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Entry-Level Law Resume
This resume example showcases the legal expertise and transferable skills of career changers, making it a standout choice for those entering the law profession.
Why this resume works:
A skills-focused resume helps legal newcomers or career changers highlight skills like research, negotiation, and advocacy over work gaps.
Mid-Career Law Resume
This resume example is perfect for legal professionals with solid experience seeking to elevate their careers by demonstrating strong achievements and specialized skills that improve client outcomes.
Why this resume works:
This applicant highlights a track record of improving outcomes across multiple settings.
Experienced Law Resume
This law resume example is perfect for experienced attorneys looking to transition into senior roles or expand their influence in corporate law.
Why this resume works:
Leadership roles and advanced certifications underscore the ability to manage complex scenarios.
Looking for something else?
Create Your Standout Resume Today
Use our resume examples for inspiration on organization, color, and design—and learn how to effectively summarize your law skills and experience with confidence.
How to Write a Law Resume
Mastering how to write a resume is important for showcasing your unique value in the field of law, rather than listing only your qualifications. By focusing on your experiences, skills, and contributions, you can create a persuasive document that captures the attention of potential employers.
In the upcoming sections, we will share resume tips and guide you through crafting a compelling resume. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions tailored for aspiring legal professionals aiming to make an impact with their applications.
Start with your contact info
The header section contains all your contact information, strategically placed at the top of your resume for immediate visibility. Start with your name in bold and larger font to capture attention right away. Consider using a clean and professional layout that reflects your personal brand, helping you stand out in a competitive field.
Include essential contact details such as your email address, phone number, and city and state of residence. This information is vital for potential employers to reach out quickly and ensures you meet any geographical requirements they may have. Avoid unnecessary details like your full address to keep it concise while still providing relevant information.
Additionally, you might include links to relevant certifications or licenses, as well as a professional website or online portfolio if applicable. These resources can improve your profile by showcasing your qualifications and expertise in law, making it easier for employers to see how you fit into their team.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary is a concise introduction that appears directly below your contact details on your resume. This section is often the first thing hiring managers notice, setting the tone for your application. For more guidance on crafting this section, explore resume summary examples.
In this summary, highlight key qualifications and skills relevant to the job you're pursuing. Customizing this section to reflect the specific position and company can significantly increase your chances of making a strong impression.
To refine your summary, consider reviewing examples from successful resumes in the legal field. These samples can provide valuable insights into effective phrasing and essential elements to include.
Strong vs weak law summary
Strong
"Results-driven attorney with over eight years of experience in corporate law, specializing in contract negotiation and compliance. Proven track record of successfully advising clients on legal risks, resulting in a 30% reduction in potential litigation cases. Skilled in drafting and reviewing complex legal documents while maintaining strong client relationships. Licensed to practice law in multiple jurisdictions and recognized for excellence in legal research and analysis."
Why this example works: This summary effectively highlights the applicant’s extensive experience, quantifies achievements such as the reduction in litigation risk, emphasizes key skills like contract negotiation, and includes relevant legal keywords.
Weak
"Lawyer seeking opportunities to apply my knowledge in legal matters. I have experience with various cases and enjoy collaborating with clients and colleagues."
Why this example doesn't work: This professional summary is weak because it uses vague language and fails to highlight specific skills, achievements, or areas of expertise relevant to the legal profession.
Craft a personal mission statement that connects your legal expertise to the law firm's core principles. Highlight how your commitment to justice and ethical practice aligns with their goals, showcasing your ability to contribute positively as both an advocate for clients and a team player.
Share your work history
Your work history is, arguably, the central and most important part of your resume. Listing your experience in reverse-chronological order allows employers to see your latest and most relevant positions first. This format emphasizes your career growth and ensures that significant roles are highlighted.
When listing your work history, focus on:
- Job title and firm name
- Employment dates (month and year)
- Daily responsibilities (What were your main tasks?)
- Key accomplishments (Did you influence case outcomes or win notable settlements?)
- Quantifiable impacts (For example, "successfully negotiated contracts worth over $500k.")
Finally, use strong action verbs to vividly convey your achievements.
Strong vs weak law work history
Strong
Lawyer, Smith & Associates
2018–2023
- Successfully represented over 150 clients in civil litigation cases, achieving a 90% favorable verdict rate.
- Drafted and negotiated contracts that resulted in cost savings of approximately $500,000 for clients.
- Mentored junior associates, improving their research and trial preparation skills, which improved team efficiency by 40%.
Why this example works: This work history highlights specific legal achievements and measurable outcomes. Including detailed accomplishments not only showcases expertise but also illustrates ability to lead and deliver results effectively.
Weak
Lawyer
Downtown Legal Firm
- Handled cases and wrote documents.
- Attended meetings with clients.
Why this example doesn't work: This entry is ineffective because it lacks specific details about the types of cases managed or any legal specialties. It provides no dates of employment, and the tasks described are overly general.
For legal professionals with over 10 years of experience, a chronological resume format is ideal. This format allows you to clearly showcase your career advancements and demonstrate your expertise in various areas of law, which can attract potential employers' attention.
Highlight your key skills
The skills section of your resume is an essential platform for demonstrating your qualifications in law. Here's a rundown of various skill sets and their significance in showcasing your expertise to potential employers:
- Soft skills are personal attributes that impact how you collaborate with others—such as negotiation, critical thinking, and empathy. For those in law, abilities like active listening and effective communication play a important role, as they not only improve client relationships but also improve the overall effectiveness of legal representation.
- Legal abilities, like those found in hard skills, are acquired through education and practical experience. In the field of law, these include legal research, contract drafting, courtroom advocacy, and a thorough understanding of statutory regulations.
- Expertise in technical skills related to law includes skill with various legal research databases, case management software, and document automation tools. Skill with platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Clio is essential for effective legal practice and efficient case handling.
For new law professionals, place your skills section directly after the summary to highlight your abilities despite limited experience. Experienced lawyers should position skills after work history, allowing demonstrated expertise to show their qualifications.
Top 15 skills for your law resume
When preparing your resume for a career in law, it’s essential to select skills that align with what employers are looking for. Focus on mixing soft skills, such as negotiation and critical thinking, with hard skills like legal research and writing. Including transferable skills can also demonstrate your adaptability in various legal contexts.
Here’s a list of the top 15 most popular skills for law professionals, based on insights from JobHero users. Highlighting these skills will help you present a well-rounded profile that appeals to potential employers in the legal field.
Build your education section
The education section of your resume should reflect your career stage and industry norms. For seasoned professionals with extensive experience, focus on showcasing your work history and skills. If your roles do not necessitate specific degrees, consider placing the education section toward the end or leaving it out entirely to emphasize your practical experience.
Conversely, for recent graduates or those venturing into specialized areas, education is important. Position this section prominently at the top of your resume to highlight degrees, relevant coursework, and certifications that can set you apart in a competitive job market.
Tailoring the education section effectively signals to hiring managers where you excel. Being strategic about its placement can improve the overall impact of your application and provide clarity on your suitability for the role.
20 action verbs to add to your resume
Using action verbs in resumes for law positions improves your ability to communicate experience and achievements. These dynamic words help convey your qualifications clearly, creating a more engaging narrative that draws the attention of hiring managers.
When choosing action verbs, make sure they align with key skills mentioned in job postings. This approach highlights your fit for the role while showcasing relevant expertise.
- Argued
- Drafted
- Negotiated
- Advised
- Reviewed
- Litigated
- Counseled
- Represented
- Analyzed
- Facilitated
- Prepared
- Testified
- Resolved
- Clarified
- Defended
- Interpreted
- Consulted
- Outlined
- Appealed
- Guided
Consider additional resume sections
While your core resume provides the most critical information, adding targeted sections can showcase your unique qualifications. These sections help hiring managers quickly identify your legal expertise, certifications, and achievements beyond standard resume sections.
Here are optional sections we tend to see on law resumes:
- Practice areas: Highlight specific areas of law you specialize in (e.g., criminal law, corporate law, family law) to demonstrate your expertise.
- Bar admissions: List the states where you're licensed to practice law and any relevant bar memberships.
- Continuing legal education: Detail recent courses or seminars attended that reflect your commitment to ongoing professional development in the legal field.
- Notable cases: Describe significant cases you've worked on, detailing your role and outcomes achieved.
- Professional affiliations: Include memberships in organizations such as the American Bar Association or local legal associations.
5 Tips for Formatting Your Resume
Proper resume formatting is important for job seekers as it captures the attention of recruiters and ensures your application passes through ATS filters. Using ATS-friendly resume templates can significantly improve your chances of success by incorporating effective design elements that appeal to both humans and software.
1. Watch your line spacing and margins
Proper spacing helps your resume look clean and organized, making it easier for hiring managers to read. The right balance of space can improve the overall presentation of your qualifications. Here's what works best:
- Keep margins between 0.5″ to 1.0″, depending on how much content you have.
- Use single spacing between paragraphs and bullet points to maintain clarity.
- Increase the space to 1.5″ or double-space between sections for better separation.
2. Use a professional font
Selecting the right resume font for your resume is important as it impacts readability and professionalism. Opt for established fonts like:
Result:
- Helvetica
- Garamond
- Verdana
- Cambria
- Trebuchet MS
- Book Antiqua
Consider using a slightly larger or bold version of your name font in the header to improve visibility and create a memorable first impression.
3. Organize your resume sections
A resume for a law professional should be clear and easy to read. Use bullet points to break down your experiences into specific tasks rather than lengthy paragraphs. Start each bullet with a strong action verb that highlights your responsibilities and achievements. For instance, "Drafted legal briefs resulting in a 75% success rate in court cases," showcases both your actions and measurable outcomes.
Focusing on quantifiable accomplishments helps demonstrate your value to potential employers. Consider including details like, "Negotiated settlements that saved clients an average of $50,000," which clearly illustrates the impact of your work.
To ensure compatibility with applicant tracking systems (ATS), use an ATS resume checker. This tool can help you spot formatting issues or missing keywords, increasing your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers in the competitive legal field.
4. Use colors and design
When crafting a resume for the legal field, integrating color and design elements can significantly improve its impact. A well-structured resume not only presents your qualifications but also reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
Begin by selecting an appropriate template that aligns with a law-focused career. The combination resume format is particularly effective, as it allows you to showcase both your skills and work history prominently, often featuring a colored sidebar that draws attention to essential qualifications.
Next, choose a professional color scheme. Opt for colors that convey seriousness and sophistication, such as deep navy, charcoal gray, or muted earth tones. These shades create a polished look while maintaining readability throughout the document.
Avoid using overly bright or distracting colors that may detract from the content's clarity. Additionally, refrain from colors associated with rival firms or those that could misrepresent your personal brand in a competitive job market. By thoughtfully incorporating color and design elements, you can create a standout resume that resonates within the legal profession.
5. Keep your resume length to 1-2 pages
Resumes should typically be one page long. This length keeps your information concise and ensures that key details stand out to recruiters who often spend mere seconds reviewing each application. Focus on including only the most relevant experiences and skills, emphasizing achievements that align with the job you’re targeting.
If you have extensive experience, particularly for high-level positions such as director or executive roles, a two-page resume may be appropriate to adequately showcase your contributions. Also, consider using a CV for academic or research-focused careers where detailed lists of publications, teaching experience, and professional affiliations are necessary. Always prioritize clarity and relevance in your content to make an effective first impression.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your resume is a great decision. Writing a cover letter can significantly improve your job application, even if it’s not explicitly required. It allows you to showcase your unique qualifications and provide context that may not be apparent in your resume. By doing so, you increase your chances of standing out among other applicants.
If you're looking for inspiration, our collection of cover letter examples offers a variety of styles and formats tailored to different industries. When you're ready to craft your own, consider using our Cover Letter Builder for easy, step-by-step assistance in creating a compelling document that reflects your strengths.
What is the best resume format?
Choosing the right resume format depends on your individual needs and career stage. The three main formats are chronological, functional, and combination, each serving a unique purpose for job seekers.
The chronological format is ideal for those with extensive work history as it emphasizes past employment. In contrast, the functional format focuses on skills and education, making it suitable for recent graduates or those changing careers. The combination format offers a mix of both experience and skills, appealing to mid-level professionals or anyone transitioning between industries.
How long should my law resume be?
For law professionals, a one-page resume is generally the best approach, especially for those with less than 10 years of experience. Legal recruiters often sift through numerous resumes quickly, so a concise format helps highlight your most relevant qualifications effectively.
Emphasize your education, key legal experiences, and any specialized skills. Focus on recent roles and significant internships that directly relate to the position you're applying for. Remove unrelated job details and outdated skills that don’t contribute to your legal expertise.
A two-page resume may be suitable for seasoned attorneys or those applying for senior positions such as partner or lead counsel. In these cases, your extensive background and notable achievements warrant the extra space to present a comprehensive picture of your qualifications.
Do I need to include references on my resume?
Including references on your resume is usually not required. You can provide them upon request. However, if you have standout references who can vouch for your skills or experience, consider adding them to improve your application and give hiring managers confidence in your candidacy.
Build a custom resume in minutes with our professional templates and expert tips.
Gabriela Hernandez
CPRW, Career WriterGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches and has worked in the career industry for more than four years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a bachelor's in journalism and is passionate about helping job seekers present their professional story effectively through well-crafted resumes and cover letters that demonstrate their value, skills, and experience to potential employers. Some of her work has been featured on JobHero’s resume examples career center.
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