FREDERICK FIRST YEAR 2356 North Marcella Street Norman, Oklahoma 73069 (405) 859-6598 frederick@ou.edu
November 11, 2007
Ms. Kathryn K. Walters Recruiting Coordinator Akers, Mansfield & Zolt 1878 Walker Avenue Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114 Dear Ms. Walters: I am writing at the suggestion of Professor Drew Kershen to express my interest in working as a summer law clerk at Akers, Mansfield & Zolt. I am a first-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and I am currently studying Contract Law with Professor Kershen. Because of my strong interest in litigation, he suggested that Akers, Mansfield & Zolt would be an ideal setting for me to gain exposure to the litigation process. Prior to entering law school, I served as the National Vice-President of Phi Delta Honor Fraternity. Through this experience, I developed analytical and project management skills that will transfer well into the legal environment. I coordinated complex long-term projects and met deadlines in a time-intensive environment. This office allowed me to develop strict attention to detail while also strengthening my oral presentation and persuasive communication skills. I have enclosed my resume and transcript for your review. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing how I can contribute to the firm of Akers, Mansfield & Zolt. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Frank First Year Enclosures
Francine First Year 1600 Delaware Ave., Apt. #658, Norman, OK 73069 (405) 328-3265 Franfirstyear2@ou.edu
December 10, 2007
Attorney General Drew Edmondson Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General 313 NE 21st Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 Dear Attorney General Edmondson: I am a first-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and would like to apply for an internship this coming summer with the Attorney Environmental Protection Unit. I grew up in Oklahoma, and I am committed to protecting Oklahoma’s natural resources. Prior to beginning law school, I worked for Senator Christopher Smith as a Public Policy and Legislative Specialist. My primary area of responsibility was emerging environmental protection issues. My duties included coordinating an annual legislative conference attended by environmental protection activists, regional environmental protection agencies, and members of the legislature. This experience provided me with a view of the organizational and substantive problems faced in protecting human health and the environment. My experiences will enable me to make a valuable contribution to your office. I have enclosed my resume for your review. I am available to interview after my last exam on January 18th and will contact your office in two weeks to discuss my application and qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration. Very truly yours,
Francis First Year Enclosure
Stedman Second Year
200 North Saint Fields Street • Norman, Oklahoma 73019 • (405) 579-5897 • sstedman@ou.edu March 12, 2007
Trudy B. Smith, Esq. Internal Revenue Service 500 N, Capital St.NW Washington, D.C. 20221 Dear Ms. Smith: I am a second-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and I am interested in an internship that would provide me with the opportunity to assist customers, businesses, legal, and financial communities. The focus of the Internal Revenue Service in investigating potential criminal violations and promoting confidence in the tax system is the perfect fit for my interests and skills. I spent the first half of last summer as a summer associate with a small tax firm in Austin, Texas, refining my research and writing skills. I assisted attorneys with a series of complex financial planning issues stemming from the acquisition of corporate assets by a large familyowned business. Although I enjoyed the substantive legal matters involved in the transaction, I found myself more engaged by the litigation due diligence I performed prior to the negotiation of the acquisition. I spent the second half of the summer as an extern for the United States Attorney's Office in Oklahoma City assisting with trial preparation. I found the work both in and out of court extremely satisfying, which reaffirmed my interest in becoming a federal tax lawyer. While in law school, I have taken numerous tax courses, including Partnership Tax, Corporate Tax and Income Tax. These courses have strengthened my understanding of tax planning and the application of the Internal Revenue Code. As a member of the Oklahoma Law Review, I have gained significant experience with collaborative and detail-oriented work and have further refined my research, writing, and analytical abilities. I have enclosed a resume for your consideration and will contact you next week to discuss my candidacy. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely,
Stedman Second Year Enclosure
SALLY SECOND YEAR 1234 South Abrams Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73069 (405) 456-7890 sally@ou.edu
November 11, 2007
Mr. Robert Wellington Human Resources Manager Smith & Smith 1234 South Loop Dallas, Texas 75964 Dear Mr. Wellington: I am a second-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and am seeking a summer associate position with Smith & Smith for summer 2008. I grew up in Dallas and plan to return to the area following graduation from law school. It is my understanding that your firm has an excellent rotation system to expose summer associates to a variety of legal issues, and I am interested in numerous practice areas. Additionally, I am interested in your firm’s prominent bankruptcy and business reorganization practice. My varied background has provided me with many skills that your firm will find useful. At the University of Oklahoma, I double majored in economics and letters, areas requiring both analytical and writing proficiency. During the summer following my first year of law school, I researched legislation and covered legislative hearings for the Washington, DC, lobbying firm of Wilson & Jennings and wrote numerous memoranda relating to welfare reform in the United States. Currently, I am improving my communication skills by advising clients as a legal intern in the University of Oklahoma College of Law Legal Clinic. I am confident that my background and experience will enable me to make a positive contribution to your clients. I will be in the Dallas area from January 14 - January 22 and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about a position for next summer. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Sally Second Year Enclosures
[Use your personal letterhead] September 24, 2007
Mr. Marshall Cantrell, Esquire Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office 401 W. Belknap Fort Worth, Texas 76196 Dear Mr. Cantrell: I am a third year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law determined to pursue a career as a criminal prosecutor upon graduation. I am particularly interested in working for your office and would like to speak to you about the opportunities available. As you can see from the enclosed resume, I have a strong background in prosecutorial work. During the summer following my first year of law school, I worked for the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office. I assisted attorneys with trial preparation and conducted extensive research on whether juveniles could be granted jury trials under state law. In my second summer, I was an intern for the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, where I researched issues for capital trials and appeals, wrote court documents, and met with opposing counsel. My work experiences confirmed my commitment to representing the government in the prosecution of alleged criminals. In addition to my summer positions, I have taken every opportunity possible to prepare myself for a career in criminal prosecution. I have completed virtually every criminal law, trial techniques and litigation skills course offered by the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Through my work on the American Indian Law Review, I have refined my research, writing, and analytical skills. I am very interested in an Assistant District Attorney’s position with your office and would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss this matter during an interview. I will be in Fort Worth over the winter break, December 15 through January 9, and can interview at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Sincerely,
Tammy Third Year Enclosure
[Your personal letterhead] October 20, 2007
Robert James, Esq. Hiring Coordinator for Summer Associates Tilson & Spencer, LLP 10245 N. Jones St. San Francisco, CA 78512 Dear Mr. James: I am a second-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and am seeking a position with Tilson & Spencer’s San Francisco office for Summer 2008. I am very interested in the areas of taxation and mergers and acquisitions and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with the attorneys practicing in these particular areas. My legal education and my career objectives make me a well qualified candidate for a position with your firm. As you can see from my enclosed resume, I have practical work experience in these fields. My work as a management consultant in Palo Alto helped me to understand local transactions and how to communicate effectively with local decision makers. My prior editing experience in creating materials for corporate clients, as well as editing case study materials for a national corporation, taught me how to manage time effectively and achieve my client’s goals. Additionally, my current position researching tax reorganization for a local law firm has strengthened my knowledge and understanding of tax due diligence and reorganization strategies. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about a position as a summer clerk and will contact you in early January to arrange a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Danielle Dual Degree Enclosure
Tommy Third Year 4589 Chautauqua. • Norman, OK 73072 • (405) 548-9874 tommyty@ou.edu ____________________________________________________________________________
October 22, 2007
Mr. Robert Compton Recruiting Coordinator Compton, Smith & Lang 589 Commerce Street, Suite 1200 Fort Worth, TX 76102 Dear Mr. Compton: I am writing to inquire about the availability of a position as an associate with your firm’s Fort Worth office following my graduation from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in May 2008. Specifically, I am contacting you because of your firm’s strong litigation practice and my intent to become a litigator. I hope that you will consider me as a candidate should a litigation position become available. Last spring, I interned with the University of Oklahoma College of Law Legal Clinic, a litigation-oriented clinic that represents indigent clients. After a successful semester with the Clinic, I received my legal intern’s license, which allowed me to handle family law matters with wide discretion. I have spent the last several months refining my litigation and negotiation skills on a variety of projects. In addition, over the past three years I gained a wealth of practical research and writing experience. Specifically, I drafted complaints, discovery responses, jury instructions, divorce decrees, and numerous motions and memoranda for the clients I represented through the Legal Clinic. I am a longtime Fort Worth resident and plan to return to the area following graduation. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my background, experience, and goals with you and will contact you to arrange a meeting time. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,
Tommy Third Year Enclosure