You are here:

Business & Technical Writing/Legal Authorization Letter

Advertisement


Question
Dear Dan,

I'm the CEO of a small company.  I would like to write a professional legal authorization letter for a person abroad to act as my company's agent there dealing with a couple or more of our clients.  Would you please send me a template and any advice regarding the best way you think this letter should be presented?  Thanks.

Regards,
Sam


Answer
23 June 2004


Sam
Sam's Company
Sam's Company's City, State 77777

Dear Sam:

What I have done here will work just fine if you simply center it top to bottom on the page, but any standard business letter format will be just fine. Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and others offer templates for standard business letters. I would base the choice on what fit best on the company letterhead. If you do not have a letterhead, now would be a good time to create one. It does not have to be elaborate, and it can be printed on your own printer; it is not necessary to use a print shop. Use a nice paper: watermarked and made of 25% cotton fiber. Linen, wove, or laid finishes in white or very light colors are fine. Use off-white (cream) or light grey; no pinks, reds, and frankly, I prefer white.

The most important thing is that the letter be on the company letterhead and bear your original signature.

If you would like me to design a simple letterhead that you can print yourself, write to me directly at dan@wordsmithofaustin.com with the company name and address information.  There'll be a small charge for that service, but just your company name and address centered at the top of the page will work just fine.

Center your letter top to bottom, leaving room for the letterhead (I can't show doing that here.). Good luck and hope this helps.

Yours truly,

(sign it here)

Dan Smith
dan@wordsmithofaustin.com
www.wordsmithofaustin.com

enclosure(s): if there are any, name them here

Business & Technical Writing

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Dan Smith

Expertise

I have been a professional writer and editor for more than 30 years, taught speech and English composition at the university level, and have developed speech and English composition courses and seminars for businesses. I am experienced in editing a wide variety of materials, especially business, scientific, and other academic papers. I am familiar with all the major style guides.

Experience

I have edited any number of graduate papers and other technical materials in such advanced fields as clinical psychology, civil and electrical engineering, and semiconductor fabrication. I have extensive experience in working with non-native English speakers.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.