How to get your resume in front of law firm hiring partners
Many law firm openings, especially at small and mid-size firms, are filled without a public posting. Reaching the people who hire, directly and in a targeted way, is how you find them.
Updated October 30, 2026.
Step 1: Choose your practice area, location and firm size
Decide where you would actually accept an offer. A focused target list of 50 to 150 firms beats 500 untargeted applications.
Step 2: Build your list of firms and hiring contacts
Use state bar directories, the NALP Directory of Legal Employers, firm websites and LinkedIn to find each firm’s hiring partner, recruiting coordinator or managing partner.
Step 3: Tailor your resume and cover letter
One page for new lawyers. Lead with bar admission, law school and class rank or honors, then experience that matches the firm’s practice. Name the firm and the practice area in each cover letter.
Step 4: Send direct, personal applications
Email the named contact, or mail a letter if the firm prefers. Keep it short: who you are, why this firm, what you can do from day one.
Step 5: Follow up and track everything
Follow up once after about two weeks. Track every firm, contact, date and response in a spreadsheet so nothing slips.
Step 6: Prepare for interviews and writing samples
Have a short, clean writing sample ready, research each firm’s recent matters, and prepare questions about training and the path to partnership.
Why direct outreach works: small firms often hire when the right person appears, not on a schedule. A well-timed letter to the hiring partner can land on the desk before a job is ever posted.