Samuel Johns is a Senior Content Editor and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius. In his 7+ years of experience in the careers space, he has helped hundreds...
We reviewed hundreds of job ads to find out what law firms and legal departments are really looking for in paralegal candidates — then used those insights to create targeted paralegal cover letter examples. Alongside these samples, you’ll find expert tips to help you write a compelling, well-structured letter that stands out.
[Hiring Manager’s Name] [456 Company Address] [Company City, State XXXXX] [(XXX) XXX-XXXX] [hiring.manager@gmail.com]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to apply for the entry-level Paralegal position at Roberts & Associates Law Firm, as advertised on your firm’s website. As a recent graduate with an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Phoenix Community College, I am excited about the opportunity to begin my career with a reputable firm like yours.
Throughout my academic journey, I have developed a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and office procedures. My education and internship experience have prepared me well for this role:
Paralegal certificate: Completed an ABA-approved Paralegal Studies program with a 3.8 GPA, gaining comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology, ethics, and various areas of law.
Internship experience: Completed a 120-hour internship at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office, where I assisted attorneys with case preparation, document management, and client interviews.
Technical skills: Proficient in legal research databases including Westlaw and LexisNexis, as well as Microsoft Office Suite and case management software.
What draws me to Roberts & Associates is your firm’s commitment to providing high-quality legal services across a diverse range of practice areas. Your recent pro bono initiative to assist low-income individuals with estate planning particularly resonates with my personal values and desire to make a positive impact in the community.
I understand that confidentiality and ethical conduct are paramount in the legal field. My academic training has instilled in me a deep respect for these principles, and I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.
Thank you for considering my application. I am very excited about the prospect of joining the team at Roberts & Associates and contributing to your firm’s continued success. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm align with the needs of your organization.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
[Today’s Date]
[341 Company Address] Company City, State, xxxxx (xxx) xxx-xxxx hiring.manager@gmail.com]
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s Name],
This letter is in regards to my interest in applying for the entry-level paralegal position at [company name]. With my skills and qualifications, I am more than capable of providing paralegal support services to protect your company’s innovations and intellectual property.
While pursuing an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from [university name], I have developed knowledge of intellectual property law. As a member of the Junior Paralegal Club, I was able to stay up to date on all current affairs in relation to corporate law. With an internship at a mid-size law firm I was able to apply this knowledge and gain hands on experience in the field.
During my internship with The Wachester Firm, I was responsible for:
The preparation of documents for criminal and civil trials by scheduling and conducting interviews with clients, witnesses, and other lawyers
Creating and maintaining a paper and electronic litigation database
In-depth research and analysis of cases on corporate governance and litigation
Together, I believe my educational background and internship experience makes me a suitable candidate for the paralegal position at your firm. I have attached my resume highlighting my academic and professional skills and look forward to hearing from you in due course. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely, [Your Name]
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name] [456 Company Address] [Company City, State XXXXX] [(XXX) XXX-XXXX] [hiring.manager@gmail.com]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Paralegal position at Rodriguez, Chang & Associates LLP, as advertised on your firm’s careers page. With over eight years of experience in corporate law and litigation support, coupled with my Certified Paralegal (CP) designation, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to your esteemed firm.
Throughout my career at Goldstein & Partners, I have honed my skills in managing complex legal projects and supporting high-stakes litigation. My experience spans various aspects of paralegal work, including conducting comprehensive legal research, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and managing large-scale e-discovery projects. In my current role as Lead Paralegal, I have been instrumental in streamlining our case management processes, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency and a significant reduction in turnaround times for document production.
One of my key strengths is my ability to leverage technology to enhance legal operations. I spearheaded the implementation of a new case management system at Goldstein & Partners, which improved team collaboration and client communication. This initiative not only increased our productivity but also received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both attorneys and clients.
What particularly draws me to your firm is your reputation for handling cutting-edge cases in emerging technology law. Your recent work on the landmark case involving AI-generated intellectual property aligns perfectly with my interest in the intersection of law and technology. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to support your firm’s continued success in this evolving legal landscape.
I am confident that my combination of extensive experience, technical proficiency, and dedication to excellence would make me a valuable asset to your team. I am excited about the prospect of bringing my expertise to Rodriguez, Chang & Associates and contributing to your firm’s innovative approach to legal services.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your firm and how I can contribute to your continued success.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Average paralegal salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states by downloads in the USA.
Top 10 states by average paralegal salary
State
Salary / Year
District of Columbia
$96,200
Washington
$83,930
Massachusetts
$78,540
California
$76,920
New York
$74,580
Minnesota
$71,560
Oregon
$70,210
Maryland
$69,520
New Jersey
$69,010
Illinois
$68,960
National Average
$66,510
How to write a paralegal cover letter
Legal professionals depend on the support of talented paralegals to lighten their workload. To show them you’re the right person to assist with cases, showcase your paralegal skills by writing an effective cover letter.
Use these four tips to write a paralegal cover letter that gets the hiring manager excited to learn more about you in person:
1. Reference the job listing in your cover letter
Referring to the job ad in your cover letter is always a smart move. Highlight the qualifications listed and explain how you meet them.
We’ve compiled data from hundreds of paralegal job ads to show you which qualifications appear most frequently:
Real Job DataMost in-demand paralegal skills and requirements
We analyzed 796 real paralegal job ads to find the top keywords to add to your application documents.
Data
Keywords
Percentage
Count
Communication skills
37
298
Attention to detail
34
270
Bachelors degree
32
256
Microsoft Office
27
217
Legal research
27
214
Organizational skills
25
198
Case management
23
185
Paralegal certificate
23
180
Ability to work independently
20
159
Multitasking
10
80
Including these key terms in your cover letter can help demonstrate your familiarity with the legal field and show hiring managers that you have the foundation they’re looking for in a candidate.
That said, the most valuable source of language is the specific job ad you’re responding to. Quoting terms from the listing shows you’ve paid close attention and tailored your application to the role — something employers appreciate.
2. Highlight your paralegal skills
As a paralegal, your cover letter should highlight the technical skills relevant to your career, such as your legal knowledge and computer literacy. Additionally, certain key soft skills are needed to support daily operations, such as organizational skills and time management skills.
However, your day-to-day tasks as a paralegal can vary depending on the type of firm you work for and their field of law. To show the hiring manager you’re a strong candidate, you need to emphasize the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the needs of the firm.
For example, if you’re applying to be a real estate paralegal, talk about your experience negotiating lease agreements and preparing legal documents for real estate and commercial transactions.
Additionally, here are important paralegal hard skills to highlight in your cover letter:
Legal terminology
Administrative procedures
Knowledge of court procedures and legal codes
Data entry
Accounting software (Intuit QuickBooks)
Microsoft Access
Project management software (Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Planner)
Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word)
Information retrieval software (LexisNexis, LawManager, and FindForms)
In addition to your hard skills, here are some paralegal soft skills employers seek:
As a paralegal, you can expect employers to pay close attention to your professionalism and attention to detail throughout the hiring process. This also applies to your cover letter.
To give the hiring manager a great first impression, present your qualifications effectively and clearly by using traditional cover letter format.
Here’s how to properly format your paralegal cover letter:
If you’re applying online, submit your cover letter in PDF or DOCX format
Additionally, keep your cover letter at the ideal cover letter length, which is between 250 to 400 words.
4. End with a convincing closing statement
Jobs in the legal field are highly competitive. Knowing how to end your cover letter memorably can turn a good paralegal cover letter into a great one. This makes all the difference when a hiring manager is deciding between two candidates with similar qualifications.
To convince them there’s no better person for the job, restate your interest in the position, then list your key qualifications while emphasizing the value you can add to their firm.
Here’s how to write a strong paralegal closing statement:
Convey enthusiasm for the job opportunity. Working as a paralegal often comes with long hours and routine work. Because legal professionals rely on your expertise to facilitate their work, you need to show them you have the passion to meet the demands of a busy legal office.
Highlight your strengths as a paralegal, while focusing on how your skills and experience will directly benefit their organization
Include a call to action that encourages an in-person meeting to discuss your qualifications further
Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration
Samuel Johns is a Senior Content Editor and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius. In his 7+ years of experience in the careers space, he has helped hundreds of job seekers craft high-quality resumes and cover letters, ace interviews, and land their dream jobs. Born and raised in County Durham, England, UK, Samuel graduated with a BA in French from the University of Bristol, England, UK. Samuel’s job-hunt advice has been published in numerous online outlets, including Dollar Sprout, The Enterprisers Project, and Tech Crunch. Feel free to reach out to Samuel through his LinkedIn if you’d like to collaborate. Please note, we don’t accept guest posts and won’t reply to such requests.
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