
Parts of a Resume (Elements That Matter in 2023)
The key parts of a resume are your contact information, resume profile, work history, skills, and education. You can add extra elements such as languages or certifications.
Your procedure and preparation skills are courtroom-ready, and you’re a billing dynamo. But your client management is legendary. Prove it with a job-getting attorney cover letter.
Your attorney cover letter has to make your case like Gloria Allred. If it just goes through the motions, bye-bye Kirkland & Ellis-level job. The problem? You never took a class in cover letter writing. You could come off like Saul Goodman with missteps that put your job search into jeopardy.
Deep breath. You’ve got a Certified Professional Resume Writer and career expert on your team. I’ll show you how to write a non-generic cover letter that makes them take their bifocals off to get a better look at you. Mouth open and all. Hint—it’s all in your understanding of the job.
This guide will show you:
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Thinking about other roles too? See:
This attorney cover letter template works like a binding contract:
Your Name
Attorney
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Firm Name
Mailing Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I’m applying to the open Attorney position at [Firm Name] for two reasons. First, I’ve spoken with two of your current employees. After talking to them, I’m astounded by and attracted to your corporate culture. Second, the legal skills and achievements in my resume fit exactly what you outlined in your job description.
Currently, I’m an Attorney at Litman, Day, & Phair. The Senior Partner, Donald Walsh, commented recently that my skills in trial preparation, settlement, and especially client management are exemplary. Here are a few achievements as evidence:
[Hiring Manager Name], I look forward to speaking with you about how my litigation and client advocacy skills can help with [Firm Name]’s opportunities and challenges for the upcoming year and decade.
Best regards,
[Your Name], Attorney
[Phone Number]
[Email]
A cover letter for attorney jobs like that could get you hired at Jones Day.
Writing an entry-level attorney cover letter? Do the same thing, but fill your bullet points with legal school accomplishments.
Send your cover letter with a Skadden-worthy resume. See our guide: Attorney Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Now, here’s how to write attorney cover letters that work:
You can’t get hired with an attorney cover letter that looks like legal boilerplate. Attorneys write reams of contracts, reports, and correspondences. So—show off your Dentons-style written communication skills with a crisp cover letter layout. Start with the 3-paragraph format to stay clear and readable.
Use this template.
Make your cover letter heading look just like your resume heading. You can add your LinkedIn address, but you don’t need a physical address if it’s far from the firm.
What about line spacing and a handwritten signature? See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
Let me guess—you don’t read junk mail. Neither does the managing partner. Her eyes will slide off your attorney cover letter unless you make it personal. But how can you do that? By using her name in your introduction. Then make it clear why you’re interested in the firm or the job.
See these cover letter examples for attorneys:
Right Example |
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Jim Sanz, Esq. Attorney 1873 Quiet Valley Lane Los Angeles, CA 90017 310-502-4608 jimqsanz@gmail.com
3/5/20
Alice Cummings Managing Partner Cummings, Prior & Prior 2348 Sunny Day Driv Los Angeles, CA 90017
Dear Ms. Cummings,
I’m applying to the open Attorney position at Cummings, Prior & Prior for two reasons. First, I’ve spoken with two of your current employees—Jane Carrol and Bill Ahmad. Based on their input, I’m astounded by and attracted to your corporate culture. Second, the legal skills and achievements in my resume fit exactly what you outlined in your job description. |
Case closed.
Why does that cover letter for attorney positions win?
Because it:
But this attorney cover letter example gets dismissed:
Wrong Example |
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Dear sir or madam,
I’m an attorney skilled in litigation, trial preparation, and legal procedure. I’m a strong client advocate with a knack for achieving settlements in mediations. I specialize in carrying cases from the concept and research phase through trial and appeal. |
I’m sorry, what?
That won’t connect with anyone. Including your best friend.
But—how to start a cover letter for an entry-level attorney?
In new attorney cover letters—
Begin with legal and research achievements from:
Or start your cover letter for attorney jobs with:
See these attorney cover letter examples with no experience:
Unassailable.
Those first sentences for cover letters for attorneys all beat, “I just graduated law school...”
Pro Tip: If you’re writing a lateral attorney cover letter, show how your past successes fit this new line of legal work. It’s called a career change cover letter.
You’ve got them listening. Now make them excited for your resume with a targeted middle paragraph for your cover letter for attorney jobs. Build a solid argument for why you fit the firm. You’ll need to do a little research first on their needs. Then use your resume to make your case.
Add:
Let’s say you’re applying to a job that wants skills in trial prep, settlement, and client management.
See these attorney cover letter examples:
Right Example |
---|
Currently, I’m an Attorney at Litman, Day, & Phair. The Senior Partner, Donald Walsh, commented recently that my skills in trial preparation, settlement, and especially client management are exemplary. Here are a few achievements as evidence:
|
Outstanding.
That shows your legal skills fit perfectly.
But—
The next of our associate attorney cover letter examples gets a mistrial:
Wrong Example |
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I’m skilled in trial preparation, litigation, client management, and research. I’m a high-level team player who excels at maximizing billable hours and minimizing unbilled work. I’m also a meticulous researcher who believes preparation is the key to success. I have a long history of settling a high number of cases out of court to the satisfaction of all. |
It all sounds like what the partners want to hear—but where’s the proof? You have to show us why we should believe you. That comes from accomplishments.
Just over half a page is the best length. See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Pick a resume template here.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Awkward endings don’t impress. Bring something to the table at the end of your attorney cover letter. To get more interview requests, offer an engaging conversation about the firm’s needs. Get specific by outlining what you’d like to discuss with them and how you’d like to help.
See these examples:
Right Example |
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Ms. Cummings, I look forward to speaking with you about how my litigation and client advocacy skills can help with Cummings, Prior & Prior’s opportunities and challenges for the upcoming year and decade.
Best regards,
Jim Sanz, Attorney 310-502-4608 jimqsanz@gmail.com |
That’s in the Leslie Abramson zone.
It adds:
But the next of our attorney cover letter samples gets thrown out:
Wrong Example |
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Thank you for your time. My resume is enclosed. |
You can use the hiring manager’s first name to address a cover letter. If you use the last name, add Mr. or Ms. Don’t use Miss or Mrs.
Make your ending personal to get more calls. See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]
Here’s how to write an attorney cover letter:
Not sure how to start your attorney job cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for attorneys that makes the phone ring? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
The key parts of a resume are your contact information, resume profile, work history, skills, and education. You can add extra elements such as languages or certifications.
See a list of modern cover letter templates. Learn which modern cover letter template is the best for you.
Resume cover page, cover sheet, cover letter—what do they all mean? We’ll make it all crystal clear and show you how to write a perfect resume cover page.