Cover letter example

Attorney
cover letter example

Hiring partners read an attorney cover letter for evidence of judgment: can you carry a matter, write a motion that wins, and counsel a client through risk without overpromising. This example opens with a real case outcome, then builds a picture of practice-area depth rather than reciting your resume.

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Attorney · cover letter

[Date] Dear [Hiring Manager], In my last trial, I secured a defense verdict on a wrongful termination claim that had been valued at over 400,000 dollars in exposure, after a four-day jury trial. I am writing to express my interest in joining the employment litigation group at [Company]. I am admitted to the state bar and have practiced employment law for seven years, representing employers in discrimination, wage-and-hour, and retaliation matters. My work runs the full life of a case, from early case assessment and dispositive motion practice through trial. I have briefed and argued summary judgment motions that resolved claims before trial, and I have learned to write a brief that a judge can rule from quickly. Counseling is half the job. I advise clients on terminations, internal investigations, and policy revisions, with the goal of preventing the next lawsuit rather than just winning the current one. Clients value that I explain legal risk in plain terms and give them a clear recommendation they can act on. On the transactional side of employment work, I draft and negotiate separation agreements, restrictive covenants, and arbitration provisions, balancing enforceability against business needs. I manage matters with attention to budget and keep clients informed at each turn. I would welcome a conversation about how my litigation and counseling experience fits the needs at [Company]. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Phone] [Email]

ATS-friendly format

Single column, real text, no tables. It parses cleanly in every applicant tracking system.

The terms recruiters scan for

Built around the keywords a hiring system looks for in a attorney application.

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Why it lands

What makes this attorney letter work

It opens with a real, bounded result, a defense verdict on a matter with over 400,000 dollars in exposure, which proves trial ability while staying within ethical limits on predicting outcomes.

It establishes practice-area depth in employment litigation, covering the full case life cycle from early assessment through summary judgment and trial.

It reframes the role around client counseling and prevention, positioning the candidate as a business partner rather than only a litigator.

It demonstrates transactional range and budget awareness, which reassures a hiring partner the candidate can manage matters profitably.

The anatomy

How to structure a attorney cover letter

1
Opening
Opens with a concrete, ethical outcome, a defense verdict on a claim carrying over 400,000 dollars in exposure, signaling trial capability without guaranteeing future results.
2
Body 1
States bar admission and seven years in employment litigation, then shows command of the full case life cycle from early case assessment through summary judgment and trial.
3
Body 2
Reframes the role around client counseling, advising on terminations, investigations, and policy, positioning the candidate as a risk preventer rather than only a litigator.
4
Close
Adds transactional range with separation agreements and restrictive covenants plus budget awareness, then closes with a direct, professional request to talk.

ATS keywords

The keywords for attorney roles

Applicant tracking systems scan for terms like these. Match the ones that are true for you, in the exact wording from the job posting.

bar admissionemployment litigationmotion practicesummary judgmentclient counselingcontract draftingnegotiationtrial experienceearly case assessmentwage-and-hourinternal investigationsdispositive motions

Attorney cover letter questions

What should an attorney cover letter emphasize first?

Lead with a concrete, ethical result: a verdict, a favorable settlement range, or a motion that resolved claims. Hiring partners want proof of judgment and outcomes, not a restatement of your resume or law school honors.

Is it ethical to mention case outcomes in a cover letter?

Yes, when framed honestly and without guaranteeing future results. Describe what you achieved on a specific matter, such as a defense verdict or a dismissed claim, and avoid any language promising a particular outcome for a prospective client.

Should I tailor my attorney cover letter to a practice area?

Always. Name the practice area and align your motion practice, counseling, and drafting experience to that group, whether employment, corporate, or litigation. A targeted letter signals you understand the role and the firms clients.