Vacation Scheme Cover Letter Example

25 March 2026

Trainee Recruitment Team Harrison & Blythe LLP 123 Fleet Street London EC4A 2AB

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am applying for the summer 2026 vacation scheme at Harrison & Blythe LLP. I am currently in the penultimate year of my LLB at the University of Manchester and will begin the SQE preparation course in September. I am particularly drawn to Harrison & Blythe's commercial disputes team because of its market reputation for handling complex cross-border litigation and its recent work advising on the Meridian Energy arbitration (reported January 2026), which aligns with my interest in international commercial dispute resolution.

During a pro bono mediation project last year I supported a small-business owner to draft a settlement proposal, which required synthesising legal options and commercial consequences within tight time constraints. I led the document review and coordinated with the supervising solicitor to produce a concise proposal accepted by the other party. This experience strengthened my ability to prioritise tasks, communicate complex points plainly and work effectively under pressure.

My commercial awareness is informed by a university placement in the commercial team of a regional firm, where I researched jurisdictional issues for cross-border contracts and prepared client-facing briefings. I used sources such as industry reports and court summaries to explain commercial risks, and I followed Harrison & Blythe's commentary in LegalNews on dispute funding to deepen my understanding of current market drivers.

I am attracted to Harrison & Blythe's collaborative culture and its structured mentoring for trainees. I enjoy working in teams: as captain of my mooting society I organised practice sessions, mentored junior members and helped our team reach the semi-finals of a national competition. These responsibilities taught me to balance competing priorities and to give constructive feedback - skills I would bring to the vacation scheme.

I have attached my CV and academic transcript. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail and to demonstrate how my legal skills and commercial interest would add value during the vacation scheme.

Yours faithfully,

Alex Morgan alex.morgan@email.com +44 7700 900900

[Enclosures: CV, Academic Transcript]

1. Opening and address

2. The letter uses a formal business heading (date, firm address) and a neutral salutation. If you can find a named contact, use it; otherwise 'Trainee Recruitment Team' is appropriate.

3. Opening paragraph: purpose and fit

4. The first paragraph states the role applied for, current academic status and immediate training plans. It references a specific practice area and a recent piece of work (Meridian Energy arbitration). Naming a firm case, article or deal shows you have researched the firm and are genuinely interested.

5. Evidence paragraph: behavioural example

6. The pro bono mediation example is short but structured: situation (pro bono project), task (drafting settlement proposal), action (led document review; liaised with solicitor) and result (proposal accepted). This STAR-style evidence demonstrates transferable skills: prioritisation, clear communication and resilience.

7. Commercial awareness paragraph

8. This paragraph shows commercial thinking by referencing a placement, the types of research conducted and a source of market insight (LegalNews commentary). It links the student's experience to the firm's work and uses concrete activities (briefings, jurisdiction research) rather than vague statements.

9. Culture and teamwork paragraph

10. The mooting captaincy offers leadership and mentoring evidence. It shows management of competing priorities and ability to coach others - qualities firms look for in vacation schemers.

11. Closing paragraph: logistics and polite close

12. The closing summarises attachments and reiterates readiness to discuss the application. It remains brief and professional.

Why this works

• Conciseness: The letter is one page and avoids repetition. Assessors read many applications; clarity and economy are valued.

• Specificity: Firm-specific references and named examples make the application credible.

• Evidence over claims: Every key assertion is backed by a short example.

• Tone and language: Professional but accessible language, British spelling and formal sign-off.

What to avoid

• Generic claims without evidence.

• Overly long paragraphs or academic quotation that obscure practical skills.

1. Tailor every application

2. Research the firm's recent deals, cases or thought leadership and mention one specific item. Use resources such as YourLegalLadder, LawCareers.Net, Chambers Student, Legal Cheek and major legal press to find firm updates.

3. Use STAR/PAR For examples

4. Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) or Problem, Action, Result (PAR) keeps examples concise and outcome-focused.

5. Prioritise Relevance

6. For each paragraph ask: does this prove a quality the firm wants (teamwork, commercial awareness, resilience, communication)? If not, cut it.

7. Keep It One page

8. Use single spacing and a readable font by default. Recruiters expect a one-page letter plus CV.

9. Proofread Carefully

10. Check for typos, inconsistent dates, and British spelling. Ask a mentor or use YourLegalLadder's CV/TC review and mentoring services for feedback.

11. Use contacts wisely

12. If you have a contact at the firm, mention them (with permission) and the context of your relationship.

13. Record Versions

14. Track deadlines and tailored versions of the letter. Tools such as YourLegalLadder's application tracker are helpful to avoid sending the wrong version.

Additional resources

• YourLegalLadder, LawCareers.Net, Chambers Student, Legal Cheek, Solicitors Regulation Authority (for qualification routes), and employer pages for firm-specific recruitment notes.