cover letter template for paralegal

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5 Paralegal Cover Letter Examples for the Job in 2024

• Paralegal Cover Letter
• Entry-Level Paralegal
• Corporate Paralegal
• Immigration Paralegal
• Litigation Paralegal
• Write Your Paralegal Cover Letter

When attorneys need help with trial prep and research, they know they can count on you to get the job done right. 

But have you made the effort to create a cover letter to accompany your paralegal resume , ready to withstand the scrutiny of the intensive legal hiring processes?

You’re used to putting together top-notch legal correspondence, but as with any profession, you too can use some help during the hiring process. We’re here to assist with our paralegal cover letter examples and cover letter generator that have proven effective in 2024.

Paralegal Cover Letter Example

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Why this cover letter works

• While you want to seem grounded, refrain from being too modest about your legal prowess—because that could make your resume too vague and end with your document in the recycle bin.

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifiting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Entry-level Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Try highlighting instances on your entry-level paralegal cover letter where your efforts yielded positive results at internships or for academic/personal projects.

Corporate Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• But it’s not just about hard skills . Soft skills such as team collaboration, clear communication, positivity, and problem-solving are pivotal.

Immigration Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Showcase yourself as an agile professional who stays on top of the ever-changing landscape of immigration regulations. That way, you transition from a run-of-the-mill to a cat with nine lives that will keep the hiring company safe from potential non-compliance mishaps.

Litigation Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Recall that company that tasked you with managing legal documents. Specify the volume. And what if you helped expedite document retrieval in a different company? Quantify the improvement rate to make your professional accomplishments tangible and cement your competence. Don’t inflate the figures, though!

Related cover letter examples

• Administrative assistant
• Human resources
• Executive assistant

Writing an Exceptional Paralegal Cover Letter

When you meet with clients, you understand every case’s preparations must be tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. The same is true for your cover letter. 

While reviewing job descriptions , consider how you can customize your cover letter to each law firm’s needs. Do they specialize in personal injury law? Then you may want to connect to how you’re skilled at analyzing medical records and doing investigative research into personal injury cases.

How to draft the opening and greeting of your paralegal cover letter

You know that lawyers do a lot of research to hook judges with their opening statements in the courtroom. Opening your paralegal cover letter requires a similar level of detail to get the legal hiring staff’s attention. 

Consider ways you can connect with each law firm you’re applying to. For instance, if you’re applying to a firm that practices family law, you could explain how you want to help parents and their children get the best results during divorce cases. 

Additionally, try to nail the greeting by addressing a specific person from the legal hiring staff. You can sometimes find that information in the job description or the law firm’s website, or on LinkedIn. If you can’t find anything, simply leading with “dear [name of law firm] hiring team” will work well too. 

The example below is an ok start, but the applicant could do more to try to connect with the services the law firm provides and their specific skills in the opener.

Try to connect more than this! 

Dear J.L. Associates hiring team,

I’m very interested in the paralegal position you have available. I’m very familiar with the legal system and have studied a lot about it, so I think I’ll be a great fit for your firm.

Instead, focus specifically on the law firm’s needs and how your professional skills in trial assistance and legal documents fit in, like the example below. 

Connect with the law firm’s mission and needs! 

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I have always respected Dykema Cox Smith’s commitment to justice and fair representation, so I am thrilled at the opportunity to further your mission as a paralegal. Sharing your aim of ensuring justice and quality legal help to all clients, I’m certain I can add value to your team by identifying legal precedents, furnishing substantial trial assistance, and maintaining citation accuracy in your legal documents.

Guidelines for writing the body of your paralegal cover letter

Once you’ve hooked the legal hiring staff’s attention with your intro, it’s time to discuss how your credentials and previous work experiences have equipped you for the paralegal position. 

A great way to stand out is by using metrics like accuracy or the percentage of successful cases you worked on. You can also include grades or how the materials you learned in your paralegal associate’s degree equipped you for the position if you don’t have as much experience. 

Take a look at the example below that does an excellent job of citing metrics like reduction in errors and decreasing data breaches while managing legal documentation.

A good body paragraph full of relevant metrics

An internship at ICW Group nurtured my legal research and citation formatting abilities, impacting up to 17 client cases monthly. Dealing with a wide array of legal documents solidified my growth in citation formatting, reducing errors by 67%. I also formulated a data privacy and security guideline for solicitors, decreasing information breaches by 23%.

Finalizing and signing off on your paralegal cover letter

Just like the opening statement is essential in legal cases, a top-notch closing statement is equally vital to achieving a fair ruling on your case. Try to do the same with the closing of your paralegal cover letter . 

Ideally, you want to return to your main points and revisit how you connect with the company. For example, if you’re applying to a firm that does senior law, you could reconnect to how you want to help improve the lives of those in need of senior care. 

You should also include a light call to action toward the end, such as “I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.” It helps show your interest in the position. 

What you don’t want to do is get too generic and not relate to the specifics of the paralegal position at all, like the example below.

Yikes, too generic!

I am eager to start my career as a paralegal, and your firm seems like the ideal place for me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

James Smith

A better way to close out your cover letter is the example below, which clearly relates back to the firm’s legal innovations and services in the scientific industry. 

A well-connected closer for the win! 

As an aspiring paralegal, I see every legal challenge as a chance to learn, adapt, and thrive. This eagerness to contribute makes me the perfect candidate for Thermo Fisher Scientific’s reputation for innovation and reliable service in the scientific industry. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.

Paralegal Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

• In your field, legal jargon is extremely precise, and small errors can make huge differences. If you’re preparing paperwork to support attorneys at your firm, you’ll definitely be double-checking your work: And things should be no different with your paralegal cover letter! Refer to your dream employer’s website and professional social media accounts like LinkedIn for a golden sample of their general tone. In addition to reflecting this writing tone in your paralegal cover letter, see if there are any standout phrases or keywords like “case turn-around time” or “diverse legal knowledge” to reference. By nodding to these tidbits in your cover letter, you demonstrate your preparedness for crucial legal research!
• From shorthand in the courtroom to efficient document preparation and data entry, concise and clear writing is essential. Don’t find yourself slipping on to a second page—and if you do find yourself pushing the limits or considering page margin adjustments, try prompting ChatGPT to condense your cover letter . The primary topic of each body paragraph should be the quantifiable impact you’ve made during your professional journey. Context is awesome, but keep it brief.
• This should be the other way around—the paralegal role is all about assisting legal professionals and their clients. Demonstrate your understanding of the company’s client-focused mission through the focal points in your body paragraphs. Instead of talking about how much you enjoyed working at Tarleton Law Firm, consider how your helpfulness and client retention rates contributed to their success. And, again: Consider measurable examples of the difference you made for your team and furthered the company vision.

While it may seem like a hassle, writing a unique cover letter for each law firm you apply to is essential to stand out amongst other candidates. It’ll help show how you connect their specific mission and the type of law they practice. 

Ideally, you want your paralegal cover letter to be no longer than one page. It’s the same as legal correspondence, where you want everything to be concise and relevant to why you’re writing the message. 

Each law firm will have a different culture, so review the job description to get an idea of the tone they write it and try to match it as best as possible. For instance, if the tone is more formal, focusing on formal practices and being more fact-driven about data from cases and work experience will be the best idea. 

Paralegal cover letter examples

You’ve put in the work, studied hard and now you’re on the hunt for an interesting paralegal position.

But in order to secure the role, you first need to make your case. You need to prove to the recruiter you are organised, professional and able to multi-task.

If you’re not sure where to start, we won’t judge. Just check out our guide below for our expert tips and some paralegal cover letter examples.

CV templates 

Paralegal cover letter example 1

Paralegal cover letter example 2

Paralegal cover letter example 3

The Paralegal cover letter examples above should give you a good idea of the type of content you need to include in your own cover letter, and how it should be structured.

But if you’re really looking to wow recruiters and get your CV in front of the very best employers, then check out our guidance on how to write your own effective cover letter below.

How to write a Paralegal cover letter

Here’s how to write your own winning Paralegal cover letter

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When writing your Paralegal cover letter, it’s best to type the content into the body of your email (or the job site messaging system) and not to attach the cover letter as a separate document.

This ensures that your cover letter gets seen as soon as a recruiter or employer opens your message.

If you attach the cover letter as a document, you’re making the reader go through an unnecessary step of opening the document before reading it.

If it’s in the body of the message itself, it will be seen instantly, which hugely increases the chances of it being read.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

• Hi, hope you’re well
• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Now that you have warmed the recruiter up with a friendly greeting, firstly you need to let them know which role you are applying for.

Sometimes a recruitment consultant will be juggling 10 or 10 vacancies, so it’s important to specify which one you are applying to.

Give us much detail as possible (team/department, role title etc.) and paste in the reference number if you have one.

Here are some examples you can use.

• I am interested in applying for the role of Paralegal with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

When sending a job application to a recruiter or hiring manager, it is important to remember that they will normally be very busy and pushed for time.

Therefore, you need to get you message across to them quickly (in a matter of seconds ideally). So, keep your cover letter short and to-the-point. A long waffling cover letter will overwhelm recruiters when they are running through hundreds of emails in there inbox, but a concise one will get their attention.

So, keep your cover letter to just a few sentences long, and save the extensive detail for your CV.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Paralegal cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Paralegal cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Paralegal cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Paralegal cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I am writing to apply for the position of Entry-Level Litigation Paralegal at your esteemed law firm. As a dedicated LLB Law Graduate with a specialisation in commercial law and professional experience interning in the legal department of the international banking group Monzo, I possess a strong foundation in legal research, report writing, and office administration.

During my internship at Monzo, I provided essential support to the commercial law department, conducting factual and legal research to bolster contract writing and cases. My diligence was rewarded when I witnessed and compiled reports for an investment contract worth £3 million. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in streamlining administrative efficiency by reorganising the paper filing system, resulting in a remarkable 22% improvement. My academic achievements include the ‘Legal Innovator of the Year 2021’ award and attaining the highest mark in over five years for my undergraduate law research project.

I am eager to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your litigation team and look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my abilities align with the needs of your firm. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Kind regards,

Mhairi Doherty

Dear Sasha,

I hope you’re well.

I am writing to apply for the position of Immigration Paralegal at Johnson Stanley LLP. With my LLB Law degree, professional experience at Harton Cooper, and fluency in multiple languages including French and Spanish, I am well-equipped to support your immigration department effectively.

My time working in the employment department at Harton Cooper has provided me with invaluable exposure to a variety of cases, including depositions and working visa applications. Additionally, I honed my legal research and drafting skills while assisting senior lawyers during high-profile and multiplaintiff cases. I maintained a strong focus on GDPR and confidentiality guidelines when handling sensitive client information. Furthermore, my voluntary work experience at Birmingham County Court, where I supported the chief prosecutor and managed administrative tasks, solidified my organizational abilities and attention to detail.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my expertise to your immigration team, and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

I am thrilled to express my interest in the Senior Paralegal role at your firm. As a highly accomplished LLB Law Graduate with a specialisation in commercial law and significant experience as a commercial paralegal, I bring extensive abilities in managing financial functions, legal governance, and compliance.

In my current position at a leading FTSE 350 organisation, I support the finance team, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements. My achievements include successfully managing the flotation of the group on the London Stock Exchange and coordinating the legal documentation during a dramatic revenue increase of over £100million within two years. My proficiency in document management, regional and national law, and time management enables me to effectively support the legal team and contribute to the firm’s continued growth and success. I am eager to leverage my skills to streamline processes and enhance the team’s performance.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my expertise aligns with the needs of your firm. I am available for an interview starting next week and look forward to meeting with you.

Oliver Stein

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Paralegal job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!

1 Paralegal Cover Letter Example

Paralegals are the unsung heroes of the legal world, meticulously gathering, organizing, and presenting information to build a compelling case. Similarly, your cover letter is your chance to gather your professional achievements, organize your skills, and present a persuasive argument for your candidacy. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for Paralegals, helping you to construct a narrative as compelling as any legal brief.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start a Paralegal cover letter is by addressing the hiring manager directly, if their name is known. If not, use a formal salutation like "Dear Hiring Manager." Then, introduce yourself and state the position you're applying for. Make sure to include a compelling reason why you're interested in the role and the firm. For instance, you could mention a case they've handled that inspired you or aligns with your career goals. This shows that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the firm. Remember, the opening should be engaging and set the tone for the rest of the letter.

Paralegals should end a cover letter by expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity, reiterating their interest in the role, and inviting the reader to continue the conversation. This can be done by saying something like, "I am excited about the possibility of bringing my unique skills and experiences to your firm and am confident that I would be a valuable addition to your team. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further." Following this, paralegals should thank the reader for their time and consideration. It's also important to include contact information, even if it's already on your resume. Finally, end with a professional closing such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name. This ending is both professional and assertive, showing that you are serious about your application while also being polite and respectful.

A Paralegal's cover letter should ideally be one page long. This length is generally accepted across most industries, including the legal field. The goal of a cover letter is to provide a concise and focused overview of your skills, experiences, and reasons for applying for the job. It should be long enough to include pertinent information, but short enough to keep the hiring manager's attention. Remember, hiring managers often have to go through hundreds of applications, so a succinct, well-written cover letter can help you stand out.

Writing a cover letter with no experience as a Paralegal can seem challenging, but it's important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. Here are some steps to guide you: 1. **Start with a strong introduction**: Begin your cover letter by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in the paralegal position. Mention where you saw the job posting and why you are interested in the role. 2. **Highlight relevant skills and education**: Even if you don't have direct paralegal experience, you likely have other skills or education that are relevant. If you've completed a paralegal certification program or have a degree in a related field, be sure to mention it. Highlight any skills you've gained from other jobs or experiences that could be applicable to a paralegal role, such as research, writing, organization, and communication skills. 3. **Showcase transferable experiences**: If you've worked in other roles, particularly in legal or office settings, highlight the transferable skills you've gained. This could include client interaction, document management, or any other tasks that could be relevant in a paralegal role. 4. **Express your willingness to learn**: Employers understand that entry-level candidates may not have a lot of experience. Show your enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to learn and grow in the position. 5. **Close with a strong conclusion**: Reiterate your interest in the position and your eagerness to contribute to the company. Thank the employer for considering your application and express your hope for the opportunity to further discuss your qualifications. 6. **Proofread**: Make sure your cover letter is free of errors. This demonstrates your attention to detail, a crucial skill for paralegals. Remember, the goal of the cover letter is to get the employer interested enough to look at your resume and consider you for an interview. Even without direct experience, showing your passion for the field, your transferable skills, and your willingness to learn can make a strong impression.

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