How long should a cover letter be for law?

Asked by: Wilford Upton  |  Last update: November 3, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (61 votes)

Keep your cover letter to one page. Use the font style and point size that match your resume. Remember that the reader is busy: less is more. Ensure your cover letter is error free.

How long should legal cover letters be?

Keeping it brief. Cover letters for lawyers are a one-page summary to let the hiring manager know that you're a candidate they should talk to further.

Is a 500 word cover letter too long?

A cover letter should be half a page to one page long and should follow the business letter format. Your cover letter word count should be around 250 - 400, but remember that your primary focus should be the content and formatting of your document. Always tailor your cover letter to match the specific job description.

How many words should a cover letter be law?

Your covering letter should be concise – around one page. You may want to send it as a Word attachment, rather than simply an email. You should make sure it is well laid out, with a consistent format and a clear font. Check carefully for spelling mistakes or other errors.

Is 250 words too short for a cover letter?

250-300 words are the ideal length of an average cover letter. The perfect number of paragraphs in a cover letter ranges from three to four. The maximum number of paragraphs that are acceptable is six.

How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be

39 related questions found

Is 400 words ok for a cover letter?

If your cover letter is a document, we recommend that it's no longer than 400 – 500 words, somewhere between half a page and a full page, divided into 3 or 4 paragraphs. If the cover note is an email message, with your CV as an attachment, make it shorter, probably no longer than 400 words.

Is it OK if my cover letter is short?

Some believe you need to go into great detail when writing your cover letter but that isn't necessarily the case. Short cover letters are becoming more and more effective in the current career market. A short cover letter is typically fewer than 325 words and can be as short as 150 words.

What is the longest a cover letter can be?

A cover letter should be between a half and a full page long. Generally, you should aim for a cover letter word count of 250 to 400 words and about three to six paragraphs.

How to write a CV for law?

A traditional structure contains the following information:
  1. Personal details. Include your name and contact details such as address, email address and phone number as a heading. ...
  2. Education and training. ...
  3. Employment and work experience. ...
  4. Additional skills. ...
  5. Extracurricular activities. ...
  6. Referees.

How many words is a legal brief?

The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and many state counterparts impose “word limits” on briefs and similar documents. Rule 32(a)(7)(B) requires that a principal brief contain no more than 13,000 words, a reply brief, no more than 6,500.

Should you put GPA in a cover letter?

You can include your GPA if it is strong and shows an accomplishment, or if you are applying to a position that requests you include your grades.

Is it okay to say love in a cover letter?

“Feeling” words run the risk of making your cover letter sound too personal. Remember, you're applying for a job, and the hiring manager isn't concerned with how you feel or what you love. They're interested in finding the best person for the job, and your best tactic is to let the facts speak for themselves.

How long should a CV be?

Keep your CV concise and to the point. It should be no more than 2 pages of A4 unless you are applying for an academic / research post. Focus on your recent and most relevant experience and achievements.

Do law firms read cover letters?

Hiring attorneys and recruiting administrators use cover letters to. See if there are geographic ties or other information to explain the applicant's interest in that city or employer.

How long should a legal letter be?

The Length of a Legal Letter is a Subtle Question

It is a subtle and nuanced question. And so in order to determine how long a letter of advice should be, I'm going to give you this answer: it should be as long as it has to be, but no longer.

What makes a great cover letter?

With your cover letter, you'll aim to: Highlight your qualifications: You'll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer's needs for a specific position. Showcase your motivation: You'll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.

Do lawyers use CV or resume?

That said, many other lawyers use CV formats. Fortune 500 CLOs, GCs, C-suite lawyers, and law firm equity partners as well as executive lawyers, executive-track, and partnership-track attorneys can all benefit from shifting to a CV format. Alternatively, they can use a résumé with résumé addenda.

What should a law resume look like?

List experiences that demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas relevant to legal employers, especially research, writing, and analysis. Emphasize professional skills including organizational ability, leadership, initiative, creativity, communication skills, common sense, and intellectual ability.

Do law schools want a CV or resume?

So yes, your resume does matter for law schools.

Do employers like long cover letters?

Some job postings might add a particular instruction as part of their screening. Be concise: Cover letters should not go beyond a page in length. Half a page or a page (or 250 to 400 words) is a good letter length to try and meet, which will also help showcase your writing skills as well, the more concise you can be.

Is 400 words too much for a cover letter?

Seventy percent of surveyed recruiters prefer a short cover letter. The ideal cover letter length should be between half a page and one page, which equates to 250–400 words spread over three to five paragraphs.

Is 430 words too long for a cover letter?

The ideal length for a cover letter is around 250–400 words, or no more than one page.

Is it unprofessional to not have a cover letter?

Short answer: yes, you should submit a cover letter alongside your resume. Here's why: Most job openings require you to submit a cover letter. Recruiters might not have the time to read ALL the cover letters they receive, but they will definitely read cover letters if they're on the fence for a candidate.

How do I close off a cover letter?

Offer thanks for their time and consideration, and choose a professional closing salutation such as, “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or “Thank you for your consideration.” Avoid overly familiar phrases like, “Yours,” “Cheers” or “Take care.”

Should a cover letter be signed?

You should always sign a cover letter sent by mail because it's more professional, and requires little effort.