Legal Secretary Cover Letter Example and Template

Legal secretaries help attorneys at law firms, government agencies and businesses with clerical duties like filing, client communication and scheduling. They're typically also competent with legal software which they may use to draft documents, record client information and track progress. If you're an organized, detail-oriented person hoping to start a career in law, read more about the job description to learn if this career could be suitable for you. In this article, we explain how to write a legal secretary cover letter, offer some tips for writing your letter and share an example cover letter that may be useful. Reviewing resume samples can also help you prepare an effective application that could impress hiring managers. When you've written and revised your application materials, upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume. Candice Maxbury
Cleveland, Ohio
555-555-0165
candicesmaxbury@email.com May 11, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, My name is Candice Maxbury, and I'm a recent graduate of Dansmarth University with a Bachelor of Arts in legal studies. I'm writing to express my interest in the Legal Secretary position at Bratch, Rosen and Klein LLP. With an in-depth understanding of the litigation process, a vast repertoire of technical skills and administrative experience, I'm confident I could help optimize efficiency for your team of attorneys. While earning my undergraduate degree, I was a mock trial team member. This activity introduced me to legal research and document review, and in my schooling, I became familiar with briefs, motions, contracts and correspondence. Last summer, as an intern at Hearing and Associates, I mastered the litigation management software used in just three days and trained four other interns on it with ease. I used this program to keep detailed records of all client interactions, organized cases with over 400 plaintiffs and streamlined email communications regarding individual clients. My educational background prepared me to work on a fast-paced legal team, and my work experience refined my administrative skills. As an Office Assistant at the Dansmarth University Student Housing Department, I answered over 100 phone calls per day, provided friendly customer service and performed high-volume data entry projects. We used many of the same forms when helping students register for housing, transfer buildings or request roommates, so I created a binder filled with blank copies of each form. I also scanned over 1,500 completed forms and arranged them by year and last name in our internal database. I'm confident that my knowledge of legal topics, paired with my efficient organizational skills, would allow me to thrive as a Legal Secretary at Bratch, Rosen and Klein LLP. I appreciate your consideration. I'll email you next week to learn the status of my application and discuss the possibility of an interview. Respectfully, Candice Maxbury To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write a legal secretary cover letter

Below are steps you can follow when crafting your legal secretary cover letter:

1. Research the employer

It's essential to understand the company's culture, history and values before writing your letter so you can explain how you might fit into the organization. Before you begin your letter, learn about the law firm, government agency or business to which you're applying. There are a wide variety of specializations in the field of law, so it may be helpful to learn what area of law they practice. This will allow you to be more specific in your letter, detailing how your skills align with their work. Related: Working at a Law Firm: Pros and Cons, Environment and Types of Law

2. Include a header

Hiring managers may skim your resume for contact information, so it's helpful if you place it in an obvious location. In the upper-left corner of your letter, type your name, your location, phone number and email address. If you have a simple, professional email account, opt for it rather than a personal account. Remember to monitor your phone and email inboxes closely after submitting your letter to ensure you respond promptly if the hiring manager contacts you.

3. Add an opening paragraph

Introduce yourself and clearly state that you're writing to apply for a legal secretary job. You can then add some details about your strengths and background that apply directly to the job. Try to use precise, unique language to describe yourself in the opening paragraph. This may help you stand out from other candidates and catch the hiring manager's attention. Read more: 7 Powerful Ways To Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)

4. Describe your skills

In the first body paragraph, you can explain your strengths, focusing on skills that align with the job description. Legal secretaries are often organized and detail-oriented, so you could highlight these capabilities by explaining any clerical responsibilities you held at previous jobs. Experience with litigation management software and an understanding of basic legal terminology may help you better support attorneys, so these hard skills could be beneficial to mention. Read more: Legal Secretary Skills: Definition and Examples

5. Support your claims with evidence and examples

Your resume lists your capabilities, while your cover letter provides a more detailed and personal description of these traits. To strengthen your cover letter, consider including anecdotal examples of your skills in the workplace and numerical data that shows you to be an efficient, effective team member. For example, legal secretaries often handle client communications, so you could discuss your short response time when managing customer service tickets at a previous job. Related: How To Write a Cover Letter to Employer

6. Write a closing paragraph

To end your letter, summarize your strengths again and express your enthusiasm for the job. It can be polite to thank the reader for reviewing your application, and you could state your intentions to follow up. This can show the hiring manager that you're confident and proactive. Finally, add a professional salutation and type your name. Related: 22 Business Letter Closing Examples

7. Proofread your cover letter

Before submitting your letter, review it carefully for typos or errors. Legal secretaries must be conscientious and meticulous, so it's crucial to turn in a letter that's free from imperfections. Consider asking a peer to read it as well, to ensure you notice any mistakes you may have missed during proofreading. Read more: Cover Letter Checklist: What To Review Before You Submit

Tips for writing a legal secretary cover letter

Here are some tips that may guide you when crafting your letter:

Format your letter appropriately

Proper formatting is vital when writing a legal secretary cover letter. In this career, you may draft important legal documents for attorneys like briefs, motions and client correspondence, so it's essential to show potential employers that you know how to create a clean, visually appealing document. Set your margins to 1 inch and opt for a professional font. Related: Business Letter Format and Example

Focus on your positive attributes

Legal secretaries often have minimal formal training, making this position an ideal entry-level job for those interested in learning about the legal field. If you're new to the workforce, focus on the experience and skills you can bring to the job rather than the qualifications you may lack. Many employers appreciate candidates who believe in their abilities, so aim to project confidence using positive language. Related: 30 Questions To Ask Yourself To Improve Your Self-Confidence

Customize your letter to the job description

Remember to include some keywords featured in the job description to help increase your chances of capturing the hiring manager's attention. If the description mentions particular software programs you have experience with, legal documents you're familiar with or soft skills you possess, it can be helpful to mention these terms in your cover letter. Cover letters are an opportunity to share some of your personality with the employer, so when adding keywords, ensure your letter still sounds authentic to you.