Biglaw Lateral Cover Letter Guide: Templates & Examples for Associates

Whether you're a lateral associate at an AM 100 firm considering a move to a V100 firm, or an Am Law 200 attorney exploring new opportunities, your cover letter is your first writing sample and a critical piece of advocacy. This guide provides templates, examples, and step-by-step strategies specifically designed for Biglaw associates navigating lateral moves.

Related Resources: For guidance on preparing your supporting materials, see our guides on selecting and formatting writing samples and compiling your Deal Sheet.

Step 1: Treat your cover letter as advocacy

A Biglaw lateral cover letter is a persuasive writing sample that connects your current experience to the new firm's specific practice group. It is not an administrative cover sheet; it is your first writing sample and a short piece of advocacy. Approach it the same way you would a brief: you are persuading a busy reader to move you to the interview stage. Before you write, answer three questions for yourself, why this firm, why this practice, and why now, and use the letter to "connect the dots" so those answers are obvious on a quick read, instead of simply restating your résumé.​

Step 2: Formatting Your Biglaw Cover Letter (Font, Length, & Header)

Before substance, the basics must be right:​

• Keep it to one page.
• Use the same font style and size as your résumé, with a matching header so the documents feel like a set.
• Use a standard business‑letter format: your contact information, date, employer name and address, personalized salutation, professional closing, and your name.​
• Proofread multiple times. A typo or wrong firm name will end your process faster than a weak credential ever will.​

The cover letter is often the first test of your written judgment and attention to detail.​

Step 3: Open with a precise first paragraph

The first paragraph should let the reader answer three questions in seconds:

• Who are you?
• What role and office are you applying for?
• Why now, for this firm and this practice?

In a few sentences, identify your current role and level (for example, "fourth‑year litigation associate at X"), the exact position and office, how you learned of the opportunity (posting, referral, recruiter), and one clear reason you are interested in this firm and practice at this point in your career (platform, practice mix, client base, training, or geography). If you have a genuine connection (a colleague, alum, judge, or prior collaboration with the firm) mention it once to build a bridge, then move on.​

Step 4: Highlighting Deal Sheets and Litigation Experience

The middle paragraphs should not be a résumé reprint. Use them to answer "why this practice" and "why you" by showing you understand the firm's work and how you add value:​

• Reflect the practice: reference the types of matters, clients, and responsibilities the group actually handles.
• Highlight 2–4 concrete experiences, cases, deals, investigations, clerkships, clinics, or projects that map onto that work and demonstrate your commitment to this practice area.
• Emphasize what you did and learned (drafted key motions, managed discovery, negotiated terms, coordinated with clients or regulators), not just where you sat.​
• Connect your narrative to your Deal Sheet or Representative Matters list. When you reference specific matters in your cover letter, ensure they appear in detail on your Deal Sheet or Representative Matters list. This consistency reinforces your credibility and helps readers verify your experience.
• The matters you highlight should demonstrate the depth and sophistication that matches what the firm handles.

For Corporate Associates: Summarizing Your Deal Sheet

Transactional roles typically place greater emphasis on Deal Sheets. When writing your cover letter, reference specific deals from your Deal Sheet that demonstrate the sophistication and scale of your experience. Highlight deal values, transaction types, and your specific role in complex M&A, securities offerings, or other corporate transactions. The cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your Deal Sheet by explaining the strategic context and what you learned from each matter.

For Litigators: Writing Samples vs. Cover Letters

Litigation roles often request additional writing samples to assess your drafting and analytical skills. Your cover letter serves as a writing sample itself, demonstrating your ability to advocate clearly and concisely. Reference specific cases from your Representative Matters list, emphasizing your role in drafting key motions, managing discovery, preparing witnesses, or contributing to trial strategy. The cover letter should demonstrate your analytical thinking and writing ability while your writing sample proves your technical drafting skills.

Addressing "Why Now": Acceptable Reasons for Leaving

When explaining your motivation for a lateral move, certain reasons resonate better with hiring partners:

Acceptable Reasons:

• Geographic relocation (joining a spouse, family needs, desired market)
• Practice mix change (seeking more of a specific type of work)
• Industry focus (wanting to specialize in a particular sector)
• Platform opportunity (seeking better resources, training, or client base)
• Career development (seeking more responsibility or mentorship)

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Complaining about billable hours or work-life balance
• Vague "culture" reasons without specifics
• Criticizing your current firm or partners
• Financial reasons as the primary driver
• Unclear or defensive explanations

If there are "questions" in your profile, an employment gap, a practice‑group change, or a relocation, address them briefly and neutrally in the body, then pivot back to your strengths and to why this firm and market make sense now. A sentence or two is usually enough to remove doubt and demonstrate judgment without oversharing.​

Step 5: Close with a clear, professional ending

Your closing paragraph should be short, confident, and easy to act on:​

• Thank the reader for their time and consideration.
• Reaffirm your interest in this specific role, office, and practice group.
• Note what is enclosed (résumé, writing sample, transcript if relevant) and how to reach you. For transactional positions, you may also include your Deal Sheet.
• If you are working with a recruiter, you can mention that they are available to coordinate next steps.
• Only promise follow‑up (for example, an email within a week) if you truly intend to do it.

End the letter the way you want your matters to end; with clarity, not ambiguity.

Sample Cover Letter for 4th Year Litigation Associate Lateraling to New York

[Your Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State ZIP]

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[Date]

[Recruiting Director Name]

[Law Firm Name]

[Street Address]

[City, State ZIP]

Dear [Ms./Mr./Mx.] [Last Name],

Step 1 (advocacy mindset) & Step 3 (opening) – answers "Who?" and "Why now / why this firm & practice?"

I am a fourth‑year litigation associate at [Current Firm] in Chicago, and I am writing to express my interest in the Litigation Associate position in your New York office. I am relocating to New York this summer to join my spouse and am seeking a firm whose trial‑ready commercial and securities practice will allow me to deepen my work for financial‑services and public‑company clients. I learned of this opportunity through [Recruiter Name] at [Agency], who spoke highly of your group's track record in complex business disputes and the collaborative way your litigators staff matters.​

Step 4 (body – "why this firm" and "why this practice")

Your firm's focus on high‑stakes commercial and securities litigation, particularly for banks, asset managers, and Fortune 500 companies, aligns closely with my current practice. Over the past four years, I have represented financial institutions and large corporates in contract, business‑tort, and securities matters in state and federal courts, often alongside related regulatory inquiries. My work has included drafting dispositive and appellate briefs, managing written discovery and document reviews, preparing and defending fact witnesses, and coordinating directly with in‑house counsel on strategy and case management.​

Step 4 (body – "why you for this practice")

My current role has allowed me to take early ownership of significant matters that mirror the work of your group. Most recently, I served as the primary associate on a putative securities class action involving alleged misstatements in offering documents, where I drafted the successful motion to dismiss and led communication with a multi‑firm joint defense group. I also second‑chaired an arbitration arising from a failed M&A transaction, taking responsibility for key witness outlines and examining a fact witness at the hearing. These experiences, together with a clerkship for Judge [Name] on the [Court], have strengthened my research, writing, and oral advocacy skills in exactly the types of disputes your clients bring to you.​

Step 2 (basics) & Step 5 (clear, professional closing – reinforces "why now" and logistics)

I am admitted in Illinois and the Northern District of Illinois and am in the process of applying for admission to the New York bar; I intend to be permanently based in New York and am already transitioning my personal and professional commitments to the area. Enclosed please find my résumé and a writing sample, and I would be pleased to provide references or additional materials at your convenience. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your litigation team and support your clients' needs in New York.​

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Step 2 (formatting & mechanics)

One page, matching header with résumé, standard business‑letter structure, personalized salutation and closing, and error‑free, precise language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I really need a cover letter for a Biglaw lateral move?

A: Yes. While your Deal Sheet proves your skills, the cover letter is your first writing sample and demonstrates your advocacy and judgment. Partners and recruiting directors use it to assess your writing ability, attention to detail, and understanding of their firm's practice. A well-crafted cover letter can differentiate you from other lateral associates with similar credentials. For guidance on preparing your writing sample, see our comprehensive guide.

Q: How long should a lateral associate cover letter be?

A: Strictly one page. Partners are busy; concise advocacy is proof of respect for their time. A one-page cover letter demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and prioritize information—skills that are essential in legal practice. If you cannot fit your message on one page, you need to edit more aggressively.

Q: Should I mention my current firm's name in my cover letter?

A: Yes, you should identify your current firm and your role there. This provides context for your experience and demonstrates transparency. However, avoid criticizing your current firm or making negative comparisons. Focus on why the new opportunity aligns with your career goals rather than why you want to leave your current position.

Q: How do I address a cover letter when I don't know the hiring partner's name?

A: Research the firm's website, LinkedIn, or recent publications to identify the appropriate contact. If you're working with a recruiter, they can often provide the correct name. If you cannot find a specific name, "Dear Hiring Committee" or "Dear [Practice Group] Hiring Partners" are acceptable alternatives. Avoid generic salutations like "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam" as they signal a lack of research effort.