How to Build a Legal Writing Sample for Internship and Job Applications

A strong writing sample is one of the most underused tools in a law student’s job-search kit. Here’s how to build one if you don’t already have polished work to show.

What makes a writing sample actually useful to a reader

A reviewer skimming applications wants to see clear legal reasoning, correct citation, and structured argument — not length or impressive vocabulary. A tightly written 2-3 page case comment or research memo beats a sprawling 15-page essay every time.

Where to get material if you have none yet

• A case comment on a recent landmark judgment in your area of interest — pick something decided in the last 6-12 months so the analysis feels current.
• A research memo from a moot court problem you’ve worked on, cleaned up and reframed as a standalone piece.
• Content written through a structured internship (like Lexfolio’s free legal content internship), where editing feedback helps you produce genuinely polished work rather than a first draft.

Formatting that signals professionalism

Use consistent citation (OSCOLA or Bluebook, matching what your target firm/chamber is likely to expect), a clear heading structure, and keep it under 3-4 pages unless specifically asked for more — reviewers rarely read past the first page of an unsolicited longer sample anyway.

Tailoring the sample to each application

Where possible, send a sample relevant to the chamber or firm’s actual practice area — a constitutional law case comment for a litigation chamber doing service matters, a contract-drafting sample for a corporate internship — rather than the same generic piece for every application.

More: Lexfolio’s free legal content internship · internship cover letter template