Clerkship Cover Letter

A clerkship cover letter carries more weight than almost any other legal application document. Judges receive hundreds of submissions and read each letter as a direct indicator of your research ability, analytical clarity, and professional judgment. Whether you are applying to a state appellate court or a federal district court, your letter needs to connect your writing and reasoning skills to the specific work of that chambers. For broader context on the application process, see our guide on legal and public service cover letters and our pillar resource on how to write a cover letter.

What employers look for in a clerkship cover letter

Judges and their hiring staff evaluate clerkship applicants on a narrow but demanding set of criteria. Your cover letter should demonstrate competence in the following areas:

• Legal research and writing — Judges rely on clerks to produce accurate, well-reasoned bench memos and draft opinions. Reference specific writing samples, law review work, or moot court experience that shows your output quality.
• Analytical precision — Clerkship work requires breaking down complex legal questions quickly and clearly. Show that you can identify the controlling issue, apply the correct standard, and reach a defensible conclusion.
• Attention to detail — A single citation error in a judicial opinion creates appellate risk. Signal that accuracy is a habit, not an afterthought.
• Familiarity with the court's jurisdiction and docket — Referencing the judge's practice area or notable decisions demonstrates genuine preparation and separates you from applicants who send identical letters to every posting.
• Professionalism and discretion — Chambers are small, high-stakes environments. Your letter should reflect the tone and judgment a judge expects from staff who handle confidential matters.
• Academic performance and honors — Law review membership, Order of the Coif, moot court competition results, and GPA context belong in your letter if they are strong.

How to write a clerkship cover letter that gets interviews

1. Address the judge directly and by name

Generic salutations signal a form letter. Use "Dear Judge [Last Name]" in every application. If you are applying through a centralized clerkship hiring system, still open with the judge's name in your first substantive paragraph. Showing you know who you are writing to is a baseline expectation in judicial applications. If you are applying to a federal position specifically, our federal clerkship cover letter guide covers additional requirements.

2. Connect your academic record to the work of the chambers

Lead with your strongest credential, whether that is a law review article on a topic relevant to the judge's docket, a moot court brief in an area of the court's jurisdiction, or a clinic placement that produced written work product. The opening paragraph is not a summary of your resume. It is your argument for why you belong in that specific chambers. If you are targeting appellate work, our judicial clerkship cover letter guide addresses the distinct demands of appellate chambers.

3. Show you have read the judge's opinions

One sentence referencing a specific decision, a line of reasoning, or a procedural issue the judge has written about demonstrates preparation that most applicants skip. This does not require flattery. A neutral observation such as "Your recent opinion in [case name] addressing [legal issue] reinforced my interest in the court's approach to [doctrine]" is sufficient and effective.

4. Keep the letter tight and precise

One page is the standard. Three to four focused paragraphs outperform five loose ones. Every sentence should advance your argument for why you are the right candidate for that chambers. Trim any language that a hiring manager could read as filler. For reference on overall letter structure, review our cover letter format guide and the broader internship cover letter framework, which shares structural principles with clerkship applications.

Clerkship cover letter example

Replace court names, legal research details, and achievements with your own experience.

Subject: Application for the Clerkship position

Dear Judge Harrington, I am writing to apply for a clerkship position in your chambers at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. My experience in appellate research, legal writing, and federal civil procedure, combined with my interest in your court's approach to administrative law, makes this position the clerkship I have worked toward throughout law school. I am currently a second-year student at Boston College Law School, where I serve as an articles editor on the Boston College Law Review and ranked in the top 8% of my class after the first year. My note, currently under review, examines agency deference doctrine following the Supreme Court's recent administrative law decisions. I also competed in the Roger J. Traynor Moot Court Competition, advancing to the semifinal round with a brief addressing statutory interpretation under the APA. Through these experiences I have developed the research depth and drafting precision that judicial chambers require. Last summer I clerked at the Massachusetts Appeals Court under Justice Callahan, where I researched unsettled questions of civil procedure and contributed to bench memo drafts across 14 appeals. That experience confirmed that the analytical work of a clerkship is where I perform best. Your chambers' docket, with its concentration of complex civil cases and administrative review matters, aligns directly with my research background and professional goals. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your chambers. I am available at your convenience and have enclosed my resume, writing sample, and law school transcript. Sincerely, [Full Name]

Before you send your application

Review this checklist before submitting your clerkship application:

• Address the judge by name. "Dear Hiring Manager" is never acceptable for a judicial clerkship application.
• Confirm the judge's current assignment. Judges rotate, take senior status, or move chambers. Verify the court and title before submitting.
• Attach the correct writing sample. Most judges specify a length and format. A brief that exceeds the requested page limit signals that you do not follow directions.
• Proofread every citation in your letter. A misspelled case name or wrong reporter citation is a credibility problem in a judicial application.
• Tailor the letter to the individual judge. Sending an identical letter to 50 judges is a common mistake. Even one specific reference to the judge's work improves your odds meaningfully.

FAQ

How long should a clerkship cover letter be?

One page is the firm standard. Most successful clerkship letters fall between 300 and 400 words. Judges value precision in writing, and a letter that runs to two pages signals poor editorial judgment. For general length and formatting guidance, see our cover letter format guide.

What is the difference between a clerkship and a law clerk application?

A clerkship refers to the position itself, typically a one- or two-year post-graduation role working directly for a judge. A law clerk is the person serving in that role. The application process is the same. If you are applying for a court staff attorney or ongoing clerk position rather than a post-graduate clerkship, see our law clerk cover letter guide for distinctions that affect how you should frame your letter.

Should I mention GPA in my clerkship cover letter?

Yes, if it is strong. Most judges consider GPA and class rank as initial screening criteria, and a letter that omits a strong academic record misses an easy credential signal. If your GPA is below average, emphasize other indicators of performance such as law review membership, writing competition awards, or clinic honors instead.

How is a federal clerkship cover letter different from a state clerkship letter?

Federal clerkship applications often require stricter adherence to OSCAR or individual judge submission rules, and federal judges frequently receive more applications per opening. The letter should be more precisely tailored, with clearer references to the judge's specific jurisdiction and opinions. Our federal clerkship cover letter guide walks through those distinctions in detail.

Can I apply for a clerkship if I did not make law review?

Yes. Law review is a significant credential but not the only one. Strong moot court results, clinic awards, a published note or article, or a compelling writing sample can compensate. Judges differ in what they prioritize. Research each judge's stated preferences before applying and lead with your strongest qualification, whatever it is. For additional strategies on applying with a non-traditional profile, see our internship cover letter guide.