Lawyer motivation letter

Land your dream lawyer job with the perfect cover letter 

So, you've finished your law degree, you've qualified to practise law and all that's standing in the way of you getting your dream job is an amazing job application? Then you've come to the right place, because you'll find out everything you need to know about writing the perfect cover letter for applying to jobs as a lawyer. 

The cover letter is an important focal point of the job application format for any profession, especially if you're new to the job market. Since, as a recent graduate, you don't have any references or much experience on your CV yet, the HR department will may close attention to your cover letter. And law is a profession where words and the ability to write are crucial, so every word in your cover letter matters. After all, the expressive formulation of documents is one of the core skills lawyers need. 

The structure of a cover letter for lawyer positions is no different from cover letters for other professions. Ideally, you should structure your cover letter for a prospective lawyer job as follows: 

Letterhead and format 

Since your cover letter is an official document, the layout and letterhead follow that of a business letter. Bear these tips in mind: 

• Choose a suitable template: it should be neat with a clear structure. You can find free templates for cover letters in Microsoft Office, for example. 
• There will usually be a section at the top for your contact details. Choose a serious e-mail address and list a phone number you can always be reached on. 
• Below this or on the right, depending on the template, you put the contact details of the company or law firm you're applying to. Put the name of the person you're writing to in the first line. In the second line, put their job title. If you don't know the recipient's name, the general company contact details will be sufficient. 
• Add the place and date underneath this. 

Salutation 

Whenever possible, address your cover letter to the recipient by name. The name and contact details of the person responsible for the post you're applying for can often be found in the job advert. Tip: If you don't know who to address the cover letter to, ask the HR department. This means you'll be remembered right away later on. 

Introduction 

In the introduction, make it clear which position you're applying for and whether there has already been initial contact between you and the company. This will make sure the reader can easily match you up to the position and any previous correspondence with you. 

Tip: Although the legal profession is one of the most formal and conservative, don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd. You can do this by opting for a creative, but appropriately serious approach to your job application. 

Motivation, experience, personality 

In the body of a cover letter for a job as a lawyer, you can go into more detail about your motivation and your previous work experience. It's important to tailor your phrasing to the specific job advert. Make sure that your wording is closely aligned with the job ad and mention the ways in which you and your experience fulfil the requirements the company has for its prospective lawyers. 

For example, if the company is looking for lawyers in the field of corporate law/M&A, then your internship in the M&A department of a leading law firm will make you stand out. So make sure to include plenty of detail about these kinds of relevant experiences. 

Ending 

Choose closing for your cover letter. Opt for a definitive sentence, not a conditional one. You'll come across as more self-assured with a statement like "I look forward to hearing from you" rather than "I would love to hear from you". 

Sign off with "Yours sincerely" (when you know the name of the recipient) or "Yours faithfully" (when not addressing a specific person) followed by your name.