Sullivan & Cromwell Training Contract Cover Letter

Re: Application for a Training Contract [year]

Dear [recruiter’s name],

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

I am interested in Sullivan & Cromwell LLP because it has a truly global network and a sheer variety of deals in different jurisdictions and industries. The professional challenges Sullivan & Cromwell LLP faces globally makes for a very exciting working environment. While some firms are struggling to put the concept of globalisation into practice, working on a worldwide scale is second nature to Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. This is exemplified by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP’s unique business model whereby, unlike many law firms with an international reach, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has built its network of offices not by acquiring firms or hiring large numbers of lawyers from other firms, but by developing offices to serve client needs and staffing them primarily with lawyers who have been with the firm for their entire careers. For me, this will mean that I will be able to work in close liaison with the firm’s international offices on cutting edge deals through a unified partnership working to consistent quality and philosophical standards.

I am attracted by the unique training programme at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP because whilst undertaking my seats, I will be supervised by a partner who is a leader in his or her field, as well as other senior lawyers, to guide me through my work and help ensure that I am engaged and challenged by interesting work.

Unlike other law firms that will offer me routine and commoditised work, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP will provide me with work that is interesting and challenging. I will operate in small teams of partners and associates in a highly integrated way. This will ensure that I receive highly focussed personal training by gaining a hands-on experience on important matters. I will receive early responsibility and experience a steep learning curve, which will make my work environment challenging and exciting and would make me feel like a valued member of the team, giving me the confidence to excel right from the start of my career as a lawyer.

Another aspect that makes Sullivan & Cromwell LLP my first-choice law firms is that I would receive an opportunity to undertake a seat in a General Practice group. This would provide me with a thorough and broad-based training in the legal, technical and organisational skills required to be a successful all-round business lawyer. By receiving exposure to a wide range of different practice areas, I will be able to follow my interests and abilities and get a very good insight on how different practice areas interact.

The international opportunities presented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP set it above all other firms. The opportunity of a secondment to the firm’s overseas office would allow me to broaden my horizons and develop greater variety and depth of experience to my work and enable me to operate in some of the richest and most distinct economies of the world. This would be an invaluable insight going forward in my legal career.

I want to be a lawyer in the City because I enjoy constant challenges and London is one of the world’s leading financial centres and the international hub for English law expertise. As commercial matters span many areas of law, industries and borders, they demand the application of lateral thinking, extensive problem-solving and creativity. In turn, this would see me work in teams with a commercial focus on the problem in a quick-paced environment with approaching deadlines.

At present, I am working closely with [law firm] associates from [city] and London offices in conducting document review for the purposes of disclosure request and helping to prepare witness statements. I have demonstrated excellent communication and teamwork skills. I applied a sharp analytical mind to explain complex issues in a simple language and made sense of a complicated situation. At the same time, I negotiated with others very successfully and collaborated with the wider team to bring individual elements together and reach a successful conclusion. At [Law Firm Name], I especially enjoyed the aspect of problem solving to find practical solutions to complex problems. I attended a Board of Directors EGM in a natural resources joint venture in Amsterdam in my capacity as an interpreter between [language] clients and Dutch solicitors. At the EGM, I maintained a thick skin and resourcefully tailored my communication for diverse audiences. I had to think clearly, identify the key aspects of a problem and apply sound commercial judgment and lateral thought. I was required to explain complex concepts in understandable language, analyse the position, anticipate risk, interpret the reaction of the parties in complicated situations and offer commercial solutions. The cross-border nature of the case produced more interesting work, greater variety and a wider group of experts to learn from which made my work intellectually and commercially rewarding.

Having worked on some landmark cases at leading US and city law firms, I have developed a very steep learning curve and an ability to form and maintain relationships at all levels. I was always forthcoming with ideas and exercised intellectual rigour to find practical solutions to complex problems.

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]