Cleary Gottlieb Training Contract Cover Letter Example

Graduate Recruitment
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
City Place House
55 Basinghall Street
London
EC2V 5EH

Dear [name],

I have completed a qualifying law degree at the [University] with an upper second class grade in [year]. I am applying for a training contract to commence in [year] advertised on Latestlawjobs.com.

I am attracted to Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP because it trains its lawyers to identify and consider all issues raised by a transaction. This multi-specialist approach will equip me with a deep understanding of the ways in which all aspects of a transaction fit together which will turn me into a well-rounded lawyer. Unencumbered by artificial departmental boundaries, my ability to see the “bigger picture” will deliver a propensity for innovation that can often be lost through over-specialisation.

Another aspect that sets Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP apart from all other law firms is its non-departmentalised London office. This will allow me to follow my interests, rather than confine me to a menu of limited choices. Unlike at other law firms, I will be able to see the projects through from the initial instruction to completion, with the flexibility to carry work between seats without any arbitrary cut-off after the six months.

The multi-office deal teams is another factor that attract me to Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP because I will be able to work closely with lawyers from each practice group according to the requirements of any particular transaction. I will also be a privy to quality international work since the London office operates as a closely integrated part of the international offices. To this extent, I will receive an opportunity to operate alongside lawyers from multiple offices on highly innovative transactions and high-profile clients such as UC RUSAL, Tatneft and [language] Federation. Simultaneously, I will be able to apply my language skills to deliver a value-added service.

I want to become a solicitor because every day is varied, challenging and engaging. At university, I enjoyed applying and manipulating black-letter law to hypothetical scenarios during my modules and mooting competitions because it stimulated my intellectual curiosity since every situation was never the same and required a different approach. I have decided to become a solicitor whilst working at several law firms. I have especially enjoyed working in teams on an international platform because it enabled me to actively participate in complex and interesting cases. I was very fascinated by exposure not only to law but also different business structures that required different solutions. This meant that I was required to apply a different approach to different cases in order to reach the best solution. At [Law Firm Name], I realised that I wanted to become a solicitor after attending a board of directors EGM in Amsterdam. I enjoyed thinking on my feet and applying commercial acumen to respond to imminent problems as this made my work environment challenging and stimulating. At [Law Firm Name], I collaborated with lawyers from across the London and [city] offices. I was very fascinated by the multi-jurisdictional elements of the case as it allowed me to take multiple angles to the problem and form my own view.

I possess initiative, drive and commitment which makes me suited for a training contract with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP where I will have to transgress boundaries when solving complex problems. For the first time in fifty years, I have established the ‘[University] Amateur [Sport] Club’ in [year] and was the president of the society. I have been involved in amateur [Sport] for a decade and won over sixty trophies and a gold medal for England. As a dedicated member of the [environmental society], I helped to introduce and develop social responsibility initiatives at University. I had successfully organised and developed a scheme whereby all unused desktops in the library were turned off during the vacation breaks to help reduce the University’s carbon footprint.

I should be offered a training contract because I possess outstanding interpersonal skills and commercial acumen. At [Law Firm Name], I assisted on a shareholder dispute in a joint venture vehicle. I attended a Board of Directors EGM of a joint venture in Amsterdam in my capacity as an interpreter between clients and overseas solicitors. I successfully managed the meeting and demonstrated initiative. I applied a sharp analytical mind to explain complex issues in a simple language and made sense of a very complicated situation. I was required to think on my feet and always align myself with client’s commercial objectives.

Having worked for a number of leading legal firms, I can attest to the importance of building and maintaining professional relationships. This, coupled with my fluency in languages would make me a valuable asset when working on cross-border transactions or with international clients.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to attend an interview for which I am available at your convenience.

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

Yours Sincerely,

[Name]