1L COVER LETTER EXAMPLES
RON ATWOOD
4567 W. 18 Avenue Eugene, OR 97405 * (541) 222-5555 * ratwood@law.uoregon.edu
February 26, 2001
th
Craig Weinerman Eugene Public Defender 151 W Seventh Avenue, Suite 510 Eugene, OR 97401 Dear Mr. Weinerman: Russell Barnett recommended that I contact you. I am a first year law student at the University of Oregon, and am writing to apply for a summer clerk position. Several weeks ago, I spent a day following Mr. Barnett at work and I was very impressed with the Eugene Public Defenders. The attorneys I met seemed to care passionately about their work and helping others-clients as well as fellow co-workers. I was most impressed when one attorney would offer to help another with his or her caseload. This is an environment I would like to work in and contribute to. I have always believed work experience is important to supplement my education, which is why I also am seeking a position that will continue beyond the summer. While I was studying Broadcasting Communication full time at Western Washington University, I also worked part time for a news crew for KVO8-TV. The fact that I maintained a 3.6 GPA while working at four o’clock in the morning during the weekdays illustrates my strong desire to succeed and my dedication to career pursuits. I am extremely interested in Criminal defense. My last summer of college, I worked at the Bellingham Police Department. I provided clerical assistance to the detectives and organized files kept on sex offenders. My desire to learn more about Criminal defense lead me to attend law school. I would like the opportunity to share my enthusiasm and strong work ethic with the Eugene Public Defenders. After having spent a day at the Public Defenders office interacting with attorneys and clients, I am very enthusiastic about working for the Eugene Public Defenders. I welcome an opportunity to meet with you and discuss my qualifications for a summer law clerk position. Thank you for considering my interest in the Eugene Public Defenders. Very truly yours,
Ron Atwood
MATT MURPHY
1213 E. 15th Avenue, #23 Eugene, OR 97403 541-222-5555 mmurphy@law.uoregon.edu November 29, 2000
Bahr & Stotter Law Offices, P.C. c/o Gail Poindexter 259 East Fifth Avenue, Suite 200 Eugene, OR 97401 Dear Ms. Poindexter: I am responding to your notice submitted to the University of Oregon Law School Career Services Office for a part-time law clerk. Bahr & Stotter Law Offices attracted my attention early upon my arrival to Eugene because of its work on environmental and land use issues. I am pleased to see that your firm needs a student law clerk. My interest in environmental/land use issues results from my background in ecological sciences, experience as a river guide and commercial fisherman, and more recently, as a real estate consultant. While working in real estate investment, I gained skills in performing land research, map reading, project organization, and land transactions. I also furthered my experience in communicating with and leading people. Prior to that, I studied ecology and natural history and worked on a variety of challenging and enriching environmental projects. The work included leading field crews, performing intricate lab analysis, researching scientific literature and writing proposals. I would now like to use the perspective and abilities I have acquired to effect change through the legal arena. The first semester of law school has invigorated my interests and opened new windows of opportunity. Among environmental issues, land use has always been a principle topic of interest for me. I see enormous potential for positive change through proper land use and conservation. I have been told that the attorneys at Bahr & Stotter are involved in a wide variety of issues and care deeply about the changes occurring in our community. I would be very interested in meeting you to learn more about your firm’s practice and clerking needs. Sincerely,
Matt Murphy
Becca Smiley 2121 E 34th Avenue, Apt. 9 Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 222-5555 bsmiley@law.uoregon.edu
December 27, 2000
Ms. Connie Bock Oregon Department of Justice Justice Building 1162 Court Street Salem, OR 97310-4096 Re: DOJ Law Clerk Employment Dear Ms. Bock: I am a first year student at the University of Oregon School of Law and am writing to apply for a summer law clerk position with the Oregon Department of Justice. I am highly interested in public service and in litigation at trial and appellate levels. I am therefore particularly interested in the available positions in the Appellate and Trial divisions of your office. My resume reflects my ability to work well with others and undertake substantial tasks as well as my passion for serving the community. I understand that trial and appellate practice require proficiency in such skills and benefits from attorneys who possess a drive to serve the public. I would be grateful for an opportunity to further develop and practice these qualifications. I hope to have the opportunity to meet with you concerning a position at the Oregon Department of Justice. If I can provide any additional information, please don’t hesitate to check with me. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Becca Smiley Enclosure
Anne Simpson 430 E. 8th Avenue, #5 Eugene, OR 97408 541-222-5555 asimpson@law.uoregon.edu January 16, 2002
Janice Morgan Legal Aid Services of Oregon 700 SW Taylor, Suite 310 Portland, OR 97205 Re: Law Clerk Position Dear Ms. Morgan: I am a first-year law student at the University of Oregon, and I am writing to apply for a law clerk position with Legal Aid Services of Oregon. As a former advocate for teen parents and victims of domestic violence, I am especially interested in working with your office. I am excited to continue working in the public interest sector. My goal in a legal career is to combine my past experience as an advocate with my legal skills. I have great determination and hold myself to high standards, as indicated by my strong academic performance, and am eager to work in a position that will allow me to use my research and writing skills, work directly with clients, and handle litigation matters. Through my experience working with teen parents and battered women, I developed advocacy skills and an understanding of issues effecting disadvantaged people, in addition to interpersonal skills allowing me to sensitively and effectively address delicate and challenging issues effecting clients. I look forward to an opportunity to meet with you and discuss my interest in working with Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Thank you for considering my interest. Sincerely,
Anne Simpson
KATHLEEN ANDERSON 1950 Pearl Street Eugene, Oregon 97405 (541) 222-5555 kanderson@law.uoregon.edu January 17, 2002 Jerome Lidz Hiring Attorney Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C. 101 East Broadway, Suite 400 Eugene, Oregon 97401-3114 Dear Mr. Lidz: I am a first year student at the University of Oregon School of law writing to express interest in a law clerk position with your office. Harrang Long’s well-respected municipal law interests me. I have adapted well to the rigors of law school, earning a 3.84 GPA my first semester of law school, which places me approximately in the top five percent of my class. Additionally, to maintain a sense of balance and community involvement, I completed volunteer hours with the Eugene SMART Program, and participated in activities with the Oregon Law School Public Interest Fund. Through both my educational and work experiences, I have developed excellent research and writing skills. For example, my most recent position as a copy editor for Pro2Net Corporation entailed market and Internet-based technology research, which I complied into a series of email newsletters and online news articles. Working at a fast-paced, rapidly changing, Internet-based company strengthened my research and writing skills while instilling a tenacious work ethic and sense of professionalism. My research and writing skills have continued to develop through my Legal Research and Writing class. I especially enjoyed working on a memo on preliminary injunctions and employment contracts. The skills I learned at work, along with my experiences in Legal Research and Writing, should allow me to be of assistance to your office. I hope to have the opportunity to meet with you at your convenience. Thank you for considering my interest in Harrang Long Gary Rudnick PC. Sincerely,
Kathleen Anderson Enclosed