Crafting a senior attorney cover letter that stands out can be daunting. You're deep into job applications and realize a compelling narrative is vital, yet a resume echo won't suffice. Focus on that signature professional triumph—how did it shape you? Your narrative needs formality sans clichés, capturing your unique story within a concise, one-page testament to your career. Let’s begin the journey to a cover letter that resonates, rather than just informs.
- Some inspiration from other professionals' job-winning cover letters;
- The best structure and format for your senior attorney cover letter;
- Insights on how to write about your best achievement to stand out;
- A creative twist on your senior attorney cover letter intro.
Upload your senior attorney resume to Enhancv's AI, which will quickly scan and prepare a job-winning cover letter for you.
If the senior attorney 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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Senior Attorney cover letter example
TIMOTHY DUNCAN
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Tailoring to Mission: The cover letter emphasizes the alignment of the candidate's previous advocacy work with the organization's mission, which displays the applicant's understanding of the role and commitment to the cause of inclusive legal services.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning the 70% increase in service satisfaction and impacting over 100 clients demonstrates the candidate's ability to achieve measurable success, which is appealing to employers looking for results-driven individuals.
- Evidence of Leadership: Discussing the leadership of a task force and the establishment of strategic partnerships shows the candidate's leadership skills and ability to work effectively with a team, important for a senior-level position.
- Problem-Solving Skills: The applicant refers to the ability to navigate complexities and implement policy reforms, which suggests strong analytical and problem-solving skills essential for effective legal advocacy and strategy in specialized domains such as mental health law.
Structuring and formatting your senior attorney cover letter
Here's what the structure of your senior attorney cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your senior attorney resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your senior attorney cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your senior attorney cover letter.
The top sections on a senior attorney cover letter
- Header: This includes your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details, customizing the letter and ensuring it reaches the right person, which reflects attention to detail, a crucial skill for a senior attorney.
- Opening Greeting: Addressing the hiring manager by name demonstrates your research skills and adds a personal touch, qualities prized in client-oriented senior legal roles.
- Introduction: A strong introduction that showcases your years of experience, specific areas of legal expertise, and a high-level summary of your most significant accomplishments attracts the recruiter's attention and sets the tone for your application.
- Body Paragraph(s): This section should provide detailed examples of your legal accomplishments, high-profile cases, leadership experiences, and how your skills align with the needs of the firm or organization, proving your capability to handle the complexities associated with a senior attorney role.
- Closing Paragraph: Your closing should reiterate your interest in the position, touch on how you can contribute to the firm's success, and thank the reader for their consideration, displaying the professional courtesy expected of a senior attorney.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Specialized legal expertise: Recruiters look for senior attorneys who have in-depth knowledge and experience in specific areas of law that align with the firm's or company's specialization.
- Leadership experience: Senior attorneys are often expected to lead teams, mentor junior staff, and manage complex legal projects, making leadership and management skills crucial.
- Proven track record of success: A history of achieving favorable outcomes for clients, such as winning cases or successfully negotiating settlements, is highly valued.
- Business acumen: Understanding the commercial implications of legal advice and the ability to contribute to the strategic decision-making process of the business are key for a senior attorney role.
- Client relations and business development skills: The ability to retain existing clients and attract new ones is essential for a senior attorney as they often play a role in the growth of the practice.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills: Senior attorneys must be able to articulate complex legal arguments clearly and negotiate effectively on behalf of their clients or organization.
What matters most when tailoring your senior attorney cover letter salutation
Your senior attorney cover letter greeting should feel welcoming to recruiters.
Use their first name (e.g. "Dear Marshall" or "Dear Sara"), if you've previously been in touch with the hiring manager and are on a more friendly basis.
If this is the first time you're contacting the recruiters, start your senior attorney cover letter with:
- their last name (e.g. "Dear Ms. Ali" or "Dear Mr. Stevens") - look up who's the hiring manager for the role on social media or the company website;
- generalized greeting (e.g. "Dear HR Team") - just don't use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Name of the Hiring Committee Chair],
- Dear [Name of the Firm Partner],
- Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name],
- Dear Attorney [Last Name],
- Dear Judge [Last Name],
Using your senior attorney cover letter intro to show your dedication
We know just how difficult it is to start writing your senior attorney cover letter introduction.
There are so many great qualities you have as a professional, which one should you choose?
How about writing up to two sentences about your passion and commitment to the work you do or are set to do?
Try to describe exactly what you enjoy about the potential role.
A positive attitude from the get-go will help you stand out as a motivated senior attorney professional.
How to write an achievement-focused senior attorney cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your senior attorney 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.
Time to wrap up your senior attorney cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your senior attorney cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your senior attorney cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
Senior Attorney cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Senior Attorney cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Senior Attorney cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise senior attorney cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the senior attorney resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
