an employer wants?
• Why do you want to work for them?
• Why this position?

Cover Letter Framework

Opening Paragraph : Introduce yourself. Who are you (e.g. rising senior at Yale studying Anthropology)? For what internship/job are you applying? Why do you want to work for that employer (e.g. draw a connection between who you are and why you are a good fit with this employer)? End your introduction with a short ‘thesis statement’ that highlights the 2-3 related skills that will enable you to contribute to this position (e.g. My experience conducting statistical analysis combined with my ability to take an initiative make me a strong fit for this position). Middle Paragraph(s) : Start each supporting paragraph with a topic sentence that highlights one of the 2-3 skills you have that relates to the position for which you are applying; use the rest of the paragraph to showcase examples of that skill. Where possible, show how that skill will help you accomplish what is required for the position. Do not simply restate your resume; use the cover letter to expand on your resume and help your prospective employer make sense of your skills. Concluding Paragraph : Summarize your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the employer. Invite them to speak with you further regarding how your qualifications align with their mission and purpose.

Frequently Asked Correspondence Questions

• How should I address the letter if I don’t have a contact name at the organization? Try to address a correspondence to a specific person rather than “To Whom It May Concern.” If you do not have a name,  check out the OCS Employer Directory within the Yale Career Link to see if OCS has a contact name. Be sure you have the person’s full name, correct spelling of their name, and current title. If you cannot find a name, consider using “Dear Hiring Manager”.
• How should I address the letter if I’m not sure of the recipient’s gender? Start each letter with a salutation (i.e., Dear Ms. Employer:). If you are unsure about the recipient’s gender, type out the full time (i.e., Dear Pat Pollen:).
• How much of my contact information should I include? Previous etiquette suggested that cover letters include your return address,  telephone number, e-mail address, the date, and the full name, title and address of the recipient. Given the shift towards electronic application materials instead of paper materials submitted through the post, current recommendations are to  include your email address, phone number, and LinkedIn URL if you have one (consider using the same header from your resume on the top of your cover letter), the date, and no contact information for the recipient.
• How long should the letter be? In general, your letter should contain no more than three to four paragraphs, with double space between paragraphs. The introductory and concluding paragraphs should be between one and three sentences, and the body paragraphs should be between three and five sentences. Vary the sentence length and structure throughout your letter to ensure a smoother flow.
• How should I close the letter? Close your letter with Sincerely, Yours truly, or Best regards, followed by your name. If you are submitting a hard copy, use resume-quality paper, and sign each letter individually (leave four returned blank lines before your typed name). Make sure the letter looks professional. Align all of your information to the left margin, and use a clear, easy to read font, such as Arial or Times New Roman.

Other Types of Professional Correspondence

• Acceptance Letter: Written to accept a job offer and confirm the terms of employment.
• Withdrawal Letter: Graciously informs an employer that you are withdrawing from further consideration.
• Informational Interviewing/Networking Letter: Attempts to expand your network and gain insight into a specific job function, industry, or company.
• Thank You Letter: Expresses appreciation to those who helped with your job search. After an interview, it is an opportunity to reinforce your interest or expand on something that you said during the interview.
• Statement of Purpose: If requested, a well-written statement will articulate your intent for applying, future aspirations, and learning objectives; it will also showcase your personality through its writing style.

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Yale Law Journal Undergraduate Internship

Every year, the Yale Law Journal hires a small cohort of paid undergraduate interns to assist with the  Journal ’s operations.

We are seeking interns for the 2024-2025 academic year. In order to be eligible, interns must be enrolled undergraduate students at Yale for the full 2024-2025 academic year. The commitment is relatively light: interns should expect roughly one assignment of 5-10 hours per month, with periodic additional assignments of varying lengths, as well as opportunities to volunteer to take on additional assignments. Interns will also be expected to work a few hours during summer 2025. All work will be remote. Interns will be supervised by the Yale Law Journal ’s Managing Editors, Bea Brown ( [email protected] ) and Deja Morehead ( [email protected] ).

The internship involves two main components:

• Editorial and proofreading work. The Journal will be publishing approximately eight issues during the 2024-2025 academic year. Each intern will be responsible for nine proofreading assignments: three in the fall or winter and six in the spring.
• Anonymizing student submissions. Four times each year, the Journal accepts submissions from current Yale Law School students. Each intern will be responsible for assisting with several of these drop dates by anonymizing and preparing the submissions for the Notes & Comments Committee’s review.

Additional tasks related to the Journal ’s editorial and production processes may be assigned as needed.

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View the Yale SOM Cover Letter Template to assist in creating your cover letter.

LL.M. Application Materials & Interviews

Application materials & interviews.

Yale LL.M. students applying to legal practice opportunities* should prepare the following application materials:

• A U.S.-style resume ( LL.M. resume samples )
• A cover letter ( LL.M. cover letter samples )
• A writing sample
• A list of references
• A YLS transcript

When drafting these materials, keep in mind that every piece of paper you provide to an employer should be technically perfect and well written.

*  CDO’s advice on application materials is geared toward applications to private and public sector opportunities with U.S.- and U.K.-based employers, as well as all YLS Public Interest Fellowships.  LL.M. students who are applying to practice opportunities in their home countries or in third countries with which they have legal market familiarity should follow their own knowledge of the types of application materials most commonly used; any instructions provided by the employers to which they are applying; and the general conventions of relevant markets and sectors.

The U.S.-Style Legal Resume

See here for CDO’s in-depth discussion for all YLS students on resume drafting for legal practice opportunities; how to approach and organize each resume section; and numerous additional resume-related resources, examples, and information.

In addition to CDO’s general legal resume advice for YLS students, there are some LL.M.-specific considerations for a U.S.-style legal resume:

A U.S.-style resume likely differs from your current academic CV in several respects. A U.S.-style resume is typically one page (although many LL.M. candidates with significant relevant professional experience effectively use a two-page format).  Your resume is not a recitation of your entire educational and professional background. Instead, it is a summary of your relevant education and employment, written with the goal of persuading a potential employer to hire you.  Notably, U.S.-style resumes do not include personal information about topics including birthdates or marital status.  They also do not include photographs.

Before sitting down to draft your resume, spend some time reflecting on the qualities that make you an attractive candidate to the particular type of employer to which you will be applying. For example:

• Have you practiced law in your home country; in the U.S.; or in a third country?
• What types of projects have you worked on, and what skills did those projects help you to develop?
• Do you have strong speaking and writing abilities in English and/or in other language relevant to an employer’s work?
• Do you have professional contacts in your home country that might be useful to this type of employer?

Whatever your best qualities are from the perspective of these prospective legal practice employers, be sure to highlight them in your resume (and cover letter!).

Since the employers to which you are applying may be unaware of the system of education in your home country or a third country where you previously studied, be sure to make your resume as clear as possible with respect to your various educational degrees and prior work experiences. As a general rule, you should translate information on your resume into English.

In addition to going here for CDO’s in-depth discussion for all YLS students on resume drafting, you can view sample YLS LL.M. resumes here .

Cover Letters

See here for CDO’s in-depth cover letter advice for all YLS students, which includes a detailed discussion of how to write and structure a cover letter, as well as additional cover letter-related resources. 

In addition, there are some LL.M.-specific considerations for cover letters to legal practice employers:

The purpose of a cover letter is to explain to the employer-recipient why you are applying for a particular position. Like your resume, your cover letter also serves as an English-language writing sample that employers will evaluate when determining whether to offer you an interview. Given that, your cover letter should be error-free and well written.

Be mindful that employers may not typically hire LL.M. students (some may not even know what LL.M. students are!), or may be curious as to how you as an LL.M. could fit into their work structures and flows. It is up to you to convince them that they should hire you. Use your cover letter to accomplish that goal.

In addition to going here for CDO’s in-depth cover letter advice for all YLS students, you can view sample YLS LL.M. cover letters here .

Writing Samples, References, and Transcripts

See here for CDO’s in-depth discussion and detailed instructions for all YLS students about writing samples, references, and transcripts, as well as writing samples and writing sample cover pages.

In addition, there are some LL.M.-specific considerations for writing samples and transcripts:

Writing Samples

Employers seeking writing samples from LL.M.s most frequently want to see practice-oriented legal analysis written in English.

An English-language legal memorandum or brief (prepared either for a client or for a school project) is preferable to an academic research paper or article. This is the case for all law students, but it may be particularly important to you as an LL.M. candidate if you have a heavily academia-oriented background and are trying to demonstrate to a prospective employer that you have an interest in legal practice.

Transcripts

When employers request transcripts from LL.M. students, they may want only LL.M. students’ YLS transcripts, and/or they may want LL.M. students’ transcripts from prior educational institutions.

If transcripts from your prior educational institutions are requested, you should provide both the original and a translation into English (unless you have reason to believe that employers will be able to understand the documents in their original languages).

Submitting Your Applications Directly to Employers

While LL.M. students sometimes apply for legal practice positions through organized programs and processes including the private sector-focused annual LL.M. Interview Program and the YLS Public Interest Fellowship  processes, some LL.M. students (and nearly all LL.M. students who are conducting law firm job searches) may also apply directly to prospective employers.

As a general rule (and unless an employer specifically requests additional or different materials), in the initial application stage when you are applying directly to an employer you need only provide two items with your application:

• Your resume
• Your cover letter

If you have a strong English-language writing sample, you may wish to include that as well.

Most students who apply directly to employers submit their applications by email. Occasionally, an employer will instruct applicants to upload their application materials through its own web portal. Many employers indicate on their websites how they would prefer for student applicants to apply. If no application preferences are specified, email is a safe choice.

It is best to convert your documents into PDFs to avoid conversion problems. Before creating the PDFs, format your documents properly by using Word, a standard font such as Times New Roman, at least 0.5 margins, and tabs or justification instead of spaces for alignment purposes.

If you are emailing your applications, include the body of your cover letter in the email message and also include the cover letter as an attachment. Ideally you will attach only one PDF file that includes your resume and cover letter, and any additional application materials, in one document.

If you have questions on how to do any of this, contact CDO or YLS’s Information Technology Services department.

If you have submitted your application directly to an employer and have not heard from the employer after two or more weeks, it is fine to send a follow-up email (if you submitted your initial application via email, your follow-up email can be on the same email chain as your initial application). You can state that you are just writing to follow up on your application, as you remain very interested in working for that employer; that you would be glad to share any additional materials that might assist the employer in its evaluation of your candidacy; and that you hope to hear back from the employer soon.

Keep a record of your contacts with employers: those who respond; the nature of their replies; your follow up; and the results. Your search may last a matter of weeks or more likely months, and this record will be an invaluable tool. You are building your professional network, so touch base with contacts you encountered along the way and tell them about the work you ultimately select.

Interviews and Interview Follow-up

See CDO’s Interviewing webpage for all YLS students, which contains an in-depth discussion of numerous interview-related topics and links to additional interviewing resources, including:

• Preparation for first-round and callback interviews
• A list of sample employer interview questions
• Information about post-interview thank you notes
• Sample post-interview thank you notes
• Detailed advice for YLS students on legal interview and work attire

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First-Year Student Employment Cover Letter Sample

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This tailored cover letter sample is designed to assist first-year students applying for on-campus employment. Ella Grey’s letter effectively demonstrates how to highlight relevant skills and experiences while conveying enthusiasm for the role. By detailing her customer service experience, organizational abilities, and teamwork skills, Ella presents a strong case for her suitability for the Career Center Assistant position at Assumption University’s Career Development & Internship Center. This sample is a practical guide for students aiming to create personalized and impactful cover letters for their work-study applications.

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