Yes, You Still Need a Cover Letter (Here's Why)
Some job seekers think cover letters are becoming obsolete. With more applications moving to digital profiles and some employers labeling them "optional," it’s easy to wonder if they still matter.
In legal hiring, they do — especially for internships and early career roles. A strong cover letter helps you show attention to detail, build a clear connection to the role, and stand out.
Why Cover Letters Matter More in Law Than Other Fields
Legal hiring differs from many industries in crucial ways:
- It's a writing profession. Every day as a lawyer involves written communication. Your cover letter provides the first sample of your writing ability.
- Legal employers receive hundreds of qualitatively similar applications. With most candidates coming from the same schools with similar credentials, your cover letter becomes the differentiator.
- Fit matters tremendously. Law firms and legal departments need to know you understand their specific practice areas and culture — information that doesn't fit on a standard resume.
A recent survey of legal recruiters found that 83% read cover letters for entry-level positions, with that number increasing to 91% for summer associate and internship roles.
What Legal Hiring Managers Actually Look For
Beyond basic qualifications, hiring managers scan your cover letter for:
- Evidence you've researched their firm's practice areas and recent cases
- Connections between your experience and their specific needs
- Writing mechanics (grammar, spelling, formatting)
- Personalization showing you aren't sending the same letter everywhere
As one AmLaw 100 recruiting partner put it: "I can tell within two sentences whether a candidate has written specifically to us or is using a template. The specific ones always get a closer look."
The Anatomy of an Effective Legal Cover Letter
The most successful cover letters follow this basic structure:
Opening Paragraph
Bad: "I am writing to express my interest in the summer associate position at your firm."
Good: "After following Smith & Jones' recent victory in United States v. Thompson, I'm particularly interested in joining your white-collar defense team as a summer associate."
Body Paragraphs
Bad: "I have strong research and writing skills and work well under pressure."
Good: "While clerking for Judge Garcia, I drafted seven opinions under strict deadlines, including a complex RICO case that required synthesizing conflicting circuit opinions."
Closing Paragraph
Bad: "I look forward to hearing from you."
Good: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience with securities regulation aligns with Carter LLP's expanding financial services practice. I'll be in Chicago the week of May 15 and would be available to meet in person."
Common Cover Letter Mistakes in Legal Applications
These mistakes immediately signal to hiring managers that you aren't taking the process seriously:
- Generic firm descriptions: "Your prestigious firm has an excellent reputation." (They know their reputation.)
- Vague interest statements: "I am passionate about the law." (What area? Why?)
- Focusing solely on what you want: "This position would be an excellent opportunity for me to develop my skills." (What about what you bring to them?)
- Copy/paste errors: Mentioning the wrong firm name is surprisingly common—and instantly disqualifying.
When Cover Letters Make the Biggest Difference
Cover letters can be especially valuable when:
- You're changing practice areas: Explain how your current skills transfer to new legal territory.
- Your credentials don't immediately stand out: Use the cover letter to highlight unique experiences that compensate for lower grades or school ranking.
- You have a connection to highlight: Mentioning a referral or connection to the firm isn't name-dropping—it's providing context that helps them place you.
- You're applying to a niche practice area: Demonstrate specific knowledge and genuine interest that simple credentials can't show.
Practical Steps to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
Strong cover letters start with strong research. Go beyond the firm’s website by reading recent cases, checking legal news, and looking up attorneys on LinkedIn to understand the firm's work and priorities. Use specifics from your legal writing experience to show your skills in action. Instead of simply stating you have excellent research skills, describe a challenge you tackled and what you learned from it.
Keep your letter under one page to demonstrate clear and concise communication, a skill attorneys value. Customize each application by adding a paragraph that ties your interests directly to the firm's practice areas. Proofread carefully. In law, a single typo can shift the meaning of a contract, and recruiters will notice small errors immediately.
The Bottom Line
Even if a job posting marks a cover letter as optional, consider it mandatory for legal positions. Your well-crafted letter demonstrates the same skills legal employers pay for: the ability to research thoroughly, write persuasively, and pay attention to details.
In a profession built on effective written advocacy, your cover letter is your first brief — and your first chance to win your case.