You have secured an interview at a prestigious law firm. Congrats! Now what do you need to do to prove you are the best candidate for the job?
Your resume might make the cut, but your cover letter will probably not. Yes, your resume will help the lawyer on the receiving end assess your professional skills. But, your cover letter will equip them to assess your character. In other words, your cover letter is a chance to sell yourself as a candidate. To best succeed in your job search, you need a winning cover letter.
So, what exactly is a legal writing sample? A legal writing sample is a portion of your writing that evidences your ability to write clearly and concisely for a court or other non-profit organization in a legal setting. Essentially, your legal writing sample is your chance to show what you can do.
To prove you are capable of writing a winning legal cover letter, check out the various sample letters provided on this page. You can also take a look at our sample letters section for tips on how to write a winning legal letter.
Types Of Legal Writing Samples
Depending on the position you are applying for, you might be asked to submit different types of legal writing samples. For example, if you are applying for a labor & employment law job, then you might be asked to submit a brief or memorandum. Or, if you are applying for a tax job, then you may be asked to submit a tax opinion or notice of determination.
If you are fortunate enough to secure an in-house legal position at a corporation, then you will most likely be required to submit samples of legal work that you have done for the corporation. In this case, you will be asked to submit a brief, memo, or opinion on a particular matter. Alternatively, if you are an attorney and you represent a company, then you might be asked to submit bills or invoices for the corporation. In this case, your legal writing sample might be requested to be in the form of a bill or invoice.
What Should You Include In Your Legal Writing Sample?
Just because you are writing a legal letter or document does not mean that you need to include every bit of evidence or detail that might be relevant. Instead, you should focus on including the following elements:
- The facts of the case
- Your analysis of the facts
- The applicable law
- Your analysis of the law
- Your conclusion
- Any citations or references to case law
Depending on the requirements of the position, you might be asked to include additional items. For example, if you are applying for a labor & employment job and you are being asked to submit a brief, then you might want to include the type of employer you are seeking to join, as well as any relevant details about yourself. Additionally, you might want to include any relevant training or degrees you have received. If you are applying for a tax job and you want to include some sample tax forms, then you might want to include a simple explanation of what a tax form is and why you are submitting it.
What Should You Exclude From Your Legal Writing Sample?
Although in some cases you might be asked to submit your entire written work for consideration, it is generally best to exclude those parts that are not relevant to the position you are applying for. Just because the recruiter or hiring manager is interested in your work history or any particular project that you have contributed to, does not mean that they will want to read every part of your resume. In fact, many employers are now scanning resumes and documents for background checks before they make a hiring decision. This means they may have to click over numerous pages before they get to the sections that might be relevant to the position. By then it might be too late to convince them to offer you the job.
Include only those sections that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a labor & employment job and you have extensive experience in human resources, then it might not be relevant to include your work history as an attorney. Instead, you might want to consider including a sample human resources agreement, explaining the general terms and conditions of your employment. This type of sample will make you stand out among the other candidates because it will provide the reader with a clear idea of your expertise.
Why Should You Avoid Plagiarism In Your Legal Writing Sample?
Plagiarism is copying and pasting content from one place and claiming it as your own original work. In the legal setting, this usually means submitting work that is substantially similar to the work of others, sometimes without giving appropriate credit. Even if you are submitting your own work, you should avoid creating a work that is identical to someone else’s. This could be considered plagiarism.
The worst thing you can do in your job search is to lie. Even if you think your chances of getting the job are excellent and you are competing with a large number of applicants, you still need to put your best foot forward. This means you should include details about yourself that are relevant to the position you are applying for and leave out any irrelevant information. In doing so, you will become more authentic and believable. Authentic and believable candidates are the best kind.
Formatting Style
Whatever the nature of your letter, remember to format it consistently. Indent each line of the letter (except the salutation) with at least one space so that it appears formal. Limit the length of your letter to three or four pages (excluding the salutation and signature). Finally, keep your language easy and concise so that it can be easily understood. Poorly formatted and poorly written letters make a poorly presenting candidate. A poorly presenting candidate is the worst kind!
As the above discussion makes clear, a legal writing sample is different from your resume. Resumes are designed to showcase your professional skills and experience, while legal writing samples showcase your ability to write professionally for a general audience, in a legal setting. Indeed, your resume will often only include a small part of your total work history, whereas your letter will incorporate your entire writing career.
When it comes to securing your dream job, nothing is more important than brand representation. Therefore, ensure that your resume reflects high standards of quality and is free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Of course, you want to make sure that it accurately reflects your skills and experience. Ensure that each element is presented in the best possible way and that you showcase your strengths. For this reason, it is generally best to avoid using templates when creating your resume. Instead, take the time to craft a unique document that will land you that all-important interview.