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Cover letter example

In-house lawyer cover letter example

A head of legal reading your letter is looking for a lawyer who understands the business and can work fast. Show your speciality, the type of company you have advised and one example where your work helped a deal or avoided a dispute.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application: In-house Lawyer, Commercial Contracts, [Company]

Dear [Recruiter's name],

Your ad mentions growth in export markets: distribution and supply contracts with foreign partners are what I have handled for the past [x] years, and I would like to put that experience to work in your legal department.

At [Previous Company], I negotiate distribution and supply contracts with partners in Europe and the Middle East, in French and English. Last year, a key distributor contested the end of our contract. By reviewing the notice period and the history of exchanges, I proposed a negotiated exit that avoided a claim for brutal termination of established commercial relations and preserved the relationship in another market.

I work closely with sales teams. I set up contract templates and a short guide explaining which clauses they can adjust alone and when they must call me. This reduced the number of urgent reviews and gave me more time for complex deals.

I would like to bring this experience to [Company], whose products and markets I follow with interest. An interview would be a good opportunity to go through one of your current contract models together.

Yours sincerely,[First Name Last Name][Phone][Email]

What to highlight

  • Your area of expertise and level of autonomy
  • One example of a contract or case you handled
  • Your way of working with operational teams
  • Languages used in negotiations
  • Why this company's sector interests you

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing in a heavy academic style instead of a business tone.
  • Citing case law to impress rather than to explain a decision.
  • Not mentioning the languages used in your practice.
  • Writing more than one page.

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Frequently asked questions

Should a lawyer's cover letter be very formal?

It should be correct and structured, but not pompous. In-house teams value lawyers who can write clearly for engineers, salespeople and managers. A letter full of legal Latin and long sentences sends the wrong signal about how you will communicate inside the company.

How do I explain a move from law firm to in-house?

Explain what draws you to the company side: being involved earlier in decisions, working on one business over time, building tools for teams. Avoid criticising law firm hours. Highlight skills that transfer well, such as drafting, negotiation and litigation management.

Can I apply in English to a French company?

If the ad is in English, yes. Otherwise, write in French: even in international groups, most internal work and court documents are in French. Mention your level in other languages in the letter, especially if you negotiate cross-border contracts.

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