LL.M. Cover Letter Workshop:

Creating a U.S. Legal Cover Letter

What is a cover letter?

• Marketing Document – First Impression

• Focus on WHY THE FIRM SHOULD HIRE YOU(instead of all of the other wonderfully qualified folks who are also applying)

• SHOW (don’t TELL) what sets you apart

• Mention the reason(s) you want to work for the firm in the first paragraph, but these are NOT the focus of the letter.

What (else) is a cover letter?

• Connection Establisher: Establishes geographic or other connection

• Interest Generator: Tells your story

• Writing Sample: Example of fact-based advocacy and English proficiency

Cover Letter = Business Letter

JASON SAMPLE jes2k@virginia.edu

(208) 555-5555 School Address: 21 Arlington Street Charlottesville, VA 22903

Home Address: 100 Easy Street

Akron, OH 44325

July 15, 2016 [Full Name of Recruiter] [Title] [Full Name of Firm] [Address 1] [City, State Zip] Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name]: [Intro Paragraph] [Body Paragraph 1] [Body Paragraph 2] [Closing Paragraph] Sincerely, Jason Sample  

JASON SAMPLE jes2k@virginia.edu

(208) 555-5555 School Address: 21 Arlington Street Charlottesville, VA 22903

Home Address: 100 Easy Street

Akron, OH 44325

July 15, 2016 [Full Name of Recruiter] [Title] [Full Name of Firm] [Address 1] [City, State Zip] Dear Ms./Mr. [Last Name]: [Intro Paragraph] [Body Paragraph 1] [Body Paragraph 2] [Closing Paragraph] Sincerely, Jason Sample  

• Header/Return Address –consistent with resume

• Employer Contact Details (NALP Directory)

• Proper Salutation

• Proper Closing

Pre-Writing Process

1. Determine your potential themes (strengths/experiences)

2. Search your memory

3. Compile your useful facts

4. Weigh your evidence

5. Select your themes and best examples

ONLY THEN IS IT TIME TO WRITE.

Successful Themes/Strengths

• What sets you apart? What skills would you like to highlight?

• Prior Work Experience • Think about how it translates to potential tasks in a law firm

• Highlight practice area or industry sector overlap

• Significant Academic Experience• Graduate work/heavy course loads, etc.

• Academic prizes used as evidence of skills/knowledge/expertise

• Then, match this with what firms value

THEMES FOR FIRM PRACTICE

Litigation• Litigation Experience• Legal Research• Writing• Project Management• Interpersonal Skills• Analytical Skills• Presentation Skills• Efficiency• Leadership• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Personnel Management• Client Service Excellence• Work Product Excellence• Negotiation Skills• Counseling Skills• Business Acumen• Relationship Management (within organization)• Organizational Skills• Team Skills• Initiative• Poise/Presence

Corporate/Transactional• Business Experience• Business Knowledge / Interest / Training• Negotiation Skills• Drafting Skills• Familiarity with Corporate Agreements• Project Management• Problem-Solving Skills

• Ability to Understand & Explain Complex Concepts• Client Service Excellence• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Presentation Skills• Organizational Skills• Personnel Management• Interpersonal Skills• Poise/Presence• Communication Skills• Counseling Skills• Leadership• Efficiency• Relationship Management (within organization)• Attention to Detail

Regulatory• Regulatory/Government Experience• Regulatory Training• Negotiation Skills• Client Service Excellence• Interpersonal Skills• Analytical Strength (particularized)• Writing Skills• Counseling Skills• Presentation Skills• Ability to Work Under Pressure & Deadlines• Communication Skills• Legal Research• Work Product Excellence• Project Management• Personnel Management• Poise/Presence• Relationship Management (within organization)• Attention to Detail

Strategies for Assembling Your Letter

• Pick your format (experience-based v. skills-based)• Central paragraphs focused on transferable strengths, OR• Central paragraphs focused on jobs

• Build your topic sentences (focused on themes)• BE BOLD. BE ASSERTIVE. BE CONCISE.

• Compile the facts you have chosen into paragraphs built STRICTLY around your topic sentences

Picking a Theme – Example 1Business Knowledge

• What topic sentence allows you to discuss all these items?

• Ex: “My academic background and prior experience as a corporate attorney provide me with a solid understanding of corporate finance and business issues.”

Building on a Theme – Example 1Business Knowledge

• Show how your activities demonstrate the skill you are highlighting.

• Weak: “I am a seasoned corporate practitioner.”

• Strong: “As a senior attorney in the M&A and Private Equity group in Paul, Weiss’s Shanghai office, I negotiated and drafted purchase agreements and other transaction documents, and coordinated and supervised diligence, signing, and closing processes.”

Picking a Theme – Example 2Interpersonal Skills

• Ex: “I also bring excellent interpersonal skills to your firm.”

Building on a Theme – Common Mistakes (Ex: 1)

• Provide objective evidence of your strengths (SHOW, don’t tell).

• Weak: “Before law school, I was a top salesperson for a national clothing retailer.”

• Strong: “Before law school, I worked as a salesperson for a national clothing retailer. In that role, I learned to listen carefully to customers’ questions and concerns. I was praised by my superiors for my ability to identify the needs and preferences of our diverse customer base, and I was twice named salesperson of the month by store management.”

Building on a Theme – Common Mistakes (Ex: 2)

• Your examples MUST be consistent with your topic sentence.

• Example: “I also bring excellent interpersonal skills to your firm. Before law school, I worked as a salesperson for a national clothing retailer…. In my undergraduate university, I utilized similar skills as the president of the University’s Mentor Group. My effectiveness connecting with and motivating people led to a record level of student mentor participation, and I received my college’s Outstanding Student Leadership Award in recognition of my success. While in law school, I also participated in several competitions as a member of my school’s Extramural Moot Court team.”

Opening Paragraph

• 1st sentence: Who you are and why you are writing

• 2nd/3rd sentences: Why you are interested• Geography – Connections

• Firm – Interest in practice, reputation, people you’ve spoken to, etc.

Example: “I am a corporate attorney from Beijing, China, currently pursuing my LL.M. degree at the University of Virginia School of Law, and I am writing to apply for an associate position in Doe, Roe, and Poe LLP’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to starting my LL.M. I was a legal assistant in the Banking and Finance group of Linklaters, Beijing, where I worked closely with Doe attorneys on a number of transactions. I am particularly interested in joining Doe because of its excellent reputation in corporate finance and the strong relationship between its D.C. and Beijing offices.”

Closing Paragraph

• Short and flexibleExample:“I have included a resume and transcript with my application and can provide any other documents you may require. I would welcome the opportunity to interview with your firm. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Questions