Roles in the legal industry are extremely competitive. So how can you ensure your attorney resume makes it to the top of the pile?
Our comprehensive, yet easy-to-follow guide is here to answer all your questions. So, dive in and discover all the best writing tips, customizable templates, inspiring examples, and resume samples submitted by actual legal professionals. Let's begin!
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Keep on reading and learn how to:
- Start your attorney resume with a professional summary statement
- Spotlight your education in an attorney resume
- Tailor your attorney resume to a specific practice area
- Keep your attorney resume format clean and professional
- Access top resources for job-seeking attorneys
1. Start your attorney resume with a professional summary statement
A strong summary statement is essential for catching the eye of potential firms. It’s the first thing they see and can be the deciding factor on whether or not they review your resume in further detail.
In just a few sentences, a well-crafted summary statement can highlight your most relevant experience and skills and set you apart from other candidates. Even if you have years of experience as an attorney, a weak or unfocused summary statement can make you look less qualified.
Attorneys make strong arguments, so use your summary to make an argument for why you’d be a great hire.
Here is great example of a summary statement for an attorney resume
An enthusiastic and detail-oriented attorney looking for a new challenge as a senior associate. Adhering to a client-first approach, [Name] is skilled in litigation and legal analysis.
It's also possible to include a "Highlights" section if you need to spotlight any other achievements or skills.
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2. Spotlight your education in an attorney resume
For your attorney resume, an education section is one of your biggest assets.
Your resume should include your law school education and any relevant undergraduate degrees.
While experienced attorneys should still indicate where they went to law school, it’s even more important for new and junior professionals. Early on in your career, your GPA and degree can help make your application stronger.
Plus, most states require that you be licensed to practice law. Clearly stating your credentials and affiliations on your resume means that there aren’t any doubts regarding your status as a legal professional.
If you’re early on in your career, your education section is a great place to highlight any experience gained or accolades received during your time in law school. These can help you stand out from other applicants.
Here are some examples of things to include in your education section as an attorney
- Scholarships – specifically those that are merit-based.
- Academic awards – some examples include Valedictorian, Dean’s List.
- Moot court results – if you had high performance in any mock legal experiences.
- Legal clinics – if you participated in any law school clinics that provided you with legal experience
- G.P.A - only if higher than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Continuing education – if you’ve taken any courses to help you upskill as an attorney.
3. Tailor your attorney resume to a specific practice area
Most attorney job postings are geared towards a specific type of legal practice. This can be because the firm only offers certain specialized services or because they require attorneys in a specific practice area.
For example, if you're a criminal defense attorney, your resume should highlight your experience in the courtroom and with negotiating plea deals. On the other hand, if you're a corporate attorney, your resume should focus on your experience with mergers and acquisitions and contracts.
Even if a posting is more generic, it’s helpful to highlight your ideal legal practice areas. Your resume will be more effective and also apply more of your unique characteristics as a lawyer.
If you’re looking to make a switch to a different practice area, you should tailor your experience to match that desired legal practice. By showing that you have the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job, you'll give yourself a much better chance of landing the position.
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4. Keep your attorney resume format clean and professional
Resumes can look drastically different from industry to industry. In some industries, you’ll see elaborate designs and even images within resumes. When it comes to resumes for an attorney, it’s best to keep it clean and professional. But that doesn’t mean you need to send in a page filled with lines of Times New Roman font (unless this has been specifically requested).
Your attorney resume can still have sections and be formatted with design in mind. Some minor pops of color and clear sections can help your resume stand out.
You should still choose a simple and professional font for your attorney resume.
A well-designed resume can also be easier on the eyes and help guide a recruiter to the details that you want to highlight. Employers should be able to quickly see what you have to offer, so make sure your skills and experience are prominently displayed.
For example, your education and academic achievements may be higher up on the page for a recent law school grad. While an experienced attorney may want to put their legal awards front and enter.
We know resume writing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you need help getting started, be sure to check out these attorney resume templates and examples.
5. Top resources for job-seeking attorneys
Now that you know all about crafting a jaw-dropping attorney resume, it's time to talk about where you should direct your job search efforts to maximize your chances of landing your dream legal position. Let our list of resources be your inspiration:
- Martindale-Hubbell: Besides job postings, this platform also offers career development resources for legal professionals.
- The American Bar Association (ABA): Offers a robust job board for attorneys that includes positions across various legal fields. It also provides career advice and other resources helpful for attorneys.
- LawJobs.com: Tap into this website and discover positions in law firms, corporations, and government roles tailored especially to your legal specialty.
- EuroLegalJobs: This website is ideal for attorneys looking to work within the EU framework or multinational corporations. So, if you specialize in European Union law, competition law, and other areas of international law, this is the resource for you.
- LawCrossing: This is another valuable job search tool, since it features a large collection of legal job listings gathered from over 250,000 websites.
- GoInhouse: If you're looking to transition from law firms to corporate legal departments, check out this platform. As the name suggests, it's primarily focused on in-house counsel positions.
Even though the process of job hunting can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, don't lose hope. The ideal job opportunity may be waiting for you just around the corner. So have your attorney resume application-ready at all times. Good luck!
Attorney Resume FAQ
How can I best showcase my skills on an attorney resume?
You can highlight your legal expertise and key competencies by mentioning specific areas of law where you have experience (e.g., civil litigation, corporate law, intellectual property). Include relevant legal skills such as proficiency in legal research platforms (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), negotiation, and client management. Next, use bullet points under each job position to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focus mainly on outcomes where you added value, such as successful case outcomes or process improvements that reduced costs or enhanced efficiency.
What are common mistakes to avoid when crafting an attorney resume?
Some of the most common mistakes include: overcrowding the resume with too much text, including irrelevant information, and failing to tailor the resume to the specific job. Also, make sure to proofread your resume before hitting send to eliminate any typos or grammatical errors, as these can reflect badly on your professionalism.
How long should my attorney resume be?
The ideal length for an attorney resume is typically one to two pages, depending on the extent of your experience. So, if you're a seasoned attorney with substantial experience and multiple publications or speaking engagements, a second page can be justified.
Should I use action verbs in my attorney resume?
Absolutely! Use strong action verbs such as “advocated,” “negotiated,” “analyzed,” “drafted,” or “achieved” to begin bullet points, describing your responsibilities and successes you've earned during your previous work experience. This approach actively showcases your involvement and effectiveness
Is it OK to include visual elements, such as infographics in my attorney resume?
Even though visual elements may make your resume look more engaging and personal, it's generally best to avoid them in legal resumes as they can appear unprofessional and may cause confusion with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Keep the layout clean, professional, and traditional to reflect the norms of the legal industry.
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