As a legal professional, you know the importance of building a compelling case. If you’re on the hunt for a new job, then that’s exactly what you need to do in your paralegal cover letter.
Creating a compelling paralegal cover letter is the way to get noticed. This often underrated document can pique the interest of a recruiter and convince them that you have the skill set to ensure legal operations run like a dream.
However, according to the Law Society, in the last decade, legal enterprises have been increasing their productivity while maintaining or reducing their number of employees. So, how can you write a cover letter that truly makes you stand out from the tough competition?
Ready to get started? Follow our step-by-step guide with adaptable examples so you can begin your job search with a cover letter that will spark plenty of interest.
Paralegal full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr Thomson,
I write to express my interest in the junior paralegal position. Over the past year, I have been immersed in a variety of high-stakes transactions and legal proceedings within a renowned corporate law firm, where my role involved conducting due diligence, drafting lease agreements, and facilitating property acquisitions. This hands-on experience has not only refined my legal skills but also provided me with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding commercial property transactions.
Now that I have moved to Manchester, I am looking for an opportunity that will better incorporate my commercial property studies. I have already had the opportunity to show my skills in this sector in a professional as well as academic environment. During my tenure at Rayson & Charles, I collaborated closely with a team of paralegals on a high-profile real estate litigation. While analyzing transaction records for inconsistencies, I identified a significant discrepancy in property valuation records that had been overlooked in the preliminary analysis.
I demonstrated a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills by efficiently managing a large volume of legal documents, ensuring that all filings were accurate and timely. My adeptness at legal research and ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise summaries have consistently supported the successful preparation of case briefs and legal strategies.
I hope you’ll agree that my range of experience and skills would make me an asset to the team. I hope to discuss it further with you in an interview. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Lina Farley
Sections of a paralegal cover letter
When it comes to writing your paralegal cover letter, the burden of proof is on you to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job. However, there is an etiquette to follow in terms of the way you present your cover letter.
The format of a paralegal cover letter should contain the following elements:
- Cover letter header: In a professional format, list your essential contact information, including name, contact details, and LinkedIn URL.
- Greeting. Get your initial greeting right by using the hiring manager's name, rather than the generic ‘Dear Sir or Madam.’
- Introduction. Grab the attention of a prospective employer with a powerful introduction that sets you apart from the legal crowd. Share your enthusiasm for the role.
- Body. Highlight your standout qualifications and achievements related to the specific paralegal role in this section of your cover letter.
- Conclusion. Reiterate your key selling points and strong interest in the role and working company. Include a call to action to encourage recruiters to get in touch.
- Signature. Wrap up with a professional sign-off, including your full name.
It’s easy to write a stream of consciousness about your accomplishments in your paralegal career so far. However, structuring them in the right way and making sure that they refer to the case in point are just as important.
As a paralegal, you’re no stranger to the red tape surrounding legal proceedings. Think of writing your cover letter as a similar exercise; you have to play by the rules to be taken seriously and position yourself as a promising paralegal.
Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task. If you need some inspiration, check out our library of related cover letter examples for a paralegal:
Another great resource is our article on how to write a cover letter. This provides comprehensive information and details about preparing each section of the perfect cover letter.
Once you’ve perfected your header and greeted the hiring manager, it’s time to move on and create a powerful intro that generates some interest.
Introduction of a paralegal cover letter
Just like the stacks of case paperwork, you will be responsible for preparing as a paralegal, your cover letter needs an introduction. This short paragraph will introduce your profile as a paralegal and summarise the case you will be building throughout the rest of the letter. Make sure you lay down the law in simple and clear language.
Start your cover letter strong, by presenting yourself as the solution to the hiring manager’s problem. The job description will be a great source of information and will give you some strong clues as to exactly who the employer is looking to hire.
Dear Ms. Camden,
Holding over 5 years of experience as a paralegal, it is with great interest that I submit my CV to ABC Law. Having provided 360° support to partners and associates, built strong client relationships, and applied meticulous attention to detail in preparing legal documentation, I’m confident of my ability to deliver positive results.
To Whom It May Concern
Hope you’re well. I am writing to apply for the paralegal role with ABC Legal. I’ve acquired significant experience and success in legal administration, so feel ideally suited to this opportunity.
While space is tight throughout your cover letter, the introduction in particular shouldn’t beat around the bush — this is your opportunity to entice the hiring manager to read on. Get to the point quickly using compelling language. Many people find it useful to write this paragraph when preparing a cover letter. This way you will already have a clear idea of the story the rest of your cover letter builds and, therefore, how to summarise it concisely.
Paralegals are used to getting straight to the crux of the matter, so don't hesitate to pinpoint your value to your future employer in these early lines.
Paralegal cover letter body
Now comes the key component of your paralegal cover letter. The middle paragraphs of cover letters contain the most compelling arguments as to why a paralegal should be hired. Follow this tested formula when creating the body section of your paralegal cover letter:
- Focus on your career highlights as a paralegal
- Demonstrate how your traits and values align with company culture
- Summarise key points via a direct and impactful conclusion
- Wrap up with a persuasive call to action that compels the hiring manager to contact you
First body paragraph
Start strong with a first body paragraph that highlights your stellar legal, administrative, and project management capabilities. Here’s how:
- Showcase your achievements. As you paint a picture of who you are as a professional paralegal, use anecdotes or even stats from previous work roles to prove your points.
- Highlight key strengths. Are you an efficient worker? Cite how much time you saved with your speedy filing workflow. Do you have excellent attention to detail? Illustrate this through a story of when this has helped your team at work.
- Technical proficiency. Reference how you have harnessed technology to benefit the office, whether that involves the use of MS Office Suite at an advanced level or other specific legal and office management software.
- Leadership. Mention your experience in training top-performing legal administrators who consistently exceed expectations.
The aim of your cover letter is ultimately to get invited to an interview. So don’t worry if you don’t have space to include every detail of an example. Prioritise the most important points of your key achievements and give yourself space to elaborate on the finer points in an interview.
Optimise your cover letter for ATS
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan incoming applications and rank those that match closely with the job posting. These systems will scan both your CV and cover letter, so including keywords from the job description can help you “beat the bots!”
Highlight terms that are repeated and emphasised as important in the job description. For a paralegal, this might include research, legal administration, communication, discretion, teamwork, and multitasking.
Second body paragraph
Companies are looking for paralegals who are passionate about joining their organisation, so any opportunity to build rapport is one not to be missed.
Researching the company website and social media platforms is a great way to connect your expertise to a company’s vision and values. You can then communicate this in your cover letter.
For example, Clifford Chance, one of the world’s largest law firms, vision and values include:
- Putting clients first
- Creating the best team
- Giving practical and effective legal advice
- Nurturing a culture with integrity and respect
- Investing in the future
Incorporating specifics from a company’s vision and values will ensure your cover letter hits the right note. For example, mentioning your “commitment to client service evidenced by a 25% improvement in positive client feedback” would show your ability to go the extra mile.
Now that I have moved to Manchester, I am looking for an opportunity that will better incorporate my commercial property studies. I have already had the opportunity to show my skills in this sector in a professional as well as academic environment. During my tenure at Rayson & Charles, I collaborated closely with a team of paralegals on a high-profile real estate litigation. While analyzing transaction records for inconsistencies, I identified a significant discrepancy in property valuation records that had been overlooked in the preliminary analysis.
I demonstrated a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills by efficiently managing a large volume of legal documents, ensuring that all filings were accurate and timely. My adeptness at legal research and ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise summaries have consistently supported the successful preparation of case briefs and legal strategies.
Call to action & conclusion
The end of your paralegal cover letter should make an impression — for the right reasons, of course. Your cover letter’s closing lines can be short and sweet. Wrap up your closing argument on why you are the paralegal the employer is looking for.
You can also include a short call to action inviting them to call you back. The tone should sound self-assured. However, be sure to maintain some balance. You don’t want to come across as overly self-indulgent.
I hope you’ll agree that my range of experience and skills would make me an asset to the team. I hope to discuss it further with you in an interview. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Lina Farley
Remind the hiring manager why you’re the right paralegal for the job and mention that you’re looking forward to finding out more during an interview.
Key takeaways
A cover letter is an essential component of any job-winning application and provides the opportunity to position yourself as the best paralegal for the job.
Showcase your top-flight organisation and communication skills, office-based achievements, and strong leadership capabilities throughout your paralegal cover letter. Equally important, is to convey your legal expertise and enthusiasm for the role and company.
Try our cover letter builder to quickly create a compelling paralegal cover letter that will ensure your job search gains some traction.
