How to Write a Law Cover Letter
Lawyers, judges and other legal professionals deal with a large amount of paper, so whenever you contact someone in the legal profession to get a job or request representation, you want to make the best impression by writing persuasively. Here's how to make your case in a cover letter to someone in the legal field.
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Instructions
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How to Write a Law Cover Letter
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Adhere to the professional basics: Use one-inch margins and 12-point Courier or Times New Roman font. Use white or off-white paper. If the letter is important enough, you might want to use cotton bond paper.
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Begin with your contact information, just as you would with any other business letter. Address the recipient of the letter with the titles of his or her profession: If the person is a lawyer, you might put "Esq." after his or her name; if the person is a judge, use "The Honorable" before the name. If you're unsure of the recipient's gender, use a first and last name rather than "Dear Sir," for example.
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Strike the correct tone. When writing to a judge or attorney, try to use reason rather than emotion. Avoid language that seems too emotional or unprofessional.
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State clearly what you want and why you want it. If necessary, outline your letter before you write it. For example, if you want an attorney to help you draft a prenuptial agreement, ask if prenups are part of his or her practice, tell them when you're getting married and why you want a prenup. Ask when you can meet the attorney.
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Proofread the letter carefully before sending it. Pay spell attention to the spelling of legal terms such as pro bono, amicus curiae, quid pro quo and so on. If you cite the legal code or other official documents, be sure you've quoted them correctly and in the correct formats. For example, a shortened U.S. Code citation should include the title"USC" and the section number: 14 USC 1657.
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Tips & Warnings
If your letter is about an emotional topic, postpone writing the letter until you can sound reasonable.
