how to make a resume for law graduate

Resume of Law Graduate (LLB)

Description

Suraj is an LLB graduate with specialisation in Criminology, knowledge of advancements in Criminal Law and skills in research and drafting legal documents, and managing cases. Lawyers' resumes need to be to the point and traditional for easy reading by other senior lawyers. That is why Suraj selected the Elegant format to create his resume on Resumod. With precise content and an easy to follow format, as a Lawyer, Suraj is sure to find relevant job opportunities and interview calls.

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Resume Skills and Keywords for Law Graduate

Lawyers advise clients on their rights, obligations, and risks in a variety of business and personal situations. As negs, they carefully advocate their customers' interests in order to obtain a favorable result. As advocates, they act as an adversary's representative in a criminal or civil case, preparing complaints and motions, obtaining and presenting evidence, and using it to support their claims. Lawyers must comprehend the law and apply it persuasively in all circumstances.

Skills required for a lawyer role

• Constitutional Rights 
• Case Analysis and Tracking  
• Reporting and Documentation  
• Detail Oriented  
• Negotiation
• Client Advocacy
• Legal Research 

What recruiters look for in a  lawyer resume: 

• Strong skill set in monitoring legal risk in the documentation and give guidance on the acceptable assumption of risk.
• Expertise in interpreting laws, rulings and regulations for natural and juristic persons.
• Ability to conduct legal research and gather evidence.

What can make your law resume stand out:

A strong summary that demonstrates your skills, experience, and background in the legal sector 

LLB graduate with specialization in Criminology, knowledge of advancements in Criminal Law with skills in research and drafting legal documents, and managing cases. Proactive in undertaking pursuits beyond the academic sphere while demonstrating academic excellence. 

Targeted job description 

• Draft, evaluate, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, as well as filing thorough complaints and airtight responses
• Write briefs and motions for each case that goes to trial in collaboration with the team; prepare persuasive motions
• Communicate with clients concerning discovery, depositions, trial preparation, and other case-related matters.
• Conduct depositions and discovery; conduct industry research on legal issues pertaining to specific matters, as well as applicable laws

Related academic background 

• B.A. LLB (Criminal Law) | Sri Ram Law Institute Passed with distinction 2019 
• Higher Secondary | Sri Venkateshwar Public school 2014 
• Secondary School | Sri Venkateshwar Public School 2012

Sample Resume of Law Graduate in Text Format

SURAJ PRATAP

LLB Graduate - Criminal Lawyer 

6866573856 | [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suraj-pratap-51999785798 | L-41 Chirag Road, Delhi 

EDUCATION 

• Secondary School | Sri Venkateshwar Public School 2012 

PROFESSIONAL ENHANCEMENTS 

Moot Courts

• Appeared in Intra College level Moot Court competition | November 2017. 
• Appeared in Moot Court competition at FYLC, Rajasthan University | September 2016. 

Certifications

 Diploma in Criminal Procedure and Oral Proceedings. 

EXPERIENCE / INTERNSHIP 

Research Intern | First Class Legal Associates | Jan 2018 – Mar 2018 

• Accompanied seniors to client meetings to acquire an understanding of case history.
•  Investigated on client cases, prepared reports and presented to the Attorney in-charge.
•  Drafted all legal documents and case proceedings as requested. 
• Maintained and archived records of recent hearings, and upcoming dates. 

Intern | District Court, Raipur | Jun 2016 – Aug 2016

• Assisted counsel in preparing motions and trails, and attended Court Proceeding. 
• Analysed various appeals and conducted research for fact checks. 

Assistant Intern | Legal Solutions | Jun 2015 – Sept 2015 

• Analyzed legal documents and other legal research work. 
• Met the eye-witnesses (if required) with the seniors and interacted with them to gure out important points about the case. 
• Tracked status of cases through case management and billing systems. Ran reports as needed. 

PROJECTS 

States Human Rights Commission, Raipur 

Prepared a project on Decided cases in SHRC and researched on State's measures to ensure criminal justice. 

SKILLS ( TECHNOLOGY / FUNCTIONAL ) 

Constitutional Rights | Case Analysis and Tracking | Reporting and Documentation | Detail Oriented | Legal Research 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR 

Participations / Sports 

• Worked as a Red Cross volunteer.
•  Member of NCC in college. 

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Resume Advice & Samples

Resume advice and samples.

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• Review your resume with a CDO counselor prior to applying to jobs. 
• Your resume is a sales tool, not an autobiography. When making decisions about what to include, consider recency and relevancy to the job for which you are applying.  
• Be prepared to discuss everything on your resume in an interview. 
• Be scrupulously honest. Exaggerations or misrepresentation will damage your reputation and professional relationships. 
• Make your resume visually clean and clear. What will an employer see in 30 seconds? 5 seconds? 
• Keep your resume to one page.
• Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Garamond.
• Select a font size of 11 point or 12 point.
• Create margins no smaller than .5 inches on all sides.
• Use bold, underlining, and italics consistently to enhance readability.
• Make deliberate style choices, then stick to them throughout.
• Ensure your resume is error free.
• Follow our advice, “ Resume Formatting: How to Use Tabs & Styles ” to give your resume a professional look.

Resume Construction

• Include your name, mailing address, cell number, and Yale email address.
• If you do not have a mailing address in New Haven, that is fine, as mailing addresses are becoming optional.
• Add your permanent mailing address to emphasize ties to that area when applying to positions nearby.
• List your gender pronouns if you wish.

Education Section

• List degrees in reverse chronological order.
• Include all courses of study: past, present, and future.
• List each educational institution, location, degree, and degree date (expected date if currently enrolled).
• Do not include high school or LSAT score.
• Think strategically about how much space you devote to each degree. What message are you sending to employers?
• Include at your option with a strategic mindset.
• YLS awards few Honors.
• Moot court/mock trial awards and paper prizes are Honors.
• List Yale Law Journal as an Honor, due to the competitive admission process. List other journals as Activities or create a separate Journal sub-section under Yale Law School.
• List those that are not based solely on financial need and are awarded through a competitive process.
• If space permits, provide a very brief description of the selection criteria.
• Examples: Tilman Scholarship; the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans; and the NAACP LDF Earl Warren Civil Rights Scholarship.
• List scholarship or fellowship awards that are associated with summer or post-graduate employment with the position in the Experience section.
• Do not list need-based scholarships and fellowships, including SPIF funding, summer Mary McCarthy funding, and Kirby Simon travel grants.
• List the following positions as Activities or in the Experience section: Coker Fellow, Research Assistant, Orientation Leader, Community Leader, Student Representative, Tsai Leadership Program Fellow, and CDO Student Advisor.
• Use this section to emphasize relevant skills and interests including research and writing skills, oral advocacy, teamwork, and leadership.
• Narrow the list, if necessary, by selecting only one of several activities that are of the same genre.
• If applying for public service positions, include as many of your service-related activities as space permits to demonstrate your commitment to service.
• Move particularly relevant, intensive, or skills-enhancing activities to the Experience section. Example: clinics.
• Be clear about the timing of future commitments, however, describing the exact timing of past activities is not strictly necessary.

Optional Sections

• Create a Select Courses sub-section to highlight courses that reflect your interest in a practice area.
• Tailor this section depending on your target employer(s).
• List courses you have already taken and courses you intend to take in the future (with a parenthetical indicating that the course is expected).  
• Create a Study Abroad sub-section in your undergraduate education listing.  
• Create a Thesis sub-section in your undergraduate education listing.
• Include especially if the topic relates to the law.

Experience Section

• List experiences in reverse chronological order.
• Include experiences to which you have committed, but not yet begun; describe using future-tense verbs.
• Dates can be general (e.g., Summer 20XX).
• Omit job titles if unimpressive or do not clarify your responsibilities, however, be consistent about including/excluding titles throughout.
• List experiences that demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas relevant to legal employers, especially research, writing, and analysis.
• Emphasize professional skills including organizational ability, leadership, initiative, creativity, communication skills, common sense, and intellectual ability.
• List both paid and unpaid experiences.
• Include work associated with a scholastic experience, including legal clinic experience, research for a professor, and extensive work for a student organization.
• Rewrite past descriptions written for different industries and audiences. Eliminate jargon and terminology unfamiliar to a general audience.
• Summarize smaller or less relevant positions to fill gaps. E.g., “Held various positions as salesclerk, server, and receptionist while in college.”
• Be prepared to discuss significant gaps at interviews.
• Think strategically about the amount of physical space devoted to each experience. More space = greater emphasis.
• Use action verbs and rich detail in descriptions. E.g., “researched and wrote memoranda on issues of jurisdiction and venue,” rather than “involved in assisting attorneys in the researching and writing of…”
• Languages: List if relevant and/or skill level is high. May be useful to delineate written vs. spoken proficiency. Be scrupulously honest regarding skill level.
• Think strategically about employers’ impressions. Publications show writing skills, but a long list of publications may signal interest in an academic career which may not be well received by non-academic employers.
• Consider selective list or summary if publication list is long.
• Use Bluebook citation format.
• Be clear about co-authored pieces.
• Interests: Include a few special interests that may be compelling and serve as icebreaker topics during an interview.
• Other skills: list only relevant skills, eliminating those which are universal (e.g., MS Word) or unrelated to legal employers’ needs (e.g., C++ programming).

Do Not Include

• Objective or introductory statements.
• Personal information (e.g., marital status, parental status).
• Salary requirements.
• “References available on request.”

Think Ahead to Your Next Resume

Develop your skills and knowledge through career-related experiences

• Summer employment
• Student organizations
• Research Assistant positions
• Leadership positions

Sample Resumes PDF   Sample Resumes Word

Jump to: First Year Student Examples | Second Year Student Examples | Third Year Student Examples

Legal Resumes

This guide contains some basic suggestions about preparing resumes, and includes samples for you to consult. If you would like to have a Career Development Office attorney-counselor review your draft resume, send it to the career email box, [email protected] . The resume process, from start to finish, can take much longer than you anticipate. Start early, and give yourself plenty of time .

A. What is a Resume?

B. effective resumes, c. writing your resume, d. resume suggestions, e. finalizing your resume.

• Sample Resumes – Students (These are included as a pdf to preserve formatting, an essential element of effective resume-drafting.)
• Suggested Action Words for describing experiences
• “1L Resume Workshop” Presentation (10/2023)

A resume is a marketing device whereby you present the most attractive, true picture of yourself with the goal of convincing an employer to meet with you. During an interview, you may be asked questions about any entries on the document. For lawyers, the resume also is a writing sample that shows your ability to communicate clearly and concisely and your attention to detail.

Your resume is often your first contact with a potential employer and will probably determine whether your qualifications and background warrant an interview or serious consideration for a job. While employers do not usually hire on the basis of a resume alone, they may decide not to interview an applicant on the basis of a poorly prepared or presented resume. Therefore, excellent content and presentation are vital. Employers assume that your resume represents your best work and is indicative of your general work product in terms of clarity, organization, accuracy and appearance.

Most decisions about what to include and how best to present information in your resume are based on your personal assessment of your strengths, the kind(s) of position you are seeking, your own taste and style, and your knowledge of how resumes in the legal profession traditionally look and read. Consider having more than one resume to emphasize different things for different types of prospective employers.

Resumes for public interest organizations. For these employers, a demonstrated commitment to public interest work will be a key factor. Evidence of your commitment can take the form of extracurricular activities, journals, internships, clinics and volunteer work, all of which should be included on your resume. Consider including substantive clinical work or student organization activities (e.g., CARC) in your “Experience” section, where you can elaborate on your tasks and responsibilities. If your experience justifies it, you may consider creating an additional section entitled “Community Service” or “Volunteer Activities” to list your volunteer or community activities that will emphasize the extent of your dedication to public interest issues. In addition, languages can be very important to public interest/public sector employers, depending on the communities they serve or the work you can do for them. Unlike resumes aimed at private sector employers, public interest resumes can go over one page if your experience requires it; however, it is still critical to use concise language and efficient formatting.

Resume Rules. There are a few absolute rules for writing resumes. Your resume must be:

• scrupulously honest;
• conservative (graphically and linguistically, not necessarily politically);
• selective (because your resume is not your whole life history, perhaps not even your entire employment history);
• visually appealing so it will be easy to read rapidly;
• absolutely free of typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies.

Difficult Issues. Some items you might include in your resume may reveal political leanings, religious beliefs, ethnicity, disability, and/or sexual orientation, which, depending on the prospective employer, could work against you or in your favor. (This is true regardless of the legality of taking such factors into account.) The decision whether to include such information is a personal one. First, consider how important the inclusion of such information is to you, and whether you would want to work for an employer who would use it in making a decision whether to hire you. If you choose not to include this information, you still have the option of bringing it up in an interview, or later in the hiring process. If you are unsure about whether to include items of this kind in your resume, contact a CDO attorney-counselor.

Accuracy of Resume Information and Verification of Resumes. It is imperative that all information presented on your resume be scrupulously honest and free of embellishment. The potential for misrepresentation of academic or work performance is of great concern to employers; they typically verify this information. Berkeley Law has established practices to ensure the fair and accurate presentation of students in the placement process, including procedures for the verification of statements concerning grades, journal membership, or other law school achievements that a student has made in a resume or other document. By making such statements to an employer in writing, a student consents to the Law School verifying the substance of these statements at the employer’s request. (Berkeley Law’s Registrar will inform the employer whether written grade information is accurate, but will not provide the correct grade information to the employer without the student’s prior consent.)

Any falsification or misrepresentation of law school grades or other records, recommendations, or other qualifications is a violation of the Academic Honor Code.

First, brainstorm. Inventory your background and accomplishments and list everything which helps to distinguish you individually, professionally, and as a student. You might ask for input from family or friends because you may overlook some basic but important areas. Remember to focus on what you bring to the table based on your experience. What will make the employer interested in you?

Name and Contact Information

This information should go in large (font size 14-16) bold face type at the top of your resume. If you choose to include both your school address and your permanent address you should indicate which is which. (Students often include an out-of-area address in order to show that they have a connection to an area outside of Northern California.) Always include your phone number and email address, but only one of each. (Your email address, as well as your voicemail greeting, should be professional.)

List your education in reverse chronological order (law school first). Include basic information on schools attended, degrees received and dates (or anticipated dates) of graduation, and major field(s) of study.

Under your undergraduate school heading, include major and minor areas of study and thesis topics, if applicable. Be consistent. If you use the term “J.D,” then use “B.A.” Alternatively, if you write out “Juris Doctor” then write out “Bachelor of Arts.” Other than law schools, you need not include schools from which you transferred and did not graduate. No need to include your high school. If you acquired a degree which employers might not recognize by its abbreviation, spell out the degree name.

For your law degree, you can either list it as “J.D. Candidate” with your expected graduation date, or you can list “J.D.” and the date as “Expected May 20XX.”

A Special Note for Transfer Students : If you transferred here from another law school, put Berkeley Law first, followed by the other law school, for at least your first year at Berkeley Law. If you received honors at the other school, put them under that law school’s section. If you were invited to join law review at your former school and didn’t because you transferred here, indicate that you were invited to join and explain why, e.g., “Invited to join University of San Diego Law Review on the basis of high academic achievement.”

Joint Degree Students : If you are pursuing a joint degree program, be sure to list both schools under your education section.

Honors and Activities. Honors attached to your degree should appear in lowercase after the degree awarded, e.g., B.A., summa cum laude , June 2006. (If the honors are in Latin, they should be italicized.) Other academic honors are listed separately below your degree, along with school activities.

If you have extensive undergraduate honors and activities, you might consider listing only a representative number of them. Make sure it is clear which activities are at which institutions. If you were involved during school with an activity not related to the school, it should go under a different section of your resume.

For law school, list all honors and activities of importance such as law review, participation on other journals, moot court, trial advocacy, clinics, fellowships, scholarships, committees, student organization membership, and academic awards.

If an activity in college or law school was or is especially involved or relevant, consider putting it under the Experience section. For example, if you are a public interest student, your participation in CARC could go under Experience, with a description of the work you did on your asylum case.

Grades, Rank and LSAT Scores. Because Berkeley Law does not use a traditional grading system, students do not have GPAs. Under Academic Rule 19.6, the Dean, Dean of Students, faculty, students, and alums shall not disclose information about academic honors, class standing or GPAs provided under Rule 19 for any professional purpose other than aiding in obtaining a judicial clerkship or academic position. Revealing this information for any other professional purpose is a violation of the Honor Code. LSAT scores should not be listed on your resume, as they are designed to predict law school performance only, and are not an indicator of professional performance.

Use reverse chronology. You can list a brief summary of your most important duties, or list the skills you have developed at the job so that the employer can see what you can bring to the table. Your experience is worth including not for what you did, but for what it says about you and what you can do in the future. 

List the name and location of the employer, your title, the dates of employment, and a brief summary of your most important duties. Emphasize law-related work in any area, but do not struggle to make your experience appear more law-related than it really is; many students come to law school with no legal experience whatsoever, and employers know this. Three or four phrases are usually all you need, but elaborate further if you have the space and believe that your duties were especially interesting, responsible, and/or relevant to your legal career.

• If the name of the employer is inadequate to convey the nature of the business, try to incorporate a description of the employer in your job duties, e.g., “prepared marketing materials and sales analysis for start-up company selling online pet products.”
• Avoid insider jargon.
• Use present tense verbs to describe your current job and past tense verbs with all former positions.
• Provide specific information about actions and responsibilities (e.g., budget, percentage of increase in revenues or sales, number of staff supervised, direct work with clients, etc.) Many skills obtained in non-law jobs are transferable to law practice (e.g., attention to detail, meeting deadlines, writing, research and analytical skills, working under pressure, working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, etc.). Try to highlight such skills.
• If you were at one job for a long time, show promotions and increased responsibility, if applicable.
• If you had many part-time or temporary jobs while in school, consider summarizing them, e.g., “Worked part-time during undergrad to finance education.” (Employers will value the fact that you have worked while going to school, particularly if you were still able to do well academically.) For certain jobs, such as in retail or restaurants, or as a ski instructor, it can be appropriate to omit the description altogether, as most people know roughly what this work entails.
• Include summer jobs to avoid time gaps on your resume.
• If a prior job is your only link to a prospective employer’s city, include it.
• Any experience can be relevant, regardless of whether or not it was paid, so if your volunteer or community service is substantial, include it in the main body of your resume, especially if you are applying for public interest positions. Volunteer work can also be presented in a separate Community Service section, or at the end or your resume under a heading such as “Other Information.” Jobs are usually assumed to be full-time and paid unless you indicate otherwise; be sure not to appear to overstate your experience.

Other Categories.

If space allows, you may choose to elaborate on one or more of the following categories, under a heading such as “Other Information” or “Interests and Activities”:

• Languages : If you include languages on your resume, state your level of fluency (e.g., “fluent,” “proficient,” “reading knowledge only” (where your fluency is very limited, it is probably not worth listing the language)). Do not overstate your level of proficiency.
• Publications : You may include a short list of publications on law-related topics, particularly if the area of research is relevant to an employer’s practice. A more extensive list of publications should be compiled as a separate document. Be prepared to discuss in interviews any publications you list.
• Professional Licensing and Affiliations : Include any relevant licenses or certifications (such as a CPA license). Include past and present memberships with your title, if any, and dates. Give the full name of the organization.
• Bar Admission : Bar membership, only applicable to graduates, should appear at the top of your resume, above the Education section. If you have a substantial amount of experience as an attorney, the Experience section of your resume should precede the Education section. If you are registered to take the bar exam or awaiting the results of a bar exam you have written, you can include that information in a cover letter.
• Keep your resume to one page, unless you have substantial working experience prior to coming to law school, or for public interest resumes.
• Do not use abbreviations, with these exceptions: the two-letter state abbreviations and academic degrees.
• List each item only once. If you list Debate Team Captain as a college activity, don’t repeat it under Other Activities at the bottom.
• Make your resume easy to read. The reader should be able to locate your graduation date, duties of employment, etc., by scanning (not reading) your resume.
• Use short descriptive sentence fragments separated by semicolons with strong action verbs to relate your job responsibilities, not sentences. (A list of “ action words ” can be found at the end of this guide.).
• Be specific about what you did at your jobs; avoid vague expressions such as “gained exposure to,” “participated in” or “assisted with.”
• List your job responsibilities in descending order of responsibility and challenge (start with the most impressive and work down to a “catch-all” item, if appropriate).
• Put your references on a separate document, and don’t include “references available on request” on your resume. Employers know to ask for them.
• Avoid extraneous information and try not to convey too many ideas at once.
• Do not include computer abilities, except as part of a job description where you used highly specialized skills.
• Do not include such personal information as age, marital status, etc.
• Do not include anything in your resume you would not want to discuss in an interview.

Resume Style. Resume styles vary, as presented by the samples found at the end of this guide.

In addition to using physical layout, take strategic advantage of the various ways to highlight important information, such as bold face, capitalization, italicizing, and underlining. Be completely consistent with the choices you make (e.g., all educational institutions in boldface, all job titles in italics), all the way down to the way you use commas, periods and spaces. For legal resumes, it is most typical to use Times New Roman font (or another similar serif font) in size 11 or 12. Look for a pleasant balance of text and white space on the page. While margins can be smaller than the standard for a term paper, you should allow at least .7″ all around.

Proofreading. Once you have your resume set up as you want it with content and layout, proofread it carefully. Look for inconsistencies in style as well as actual typos. Do not trust yourself as the only proofreader; enlist the aid of at least one other person. If you discover a typo, you must redo your resume, even if it has been already been printed; no typo is insignificant.

A few technical notes.

• If you send your resume electronically, it is preferable to convert it to a PDF file first; this way your formatting and any document history are invisible, and you can control exactly the way your resume appears and prints.
• Email addresses in your contact information should be text, like your phone number, not a hyperlink.

Sample Resumes (These are included as a pdf to preserve formatting, an essential element of effective resume-drafting.)

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11 Resume Rules Every Law Student Should Follow

April 27, 2021

[Learn more about how Bloomberg Law can help law students excel in class and  jump-start their careers .]

In today’s virtual world, it is even more important for law students to get their resume right.

“A bad resume is far more detrimental to your job search than a good resume is beneficial – many potential employers view bad resumes as disqualifying,” said Mike Wippler, member of the national law firm Dykema. “Your resume should look professional, be easy to read, tell an accurate and truthful story, and highlight your readiness and skills for the position.”

Learn the top resume rules from the experts to stand out from the crowd and land the legal job you want.

1. Keep It Short.

A good legal resume doesn’t need to be long. In fact, it should be one or two pages at most.

“As a hiring manager, I want candidates to be able to eloquently and succinctly articulate their experience and career goals – this is especially critical for someone who wants to be a trial lawyer,” said Noel Edlin , managing partner of San Francisco-based law firm Bassi Edlin Huie & Blum.

Similarly, “use bullet points effectively – state what you did and how you did it in a way that demonstrates your experience, skills, and the results you achieved,” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office.

“For students or junior lawyers with minimal experience, try to keep it to a single page and succinctly summarize your experience, linking it to qualities that you want to highlight – for example, analytical abilities, taking initiative, [and] attention to detail,” said Katten chief talent officer Melanie Priddy.

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2. Keep It Traditional.

Traditional legal resumes for law students are structured in three to four sections in the following order: Heading, Education, Experience, and an additional optional section, such as Interests, Languages, or Skills, according to the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office.

“Do not go crazy with color or design – black type on a white background is preferable, and do not include your photo or other graphics. Pick one font and stick with it,” Edlin said.

Ensure a consistent layout, too. “Use a resume format that is simple, professional, and easy to read,” Priddy said. In this vein, “Formatting should carry through the entire page – bold/italics, font, spacing, indentations, etc., should be consistent throughout.”

3. Proofread Everything.

“A resume is the first example of your ‘work product,’ and it can be hard to overcome a negative first impression if there are errors,” Priddy said. “Proofread your resume and make sure it is free of grammatical errors and typos, including the law firm [name].”

Finally, in proofreading, review abbreviations. “Use abbreviations only if they are universally understood,” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office.

4. Update Contact Information.

“This seems like a no-brainer but be sure you’re providing updated contact information – full legal name, address, email, phone, and LinkedIn profile link,” Edlin said. “It helps save administrative time if we decide to extend an offer of employment.”

Similarly, “add a professional voicemail message that confirms who a caller has reached and clear your voicemail inbox regularly so employers can leave you messages,” Priddy said.

5. Boost Your LinkedIn Presence.

In parallel, “complete your LinkedIn profile and add it to the contact section of your resume,” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office.

“Make sure [it includes] a banner image, a good headshot, an about section, and links to any articles you have published,” Edlin said. Similarly, “Be active on the platform by posting/liking content and recognizing the accomplishments of contacts. Try to acquire at least 500 contacts,” Edlin said. “It helps to paint a picture of who you are and stay on the radar of employers.”

[Learn more about how to network effectively and use LinkedIn to get ahead in our Essential Career Toolkit .]

6. Be Truthful.

“Do not include anything that you do not want to discuss in an interview,” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office. Similarly, “do not overexaggerate your language skills – you may be asked a question in whatever language you claim fluency.”

The same holds true for hobbies. “Make sure that any hobbies or interests on your resume are truthful – interviewers will likely ask for details,” Priddy said. “Even if you get hired, it may cost you the job later,” Wippler added.

7. Do Not Assume Reader Knowledge.

“Don’t assume that everybody assumes you have technical skills – if you have them, make sure you point them out,” said Chris M. Smith, partner and co-head of DLA Piper’s New York real estate practice.

“If you’ve done anything that is a little bit different, make sure it shows on your resume,” Smith added. “And if you have a connection at the firm, have them try to put in a good word for you.”

8. Customize the Content.

“Customize your resume for different employers by highlighting experiences relevant to the particular job an employer is seeking to fill,” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office. The same holds true for the cover letter.

“Add something to your cover letter that relates your application to the organization or the law firm in a way that stands out from the generic cover letter,” said Efrén Olivares, deputy legal director of the Immigrant Justice Project at Southern Poverty Law Center. “That’s going to make a difference, and it’ll send your resume to the top of the pile.”

For further customization, “include a two- to three-sentence summary at the top [of the resume] that directly aligns with the job posting,” Edlin said. “Customize this section using keywords in the job description in a way that makes it clear you are a strong candidate for the opportunity.”

9. Reach for “Power” Words.

“Replace generic words with power words and action verbs – ‘advised,’ ‘advocated,’ ‘resolved,’ ‘advanced,’ ‘enhanced,’ ‘maximized,’ ‘achieved,’” said the University of Miami School of Law Career Development Office.

“Oftentimes, your resume is being scanned by machine learning/natural language processing programs that have been programmed to search for keywords, so include keywords you’d find in the job you want,” Edlin said. “Even if your CV is being reviewed by a decision-maker, it may get a one- to two-minute scan, so leverage that time by including keywords that will stand out.”

10. Focus on Relevant Experience.

“When describing prior work experience, include details that highlight your ability to lead and work with a team, collaborate with others, and provide client service,” said Lauren Marsh, director of attorney recruiting at Akin Gump.

“Some students may assume they have no relevant skills if they did not work before attending law school – however, they should be sure to highlight the comparable experience they gained through internships or college activities,” Marsh said. “These are skills we highly value in our candidates, and an indicator they have developed skills that will enable them to be successful at the firm.”

Also, “Where you went to school is not as important to me as what you did there, how you engaged with the community, organizations, and leadership development,” said Jason Starr, litigation director of Human Rights Campaign. “A strong academic record [is important], but what else about you demonstrates a real passion and a real willingness to dig in?”

11. Be Clear About Your Licensing Status.

“Depending upon where you are in the process, you can indicate it in several different ways, and update your resume as you move from one category to the next,” said Shauna C. Bryce, who practiced law and served on a law firm hiring committee before starting  Bryce Legal Career Counsel .

“If you’ve been admitted to practice, are active and in good standing, then your bullet point is simple – something like this: ‘Bar Admission: California.’ If you have not yet applied to take the bar exam but are eligible to take it: ‘Eligible for July 2021 California bar exam.’”

“If you’ve submitted your application to sit for the exam but have not yet sat for the exam: ‘Candidate for July 2021 California bar exam.’ If you have sat for the exam but have not yet received the results: ‘Candidate for July 2021 California bar exam (results pending).’ If you have passed the exam, but not yet been sworn in: ‘California (admission pending).’

[Log in to Bloomberg Law to read the full article: Ask the Hiring Attorney: How do I show my bar status on my resume? ]

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Law Resume Example & Writing Guide

Law Resume Example & Writing Guide Create a winning legal resume with our step-by-step writing guide and resume sample. Learn what to include and how to structure your resume to stand out as a law job candidate. A well-written resume is essential for getting your foot in the door at top law firms. Our tips will help you showcase your qualifications and get more interviews.

A strong resume is essential for success in the legal field. It's the first thing potential employers see, and it can make or break your chances of landing an interview. But writing a law resume isn't always easy. There are many things to consider, like what to include, how to format it, and what skills to highlight.

That's where this guide comes in. It will walk you through the process of creating a resume that showcases your qualifications, experience, and achievements in the best possible light. You'll learn what sections to include, what keywords to use, and how to tailor your resume to specific job openings.

This article also includes a law resume example that you can use as a starting point. It shows you what a well-written resume looks like and how to structure your own. By following the tips and advice in this guide, you'll be able to create a resume that sets you apart from other candidates and increases your chances of getting hired.

So, whether you're a recent law school graduate or an experienced attorney looking to make a career move, keep reading. By the end of this article, you'll have all the tools you need to write a winning law resume.

Common Responsibilities Listed on Law Resumes

• Providing legal advice and counsel to clients
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents, such as contracts, agreements, and policies
• Conducting legal research and analysis on relevant laws, regulations, and precedents
• Representing clients in court proceedings, including trials, hearings, and negotiations
• Preparing and filing legal documents with courts and regulatory agencies
• Interpreting and applying laws and regulations to client situations
• Staying up-to-date with changes in relevant laws and legal developments
• Managing and overseeing legal cases and processes from start to finish
• Communicating effectively with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders
• Maintaining strict confidentiality and adhering to ethical and professional standards

Resume ATS Scanner

Drop your resume file here to scan for ATS compatibility.

How to write a Resume Summary

The summary or objective sector of your resume is often considered as your initial handshake with a potential employer. This pivotal component potentially lays down the tone for the rest of your resume, or, in layman's terms, sets the stage for your professional storytelling. But, how do you go about it, especially coming from a legal background?

Understanding the Objective/Summary

Doing this well begins with understanding what a resume summary/objective is. It is a brief overview of your career accomplishments and skills, emphasizing what you can bring to a company. Capturing these in a succinct, punchy manner increases the probability of your resume capturing the gaze of a hiring manager about to make tricky decisions in a crowded talent pool.

Knowing the Difference

Primarily, distinguish an objective from a summary. While both serve to give a snapshot of who you are professionally, they target different audiences with a separate focus. A summary is Shenobyline a well-experienced candidate and highlights what makes you qualified for the role. The objective, on the other hand, is more suited for early-career individuals, conveying your career goals and how the job aligns with them.

Essentials of Summary / Objective Writing

In essence, a resume objective or summary needs high relevance and sharpness. The essential cornerstone lies in conceptualizing the section as a brief “elevator pitch” about yourself. Have you ever tried to sell an idea in the time it takes for an elevator to reach its destination? That's the spirit behind a compelling resume summary/objective.

Here are crucial points to consider:

Be Precise : Make sure your summary/objective has a clear, concise point. An employer doesn't need to view your life story; they need to know what you offer professionally.

Use strong, specific words : To generate an impactful representation, make use of energy words, also recognized as action verbs. While crafting, avoid overused buzzwords, opt for clear and powerful expressions to encapsulate your capabilities.

Show, don't just tell : A casual reader might be aware of this old storytelling tactic. Apropos of resume writing, it speaks for utilizing concrete evidence to reinforce your skills or experience. Hence, don't just mention skills; illustrate their application and results.

Be consistent : Aim at echoing the central theme of your resume - your unique personal brand or value proposition. The summary/objective should encapsulate that theme.

Above all remember, your resume is the ticket to your next career opportunity. Impress with your objective/summary, lure them into the intricate detailing of your experience, skills, and achievements, and there stands a good chance your next big break might just be around the corner.

Strong Summaries

• Detail-oriented Lawyer with 10 years of experience in commercial litigation. Possess a proven record of providing professional legal advice & representing clients in court competently.
• Accomplished Attorney acknowledged for high ethical standard and professional demeanor. Specialist in Intellectual Property law with hands-on expertise in trademark and copyright infringement cases.
• High-performing Law Practitioner with 8 years expertise in family law. Skilled in case analysis, strategic negotiation & persuasive communication. Demonstrated successful track record in complex divorce settlement.
• Veteran legal professional with over 20 years in corporate law and strong knowledge of business operations and management principles. Experience managing a diverse client portfolio with remarkable success rate.
• Dynamic & resourceful Lawyer with 5 years of experience in criminal law. Proven skills in managing high-stress situations, preparing legal documents, and negotiating plea agreements. Admitted to the New York State Bar.

Why these are strong ?

These examples are good because they clearly and concisely illustrate the attorneys' areas of expertise, years of experience, and key professional strengths. They use specific, quantifiable achievements to back up their claims and give potential employers clear insights into their capability. Professional summaries like these are an excellent practice as they provide necessary information upfront, benefiting both the job seeker and potential employer. These summaries also demonstrate a solid understanding of law areas that the attorneys specialize in, further impressing the performance-driven legal industry.

Weak Summaries

• To secure a job at a prestigious law firm where I can utilize my skills and gain more knowledge.
• I just completed law school and I am extremely enthusiastic about starting my career in law. My goal is to work in a reputable company where I can offer my services and also grow as a professional.
• As a newly graduated law student, I wish to apply for the position in your company to start my law career. I am excited to learn and deliver my services.

Why these are weak ?

These examples are considered bad for a Professional Summary in a Law resume for several reasons. Firstly, they are all too generic and lack specificity which could make them interchangeable between different resumes. They don't highlight any specific skills, achievements or traits that make the candidate stand out. Secondly, they all focus on what the candidate wants (like 'secure a job', 'start my career') rather than detailing what the candidate can offer to a potential employer. These examples also lack any quantifiable or verifiable facts or figures that can support the candidate's claims. Lastly, there's no mention of the type of law they wish to specialize in or any details about their education, creating a vague and unimpressive summary.

Showcase your Work Experience

Your resume is more than just a summary of your academic qualifications or a list of the places you have worked at. It is a narrative, a story if you may, of your journey as a professional. It is within the story woven around your work experience that prospective employers and recruiters are given a glimpse into your capabilities, skills, and professional growth. So, the narrative that you present in your Work Experience section is vital.

Formulating Your Narrative

When penning down your narrative, start from a place of honesty. Remember, the aim is not to impress but to accurately depict what you have achieved so far. Here are three important aspects you may need to consider:

Identify key roles and responsibilities : Start by making a list of all the tasks you were responsible for in each of your job roles. This list does not have to be a mere collection - strive to make it comprehensive and balanced.

Highlight achievements and skills : Your potential employers also need to see the value you brought to your previous jobs. This includes key achievements, projects that were completed successfully, and skills honed.

Include any professional growth : Future employers are looking for a clear progression in your career trajectory. Show this progression by highlighting any promotions, increase in responsibilities, or breadth of roles held.

Quantify your achievements and impact using concrete numbers, metrics, and percentages to demonstrate the value you brought to your previous roles.

Writing Style

Also, how you say it matters just as much as what you say.

Be Precise : Choose your words carefully and be as clear as you can. Remember, your goal is to communicate, not to impress.

Use Active Voice : The use of active voice makes your writing more direct, lively and crisp. This helps engage the reader and keeps them interested in your narrative.

Quantify where possible : Numbers never lie. They give a clearer, more tangible picture of your work track record. Did you increase a company's efficiency by a certain percentage? Include that.

When crafting the Work Experience section of your legal career resume, remember this: The picture you paint about yourself needs to resonate with the reader's perception of the ideal candidate for the position they are looking to fill. Understand the expectations and create a personalized narrative that showcases you as the right fit. Happy writing!

Strong Experiences

• Represented clients in complex commercial litigation and class actions
• Provided in-depth legal advice to clients on corporate transactions and regulatory compliance matters
• Experience in drafting and negotiating various contracts such as employment agreements and non-disclosure agreements
• Conducted detailed legal research and analysis for complex legal issues
• Worked with diverse teams to manage and coordinate large-scale discovery efforts
• Review, advise and negotiate various corporate transactions and governance issues

These examples are good practices as they detail the applicant's specific experiences in the law field. Each bullet point illustrates a distinct skill-set or accomplishment, such as representing clients, providing legal advice, or conducting research. The use of action verbs like 'represented', 'advised', 'drafted', 'conducted' makes the statements more dynamic. Additionally, specifying situations such as 'complex commercial litigation' or 'corporate transactions' highlights the complexity and breadth of the tasks undertaken, which can enhance the applicant's perceived competence and expertise. Details like 'non-disclosure agreements' showcase specialized knowledge. Moreover, mentioning collaboration within diverse teams can demonstrate teamwork abilities, which is a valuable trait in any field.

Weak Experiences

• • I have dealt with legal stuff.
• • Good at suing people.
• • Solved many legal problems.
• • Lots of experience in court.
• • Familiar with all those laws.
• • Legal expert, trust me.

Such examples lack specificity and are not professionally formulated. They are too vague to convey meaningful information. Statements like 'Good at suing people' or 'Lots of experience in court' could come across as dismissive or even arrogant. Moreover, phrases like 'Legal expert, trust me' or 'Familiar with all those laws' may sound overly casual and unprofessional. In a legal resume, it is crucial to include specific information about one's skills, achievements, and experiences to effectively demonstrate competence. Relevant laws or regulations, case names, or specific legal skills should be mentioned instead of general, unspecific statements.

Skills, Keywords & ATS Tips

Striking the right balance between hard and soft skills in your law resume can be a game-changer. This not just improves your chance of landing an interview, but also helps you step your foot in the door. Along with this, understanding the role of keywords in beating the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is equally crucial. Here's an explanation that can help you understand it better.

Hard and Soft Skills in a Law Resume

In simple terms, hard skills are your professional knowledge and abilities; for example, legal jargon, litigation, contract law etc. These are specific, teachable, and often measurable. On the other hand, soft skills are the traits that make you a good professional; examples include communication, problem-solving, stress management etc.

For a law resume, both these skills hold immense value. Hard skills prove that you have what it takes to do the job. They show your technical mastery and capability in handling legal cases. Soft skills, although seemingly less 'legal', are equally, if not more, important. They demonstrate your ability to work well with clients and colleagues, handle pressure, and solve problems on your feet.

Always remember to clearly list these skills in their respective categories on your resume. This helps employers easily spot your capabilities and strengths.

The Connection Between Keywords, ATS and Matching Skills

Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software used by companies to manage applications and cut down the initial work of going through numerous resumes. These systems 'read' the words in your resume to find a match with the job description.

This is where keywords come in. If the ATS doesn't pick up keywords from your resume that match the job description, it's less likely your application will be moved forward.

So, in your law resume, if the job description requests skills in "contract drafting" and "client communication", ensure those exact phrases appear in your hard and soft skills list.

Keywords can be found in the duties and responsibilities section of job descriptions. They are usually the skills, qualifications, and job specific terms.

By blending hard and soft skills with relevant keywords, you make your resume stand out, not just for the ATS but for the hiring managers too. They get a clear, concise view of your capabilities that match the job, making you a strong candidate worth considering.

Remember, suggesting your professional value and exemplifying your competence through an appropriate mix of hard and soft skills, while utilizing accurate keywords, can craft a law resume that stands the test of ATS and impresses employers.

Top Hard & Soft Skills for Full Stack Developers

Hard skills.

• Legal research
• Legal writing
• Case analysis
• Contract drafting
• Legal analysis
• Trial preparation
• Legal documentation
• Legal compliance
• Legal interpretation
• Legal negotiation
• Legal strategy development
• Legal advocacy
• Legal drafting
• Legal counseling

Soft Skills

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Research skills
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills
• Adaptability
• Ethical judgment
• Professionalism
• Confidentiality
• Stress management

Top Action Verbs

Use action verbs to highlight achievements and responsibilities on your resume.

• Interpreted
• Investigated

Including your education and certifications in your resume is crucial to showcasing your qualifications and academic prowess. Start by inserting a section titled "Education" or "Qualifications". Here, document your educational history in reverse chronological order, mentioning the institution's name, your degree, and year of graduation. If there's any coursework or projects directly relevant to the job, don't hesitate to include that. For certifications, add a "Certifications" or "Professional training" section and follow a similar format. Consider noting the awarding body, certification name, and date received. Always remember to keep it concise and relevant to maximize impact.

Resume FAQs for Laws

What is the ideal length for a law resume.

The ideal length for a law resume is typically one page. However, if you have extensive relevant experience or publications, it can be acceptable to have a two-page resume.

What is the best format for a law resume?

The most common and recommended format for a law resume is the reverse-chronological format. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first.

Should I include references on my law resume?

It is generally not necessary to include references on your law resume. Instead, you can simply state 'References available upon request' at the bottom of your resume.

How should I list my law school activities and honors on my resume?

You should have a separate section for 'Activities and Honors' on your law resume. List any relevant law school activities, such as moot court, law review, or student organizations, as well as any academic honors or awards you received.

Lawyers interpret laws, advise clients, research cases, and represent them in court proceedings. When drafting a law resume, highlight academic excellence, relevant coursework, internships, and legal writing skills. Tailor each application, using clear language to demonstrate your unique qualifications and fit for the role.

Dedicated and driven law professional with a proven track record of providing exceptional legal services to clients. Skilled in legal research, case management, and client advocacy. Committed to upholding the highest ethical standards while delivering outstanding results.

• Represented clients in complex civil litigation cases, consistently achieving favorable outcomes
• Conducted extensive legal research and drafted persuasive legal briefs and motions
• Collaborated with senior attorneys to develop effective case strategies and negotiate settlements
• Managed a diverse caseload, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of legal matters
• Provided pro bono legal services to underserved communities, demonstrating a strong commitment to social justice
• Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on a wide range of federal legal issues
• Assisted judges in preparing for hearings, trials, and conferences
• Analyzed complex legal arguments and provided recommendations to judges
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Gained valuable insight into the inner workings of the federal judiciary
• Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on various corporate and securities law matters
• Assisted in due diligence review for mergers and acquisitions transactions
• Participated in client meetings and negotiations, gaining exposure to high-stakes legal matters
• Collaborated with attorneys across practice areas to deliver comprehensive legal solutions
• Received positive feedback from supervising attorneys for strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Contract negotiation
• Client advocacy
• Case management
• Oral arguments
• Due diligence
• Corporate law
• Securities law
• Intellectual property
• Employment law

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3 Law Student Resume Examples Proven to Work in 2024

Law Student Resume

Professional law student resume, formal law student resume.

• Law Student Resume Writing 101

It’s time to get your foot in the door with a stellar law student resume that shows off your ability to vary between a few specialized litigation areas, process case records, and uphold regulations.

But how exactly do you do that? What resume template should you select, what job skills should you include in your resume sections, and what sections should you even have on your resume page?

Don’t worry. We’ve helped many professionals in legal roles find their dream jobs. After years of experience, we’ve developed three law student resume examples and a cover letter maker to help you launch your career in the courtroom!

or download as PDF

Related resume examples

• Legal assistant
• Entry-level paralegal

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Work History

Okay, so as a law student, you might have your Juris Doctorate . . . but not much work experience yet. If you’re fresh out of law school, remember instances from other jobs or internships (related or unrelated to the legal field) that helped you develop translatable skills.

Skills like data entry, communication, and organization transfer nicely to a legal role—but don’t list them in your skills section like that! Hone your skills into things like “case management” and “legal records” instead.

Lean as technical as possible while developing your skills list. Which programs do you use to keep client records in order? What are the profession-specific specialties that fall under the umbrella of your smooth communication abilities?

9 most popular law student skills

• Case Review
• Debate and Advocacy
• Client Records
• Legal Writing
• Time Management
• Legal Research
• Wills and Trusts

Sample law student work experience bullet points

Impressive work skills ! But recruiters want to see some courtroom-related actions. How did you leverage those skills to create success for clients, attorneys, and peers? Recruiters want to see what you did, how and why you did it, and what kind of positive differences you made.

How did you transform your bookkeeping experience from an old job into more efficient client record keeping? As a law student, remember how many skills from unrelated jobs can transfer over to benefit your new professional role.

Just make sure you provide quantifiable data to back up your impact in the legal office or courtroom. Recruiters want percentages, dollar amounts, and ratings that support your efficacy and readiness to advance in your legal career.

Here are a few examples:

• Instructed Debating 101 class each semester, increasing Debate Club membership by 119%
• Streamlined the processes for legal research, drafting, and creation of self-help materials for pro se clients, decreasing research time by an average of 4 hours per case
• Supervised weekly schedule to adhere to labor guidelines and reduce employee burnout, decreasing turnover rate by 7% and boosting employee satisfaction rates to 4.8/5
• Assisted the managing attorney in foreclosure, debt buyer defense, and bankruptcy cases, improving work efficiency and reducing weekly labor hours by 11 on average
• Designed all in-house promotional displays and digital advertisements, increasing revenue by 16% and client acquisition by 9%

Top 5 Tips for Your Law Student Resume

• Keep your specialization goals in mind while you build your resume. Do you have a passion for commercial or family law? Taxation or civil litigation? If you’re applying for a firm specializing in just one or a few legal areas (most do), your resume should give examples of how you’re primed for that particular role.
• At the same time, we understand that limited job experience as a student and a broadly-themed legal internship might not convey your personal niche. And that’s okay! You can angle internships and unrelated job experiences toward your desired specialization and still provide a variety of accomplishments that show your adaptability with litigation.
• If your resume’s feeling a bit “patchwork,” you can always spotlight your specialized career goals in an objective statement . Briefly outline why you want that specific job, how you’ll benefit the role, and what qualifies you to deliver.
• Your example points should be as streamlined as possible. Again, state what you did, the context for why you did it, how you did it, and your final quantifiable impact . Stick with quality over quantity and avoid fluff.
• Additional certificates can be the cherry on top of your Juris Doctorate and land you that dream job! So don’t leave out other stuff like an Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) or Certified Paralegal certification.

If you only have one or two additional certifications as a law student (which is understandable if you’re just starting out!) then you can place them by your degree. If you have several, they’re worth having their own column!

Definitely! If you’re a fresh law student who’s new to the working world, an internship can provide invaluable work experience points that enhance your credibility. Just make sure you pick the most impressive points that are most similar to those you’d encounter on the job!

If you’re looking for other ways to boost your desirability as a legal candidate, try to think of memorable professors from law school, or even bosses from previous jobs. If any of them are willing to write you a professional reference, take them up on it!

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Creating Your Law School Resume

Last Updated: Sep 06, 2024

Putting a law school resume together probably isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. The experience can be tedious, to say the least, but it’s important to take the time and effort to get it right.

A resume is often the first impression a potential employer will have of you during law school. You want to use your resume to open the door for an interview request and set the tone for a productive meeting. Chances are good that the person you’re appealing to has more than one resume in front of them and not much time to thoroughly review each one, so you have a very brief window in which to catch that person’s attention.

To make your resume count, we’ve partnered with  Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) , the world’s leading legal search firm, to provide a how-to for creating a stellar law school resume.

Watch this video and learn more below.

The essential elements

There is certain basic information that every law school resume should have. This includes:

Your name, address and phone number.  Your name and contact information should be prominently displayed somewhere on the page and are most often centered across the top of the resume.

Education.  Be sure to date everything from your current educational experiences to your expected graduation date. Early on in your resume-building, it’s recommended that you work in reverse chronological order starting with your law school education and then any graduate school time followed by undergraduate. Include accolades, awards and scholarships earned at each school along your academic journey.

Experience.  Here, you want to list the positions and/or  legal clerkships or internships  you’ve had since completing your undergraduate degree. It’s important to list what you do or have done that is relevant to the job for which you are applying. As a law student, you might not have any relevant experience to list — and that’s okay. Do the best you can at highlighting what you’ve accomplished so far to draw the reader in. The rest will come over time.

Publications.  This is where you want to list your note or comment from Law Review or any articles you have researched or co-written with a professor. As you get further along in your legal career, you may also have the opportunity to speak on panels. It’s worth listing what you have spoken on, when and where.    

Interests.  This is a great place to let your personality shine through. Interests can act as good conversation starters/icebreakers and are a way to make a connection with an interviewer.  Volunteer work  also offers a glimpse at who you are and what you value.

Licensures.  If you are already licensed in a certain state, you will definitely want to note it. Also important is any court you are admitted to or if you are a member of a patent bar. Other licenses, such as a real estate or broker license, will demonstrate you have what it takes to get through a rigorous licensing process.

It probably goes without saying (but worth repeating) that your resume should be free from typos and formatting issues. You don’t want to rule yourself out for a position based on a misspelled word or missing space. Keep your resume clean, concise and one page in length. As you get further into your career, you will have the chance to expand on your merits. For now, make it scannable and desirable!    

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Your resume will be the primary tool you use in your job search to introduce, define, and market yourself to potential employers.

An effective resume does more than just list the schools you have attended and the jobs you have held; it explains to the reader how these experiences have both demonstrated and honed the skills you possess that are crucial to the specific job for which you are applying.

In additional to our high-level overview below, please refer to the  Career Manual distributed at Orientation for a detailed discussion of resume writing.  It provides additional information on preparing a resume, style guidelines, and examples of different resumes. It is highly recommended that LL.M. students consult the relevant chapter of the  Career Manual when writing, editing, and formatting their resume. For additional guidance in drafting your resume, we recommend you review our sample LL.M. resumes .

For federal resumes specifically, the National Archives and Records Administration has a  guide on preparing a federal resume .

Purpose of a Resume

Conservative, succinct, accurate and relevant are the key words for preparing your legal resume. Do not allow your busy schedule to justify presenting anything less than perfect. It is imperative that your resume highlights the qualifications you bring to the table for each individual employer.

Your resume should:

• Highlight the academic and work experiences that make you a qualified applicant for that particular employer or job announcement;
• Demonstrate relevant additional skills and achievements;
• Present substantive information in an organized, succinct and eye-catching manner; and
• Represent your ability to write well and to pay close attention to detail.

Your resume should not:

• Include a detailed biography;
• Be a document for all occasions, all jobs and all employers; or
• Be a compilation of all previous job descriptions.

Format and Appearance of a Resume

An LL.M. student resume follows a fairly standard format. Review our LL.M. resume templates and select the template that matches your situation most closely.

Legal resumes should always be printed on 8½” x 11” paper. Use heavy bond paper that is white or off-white. Do not use dark-colored paper, because many employers will make copies of your resume to distribute to others and dark-colored paper does not copy well. Your resume does not need to be professionally printed, but it should be done on a quality printer. Georgetown’s Law Library has laser printers available for student use.

Consider using different methods (fonts, underline, bold, italics and caps) to highlight certain items in your resume. Doing so will often guide employers more quickly to relevant information. Be judicious, however, because too many font changes can make a resume look cluttered or distracting. Your ultimate objective is to make your resume easily readable, because most employers do not spend a lot of time on first reviews of resumes.

Note: Do not use resume templates that are available in some word-processing programs. They are not formatted with a legal resume in mind. Please use one of our  resume templates tailored for LL.M. students instead.

Length of a Resume

It is generally preferable to restrict your resume to one page. If the essential information can be presented on page one, it is unlikely that any additional information you put on page two would improve your chances for an interview. However, do not sacrifice relevant content (e.g., published work, significant life/work experience) to adhere to this recommendation.  If you have been practicing for a while or gained substantial relevant professional experience prior to law school, then a second page may be warranted.  If your resume does go to a second page, be sure to include your name and “Page 2” in the upper right hand corner of the second sheet and staple the two pages together. It is absolutely recommended that your resume not exceed two pages.

Resumes for public interest employers should also be longer if your experience and activities warrant more than one page. These employers will want to see that your commitment to public service is genuine, and you can show that most effectively by recounting a thorough history of your work experiences and/or volunteer activities. In all cases, be sure that the most relevant information appears on the first page.

Content of a Resume

Put your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address at the top of your resume (we recommend that you use your Georgetown Law e-mail account). Include your work (if applicable) and your home telephone numbers. If you are applying to employers in your home state or country, you may wish to include both your school and permanent addresses.

Note: You should include all identifying information required in the posting. For example, some government employers will require that you include your Social Security Number (SSN) or at least the last four digits. Follow the guidelines provided by the employer in the posting but otherwise stick to only your name and contact information in the heading.

Job Objective or References

Legal resumes do not include job objectives or references.

List your current (Georgetown Law) education first and proceed in reverse chronological order (e.g., legal education, graduate institution, and undergraduate institution). For each institution, indicate the month and year of graduation or expected graduation (not years in attendance) and the degree obtained or expected. Only include degree-granted institutions after high school or the equivalent degree.

Under law school education, indicate grades if appropriate (see below), honors and relevant activities, journal, clinic and research projects.

For other educational subheadings, include information about your academic achievements, organizational memberships and any other information closely related to your educational background. If relevant, briefly describe research projects or theses.

Describe any honors you received if not self-explanatory. If you attended a summer abroad program, you can describe it directly under the undergraduate or graduate listing instead of as a separate listing.

The level of importance placed on law school grades can vary greatly among employers. For example, grades are often a significant consideration for large law firms, and at least one consideration for small and medium firms and federal government agencies. Conversely, public interest employers, whether or not they are interested in grades, are usually more interested in activities and experience that demonstrate a commitment to public interest.

Should you include your law school grades on your resume?

The answer depends on:

• The type of employer; and
• What your grades are.

For most private sector employers and government agencies, your Grade Point Average (GPA) should be stated if it is a 3.0 or above. If it is below a 3.0, consult with a Graduate Career and Professional Development advisor about whether to include it and how to respond to questions about grades during interviews.

For public interest employers, the decision about including your GPA probably will depend on what it is and how much a particular employer values academic performance.

List your GPA as it appears on your transcript —  DO NOT  round up or down. If your grades improve over time, you might consider breaking down your GPA by semester or year to reflect the improvement. If you are seeking in a specialized practice area and your GPA in relevant courses is significant higher than your cumulative overall GPA, you can consider adding that separate GPA calculation to your resume.

Law school honors (Dean’s List, scholarships, etc.) should be listed. For class rank, you should indicate if you are in the top third, top 15% or top 10%, but only if you have received confirmation that you fall within the particular category.

If you include your grades for one degree, you should include your grades/GPA for all degrees.

By using the term “experience” as opposed to “employment,” you may include volunteer work, clinic experience, and internships in this category.

List your experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent position. It is not necessary to include every part-time job you have held but you should include every past position that would be relevant to the job you are seeking. For each position, include the name of the employer, the location of the position, your job title and the dates of employment, including months and year.

Include significant and/or relevant part-time or summer employment. Write a brief statement using action verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Resist the temptation to begin every position description with “responsibilities included.”

Do not leave big time gaps on your resume.

Specialty Categories (Languages, Community Service, Interests, Bar Memberships)

The purpose of these categories is to highlight particular skills, relevant activities, personal interests or other unique items. Fluency or proficiency in a language should always be included in your resume, preferably in a separate “Language Skills” category.

Volunteer activities indicate community involvement and commitment, and they are particularly useful if directly relevant to positions for which you are applying.

Personal interests are usually included to spark conversation or “break the ice” during interviews. Whether or not you should include a personal interest section generally depends on the type of employer you are targeting (e.g., public interest employers generally do not focus on applicants’ personal interests). If you choose to include an interests section, be specific, and only include items that you can discuss comfortably and in that you were recently engaged (e.g., running marathons, reading Russian literature).

We recommend that you also include a “Bar Membership” or “Bar Admissions” section listing the date of admission, if applicable.

Resume Falsification

Do not falsify or exaggerate information on your resume . The  Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies  states: “Students are cautioned to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in the preparation of their job resumes, letters, and application forms. The inclusion of material that is misleading, inaccurate, or false may be a violation of the Student Disciplinary Code. “

Application Toolkit: Resume

On this webpage, you will find our advice and guidance for approaching the resume component of the application., instructions.

We require a resume as part of the application. Please limit your resume to 1 – 2 pages in length.

The following links are sample resumes from successful applicants in prior years. You do not have to follow the formatting used in these resumes, but all three are examples of well-organized, easy-to-read drafts.

Application Insights: Resume

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Overrated/Underrated Part 3

Continuing our Overrated/Underrated series, this week, we shift our focus to highlight some of the overrated approaches that we recommend applicants avoid as they craft their applications. 

November 17, 2021

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This week, we continue our Underrated Approaches to the Application series with some additional advice.

October 21, 2021

Overrated/Underrated Part 1

The J.D. Admissions team recently came together to offer their thoughts on some underrated and overrated approaches that applicants might take towards their HLS application. We hope you’ll find some of these nuggets useful.

September 9, 2021

Real Talk: The Resume

This week’s entry in the Real Talk series covers the resume. 

August 25, 2020

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• • Led a team in negotiating high-value contracts, resulting in savings of over $15 million annually.
• • Advised on mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and minimizing legal risks.
• • Drafted and reviewed complex commercial agreements, enhancing contract clarity and enforceability.
• • Implemented a compliance training program, reducing regulatory violations by 25%.
• • Collaborated with senior management to develop risk management strategies, safeguarding the company's assets and reputation.
• • Managed intellectual property portfolio, securing patents and trademarks to protect company innovations.
• • Negotiated and drafted licensing agreements, facilitating international expansion and increasing revenue streams.
• • Provided legal counsel on data privacy and cybersecurity, resulting in improved data protection policies.
• • Conducted due diligence for acquisitions, identifying and mitigating potential legal liabilities.
• • Developed internal policies to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, reducing audit findings by 30%.
• • Represented the company in litigation and arbitration, achieving favorable outcomes in 90% of cases.
• • Assisted in the negotiation and drafting of real estate transactions, resulting in successful closures worth $500 million.
• • Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on corporate governance issues, supporting senior lawyers.
• • Managed compliance audits, identifying gaps and implementing corrective measures.
• • Participated in client consultations, providing strategic legal advice and fostering client relationships.

11 Lawyer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Lawyers handle legal matters, represent clients in court, and provide advice on various legal issues. On your resume, highlight your experience with case management, legal research, and client consultations. Include skills such as negotiation, critical thinking, and strong written communication. Additionally, mentioning successful case outcomes and your ability to build strong client relationships can effectively demonstrate your worth.

All resume examples in this guide

Corporate Lawyer

Criminal Lawyer

Employment Lawyer

Immigration Lawyer

Litigation Lawyer

M&A Lawyer

Patent Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer

Real Estate Lawyer

Trial Lawyer

Resume guide, lawyer resume sample.

Resume format

Resume experience

Resume with no experience

Hard & soft skills

Certifications & education

Resume summary

Additional sections

In conclusion

As a lawyer, you ensure that all legal matters align with your firm's goals. Dealing with cases and meeting client needs can be challenging, often feeling like a never-ending list of tasks. For new lawyers, understanding the details of the field and finding a balance between work and personal life can be tough, especially with the worry of unfinished work lingering.

With these challenges in mind, this guide is here to help you create a resume that demonstrates your strategic thinking, resilience, and career accomplishments. Underline your ability to manage stress and stay productive, even when it feels like there's no break from work. This will help potential employers see your dedication and make your application catch their attention.

Key takeaways

• Use a reverse-chronological format to outline the progression of your legal career clearly.
• Opt for a clean, readable design and font to make your legal resume stand out.
• Underscore your experience with measurable achievements and concrete results to attract the attention of hiring managers.
• Incorporate metrics to emphasize the impact of your legal work.
• Include a dedicated section for your technical legal skills and weave your soft skills throughout the resume.
• Ensure your educational background is relevant and well-presented, as it remains crucial in the legal field.

Let's begin with the essential guidelines for effective resume formatting.

Here’s a sample lawyer resume to help you.

Madison Taylor

Finance Lawyer

[email protected]  | @linkedin.com | San Francisco, California

Highly skilled Banking & Finance Lawyer with over 5 years of experience in providing legal support and advice on complex financial matters. Proficient in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating finance agreements and related documentation. Strong understanding of finance laws and regulations, with proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments. Committed to advising on risk management and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

Banking & Finance Lawyer

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, NY

January 2022 – Present

• Provide legal advice on leveraged finance, structured finance, and CLO transactions, supporting deals totaling over $500 million.
• Draft, reviewed, and negotiated complex finance agreements and documentation, achieving a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Manage transactions between lenders and borrowers, ensuring 100% compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to support financing activities, facilitating the successful completion of over 50 transactions.
• Advise on risk management and mitigation strategies, reducing potential legal risks by 30% for financial transactions.

Legal Associate

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, NY

July 2018 – December 2022

• Assisted in drafting and reviewing financial agreements and transaction documentation, contributing to deals worth over $300 million.
• Conducted legal research and provided analysis on finance-related legal issues, resulting in a 20% improvement in case resolution times.
• Supported senior lawyers in managing client relationships and handling negotiations, helping secure favorable terms in 90% of negotiations.

Juris Doctor (JD) New York University School of Law, New York, NY Graduated: 2018

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Columbia University, New York, NY Graduated: 2015

• Certifications
• Admitted to practice law in New York, 2018
• Certified Specialist in Structured Finance Law, American Bar Association, 2020
• Certified in Negotiation Mastery, Harvard Business School Online, 2019
• Legal research and analysis
• Drafting and negotiation of finance agreements
• Transaction management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Compliance with finance laws and regulations
• English (Fluent)
• Spanish (Intermediate)

How to format a lawyer resume

The ideal resume format  for lawyers is the reverse-chronological  one, as it features your most recent and relevant legal roles first. This layout allows employers to easily track your career progression and see the impact you've had at each stage.

Here are the resume sections ordered according to how recruiters expect them:

Contact information

• Languages (optional)

We’ll discuss each section separately. For now, let’s focus on some useful formatting tips to ensure your resume gets noticed.

Resume designs

• Maintain consistent margins  of around 1 inch for readability and consider using a traditional resume template  for a sleek, professional look.
• Select clear fonts  such as Rubik or Lato, sized between 10 and 12 points, and use soft colors to underline key skills.
• If you have less than 10 years of experience, keep your resume to one page  but if you’re a senior professional extend it to a two-page document  if necessary.
• Make sure your name is spelled the same way on all your application documents. Match the job title on your resume  with the one you’re applying for.
• Add a resume headline  to highlight your key skills and experiences, which is especially important in the legal field. Write a professional email address  and include a link to your up-to-date LinkedIn profile .
• To follow U.S. resume standards and prevent any biases, avoid including a photo .

File format

• Name your resume  simply, such as "MadisonTaylorLawyerResume.pdf," to ensure recruiters can easily identify it.
• Save your resume as a PDF  unless the job posting requests a different format.
• Avoid using uncommon symbols, special characters, or graphic elements, as these can disrupt Applicant Tracking Systems  and potentially affect your application process.

Want to know if your resume works with ATS? Try our free AI checker  below!

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

An organized resume layout can grab a recruiter's eye, but it's your legal experience that will leave a lasting impression. Learn how to underscore yours in the next section.

How to write your lawyer resume experience

When you're creating your lawyer resume, it's important to focus on what hiring managers want to see. Use keywords from the job description  and underline your big wins with measurable results like successful case outcomes, happy clients, and improved efficiencies. Keep your resume experience section  clear and easy to read by using bullet points.

Giving them exactly what they’re looking for will help you stand out. Let’s dive into how you can do this effectively in the next section.

The right way to build a targeted resume for lawyers

Tailoring your resume  to the job offer is essential for bringing your most relevant qualifications to the forefront as a lawyer. This approach makes you more noticeable and greatly improves your chances of capturing the hiring manager's interest. By outlining the specific skills and experiences they want, you show why you're an excellent match for the job.

Here's a lawyer job offer we'll use to tailor our work experience section. In this example we’ll show you how to do it right.

Energy Real Estate Lawyer

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal counsel and support to clients on real estate transactions and projects related to the energy sector, including the acquisition, disposition, leasing, and development of energy facilities, such as oil and gas assets, renewable energy projects, and transmission infrastructure.
• Conduct due diligence reviews and title examinations for energy-related real estate transactions , including assessing property rights, easements, encumbrances, and regulatory restrictions.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of real estate agreements and documents,  including purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, easement agreements, and development agreements, with a focus on addressing energy-specific issues and requirements.

Qualifications:

• Active bar license  in the state in which you reside.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience  practicing law, with a focus on energy real estate transactions, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department setting.
• Strong knowledge of real estate laws  and regulations including property law, contract law, and land use regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience advising clients on a wide range of energy-related real estate matters , including oil and gas leases, wind farm developments, solar energy projects, and transmission line easements.
• Familiarity with environmental and regulatory considerations  impacting energy-related real estate transactions, including permitting requirements, zoning restrictions, and environmental assessments.
• Excellent negotiation , communication, and project management skills , with the ability to effectively advise clients and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Check out how we've adjusted this section to suit the position.

• • Provided legal counsel on energy-related real estate transactions, including oil, gas, and renewable projects, totaling over $300 million.
• • Conducted due diligence and title examinations on 50+ properties, assessing property rights and regulatory issues.
• • Drafted and negotiated over 100 real estate agreements, focusing on energy-specific requirements.
• • Streamlined contract review processes, reducing review times by 20%.
• • Advised on over 30 wind farm and solar energy projects, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.
• • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address environmental and regulatory considerations, improving project approval rates by 15%.
• Focuses on specific duties mentioned in the job description, like providing legal advice on energy transactions and conducting due diligence.
• Features concrete metrics and numbers , like overseeing transactions valued at over $300 million and drafting more than 100 contracts— imperative details in the legal and energy industries.
• Important skills, like effective teamwork and improving processes, were underscored to match the job’s needs. Relevant experiences in renewable energy projects and managing regulatory compliance were included to highlight expertise.

Each bullet point starts with an action verb  and focuses on measurable results. We’ll dive into why this style is important for your resume in the next section.

How to quantify your experience on a resume

Using quantitative results on your resume is crucial because they provide concrete evidence of your achievements, making your impact clear to employers. Presenting specific metrics like percentages, monetary savings, or time saved, particularly in legal contexts, quantifies your contributions and enhances your resume's persuasiveness..

For example:

• Quantify the total value of legal cases won or settlements negotiated, underlining specific figures like $5 million in settlements or $10 million in damages awarded.
• Detail the percentage increase in client retention or satisfaction rates resulting from your legal strategies, such as a 15% increase in client retention through effective dispute resolution.
• Showcase the number of contracts reviewed and the total dollar value, such as reviewing 200 contracts totaling over $100 million.
• Highlight cost savings achieved for clients through successful negotiations or legal strategies, specifying amounts like reducing litigation costs by $500,000.
• Include the percentage reduction in case handling time or administrative costs due to process improvements you implemented, such as reducing case preparation time by 25%.

How do I write a lawyer resume with no experience

If you're a new graduate or about to graduate, check your law school’s career services office. It's a great first step in your career journey. Most students enter law school with little to no real legal experience, and that's perfectly normal.

However, your resume shouldn't be a blank page—before reaching out to potential law firms or employers, consider the following tips:

• Choose a functional resume format  to spotlight your skills and educational accomplishments.
• Select a simple template  to ensure a polished look.
• Include pertinent coursework  and academic projects, like studies in contract law or criminal law.
• Show your knowledge of legal research tools such as Westlaw or LexisNexis.
• Feature transferable skills  gained from valuable internships  or part-time jobs, like conducting legal research or interacting with clients.
• Emphasize hands-on experience in drafting legal documents such as briefs or motions.
• Incorporate volunteer work  or extracurricular activities, like involvement in student legal organizations or mock trial competitions.

Resume objective for entry-level lawyer

On an entry-level resume  for lawyers, an objective statement  is crucial as it showcases your career aspirations and enthusiasm for entering the legal field, even with limited work experience .

For a strong objective statement, ensure you:

• State your career goals or the specific position you're pursuing.
• Tailor it to the role and employer, using keywords from the job listing to demonstrate alignment with their needs.
• Underline key skills or qualifications that reassure hiring managers of your suitability.
• Show how your abilities can benefit the firm and contribute to its success.

Below is an example of an effective objective statement.

Now that your experience is outlined, let's focus on the skills section  of your lawyer resume.

How to list your hard and soft skills on your resume

Including both soft and hard skills  on your lawyer's resume is really important. It proves that you have the legal expertise required for the job and the people skills needed for working with clients  and colleagues.

Here’s a detailed overview:

• Hard skills:  These are the specific legal abilities you’ve developed through your education and experience.
• Soft skills : These are about how you interact with others.

Here are some key skills you might want to list on your resume:

Best hard skills for your lawyer resume

• Legal research
• Legal writing
• Settlement negotiation
• Contract drafting
• Case analysis
• Compliance law
• Corporate law
• Civil litigation
• Intellectual property law
• Legal software like Clio
• E-discovery software
• Document management software
• Litigation support software
• Westlaw proficiency
• LexisNexis skills
• Microsoft Office suite
• PowerPoint for presentations
• Spreadsheet skills for budgeting
• Timekeeping software skills
• Online mediation tools

Your soft skills  are vital. Instead of listing them in a separate section, integrate them into other parts of your resume where they can be quantified and described. For example, you could point out your negotiation skills in the experience section by stating: “Negotiated settlement agreements, saving clients 15% in legal fees.”

Consider these common soft skills for lawyers:

Best soft skills for your lawyer resume

• Active listening
• Negotiation skills
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Communication
• Multitasking
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Confidentiality
• Conflict resolution
• Professionalism
• Client service
• Proactivity
• Stress management

Moving forward, let's look at ways to strengthen your lawyer resume with strategic details about your education  and certifications.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

To become a lawyer, begin by earning a bachelor's degree. Courses in political science or history can be particularly beneficial. Next, you need to take the LSAT , an essential exam required for law school admission. Once admitted, you’ll complete a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program, studying a variety of legal subjects.

It's also important to gain practical experience through internships or clerkships during this time. Upon graduation, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice . Finally, secure admission to the state bar association and continue your professional development to maintain your license.

Point out academic achievements like making the Dean's List , graduated Cum Laude , or received a scholarship  to prove your dedication and excellence.

Check the example below:

• • Relevant Coursework: Contract Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Legal Writing, and Criminal Law
• • Relevant Coursework: American Government, International Relations, Public Policy, and Political Theory

This resume is a strong example of shining a light on a lawyer's educational background, with several key strengths:

• The resume includes both the JD and the bachelor's degree, providing a thorough view of the candidate's academic background.
• Listing key courses like "Contract Law" and "American Government" concisely illustrates the candidate's specialized knowledge in important areas relevant to a legal career.
• Each entry contains essential details like the degree, institution, location, GPA, and date range, giving a complete and clear presentation of the educational background.
• Including a GPA  provides a metric of the candidate's academic performance.
• The resume is well-organized and easy to read, featuring key information without overwhelming the reader.

Your resume can be significantly enhanced by adding certifications , which underscore your specialized skills and your dedication to the legal profession. Let's review the certifications that can best support your career advancement as a lawyer.

Best certifications for your lawyer resume

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)
• Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA)
• Legal Project Management Certification (LPMC)
• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)
• Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

With your education covered, let's spotlight your key legal skills in a summary.

How to write your lawyer resume summary

The summary section of your resume  is essential for making a strong first impression, offering a concise overview of your legal experience and skills.

Here are the key elements to feature in a powerful lawyer summary:

• Start with your title (e.g., "Experienced Energy Real Estate Lawyer") and years of experience in the legal field.
• Present specific legal skills, such as contract negotiation, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Include measurable achievements that demonstrate your impact, like winning significant cases or achieving favorable settlements.
• Mention your familiarity with relevant legal fields or industries, such as intellectual property or corporate law.
• Write 3-5 clear sentences, using strong descriptors to showcase your achievements and avoid the first-person perspective .

The following example is tailored to the job offer detailed earlier in this guide.

The lawyer summary is effective because it incorporates key terms from the job posting, such as "real estate transactions," "title examinations," and "regulatory compliance," aligning perfectly with employer expectations. It also highlights specific achievements, like managing transactions totaling over $200 million, demonstrating the candidate's tangible impact in the field.

To further enhance your resume, consider using tools like the Enhancv resume builder , which can help you add sections showcasing your resourcefulness and leadership skills, making your qualifications even more compelling to potential employers.

Additional sections for a lawyer resume

Adding optional sections in your lawyer resume can offer a more well-rounded view of your qualifications and character, making you more appealing to potential employers. These sections can display your broader skills and experiences.

Here are some examples:

• Pro bono work and community involvement:  Emphasize your commitment to giving back to the community and your willingness to provide legal services to those in need, demonstrating strong ethical values.
• Publications and presentations: Shows your expertise and thought leadership, such as writing for law journals or speaking at legal seminars and conferences.
• Professional memberships:  Reflects your active engagement in the legal profession and ongoing professional growth, including memberships in organizations like the American Bar Association or state bar associations.
• Language proficiency :  Listing additional languages can underscore your ability to work with diverse clients or in international settings, which is beneficial for firms with global reach.

This guide gives you the key tips for building an impressive lawyer resume that can catch the eye of hiring managers. By showcasing your skills, experiences, and unique strengths, you'll set yourself up for a successful move in your legal career.

Lawyer resume examples

Explore additional lawyer resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Lawyer resume?

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Law and Legal Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

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How To Write a Law and Legal Resume

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Law and Legal Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Marina Michaels (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Chicago, IL 60007 | www.linkedin.com/example

Attorney with 12 years of experience representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice lawsuits. Won multimillion-dollar settlements for clients in cases related to misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and medication errors. Strong experience overseeing paralegals and mentoring law students on malpractice lawsuits and other personal injury cases.

• Client communications
• Expert witness sourcing
• Junior staff mentoring
• Legal document preparation
• Legal research and analysis
• Settlement negotiations

Professional Experience

Staff Attorney, McGill Law Firm, Chicago, IL | September 2014 to present

• Meet with potential clients and review their medical documentation to determine if claims have merit
• Investigate whether medical professionals breached standards of care
• Prepare for trials by filing motions and writing legal briefs in support of each client’s case
• Source expert medical witnesses to testify on behalf of clients
• Ensure all documents are filed well in advance of state statutes of limitations
• Negotiate settlement offers with defendants, ensuring final amounts are adequate to replace clients’ lost income or cover ongoing medical needs

Staff Attorney, Pavia & Marko, Attorneys at Law, Chicago, IL | January 2011 to September 2014

• Helped partners prepare for trial by sourcing expert witnesses, meeting with clients, performing legal research, and drafting relevant correspondence
• Negotiated with defendants, under supervision of lead attorney on each case
• Prepared for depositions by drafting interrogatories and preparing clients to answer questions from opposing counsel

Juris Doctor, UIC John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL | 2011

Kimberly Clarkson (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Carolina Beach, NC 28425 | www.linkedin.com/example

Certified paralegal with over 10 years of experience including five years in North Carolina family and custody law. Draw on deep knowledge of common legal practices, documents, and standards. Quickly adapt to new work challenges and industry conditions.

• Legal file digitization
• Legal research standards
• Strategic time management
• Task prioritization
• Team collaboration
• Trial document preparation
• Writing, editing, proofreading

Staff Paralegal, Legal Assistance of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC | January 2018 to present

• Conduct legal research for family court and custody cases
• Prepare motions, subpoenas, complaints, and witness lists for attorneys
• Manage case files and associated documents
• Serve as liaison between attorneys and clients to ensure positive, productive communications at all points
• Screen potential clients for subsidized legal assistance

Paralegal, Cowell Law Firm, Greensboro, NC | June 2012 to December 2017

• Contributed to legal research for upcoming trials
• Prepared motions, subpoenas, complaints, and witness lists
• Digitized physical documents in the electronic filing system

Legal Assistant, Anker & Collo, LLC, Durham, NC | September 2010 to May 2012

• Helped draft motions, subpoenas, complaints, and other legal documents
• Assisted with legal research for upcoming trials
• Uploaded physical documents to the digital legal filing system

Bachelor of Arts — Legal Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | 2014

Associate of Arts — Paralegal Studies, Alamance Community College, Durham, NC | 2012

Credentials 

Family Law Paralegal Specialist Certificate, Duke University, Durham, NC | 2017

Registered Paralegal, The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Minneapolis, MN | 2012

Michael Francis (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Albuquerque, NM 87109 | www.linkedin.com/example

Bar-admitted attorney with three years of experience negotiating business contracts and commercial leases.

Key Skills 

• Contract and lease negotiations
• Dispute resolution
• Professional courtroom practices
• Public speaking and presentations
• Rules of civil procedures

Staff Attorney, Girardi & Howell PC, Albuquerque, NM | May 2020 to present

• Represent clients in complex negotiations related to commercial leasing, mergers, and acquisitions
• Draft and review legal agreements to ensure terms are fair and legally compliant
• Supervise and performance-manage one paralegal and two legal assistants

Highlights:

• Assisted clients with saving an average of 28% on their commercial rents
• Enhanced the firm’s reputation by delivering presentations on business contracts, commercial property, and other key topics at meetings of professional associations
• Helped a restaurateur break their lease with no penalties, due to a breach of contract by the landlord

Legal Intern, Mirage Real Estate, Albuquerque, NM | January 2020 to May 2020

• Helped staff attorneys draft contracts and prepare for closings on commercial real-estate purchases
• Gathered and distributed documentation to attorneys, mortgage brokers, and others involved in property transactions
• Attended closings and helped staff attorney prepare final documentation

Juris Doctor, University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, NM | 2020

• 3.82 GPA | magna cum laude
• Served as Editor-In-Chief of the UNM Law Review. Distributed research assignments; edited submissions for clarity; ran editorial meetings; and collaborated with writers, editors, and graphic designers to publish each issue on time.

When writing your resume for legal jobs, use each section to show you have strong knowledge in your specialized field. Hiring managers want to know where you gained important skills such as legal research, public speaking, or settlement negotiations. They also want to see how you’ve applied those skills to help clients, attorneys, and other colleagues. The tips and examples below will help you draft a powerful resume that gets you interviews for your next legal job.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your law and legal qualifications

Brainstorm the top sources of your law knowledge, then identify the ones most relevant to your target job. These points should form the basis of your summary profile . For instance, if you’d like to work in family and custody law, cite any years of experience you have in that area already. Or, if your work experience is limited, focus your profile on your legal education and any related internships you’ve done.

Keep your profile short and to the point. Even a one-sentence headline can work here if it captures the scope of your legal background.

(Note, most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)

Profile Example

2. create a powerful list of your law and legal experience.

Use the experience section to give examples of your applying law knowledge effectively – this helps hiring managers envision the value you’d generate for their firm. Under each legal position in your work history, brainstorm your various duties and achievements. Then identify and elaborate on the ones that overlap with your target job.

For instance, say you’re after paralegal jobs focused on accurate documentation. Spell out the types of legal records you’ve helped prepare and organize, such as motions, subpoenas, or witness lists. Also, describe any ways in which you streamlined reporting procedures to provide better support for lawyers at the firm.

Or, say you’d like to represent clients in the area of commercial leasing. For any similar jobs you’ve held, describe how you helped clients negotiate favorable contract terms and qualify for rent savings. Express these highlights in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount.

Professional Experience Example

3. list any education and certifications relevant to law and legal work.

School degrees and certifications are usually key to a law resume since they provide the foundation of your required legal knowledge. Flesh out these sections with plenty of relevant detail, especially if you have limited work experience. For each higher education degree, consider including any law-related majors, minors, coursework, or school activities. Also, consider giving a brief description of any training or certificate programs you’ve done that are not well-known but still applicable to your target job.

If you’re just out of school, your education experiences may be your main selling point. Feel free to place your education section above your professional experience section, particularly if the jobs you’ve held so far don’t pertain to the legal jobs you’re now pursuing.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note optional template areas appear in [brackets].

Degree Name — [Major, Minor], School Name, City, ST | [Year] [Academic honors and awards] [Select legal coursework] [Law-related school activities]

Juris Doctor, University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, NM | 2020 3.82 GPA | magna cum laude Served as Editor-In-Chief of the UNM Law Review. Distributed research assignments; edited submissions for clarity; ran editorial meetings; and collaborated with writers, editors, and graphic designers to publish each issue on time.

Certification

Certification Name or Title , [Awarding Organization] | [Year] [Description]

Registered Paralegal , The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Minneapolis, MN | 2012

4. List key skills and proficiencies for law and legal work

Add a key skills section to show the various ways you can apply your law knowledge in a work setting. This section should focus on specific legal disciplines and software programs, but you can also include more general soft skills like collaboration and client relations. Just make sure each item overlaps in some way with your target job.

Below are some common skills and keywords to consider for your law resume:

How To Pick the Best Law and Legal Resume Template

As with most vocations, legal professionals should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a layout that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, ensure the template complies with applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by employers to screen resumes.

Erica Pizem - Legal Recruiter and Expert Contributor, LinkedIn

Meet our Expert: Erica Pizem is a licensed attorney based in New York City, leveraging her expertise in recruiting within the legal industry.

1. What are the most in-demand skills for law and legal careers that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? -

A candidate that is interested in pursuing a law or legal career should make sure to emphasize that they are fully capable of managing their own caseload independently and can handle cases from inception to the discovery phase and to the trial phase if needed. A candidate should be able to prepare various legal documents and be familiar with motion practice. Additionally, a candidate should have excellent supervisory skills so that they can delegate work if needed and have excellent communication skills so that they can communicate with clients. Moreover, a candidate should be detail oriented, a team player, and able to multitask.

2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in law and legal candidates? -

Hiring Managers are interested in candidates with exceptional writing and research skills. A candidate should have the relevant skills in the legal area that he or she is applying for. For example, a candidate applying for a litigation role should make sure they have deposition skills and/or trial experience. Additionally, a candidate should be familiar with Microsoft, Adobe, and legal research databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.

3. What else besides a resume should a law and legal candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers? -

In addition to a resume, a candidate applying for a legal position should submit a cover letter outlining his or her interest in the role and why they are a good fit. Writing samples and letters of recommendation and/or references from a recent job experience should also be submitted. And, if a candidate has an incredibly high LSAT score, a copy of the LSAT score can be submitted as well.

4. What advice would you give a law and legal candidate about their job search? -

I would advise prospective law and legal candidates to utilize job posting sites such as LinkedIn and it can’t hurt to message a legal recruiter explaining his or her background, relevant skills, and interest. Also, it is very common for a local law firm to advertise a job posting in the local law school job posting site so make sure to take advantage of the law school’s job posting site. Additionally, a candidate should make sure to attend local networking events.

Frequently Asked Questions: Law and Legal Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for law and legal resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show how you’ve applied your legal skills. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your law resume:

How do you align your law and legal resume with a job posting? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for legal professionals will grow faster than the average for all U.S. jobs between 2022 and 2032, with nearly 92,000 positions available each year.

You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application. Look closely at the job post and highlight words that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases to the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then seek ways to align your resume language with the job post while not copying phrases or misstating your background.

For example, if the hiring manager seeks someone collaborative, you may want to call out that aspect of your experience in your profile and key skills sections. Or say the firm has many non-English speaking clients. You could highlight your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each job opportunity.

What is the best law and legal resume format? -

Most legal professionals should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.)

By fusing these two features, a combination resume offers the best of both worlds. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most law firms. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and strengths, so they can make an informed decision to call you for an interview.

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• Law student CV examples

Creating a law student CV for a training contract can feel challenging. You’ve probably created CVs for part-time jobs before, but this is a completely different ball game.

In order to impress employers and land the best training contract, your CV needs to compelling, professional and tailored to your target role.

This step-by-step guide includes 2 law student CV examples, and will teach you everything you need to know to land interviews.

Here’s what the guide will cover:

Guide contents

• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your law student CV

CV templates 

Law student CV example 1

Build your CV now 

Law student CV example 2

The above CV example demonstrates the type of info you should be including within your law student CV, as well as how to display this information in a way which looks professional and is easy for time-strapped recruiters to read.

This is the standard you should be aiming for, so remember to refer back to it throughout the CV writing process.

Law student CV structure & format

Think your CV is just about words? Think again.

Your CV needs to look professional and be easy for recruiters to read, meaning the structure and format of your CV are equally as important as the content within it.

Facilitate ease of reading by working to a simple structure which allows recruiters to easily navigate your experience.

You can further aid the readability of your CV by implementing a few simple formatting tricks:

Formatting Tips

• Length: Recruiters will be immediately put off by lengthy CVs – with hundreds of applications to read through, they simply don’t have the time! Grabbing their attention with a short, snappy and highly relevant CV is far more likely to lead to success. Aim for two sides of A4 or less.
• Readability: Make sure your CV is easy to read and looks professional by applying some simple formatting tricks. Bullet points are great for making large paragraphs more digestible, while formatting your headings with bold or coloured text will help the reader to find the information they need, with speed.
• Design: When it comes to CV design, it’s best to keep things simple and sleek. While elaborate designs certainly command attention, it’s not always for the right reasons! Readability is key, so whatever you choose to do, make sure you prioritize readability above everything.
• Avoid:  It’s tempting to add a profile photo or images to your CV, especially if you’re struggling to fill up the page – but it’s best avoided! They won’t add any value to your application and, as it’s not the ‘done’ thing in the UK, may even be a disadvantage.

Structuring your CV

Break up your CV content into the following key sections:

• Name and contact details – Place them at the top of your CV, so that employers can easily get in touch.
• CV profile – A punchy sales pitch of your key experience, skills and achievements to reel readers in.
• Core skills section – A bullet-pointed snapshot of your abilities.
• Education  – An overview of any relevant qualifications or professional training you have.
• Work experience – A well-structured list of your relevant work experience.
• Hobbies and interests – A short description of any relevant hobbies or interests (optional).

I’ll discuss exactly what to  include in each CV section in more detail as we move through the guide.

CV Contact Details

Start off your CV with a basic list of your contact details.

Here’s what you should include:

• Mobile number
• Email address
• Location – Share your town or city only; there’s no need for a full address.
• LinkedIn profile  URL – Make sure the information on your profile is coherent with your CV, and that it’s up-to-date.

Quick tip : Delete excessive details, such as your date of birth or marital status. Recruiters don’t need to know this much about you at this stage, so it’s best to save the space for your other CV sections.

Law student CV Profile

Recruiters and hiring managers are busy, so it’s essential to catch their attention from the get-go.

A strong introductory personal statement  (known as a CV profile after you’ve gained more experience) is the first thing they’ll read, so it’s a great chance to make an impression.

It should be a short but punchy summary of your education, key skills, relevant experience and accomplishments.

Ultimately, it should explain why you’re a great fit for the training contract you’re applying for and inspire recruiters to read the rest of your CV.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Avoid clichés:  Focus on fact, not fluff. The likes of “Committed and enthusiastic thought leader” and “Dynamic problem solver” might sound fancy, but they’ll do nothing for your application. Not only do they sound cheesy, but recruiters have no reason to believe them.
• Keep it short:  Between 8-15 lines of text is an ideal length. This keeps the tone punchy and allows you to provide just enough information to entice recruiters into wanting to find out more about you.
• Do your research: The biggest CV mistake? A generic, mass-produced document which is sent out to tens of employers. If you want to land an interview, you need to tailor your personal statement (and your application as a whole) to the specific role you’re applying for. So, before you start writing, remember to read over the job description and make a list of the skills, knowledge and experience the employer is looking for.

What to include in your law student CV profile?

Qualifications  – Provide a snappy summary of your education, especially the law degree you’re currently studying. To add further impact, you could also mention your electives and any impressive assignment or exam grades.

Relevant experience  – If you’ve gained any legal work experience so far, make sure to showcase it in your personal statement. This could be short bursts of work experience, placements, attending open court sessions and open days, as well as volunteering, all help to highlight your commitment to the profession.

Key skills –  What skills and knowledge does the employer mention in their candidate requirements? If you can match them, you should incorporate them into your profile. This will immediately showcase that you’re a great fit for the role.

Career goals + motives  – Why does the specific firm you’re applying for the interest you and how does it match your future career goals? Employers are keen to take on students who’re genuinely passionate about the sector and have a genuine motivation to learn and succeed — so try to get this across, as best you can, in your personal statement.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet point list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including any skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Although there should be mentions of your highest and most relevant qualifications in your personal statement, it’s here that you’ll provide a more in-depth look at your education.

Focus on your law degree(s) and any other relevant sector training you’ve undertaken.

You need to mention the name of the institution, the dates of study and the name of the qualification.

However, to add extra impact, you can also share any impressive grades or awards and discuss the most relevant electives in detail, with the aim of showcasing the wide range of skills and knowledge you’ve picked up.

If you have any  professional memberships , make sure to include them, too.

As you’re early on in your career, you should also note down your A-Level grades and subjects.

Work experience/Career history

By this point, employers will be keen to know more detail about any work experience you’ve picked up.

Starting with your most recent role and working backwards, create a snappy list of any relevant roles you’ve held.

If you don’t have much relevant law experience, you can also detail part-time jobs in unrelated industries.

However, you should always focus on drawing upon transferable skills, such as:

• Commercial awareness
• Interpersonal + communication skills
• Working in high-pressured environments

Structuring your roles

Your work experience section will be long, so it’s important to structure it in a way which helps recruiters to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Use the 3-step structure, shown in the below example, below to achieve this.

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what you did in the role, who you reported to or managed and the type of organisation you worked for.

“Supported three paralegals with broad legal research as part of a key project relating to the acquisition of a new entity requiring research into legal databases; reported to the Head of Paralegal.”

Key responsibilities

Next up, you should write a list of your day-to-day duties within the job.

Recruiters are most interested in your sector skills and knowledge, so highlight these wherever possible.

• Maintained positive client relations by responding to telephone calls and arranging client interviews, leading to the acquisition of further clientele for the business.
• Liaised with senior lawyers and communicated with relevant authorities regarding newly implemented policies on the influences of relevant legislation and regulations.

Key achievements

To finish off each role with extra impact, list 1-3 stand out achievements, results or accomplishments.

This could be anything which had a positive outcome for the company or client you worked for.

Where applicable, quantify your examples with facts and figures.

• Collaborated with the office manager to standardise billing practices and received recognition for efforts that contributed to a 20% increase in profitability.

Interests and hobbies

Although this is an optional section, it can be useful if your hobbies and interests will add further depth to your CV.

Interests which are related to the sector, such as being a member of the law society at uni, or that showcase transferable skills, such as being a part of a sports team or volunteering, are well worth listing.

On the other hand, generic hobbies like ‘going out with friends’ won’t add any value to your application, so are best left off your CV.

Essential skills for your law student CV

Law skills, knowledge + competencies  – Pack your CV with all the legal skills knowledge you’ve picked up during your studies or via work experience. You should also aim to tailor these to the specific training contract you’re applying for; prioritising space for the things that are most relevant and useful to your target employer.

IT skills  – Mention the software packages you’re familiar with, especially any that are mentioned in the role description.

Languages – Languages aren’t mandatory, but can be highly beneficial. State the languages you can speak, as well as your level of fluency — even conversational level can be an advantage.

Soft skills  – While you shouldn’t merely name your soft skills, you can pack your CV with examples of how you’ve put them into practice and developed them over time. Focus on soft skills that are beneficial to a career in law, such as commercial awareness, teamwork,  people skills,  attention to detail, research and analysis and problem-solving.

Writing your law student CV

An interview-winning CV for a training contract needs to be both visually pleasing and packed with targeted content.

Whilst it needs to detail your education, experience, accomplishments and relevant skills, it also needs to be as clear and easy to read as possible.

Remember to research the role and review the job ad before applying, so you’re able to match yourself up to the requirements.

If you follow these guidelines and keep motivated in your job search, you should land an interview in no time.

Best of luck with your next application!

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Legal resume examples & templates

A great legal resume settles the case for your employment quickly and efficiently. It shows off the best of your skills and leaves hiring managers with a simple verdict: Interview this candidate! 

In your line of work, the letter of the law backed up by strong evidence and detail-orientation are your guides. Let Resume.io fill the same role when it comes to writing your resume. Our resume examples for 300+ professions, backed up by an easy-to-use resume builder are designed to help you fast-track your application.

This writing guide, along with the corresponding legal resume example will cover the following topics:

What does a legal professional do?

• How to write a legal resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a legal resume
• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

Let’s take a look at your profession and all the sections of your legal resume.

Legal professionals advise clients on matters of the law. They may work for corporations, individuals, non-profits or governmental agencies.

The job of legal professionals is to protect the interest of their clients and to ensure that they follow all laws and legal requirements. They may be lawyers, paralegal, legal assistants or court reporters.

There are dozens of areas of specialization for attorneys as well as other legal professionals. Attorneys may work for law firms, open practices on their owner act as inside counsel for corporations and organizations. 

What’s the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?

Paralegals help attorneys by drafting documents, briefs and memos. They may perform initial interviews and correspond with clients, conduct research and investigations, keep the calendar and summarize documents and transcripts, the NALA, the Paralegal Association , describes.

Legal assistants perform more office administration tasks such as scheduling appointments and answering phones.

In some states, a paralegal must have experience as a legal assistant and/or earn a certification. Paralegals are more directly involved in the tasks that lawyers perform, according to the Lawyer Portal .

The legal job market and outlook

While the pandemic temporarily depressed the number of jobs for attorneys, the future looks brighter. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9% growth in demand by 2030. 

Here are the top 10 in-demand legal specialties of 2021* (median salaries are in parentheses):

• Intellectual property ( $242,400 )
• Real estate ( $152,863 )
• Labor and employment ( $128,364 )
• Commercial litigation ( $111,739 , for a general commercial attorney)
• Mergers and acquisitions ($204,526 )
• Insurance ( $95,000 )
• Securities litigation ( $228,907 )
• Corporate litigation ( $142,660 , for a corporate attorney)
• Trust and estates ( $76,534 )
• Environmental ( $121, 523 )

*Source: LinkedIn

Paralegal and legal assistant demand also will be high, jumping 10% from 2019-29, the BLS predicts. The median salary for these professions was $52,920 in 2020.

How to write a resume for a legal professional

A resume is a formatted document composed of specific sections. Before you get started, you should know what they are. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Each of these sections should be tailored to the specific job you seek. That means researching the firm or organization in which you want to work, finding out about its client base, the attorneys who work there and its philosophy. With this information, you will be better equipped to use the correct tone and insure your message hits home. 

If you can, learn the name of the hiring manager and the person who will be your boss. Then, do a little research on them. Perhaps you went to the same school or worked at the same organization. Any personal connection can give you an edge and will give your interviewer something to discuss further when you talk.

A powerful resume will get you on the hiring docket. Follow these guidelines:

• Choose your words carefully to address each employer’s needs.
• Make a great first visual impression with a resume template and design that shows off your professionalism.
• If you are applying online, target each job with keywords and phrases from the listing to help you pass through the ATS screening software.

Avoid the ATS filter

Applicant Tracking Systems use algorithms to rank your resume against other candidates, so no matter how great your prose is, if you don’t get past this software, you won’t be seen by a hiring manager. There’s no definitive guide to beating them, but if you take these steps, you will greatly improve your chances of being seen by a recruiter.

• Analyze the job listing and compare it to your resume.
• Make sure you use the exact wording that you find in the listing
• Add any skills you have that are mentioned
• Use standard section headings.

Choosing the best resume format for legal professionals

In most cases, a reverse chronological order resume format is your best bet. Employers want to see your most recent experience first when they peruse your employment history section. There are cases, however, where you may want to use a different style.

If you have worked on complicated technical cases or have very detailed knowledge in a niche field, a hybrid resume may work better to showcase your skills. This style offers an expanded skills section where you can explain your deep proficiency or highlight your cases, followed by a shorter employment history section.

Bottom line is, unless you have a compelling reason not to, stick with the reverse chronological format which is preferred by hiring managers and the ATS alike.

Resume summary example: plead your case

Many legal professionals are also wordsmiths and your summary section is your chance to show off this talent. It’s no coincidence that this part of your legal resume is also called a profile. Within these 3-4 lines, you have the opportunity to make the case for your employment by extolling your biggest achievements and letting your prospective employer know why you want to work for them.

Looking for more resume samples to get your creative juices flowing? For attorney specialties, try our immigration lawyer resume example or for more general practices, we have a lawyer resume sample and an attorney resume sample . If you are in another legal field, take a look at our paralegal resume example or the legal assistant resume sample .

You can find a resume example for your summary section below.

Highly motivated and dedicated Legal Administrative Assistant seeking to utilize my skills for the advancement of the next legal team I have the pleasure of joining. Adept in effectively managing a wide array of administrative responsibilities to support the success of a law office. 

Employment history sample: power of experience

The work experience section of your legal resume tells the story of your career progress. Each bullet item should begin with a strong action word that illustrates what you did. But more than simply listing your responsibilities, employers want to see what you accomplished, so follow that strong word with a phrase that tells what you achieved and how you did it. 

As a legal professional, you know that evidence and precedent make your case, so use data and details to show that you are already doing the job your prospective employer wants to fill.

Below you will find an adaptable employment history resume sample.

Resume skills example: career in brief

Give recruiters a quick way to assess whether you have what they want in the skills section of your legal profession resume. Choose wisely and base your choices on the job listing. (This will also help you avoid the ATS filter).

Legal professionals need a combination of deep knowledge of their area of the law and an understanding of human nature. Develop a list in this resume section that takes into account both hard and soft skills.

Below you will find a skills section resume example.

• Effective Time Management
• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Administrative Skills
• Advanced Knowledge of Legal Terminology
• Project Management

Legal profession education resume example

Education is important in the legal profession, so although this section is just a listing of your degrees, you may want to consider moving it up past your employment history section if you are just starting out and have a great academic record.

Do include your GPA if it is 3.5 or above. Add in any accolades you earned. If you were on the law review or an active member of other organizations, you may want to create a separate section called Awards and Affiliations, especially if you are fresh out of school.

Below you will find an education section resume example as a formatting guide.

• Paralegal Studies, Boston University
• Jun, 2012 - Dec, 2012
• Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Hunter College
• Sep, 2008 - May, 2012

Resume layout and design: visual evidence

Once you get past the ATS, your next hurdle is making a great first impression with your layout and design.

What image do you want to project? Legal professionals need to be detail-oriented and professional at all times. You need to convey that in your resume design. That means that you need neat lines and avoid any errors in formatting, grammar or spelling.

While you want to be remembered, err or the side of conservatism here. Keep it reader-friendly by sticking to legible fonts, leaving one-inch margins and creating contact information that stands out.

A professionally-designed resume template can take the guesswork out of formatting. With an attractive header already made for you, all that’s left to do is customize with your own information.

Key takeaways for a legal resume

• Use your powers of persuasion to make your case for employment throughout your legal professions resume.
• The job market for legal professionals is looking up after taking a pandemic hit.
• Each law firm, organization or governmental body is different, so make sure you tailor your resume to send a direct message.
• Check out our legal resume sample for more formatting and design ideas.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

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