Crafting a litigation lawyer cover letter can be a daunting task, especially when you realize it's essential to your job application. Avoid the common pitfall of simply repeating your resume—your cover letter should spotlight your proudest professional feat through a compelling narrative. Strike the right balance between a formal tone and fresh, cliché-free language, all while keeping it concise to fit on a single page. Let's guide you through creating a standout cover letter that will get you noticed.
- Some inspiration from other professionals' job-winning cover letters;
- The best structure and format for your litigation lawyer cover letter;
- Insights on how to write about your best achievement to stand out;
- A creative twist on your litigation lawyer cover letter intro.
Upload your litigation lawyer resume to Enhancv's AI, which will quickly scan and prepare a job-winning cover letter for you.
If the litigation lawyer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Litigation lawyer cover letter example
Luna Thomas
Denver, Colorado
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasizing relevant case experience, such as managing a large portfolio of active cases, directly showcases the ability to handle the demanding workload of a Personal Injury Lawyer.
- Highlighting specific achievements, such as successfully negotiating a significant settlement increase, demonstrates expertise in negotiation and an impressive track record, which can be appealing to a law firm seeking results-driven attorneys.
- Expressing alignment with the firm's values and describing how personal skills and ambitions correspond with the firm's mission can illustrate a strong cultural fit and a shared vision for client advocacy.
- Outlining specific skills that will be brought to the team, like case strategy formulation and mentorship, provides a clear picture of the contributions the applicant can make, showcasing readiness to add value from day one.
Standard formatting for your litigation lawyer cover letter
Structure your litigation lawyer cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:
- Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
- Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
- Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
- Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
- Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
- Signature - now that's optional.
Set up your litigation lawyer cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.
Use the same font for your litigation lawyer cover as the one in your resume(remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).
Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.
Our builder allows you to export your litigation lawyer cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).
The top sections on a litigation lawyer cover letter
Header: This includes the applicant's contact information, the date, and the addressee's details, establishing professionalism and making it easy for the law firm to respond.
Greeting: A proper salutation addresses the hiring manager or partner by name, demonstrating attention to detail and respect for legal industry norms.
Opening Paragraph: This section should succinctly capture the recruiter's interest by highlighting the applicant's passion for litigation and any noteworthy trial experience or legal victories.
Body: The body of the cover letter should outline the applicant's relevant legal skills, such as research and analysis, case management, and client advocacy, showing how their expertise aligns with the requirements of the litigation role.
Closing Paragraph: The closing should reaffirm the applicant's interest in the position, invite further discussion, and thank the hiring manager for considering the application, leaving a professional and courteous final impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Persuasive advocacy skills: Effective litigation requires the ability to persuasively argue a client’s case in court and convince a judge or jury.
- Strong research and analytical abilities: Litigators must dissect complex legal issues and precedent to build a solid case.
- Attention to detail: Meticulousness ensures all relevant facts are considered, and legal documents are error-free.
- High-stress tolerance and resilience: Litigators often work under tight deadlines and must maintain composure in adversarial situations.
- Negotiation and conflict resolution expertise: Many cases are settled out of court, requiring skilled negotiation to achieve favorable client outcomes.
- Experience with trials and hearings: Hands-on experience is crucial as it demonstrates familiarity with courtroom procedures and legal strategy.
How to greet recruiters in your litigation lawyer cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your litigation lawyer cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:
- greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
- using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
- writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.
Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.
In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Name of the Partner or Hiring Manager],
- Dear [Name of the Law Firm or Legal Department],
- Esteemed Members of the [Law Firm's Name] Hiring Committee,
- Dear Members of the [Specific Department or Team],
- Respected [Law Firm or Company Name] Recruitment Team,
First introductions in your litigation lawyer cover letter
Within your litigation lawyer cover letter introduction, genuinely state what you like about the organization.
Research the latest company projects, honorary awards, company updates, etc.
Write up to two sentences to let recruiters know what impresses you about the company,
This would help you to set a good tone for the rest of the communication.
How to write an achievement-focused litigation lawyer cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your litigation lawyer cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
A sincere and original way to end your litigation lawyer cover letter
When writing their litigation lawyer cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".
Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner.
Write about:
- how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
- the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
- the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).
Is it beneficial to mention that you have no experience in your litigation lawyer cover letter?
Lacking professional experience isn't the end of the world for your litigation lawyer cover letter.
Just be honest that you may not have had roles in the industry, but bring about so much more.
Like, your transferable skills, attained thanks to your whole work and life experience (e.g. the skills your summer spent working abroad taught you).
Or, focus on what makes you, you, and that one past success that can help you stand out and impress recruiters (think of awards you've attained and how they've helped you become a better professional).
Alternatively, write about your passion and drive to land the job and the unique skill set you would bring to enhance the workplace culture.
Key takeaways
We hope this litigation lawyer cover letter writing guide has shown you how to:
- Format your litigation lawyer cover letter with the mandatory sections (e.g. header, greeting, intro, body, and closing) and select the right font (P.S. It should be the same as the one you've used for your resume);
- Substitute your lack of professional experience with your most noteworthy achievement, outside of work, or your dreams and passions;
- Ensure recruiters have a more personalized experience by tailoring your cover letter not just to the role, but to them (e.g. writing their first/last name in the salutation, etc.);
- Introducing your biggest achievement and the skills it has taught you in your litigation lawyer cover letter body;
- Write no more than two sentences in your litigation lawyer cover letter introduction to set the right tone from the get-go.
