Cover letter for regional firm

Dear Mr [redacted],

I am writing to express my interest in the position of Litigation Assistant, Public Sector, Abuse and Specialist Liability at Kennedys’ [redacted] office. 

Currently a paralegal in [redacted] Legal Services Team, I am now looking for a role which will afford me more opportunities for client contact and a deeper involvement in a more contentious field. Kennedys is a firm which I have been interested in since completing the Forage Virtual Work Experience Programme and I am therefore very eager to take on a role with the firm with a view to a long-term career, as I enjoyed this introduction to the firm’s work and culture.

My interest in this area of law stemmed from volunteering for the [redacted], where I sat in on a number of cases revolving around local authorities and public sector bodies. I feel strongly about balancing the protection of claimants’ rights with the need to support our Public Services. Alongside my high performance and enjoyment of Tort and Public Law modules, I believe I have the subject area intrigue and knowledge to succeed in this department. I am excited by the opportunity to work on high-profile cases and expand my knowledge further.

As part of my paralegal role, I am seconded to [redacted] in their P&I claims department. This has allowed me to undertake work assessing shipping cargo claims, taking them from the point of notification to settlement. My responsibilities include liaising with members and claimants, ensuring documentation provided is acceptable, drafting settlement agreements and making judgement calls as to when claimants require a slightly more nuanced approach. This experience will undoubtedly assist me at Kennedys, as I already have an understanding of the handling of claims and the processes involved, particularly of the preference to avoid litigation where possible. I pride myself on my time management skills, which have been furthered in my time as a secondee as it has taught me to manage stressful and busy workloads across both my secondment and usual workstreams.

I work with a variety of teams across different practice areas and global offices, which has developed my adaptability; I am able to quickly learn a skill or carry out a new task and work with different people. This makes me a stand out candidate as I will be able to settle into Kennedys with ease and approach tasks with confidence. I have greatly benefitted from working for an international firm through the exposure to the fast-paced and demanding environment this entails which has improved my ability to perform under pressure. Additionally, I am comfortable with many typical paralegal and trainee level skills including document review, proofreading documents, preparing bibles, duping out documents, operating DocuSign and Microsoft applications and contact with clients and instructing teams. My strong work ethic has been demonstrated by my willingness to work overtime to support colleagues from across the firm to achieve their goals, whether that be meeting a disclosure deadline, closing a finance matter or sending work to a client.

I truly believe that I would make an excellent addition to Kennedys as a Litigation Assistant and look forward to a chance to further discuss my motivations and experiences with the recruitment team.

Yours sincerely,

Cover letter for national firm

Dear Sirs,

I wish to apply for the Dispute Resolution Paralegal position. I am currently a Civil Litigation Paralegal having completed my Bachelors degree at Durham University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law with the University of Law. l thank you in advance for considering my application. 

It is aspiring that TV Edwards offer work experience to local communities for people that may not otherwise receive this opportunity. I know from my experience of volunteering with young people that providing different opportunities can aspire people’s future careers, as a volunteer for Durham county councils youth offending team I had the role of helping implement action plans to prevent future reoffending. 

TV Edwards being recognised as the leading firm to offer legal aid is motivating, during my studies, I completed multiple pro bono schemes, which gave back valuable advice to people that may not have otherwise had access to it. I wish to continue taking part in pro bono if given the opportunity.

Throughout my academic journey I have showcased my research and organisational skills, from writing my dissertation to keeping to court deadlines. During my current role as a Litigation Paralegal, I have had the opportunity to prepare court documents, conduct legal research and draft letters; these are transferrable skills necessary as a Dispute Resolution Paralegal. Dispute resolution offers a wide range of exposure to multiple areas of law allowing for a solid foundation for a successful legal career. I have excelled in the dynamic nature of the job, building a rapport with clients when managing my own caseload of 45 cases, making sure to prioritise client care. 

I can appreciate the demanding nature of the role, having dealt with many high conflict situations both in my role as a Litigation Paralegal and working as an NHS Contact Tracer during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

If given the opportunity, I look forward to expending my knowledge in the Litigation sector. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my application; I look forward to hearing from you.  

Yours faithfully,

[Redacted]