Paul Weiss Training Contract Cover Letter Example

[address line 1]
[city]
[POST CODE]

[date]

Office Manager
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Alder Castle, 10 Noble Street
London EC2V 7JU, U.K.

Dear [recruiter's name],

I have completed a law degree at the [University] with an upper [grade] class degree. I am applying for a training contract with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP at the London office.

I am interested in corporate and commercial law because it will allow me to assume the role of a project manager and will afford me early responsibility. Given that commercial law is both transactional and ongoing, it is clear that I will have to build a rapport with the client and apply strong communication skills coupled with high technical ability when forming a clear picture of the client’s needs and objectives and then explaining what may well be a complex area of law when advising on the best solution. This may require me to liaise with a number of legal departments thus making each day a unique, enjoyable and fulfilling work experience.

I am attracted by the small intake of trainees which I feel will offer me bespoke training that is individually tailored to my interests, experience and aptitude. Small teams also suggest that I will have increased responsibility and operate as a lawyer from day one in an informal and collegial working environment. More importantly, I will receive the excitement and challenge of working on high value, complex transactions and disputes, in the size of office where everyone knows who you are. For me this will mean getting involved in real work from the start whereby I will be able to add something to the cases I work on. This environment will unquestionably foster my professional and personal growth in my capacity as a lawyer.

I am also exhilarated by the idea that partners are to the fore throughout every transaction and that they lead small and close-knit teams that stay with clients for the long-term. Being a member of such a team will allow me to develop real relationships with clients and a genuine in-depth understanding of their business. This will therefore increase my sectoral expertise and allow me to deliver quick and efficient solutions to client problems. Similarly, the work will become more personal and subsequently personally and professionally rewarding.

What truly distinguishes Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP from its competitors is its unparalleled ability to successfully respond to market pressures to deliver savvy and innovative solutions to its clients. This recession has acted as a catalyst for a growth in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) sector which has in turn bolstered my interest in this very particular area. I am currently very engrossed in following the BHP’s Billiton’s potential bid for Potash Corp and a potential hostile takeover of the American biochemical corporation Genzyme by Sanofi, just to name a few. I am fascinated by strategic planning and the negotiation stages such as the heads of agreement that accompany potential acquisitions. Working alongside the firm’s leading M&A counsel at the recession phase on high-calibre deals such as ‘General Atlantic’ will expose me to a very challenging climate. This will force me to leave my comfort zone and think more pragmatically.

Another factor that attracts me to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is its very diverse and extensive client base, ranging from large corporate banks and utility companies to media firms. Last summer, I have worked for [law firm] and [law firm] and especially enjoyed forging relationships with clients from New Zealand and [country]. This summer, I am spending my time by managing several properties in Chelsea and Kensington, which in turns requires me to maintain a professional and affable relationship with US and South African clients.

Having worked for a number of private clients at leading legal firms I can attest to the importance of building and maintaining professional relationships. This, coupled with my fluency in [language], English and [language], would make me a valuable asset when working on cross-border transactions and responding to growing market pressures.

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]