• Introduce who you are (1L, 2L, 3L, graduate) and what you are asking for - a summer associate position, a clerkship, an interview;
• When appropriate, indicate your reasons for geographical preference if not apparent from your resume;
• Highlight two or three features of your resume and/or let the employer know about skills or experiences that are not on your resume but are relevant to the position you are seeking. (See sample letters in the Appendix for examples);
• Emphasize your strengths and abilities;
• Add relevant information that is not on your resume, such as a course you have taken that relates to the position for which you are applying;
• Serve as a short writing sample - an example of your ability to write well and effectively in an organized fashion;
• Highlight how your credentials match the employer's needs.

Format

In almost all cases, a cover letter should be written in general business letter style on good quality bond stationary with envelopes to match. (Note that the paper should match your resume paper.) One page containing three to four paragraphs is usually sufficient.  The nature of the position and the relevance of your work, school, and other experiences will require a longer letter - but the longer the letter, the less likely it will be read!

Addresses

Your address on the letter should contain three lines: a two-line address and the date. Do not include your name or telephone number in the address section of the letter.

Whenever possible, your cover letter should be addressed to a specific individual, such as the hiring attorney, recruitment administrator, alumni, or intern coordinator. Letters addressed to "hiring partner" or "Sir or Madam" generally don't have the same impact. You may also contact a firm or organization and ask to whom you should address the cover letter (unless instructed by the job listing not to call).

When addressing a letter to an attorney, address it to _________, Esq. It is redundant to use both Ms./Mr. and Esq., as both are forms of address. Of course, regardless of how you address your letter, your salutation should be addressed to Ms. or Mr.; never use first names. When addressing a judge, the salutation should address him or her as "Judge" or "Justice," as appropriate. Please see the Appendix for proper forms of addressing letters to judges.

In the employer's address, include the individual's name and title and the full name and address of the organization. You should spell the name of the state in full, instead of using postal abbreviations.

If you have trouble identifying a person to whom resumes should be addressed, talk to OCS to get ideas.

Introduction

In the introduction of the letter, you should clearly state who you are, the position for which you are applying and why you are writing that particular employer. If someone gives you a contact name, address it to that contact and mention the person who referred you. For example, "Mr./Mrs. [ ] suggested that I contact you regarding..." Also, discuss your reason for wanting to work in that particular city if your geographical ties are not evident from your resume.

Body of the Letter

A cover letter should be concise; it is not a catalog of all of your experience or a discussion of your personal strengths or weaknesses; rather, it is a brief introduction to you and your qualifications. It should be tailored to the employer as much as possible, demonstrating the relationship between the organization's work and your experience or career interests. If it is too early in your law school career to have several substantial legal positions to talk about, you may discuss one or two prior job or academic experiences if you think they are directly relevant to the kind of work you would perform at that organization. This is where your self-assessment fits in.

Do not pad your cover letter with every course and activity you have undertaken; stay focused on a few highlights and let the details come out in an interview. Do not discuss your weaknesses and flaws in the cover letter. Your cover letter should encourage employers to call you for an interview. If there are negative circumstances to overcome, address them during the interview. Try to avoid cover letters that read like form letters.

There is no absolute "correct" content or style to cover letters. You should, however, think about the intended recipient for each letter when you consider what to include or highlight in your letter. Law firms tend to prefer short, business-like letters. For judges, who often review hundreds of applications at a time, being brief and concise is essential. However, many public service employers like cover letters that reflect something about the applicant's personality and commitment to using their legal career to promote the public interest. You should talk with an OCS counselor about the best style and content for the employers to which you are applying.

Concluding Paragraph

In this section, indicate the enclosures you included with the letter, i.e., your resume, writing sample, transcript, etc. Thank the firm, organization, agency, or other employer for its consideration. Then mention your desire to be interviewed. If you are applying to an organization outside the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, and you will be in the organization's city during school break or at another time, indicate when you would be available for an interview.

Closing

The closing should be lined up with your address and consistent in tone with a formal business letter. "Very truly yours" or "Sincerely yours" are generally the most appropriate closings. Close letters to judges with "Respectfully" or "Respectfully yours." Skip four spaces after the closing and type your full name.

After typing your name in the closing, skip two spaces and type "Enclosure" if only your resume accompanies the cover letter or "Enclosures" if other documents are enclosed as well. Sign each cover letter and send the original to the employer. Do not staple your cover letter to your resume. If you feel the need to attach the two, do it with a paper clip.

Please see the Appendix for helpful phrases to use when writing your letter and sample cover letters.