Sample Cover Letter: First Paragraph

First Paragraph

Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing. Introduce yourself as a law student or a graduate of Gonzaga Law and specify what it is you are seeking: a summer job, an associate position, a clerkship, part-time work, etc.

The goal of this paragraph is to give the reader a reason to want to finish reading the letter. The best cover letters are always those that have a connection to the person the letter is addressed to, the organization or the geographic location. You should mention any and all personal connections you may have.

If you don’t have a personal connection, try to establish a nexus between yourself and the employer, such as knowledge of their practice, an established commitment to or interest in their work, a connection to their city or something else which conveys that you are not just writing to them as part of a mass mailing for any job in any location.

The Career Services Office can also assist you in creating connections to potential employers.

Remember, an employer wants to think that you sought him or her out purposely rather than randomly.

General Samples

General Sample 1
Innis Reginal & Smith’s extensive tax practice is particularly interesting to me as it provides an opportunity to utilize my education and professional tax background.  One of your partners, John Watson, recommended I contact you regarding summer employment opportunities with your firm. I am a ______-year student at Gonzaga University School of Law in Washington, but plan to return home to California upon graduation in July.

General Sample 2

Parker Law Firm’s advertisement for a summer legal intern in the December issue of the Washington Bar Journal is a great opportunity for an individual with a strong desire in public interest practice.  My past experience details this same type of dedication including my involvement with numerous non-profit organizations ranging from Habitat for Humanity and Vanessa Behan Crisis Center, to the Victim Advocate Unit for the King County Prosecutor’s Office.  I am a ______-year student at Gonzaga University School of Law and intend to pursue a public interest practice.

General Sample 3
Your posting through the Gonzaga Career Services website is of great interest to me and I am writing to apply for the summer internship position. I am a ______-year student at Gonzaga University School of Law and am interested in pursuing a litigation practice. I have participated in both advocacy and moot court competitions and was twice recognized for my litigation skills.

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Samples Corresponding to Job Position

Law Firm sample

Given Smith and Wesson’s reputation and focus on IP litigation, this letter is in response to the posting for an internship located on the Gonzaga University School of Law’s Career Services Office web page. I will begin my second year of law school at Gonzaga and was immediately interested in the opportunity to apply for an internship. I am excited at the prospect of returning to Colorado and developing my legal career dealing with IP issues important to the Colorado community.

Public Interest Sample
Stan Smith, with whom you spoke over lunch on Thursday, informed me that the Public Interest Law Center is currently recruiting an attorney. I am a third-year law student at Gonzaga University School of Law and intend to sit for the Washington State Bar exam in July. I greatly admire the work performed at the Center and would be both excited and honored to add my experience and commitment to your mission. I similarly posses a passion for equality and have dedicated my legal studies to the practice of public interest law.

Judicial Clerkship
I am in the top 10% of my class and legal research, writing and the judicial process have always held particular interest to me. I have received various merit scholarships based on my legal research and writing ability. I am writing you to present myself as a candidate for one of your clerkship positions for the 2011-12 term. I am a second-year law student at Gonzaga University School of Law and would like to contribute my legal skills to the geographical area in which I tend to practice.

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