Legal Clerk Cover Letter is an important document for a fresh law graduate. A properly composed letter can give the graduate a dream start to his professional career. It is important to remember that the position of a legal clerk is used by law graduates as a starting step in their legal career. They usually take up this position before applying for a legal license. The cover letter, therefore, should demonstrate the fact that the candidate is dam serious about the opportunity.
Also needing to be depicted, is the readiness of the candidate to act as an assistant to fully qualified attorneys and judges. This involves duties like conducting preliminary research, filing documents and motions in courts, collection and filing of supporting evidence, communication with all authorities and witnesses related to a case, preparation of legal documents, interviewing witnesses and making arrangements for their stay and travel if the occasion demands so. On numerous occasions, the candidate will have to go out of the way and work way after the office timings to complete his duties. This expression of readiness is an in important part of this cover letter.
Legal Clerk Cover Letters should bring out all these skills of the candidate along with necessary traits like excellent communication, organization, and time management. The candidate will do well to bring out his decision making and discretion related skills that in almost all professions, define the difference between the competent and the ordinary. Another area that deserves special mention is the power of persuasion. On many occasions, the candidate will be required to plead with judges and other authorities. Later as a full lawyer, he has to plead with the jury and fine tuned persuasion can make a huge difference.
Here is an example of legal clerk cover letter:
December 9, 2011
Marcus Vlaminck
2 Trinity Place,
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-829-3517
marcus_vlaminck@gmail.com
Ruskin Broody
Junior Partner,
Mills & Bradford Law Firm,
4000 Broadway,
San Antonio, TX 78209
Dear Mr. Broody,
This is with reference to your advertisement in the "San Antonio Express", dated December 4, 2011, inviting applications for the post of a legal clerk in your reputed institution. I am a fresh graduate in law with specialization in corporate law. I am a self motivated individual. I share your strong belief in ethics in corporate governance, which is the reason for making an application with your organization.
My academic career has been excellent and I have maintained top grades throughout my studies at all levels. I have completed my graduation from the reputed Rice University, Texas. During graduation, I have been involved with case studies about corporate fraud. I have also had the fortune of informally assisting the legal team of eminent lawyer Mr. Richard Greene. The experience was profound, to say the least. It provided me with firsthand knowledge and experience of the maze of activities in the corporate world.
During this stint, I provided assistance in activities like conduction of preliminary legal research, linking different parts of a case to produce a complete presentation, interviewing witnesses and, when necessary, arranging for their transport and stay; preparation of legal documents, arranging meetings with and relaying messages and documents to related attorneys and judges, filing documents with courts, and collection of supporting evidence.
I am well aware that sometimes this job makes a person's routine variable. I have good communication, research, time management, and organization skills. If given the opportunity, I will continue to go out of the way for execution of my responsibilities. I have attached my resume with this letter. You can contact me on the telephone number or the email address mentioned above.
Yours sincerely,
(Marcus Vlaminck)
Enclosure: Resume
Legal Clerk Cover Letter should brief the recruiter of the necessary skill set that the candidate possesses. Since this position is a stepping stone to a brighter career in the legal discipline, the readiness of the candidate to take the lead in completing tasks is an essential attribute.