Covington & Burling
London·Washington, D.C.
Public policy·Regulatory·Litigation
With over 120 former government officials and diplomats on staff, Covington understands regulation from the inside, one of the most respected public policy practices in the US and Europe.
Why this firm
Deep public policy and government expertise
Ranked No. 2 among all US law firms in The American Lawyer's 2025 Pro Bono Scorecard, and named to the magazine's A-List for the 10th consecutive year
One of the most respected regulatory practices spanning the US and Europe
Opened its London office in 1988, the firm's first office outside Washington, D.C.
What this firm looks for
Drawn from Covington & Burling's own recruitment materials
Based on the firm's published recruitment materials, graduate recruitment commentary and stated values.
"Unparalleled commitment to public service"
The firm's own site names this as a core value distinct from generic pro bono mentions, rooted in Covington's actual history of public-policy and government-facing work, not boilerplate CSR language.
Collegiality as a named core value
Listed explicitly alongside high standards of lawyering and respect for others as one of the firm's stated values, reflected in its emphasis on tightly integrated teams over individual-star culture.
Building your own profile
Graduate Recruitment Partner David Berman frames the trainee experience around individual initiative: candidates who can build their own personal profile at the firm rather than following a fixed track.
Past applications
Real material for Covington & Burling
These examples are for structure and inspiration. Your application should remain your own.
A real application for Covington & Burling
Real cover letters and notes actually written for Covington & Burling are on file: 5 documents. Sign in free to read a genuine excerpt of each, before deciding whether to unlock them.
Written Application Answer
If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why - Covington
Sign in for a glimpse
Create a free account to read a genuine excerpt of the real material on file for Covington & Burling, before deciding whether to unlock it.
Unlock Covington & Burling
The real past applications on file above, shown redacted on this page, unlock for £7.99, one-time.
Track Covington & Burling alongside every other application, and keep research like this to hand while you draft.
Start free