Landing an internship at a law firm rarely happens through a job listing. The vast majority of firms, from small boutiques to the biggest names in corporate law, hire their interns and trainee lawyers through unsolicited applications. A well-crafted cover letter makes all the difference between a response that gets ignored and an interview invitation.
Why unsolicited applications work well for law firm internships
Unlike large corporations that run structured recruitment campaigns, law firms often operate in small teams with ad-hoc needs: a partner who needs extra support on a case, a departure to fill quickly, an increasing workload in a given practice area. This means an unsolicited application often arrives at exactly the right moment - as long as it is well targeted.
The Conseil National des Barreaux 🔗 regularly lists internship openings, but they represent only a fraction of actual hiring. Most law firm internships, particularly the final internship for trainee lawyers, are secured through direct outreach to the partners or firms targeted in advance.
💡 Learn more: if you're a trainee lawyer looking for your final internship, check our dedicated guide on landing an internship at a law firm as a trainee lawyer.
Structure of an internship cover letter
A cover letter for a law firm internship should stay short - one page maximum - and follow a proven structure:
- Personalized opening: mention the firm by name, a recent case it handled, or a specialty that particularly interests you. A generic letter is spotted immediately.
- Your background in one or two sentences: level of study, specialization (M2, law school, bar exam prep), and the strengths directly relevant to the targeted field.
- What you concretely bring: a previous internship, a mastered subject area, a foreign language useful for a firm with an international clientele.
- Your availability: precise dates and desired duration - firms plan their internships months in advance, and precision is appreciated.
- A sober closing formula, without excessive emphasis.
Absolutely avoid stock phrases ("passionate about law since my childhood") that add no information and needlessly lengthen the text.
Example internship cover letter for a law firm
Dear Sir or Madam,
Currently completing a Master's degree in Business Law at [University], I would like to join your firm for a [duration] internship starting [date], as part of my specialization in [corporate / competition / tax] law.
Your firm particularly interests me for its practice in [specific area], notably [reference to a public case or a specialty identified on the firm's website]. My background has given me solid foundations in [subject], reinforced by a [duration] internship at [previous firm], where I notably [concrete task: drafting memos, participating in due diligence, following litigation matters].
Rigorous, autonomous and comfortable with [relevant tool or language], I am confident I can make a useful contribution to your team from day one.
I remain at your disposal for an interview at your convenience and thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely, [Full Name]
This template is intentionally generic: personalize each paragraph with real, verifiable details about the targeted firm - never an approximate mention that would reveal a mass-sent letter.
Adapting your letter to the size of the firm
Large international firms (such as Clifford Chance 🔗 or Gide 🔗): the process is more formalized, often through an online form paired with a letter. Emphasize languages, international experiences and a clear specialization (M&A, banking-finance, international litigation).
Mid-sized firms (often in corporate, tax or employment law): these firms appreciate a more personal letter that shows real knowledge of their practice areas. Cite a case or a publication from one of their partners if you've identified one.
Solo practices or small firms: here, the human relationship matters most. A short, direct letter that shows you've identified the specific lawyer (not just "the firm") often works well. Don't hesitate to mention how you learned about their practice (referral, article, conference talk).
📊 Strengthen your resume: beyond the letter, your resume needs to be just as targeted - check our advice for building an effective trainee lawyer resume to land your internship.
Following up effectively
Without a response after 10 to 15 business days, a short, polite follow-up is entirely appropriate - it is often even seen positively, as a sign of genuine motivation. Favor a brief email recalling your initial application and reaffirming your interest and availability, rather than a phone call that might catch a busy firm off guard.
Internship openings and unsolicited applications also circulate widely on specialized platforms like Village de la Justice 🔗, which lists law firm internship openings - a useful complement to your direct outreach for identifying firms actively hiring.
⚠️ Note: a follow-up should never turn into insistence. One follow-up is enough; beyond that, assume the firm has no current need and focus your energy on other applications.
Writing a personalized letter for each firm takes time - time you shouldn't spend worrying about formatting your resume at the same time. FinanceCV lets you generate a clear, well-structured resume in minutes, guaranteed compatible with the applicant tracking systems some firms use, so you can focus entirely on the content of your application.
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