Jul 18, 2024
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12 min read
Crafting the perfect attorney resume: how to present your case on paper and land the job.
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Writing a compelling attorney resume can feel as challenging as navigating a complex case, but it's crucial for landing your next role. Many attorneys face difficulties in highlighting their unique skills and experiences on paper. The legal field is competitive, and your resume needs to stand out in the stack. You might be superb in court, but translating that into a resume is an art in itself. Poor formatting, lack of specific details, and failing to showcase relevant achievements can hinder your job search. This guide will steer you in the right direction, ensuring your resume opens doors to new opportunities. Don’t let a weak resume be your objection to advancing your career.
Choosing the right resume template is the first step to making a great impression. A well-structured template ensures you present your qualifications clearly and professionally. It can make the difference between your resume being read or discarded.
We offer over 700 resume examples tailored to help you write a winning attorney resume. Start crafting your standout resume today!
Key Takeaways
An attorney resume should tell a recruiter about your expertise, achievements, and professional journey clearly and concisely. Focus on your legal skills, case successes, and specialized knowledge in areas like corporate law or criminal defense to stand out. Include a section on key proficiencies such as contract negotiation, litigation, and legal research, as well as notable case results or settlements. Boost the impact with:
To create a strong attorney resume, you need to include key sections that highlight your skills and experience. Essential sections include:
You may also want to add additional sections like Publications, Honors, Awards, and Continuing Legal Education to further showcase your credentials. These sections give a complete picture of your qualifications and achievements.
When crafting a resume for an attorney position, the best format is reverse-chronological, as it highlights your most recent and relevant experience first. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of Arial or Times New Roman to give your resume a contemporary feel. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting stays consistent across different devices. Keep your margins at 1 inch to ensure readability and proper ATS scanning. Use clear, bold section headings like "Experience" and "Education" to help both hiring managers and ATS software easily navigate your resume.
An attorney resume should have specific sections to showcase your qualifications:
Resume Mentor’s free resume builder handles all of this, making it easy for you to create a professional and ATS-friendly resume.
To write an effective experience section for your attorney resume, follow some basic steps to ensure your information is clear, easy to read, and highlights your achievements effectively. It’s essential to list your experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Generally, you should go back about 10-15 years, depending on your experience and the relevance of past jobs. However, ensure you include only those job titles relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Tailor each entry to align with the job description by using specific action words such as "achieved," "managed," "led," and "developed." Focus on quantifiable achievements, like winning a certain number of cases or increasing client satisfaction. Avoid listing generic responsibilities.
An example of a poorly written resume experience section might look like this:
This example is not effective because it lists generic responsibilities rather than achievements. There's no quantifiable data, and the language is too vague.
Here’s a well-written example:
This example is good because it lists specific achievements and uses quantifiable data to highlight success. The focus is on what you accomplished rather than just what you were responsible for, making a stronger impact on potential employers.
With these guidelines, your resume will stand out for its clarity and emphasis on success, making it easier for hiring managers to see your value.
If you want your resume to be the “legal-ly” best, highlighting your achievements and skills is key. Let’s break down various ways to make your experience pop in the legal field, from accomplishments to cutting-edge technologies.
Showcase your major accomplishments to highlight your peak moments. These can be awards, significant case wins, or any other forms of recognition you’ve earned in your legal career.
Senior Attorney
Law Office of Smith & Johnson
June 2017 - August 2022
Focus on the skills you've mastered to show how you stand out. This can include trial advocacy, negotiation, or research abilities.
Litigation Attorney
Hamilton & Associates
March 2015 - May 2021
Detail specific responsibilities you've handled. This includes managing legal teams, overseeing cases, or handling client relationships.
Managing Partner
Brown & Cruz LLP
January 2018 - Present
Highlight projects that you've managed or been a part of. Explain their scope and your role in them.
Project Lead Attorney
TechLaw Group
July 2016 - December 2019
Emphasize the outcomes of your work. Showcase quantifiable results such as settlements won, cases successfully closed, or contracts secured.
Corporate Attorney
Global Legal Advisors
February 2014 - April 2020
Demonstrate specialized knowledge within a specific industry, like healthcare or technology. This shows your expertise in niche areas.
Healthcare Attorney
Medical Law Associates
June 2010 - August 2018
Show how you deal with challenging situations and find legal solutions. This can involve conflict resolution, mediations, or troubleshooting legal issues.
Mediation Attorney
Peaceful Resolutions Law Firm
May 2013 - July 2021
Identify instances where you’ve introduced new approaches or technologies in your work. This may include implementing new legal research tools or modernizing processes.
Innovation Counsel
Future Lawyers Inc.
September 2015 - Present
Illustrate your leadership skills by detailing your involvement in guiding teams or departments. This can include mentoring junior attorneys or playing a pivotal role in firm management.
Head of Litigation
Elite Law Group
January 2012 - December 2019
Show your commitment to providing excellent client service. This includes handling client consultations and maintaining strong client relationships.
Client Relations Attorney
Trusted Law Partners
April 2011 - November 2020
Focus on your role in expanding the firm's business, whether that's through new client acquisition, partnerships, or expanding service offerings.
Business Development Attorney
Advantage Law Services
August 2014 - October 2021
Demonstrate your ability to enhance efficiency and streamline legal processes. This may include process improvement, automation, or workflow optimization.
Efficiency Expert Attorney
Swift Justice
January 2016 - Present
Highlight your proficiency with legal technologies and tools. This could include legal research databases, case management software, or e-discovery tools.
Technology Counsel
Digital Law Solutions
March 2013 - Present
Illustrate your teamwork skills. Focus on how you've worked with other attorneys, departments, or even other companies to achieve common goals.
Collaborative Attorney
Synergy Legal Group
August 2011 - July 2020
Show your passion for educating others. Discuss your efforts in training junior attorneys, conducting workshops, or creating educational programs.
Training Coordinator
Legal Growth Institute
May 2012 - August 2019
Here's a little attorney secret: everyone starts somewhere, even if that somewhere is not yet your personal courtroom. Fear not, your resume can still shine as bright as a judge's smile at a well-argued case!
Tell your story in a concise, compelling manner. Innocence until proven guilty also works for resumes—you need to prove your worth with what you have. Focus on your education. Detail your degree, mentioning the law school you attended and your GPA if it’s impressive. Highlight relevant courses, research, and any special projects you tackled. Moot court, mock trials, or legal clinics are your gold mines here.
Shift the spotlight to your skills. List competencies like legal research, writing, analytical thinking, and even soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Illustrate how these were developed through your studies, internships, or volunteer work.
Don’t underestimate the power of internships, clerkships, or any legal roles you've held, even if brief. Discuss what you did, what you learned, and how it prepared you for a legal career. If you've worked in related fields, mention those jobs, focusing on transferable skills.
Professional affiliations and extracurricular activities matter. Discuss any memberships in legal associations or participation in law school groups. Pro bono work, community service, and volunteer roles count too—they show commitment and drive.
With every section, show enthusiasm and a passion for law. Any attorney worth their salt started out with zeal and lots of potential—your resume just needs to capture that spark.
Crafting a resume summary for an attorney role involves highlighting your unique qualifications, experience, and skills concisely. Begin by mentioning your role, years of experience, and key achievements. Describe your strengths and areas of expertise that align with the job. Avoid generic statements and focus on what makes you standout as an attorney. Showcase your unique qualifications and how they align with the specific role you are applying for.
An effective resume summary offers a snapshot that captures your value in a few sentences. You should be honest and straightforward, and must include your primary skills and achievements. This helps employers quickly see why you're the right fit for their company.
Here's the first example:
The first example is poorly written. It's vague and lacks specificity. It doesn't provide details on the attorney's areas of expertise, key points of experience, or any measurable achievements.
Now, consider the following:
The second example is excellent. It provides clear details about the attorney's experience, specific areas of expertise, and accomplishments. This summary gives potential employers a strong sense of what the candidate brings to the table, improving their chances of landing the role.
A resume summary and resume objective both give employers a snapshot of you but serve different purposes. A summary focuses on your past experience and achievements. An objective states your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume profile is similar to a summary but may include more personality traits. A summary of qualifications lists bullet points of your key skills and achievements.
Crafting the skills section on your attorney resume is crucial. You can choose to have skills as a standalone section or weave them into other sections like your experience and summary. Both strategies ensure recruiters notice your strengths and abilities.
Your skills section should highlight your hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets that you gain through experience or education. They include things like legal research, case management software, or negotiation tactics. Strengths and soft skills, such as effective communication and attention to detail, emphasize your personal attributes and how you interact with others.
Skills and strengths mentioned in your resume can serve as resume keywords. These keywords are what hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for to match candidates with job requirements. Properly incorporating these into your resume increases the chances of getting noticed.
Example of a standalone skills section:
This section is effective because it is concise and highlights a variety of relevant skills. Each skill presented is pertinent to the role of an attorney, illustrating your competence in essential areas.
The right hard skills show you have the technical know-how to handle various legal tasks. These skills should communicate your expertise and your ability to use essential legal tools and technologies. Here are the top 15 hard skills for attorneys:
Hard Skills
Soft skills are just as important as hard skills. They show your ability to collaborate, communicate, and manage your work effectively. For attorneys, these skills convey your interpersonal strengths and your ability to excel in a fast-paced environment. Here are the top 15 soft skills for attorneys:
Soft Skills
Including an education section on your attorney resume is essential. This section should be directly tailored to the job you’re applying for. Exclude any irrelevant education to keep the focus sharp. When mentioning your GPA, include it if it’s impressive (generally 3.5 or higher). If you graduated with honors such as cum laude, indicate it. Clearly state your degree and assign it correctly to your qualifications.
Here’s an example of a poorly written education section:
This example is bad because the degree is unrelated to the legal field and lacks detail. The institution is obscure and offers no prestige. The dates are confusing and there's no GPA or honors mentioned, leaving the education section weak.
Now, here’s an outstanding example:
This example is strong because it lists a relevant and prestigious degree. It also includes honors and a high GPA. The details are clear and directly related to the field of law, making it highly relevant to the job at hand.
Including a certificates section in your attorney resume can highlight your specialized skills and qualifications. Start by listing the name of each certificate. Next, include the date you earned the certificate. You should also add the issuing organization to provide more context. Make sure to keep your certificates relevant to the job you are applying for. Certificates can also be included in the header for quick reference. For example, "John Doe, JD, Certified Family Law Specialist (California Bar, 2018)".
A good certificates section might look like this:
This example is effective because it lists highly relevant certifications that demonstrate advanced knowledge and specialized training. The issuer details help to validate the certificates, making you appear more credible and qualified. Having these certificates listed clearly on the resume helps recruiters quickly assess your expertise.
Crafting the perfect resume as an attorney can be a challenging task. Yet, adding the right sections can make your resume shine, showcasing your unique skills and experiences.
Language section — Highlight your proficiency in multiple languages as it can help in serving a diverse clientele and working on international cases. List languages you speak fluently to showcase your communication skills.
Hobbies and interests section — Demonstrate a well-rounded personality by listing relevant hobbies, showing interests that can relate to your legal skills. Sharing your personal interests humanizes your resume and can create connection points with potential employers.
Volunteer work section — Include volunteer experiences to display your commitment to social causes and pro bono work. Detailing your volunteer work highlights your dedication to the community and can build trust with potential clients.
Books section — Mention legal books or publications you have authored to establish your expertise in specific law areas. Including publications can position you as a thought leader in the legal field.
A cover letter is a short document that an applicant sends along with their resume to provide additional information about their skills and experience. It can help the applicant by giving them the chance to explain why they are the best fit for the job and show their personality, which a resume alone might not convey.
For an attorney, the cover letter should focus on their legal expertise, relevant case experience, and any special certifications or honors. It’s also important to showcase strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as any clerkships or internships with reputable firms during their years of study and practice.
Want to make an impressive cover letter with ease? Try Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It’s simple to use, and you can export your cover letter as a PDF to protect its content and formatting. Start creating your standout cover letter today with Resume Mentor!
Lucas Rodriguez
San Antonio, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@resumementor.com
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