Paralegal cover letter example & writing guide

In this cover letter guide and corresponding paralegal cover letter example, we’ll discover exactly what you need to include in your cover letter to land interviews. Here are some of the areas we will cover: 

• What should your paralegal cover letter include? 

• What can you write in the introduction of the cover letter?

• What information can you give in the body of the cover letter?

• How to write a cover letter closing 

What should your paralegal cover letter include?   

The goal of your paralegal cover letter should be to show that you can communicate with clients and attorneys while managing case priorities. The letter should be written so that it’s easy to see your skills and achievements. It needs to be easy to read and well thought out.

As with most letters, you’ll start with a header with your contact information and the information of the organization. You will immediately follow the header with a salutation. If you’re uncertain about what salutation to use, our article on how to choose a cover letter salutation has some great guidance.

The other areas your paralegal cover letter should have are an introduction, a body, and a closing. You can learn more about each section in the following paragraphs. 

What can you write in the introduction of your cover letter?

One of the most important things to remember when writing the introduction of your cover letter is that it should portray your excitement for the position. You should also mention your previous experience and the current title you hold.

The goal of the introduction is to ensure an attorney’s office knows from the start that you are a paralegal with experience and drive. You want to grab their attention and show what paralegal skills you bring to the table. When writing this section, stay authentic and excited about the position. The right introduction can keep them reading when they reach your achievements and skills section.

What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for a paralegal vacancy?  

After the introduction, you can expand your skills and achievements in the body of your cover letter.

One way to do that is by breaking the body into 3 different sections:

1. Why you? What is it about your skills that make you the perfect candidate for this specific paralegal position? That could be many things, including your ability to produce well-crafted legal documents or your top-level communication skills. Be specific about the paralegal skills you have and try to quantify them whenever possible. 

2. Why here? Showing enthusiasm about working with this particular attorney’s office is also an important part of your cover letter. Explain what excites you about this specific role and what you love most about the office. Not only does this show you were willing to learn more about the attorney, but it also shows how you will fit in with the culture that’s already in place.

3. Why now? Another important factor is why the role is perfect for you at this point in your career. Perhaps you will be able to learn new skills or work in a different area of the legal industry. Whatever your career goals are, try to tie them into your cover letter in some way. Doing so lets an attorney know why they should hire you for the position they have open right now instead of passing you up or considering you for a future position down the road.

For even more guidance on what to include in your cover letter body, check out our blog: What should you write in a cover letter body?

How to write a cover letter closing

The final section of the cover letter should be written so that an attorney’s office is encouraged to call you for an interview. This is a section that you can keep very brief, but there are a couple of elements you want to include. Again, you should express your gratitude and showcase your excitement for the position. However, you also want to directly ask the attorney’s office to contact you.

• Link your skills to the open role. Show how the skills mentioned in your cover letter will make you successful in the open role. “With my strong track record of providing expert legal and operations support, I can immediately contribute to the [Attorney Office Name] team as a paralegal.”

• Include a Call to Action. At the very end of your cover letter, thank them again for the opportunity and ask them to contact you. “I am excited to share more information about my [specific paralegal skills] and look forward to hearing from you to set up an interview. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Don’t get stuck right at the end. Learn more here: How to close a cover letter.

If you are still looking for the perfect open position to send your expertly crafted cover letter to, our state-of-the-art job board and its advanced tracking metrics can help!