Judicial Assistant Cover Letter is a brief and meticulously composed document meant to serve as an introduction to the professional competencies of the candidate. It is the first look a recruiter has at the candidate. It serves the critical purpose of impressing the recruiter in the correct manner. The letter has to provide the most important and relevant information in the least number of words. The phrasing and tone of the letter has to convey the impression of a no nonsense person who means business without appearing to be rude. Most importantly, the cover letter should define the areas of convergence between the applicant and the organization, something that is not entirely possible in the resume.
The duties of a judicial assistant are numerous. They act as paralegals, administrators, secretaries, and clerks. Their main job is to free the judges of miscellaneous responsibilities by taking up these responsibilities. The duties include conducting legal research, reviewing case material for new cases, making suggestions based on research, acting as a first interface between the judge and the litigants, and dealing with the press / media. The judicial assistant is also entrusted with clerical responsibilities like answering phone calls, sorting mails, greeting and screening visitors, supervision of jury members, data entry, maintenance of office supplies, and making arrangements for business travel of judges like booking transport, hotels etc.
Judicial Assistant Cover Letter should bring out the candidate's ability and readiness to perform all the above mentioned tasks. The candidate has to be fine with multi tasking and has to be aware of the relatively confidential nature of his work. The applicant may also be called on to handle other miscellaneous duties and has to state his willingness to take care of these.
Here is an example of judicial assistant cover letter:
December 6, 2011
Patrick Barrow
Chief Judicial Assistant,
Philadelphia District Court,
250 Market Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Dear Mr. Barrow,
This is with reference to your advertisement in the "Philadelphia Inquirer", dated December 1, 2011, inviting applications for the position of a grade II judicial assistant in the esteemed Philadelphia District Court. I hereby submit my application for the said position. I am qualified for the said position as per the conditions of eligibility mentioned in the advertisement. I have over three years experience as a grade I judicial assistant and I am looking to work with a judicial establishment known for its professionalism and opportunities of growth that it provides to its employees.
During my experience as a grade I judicial assistant, I have come in touch with the entire spectrum of responsibilities of this position. I have operated as a paralegal and administrator while handling clerical and secretarial duties. I am adept with acting as the first liaison point for litigants and court parties, evaluation of case studies, thoroughly reviewing of new case material to examine all related issues, updating and maintenance of the judge's chamber library, and conducting legal research. I am good with the use of computer and I have acted as a public relation authority with my current employer.
I have successfully completed a course in stenography and I have a typing speed of fifty five words per minute. My experience has made me familiar with legal jargon and standard legal procedures that are followed in different cases. I have also handled other duties like acting as a receptionist, sorting mails, data entry, answering calls, scheduling appointments for the judge, and taking care of other miscellaneous responsibilities.
It will be a great opportunity to work with an institution known for encouraging individual initiative. I have attached my resume with this cover letter. You can contact me on the telephone number or the email address mentioned above.
Yours Sincerely,
(Jason Hyde)
Judicial Assistant Cover Letter should provide brief glimpses of the candidate's ability to handle the variety of responsibilities that come with this position - paralegal, administrative, secretarial, and clerical.