Application for an Associate position with Akin Gump Dallas office

Re: Application for an Associate position with the Dallas office

Dear [Recruiter's Name]

I am seeking an entry-level associate position with Akin Gump’s Dallas office.

Whilst I am very flexible in terms of the practice areas, I am especially interested in the corporate, arbitration and litigation practice areas. Most of my legal experience has been in litigation and I have been involved in some of the high-profile and high-value cases in England spanning multiple industries and jurisdictions. I find litigation to be a very dynamic and challenging practice area that is both intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Litigation is an area that will present me with a very varied and exciting caseload spanning different types of clients and commercial industries.

I am also very interested in the firm’s corporate practice area. Whilst at [USA Law Firm], I played an active role in an IPO for a luxury goods company. I found the corporate work to be very interesting and engaging because it presented me with a very in-depth exposure to the client’s business and industry. I enjoyed the transactional element of corporate work because it allowed me to apply my strategic decision-making skills in the context of the client’s business.

I find the firm’s international presence and offices in major financial centres to be of a particular appeal as it will allow me to work in diverse international teams and present me with complex and interesting work that does not have precedent solutions. I feel that my language skills and knowledge of different cultures will allow me to forge successful relationships with the firm’s international teams, clients and other stakeholders. 

The firm’s friendly and entrepreneurial culture will empower me to apply my initiative and creativity to add value to my work as well as provide a perfect forum that will enable me to develop into a successful lawyer. 

I find the firm’s extensive work and solid presence in the emerging markets, namely Russia and CIS, to be very exciting as such work will give me exposure to challenging yet rewarding markets and jurisdictions. Having previously closely worked on many high-profile Russian oil and gas cases, Akin Gump will provide me with an excellent environment that will not only allow me to extend my interest of the energy sector but also contribute my experience to my work.

During my employment at some of the leading international and US law firms, I have received direct exposure on some of the most high-profile legal matters. This experience helped to develop my entire set of skills which will enable me to operate successfully as a newly qualified lawyer. I was vested with high levels of responsibility and have demonstrated an outstanding ability to manage my workload and prioritise competing deadlines.

I possess very good teamwork and communication skills, which will allow me to work successfully with lawyers and clients from different countries and jurisdictions. During my employment, I have received quality exposure to multiple industries and legal practice areas. This has developed my commercial awareness which, in turn, allows me to align all of my work with the requirements of clients and their respective businesses. I have received a lot of direct contact with very high-profile clients and their associates, which has developed my client-facing skills. I always undertake my work with utmost attention to details. My language skills will allow me to add value to international cases and forge effective relationships with overseas lawyers and clients. I possess very good problem-solving skills and enjoy working on complex cases to devise cutting-edge solutions to problems without any precedents.

I am very motivated and enjoy new challenges. In my spare time, I regularly do [sport] and help to coach others. [sport] has helped to hone my discipline and resilience to pressure and new challenges.

I thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely