What Does it Mean to Have "Institutional Support" While Applying? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've seen a few resumes and cover letter that says they're the son/daughter of a first-generation professional, which is so bizarre to me

That is just sad. I am technically the same--my dad is a lawyer, but my grandparents weren't professionals--and I'm also bi and in an opposite-gender relationship. I wouldn't have ever thought to include either on my cover letter.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I didn’t do this. I went to an extremely low-ranked school, so an application that just put my school on it would have been thrown in the trash without a second thought. I got several interviews because my cover letters had a brief sentence or two explaining why I wanted to clerk for that judge in particular and some of the accomplishments in my resume (including whether I lived where the judge sits, which wouldn’t be apparent from my resume). I think that this approach can work for applicants who can’t ride the coattails of their school’s name/their resume alone.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I’d also add any tie to the district/circuit or connection with the judge (ex. talked to a former clerk). And maybe public interest/service background if you’re targeting those judges.

[lavarman84]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I'm going to somewhat disagree. I've seen some cover letters that were effective, including one that was highly effective. But I'll agree that most cover letters aren't a value add, and there is a risk a person can do damage if they convey themselves poorly or make mistakes.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I'm going to somewhat disagree. I've seen some cover letters that were effective, including one that was highly effective. But I'll agree that most cover letters aren't a value add, and there is a risk a person can do damage if they convey themselves poorly or make mistakes.

Agree with you. It is possible that a cover letter draws attention to an application that might have otherwise escaped noticed. But it was more common, in my experience reviewing applications, for a cover letter that was trying too hard to just be poked fun at. If you are trying to call out life experiences that you think will be helpful to your application, or a particular tie to the area or reason you are interested in this specific judge, do so succinctly and professionally without dramatic or flowery language. And don't opine with cliches on what an inspiration the judge is, blah blah blah.

[Anonymous User]

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I’m going to agree with the caveats already made. This super-minimal approach makes sense when your school name and recommenders’ names are doing a ton of heavy lifting in your application. But as someone else who went to a non-elite school, it can definitely help to add at least a little more. Everyone should reference any ties to the location or connection to the judge, even if God taught your civ pro class at Yale and is writing you a rec. But for other plebes like me, a little bit more about you in the cover letter can help humanize you and make you sound a little interesting.

It’s the same risk as writing thank-you notes for job interviews, though - done well, they can help on the margins, but done badly, they can sink a good application. So if you can rely on school/recommender name/resume, it may not be worth branching out in your cover letter. But if your application runs the real risk of getting tossed, no real reason not to include a little more detail.

Agree with others saying that that detail shouldn’t be what’s obvious from your resume, though. Rehashing the resume definitely makes for a deadly cover letter. Examples of details I’ve seen that are helpful: if you worked in a different field before law school (obvious on your resume), a brief comment on why can be interesting (not usually obvious on your resume). Or like someone else said - if you were an officer in a student affinity group (obvious on your resume), you could talk about how that role had X influence on your plans for practice (not obvious on your resume). (By “talk about” I mean, like, one to two sentences tops. No one needs a *lengthy* cover letter.)

These things also have to sound organic/natural/authentic. If there’s nothing in your application that you feel like you can write naturally about, don’t bother.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I also remember cringing at some of the awkward ways folks tried to seem diverse / underrepresented / etc. in their cover letters - you're applying for a job, not telling us the sob story of your life (and this is coming from someone who is a big believer in hiring more diverse/underrepresented applicants).

I agree that this kind of stuff is a little less awkward when it's coming from a prof, who can say something like "I was so impressed by X's accomplishments, especially because of the challenges she had to overcome because of Y." Similarly, it was a bit better when someone mentioned their leadership in the Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. group during law school (or talked about the volunteering they've done with Black/Latino/Veteran/etc. populations, which was particularly meaningful because of their shared identity).

However, I disagree with the poster who said that a cover letter should just be talking about all your accomplishments - some of those definitely came across a bit arrogant/obnoxious, and my eyes usually glazed over when the cover letter was just pointing out things that I can easily see on a resume.

The cover letter should say three things: school, term, and recommenders. Nothing else is needed and will likely just hurt.

I’d also add any tie to the district/circuit or connection with the judge (ex. talked to a former clerk). And maybe public interest/service background if you’re targeting those judges.

Yes, agreed--just be careful not to overstate your relationship with a former clerk.

[Anonymous User]

Among the most bizarre cover letters I've seen -- describing oneself as "descendant of human chattel". Another bizarre one -- talking about the "struggle" with your "sexual identity" whilst growing up in a small, rural town.

I audibly went "ugh" when I read the bolded.