Business Lawyer Resume Examples

Writing a business lawyer resume can feel more daunting than cross-examining a hostile witness. Tailoring your skills and experiences into a cohesive resume that stands out is essential, yet challenging. This guide will help you navigate common pitfalls and craft a resume that highlights your specialized expertise. Whether you're transitioning into a new field or aiming for the top of your current career ladder, the right strategies make all the difference. The goal is to present your qualifications clearly and compellingly. Think of your resume as the opening statement in your career case. Let's make it persuasive.

Choosing the right resume template can be as crucial as the information you include. A well-designed template can lead the eye smoothly, emphasizing your strengths without overwhelming the reader. Using a structure that aligns with your professional image is essential in making a strong first impression. Don't let poor formatting undermine your hard work.

With over 700 resume examples at your disposal, you're just a click away from creating the perfect resume. Get started now and set yourself up for success!

What to focus on when writing your business lawyer resume

A business lawyer resume should clearly convey your legal expertise, unique skills, and practical experience. It should highlight your ability to navigate complex legal frameworks, draft contracts, and advise on corporate governance. Your resume must demonstrate your understanding of business strategies and your knack for mitigating risks. To boost its impact, consider including:

• Specific examples of successful contract negotiations
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions
• Proficiency in corporate law and regulatory compliance
• Strong references from reputable clients or firms

Must have information on your business lawyer resume

Crafting a standout resume for a business lawyer requires careful attention to specific sections that highlight your expertise and experience. The must-have resume sections are:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Legal Experience
• Education
• Licenses and Certifications
• Skills

Additional sections like Publications, Professional Affiliations, and Languages can further strengthen your resume. These can showcase your professional development and make you a more appealing candidate.

Which resume format to choose

For a business lawyer, the best resume format is the reverse-chronological type. This format highlights your most recent work first, showcasing your progression and expertise. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of the old standbys, Arial and Times New Roman, for a contemporary feel. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it maintains its format across different devices. Stick to 1-inch margins to keep everything clean and readable. Proper section headings, like "Experience" and "Education," improve how your resume is read by ATS systems, helping it get past initial screening.

Your resume should include these sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Licenses and Certifications
• Skills
• Professional Affiliations
• Publications and Presentations

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this seamlessly for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your resume is essential in presenting your background as a business lawyer effectively. You should start with your most recent job and work backwards. Generally, include jobs from the last 10-15 years, focusing on those relevant to your career path. Include titles that demonstrate progressive responsibilities or show you have the experience needed for a business lawyer role.

Tailoring your resume is also crucial. This means adjusting its content based on the job you’re applying to, highlighting experiences and skills that align closely with the job description. For action words, focus on those that illustrate achievements rather than tasks. Words like "led," "managed," "negotiated," and "accomplished" are strong and effective.

Here’s an example of a poorly written experience section followed by a breakdown of why it’s ineffective. Then, you’ll see a second example that is robust and clearly shows why it’s a strong entry.

This example is bad for several reasons. It lists only generic tasks that don't illustrate the impact or results. It's also not tailored to specific business law skills. The action words used—"reviewed," "attended," and "answered"—are weak and don't highlight achievements or contributions.

Now, a more effective experience section:

This example is effective because it focuses on measurable achievements, making it clear how you contributed to your previous employers. The action words "negotiated," "led," and "provided" are strong and highlight key skills. Furthermore, this resume entry is tailored to the business lawyer role, emphasizing relevant skills and accomplishments. The company’s background adds context, making it easier for the reader to see your fit for their firm.

Business lawyer resume experience examples

Considering the complexity of business law, a slight touch of humor can certainly lighten the load. Relax and let’s dive into your professional experience — because navigating legal waters shouldn’t feel like you're being sued for a smile!

Achievement-focused

Highlighting your significant accomplishments can be a great strategy. Showcase specific achievements that validate your expertise as a business lawyer.

Skills-focused

Focusing on your skills ensures that the employer understands your core competencies. Specify the skills that played a crucial role in your legal success.

Responsibility-focused

Highlighting your responsibilities can offer insight into the breadth and depth of your role. Detail your daily duties that reflect your competence.

Project-focused

Showcase specific projects you’ve managed or contributed to. Highlight particular tasks and the outcomes achieved.

Result-focused

Detail the results of your initiatives to show the tangible impacts of your work. Focus on the outcomes you’ve driven.

Industry-Specific Focus

If you have expertise in a specific industry, emphasize this. Specific industry knowledge can be highly valuable.

Problem-Solving focused

Detail instances where you solved significant problems. This highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills.

Innovation-focused

Emphasize your contributions to new ideas or practices. Innovation is key in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Leadership-focused

Showcase your leadership roles and how you’ve managed teams or departments. Leadership skills are crucial for career advancement.

Customer-focused

Highlight your client relations and how you’ve provided exceptional legal service. Client satisfaction is key in legal success.

Growth-focused

Focus on how you’ve contributed to growth, be it clientele, revenue, or internal development. Growth metrics can be a strong indicator of performance.

Efficiency-focused

Demonstrate how you’ve improved efficiency within your role or team. Efficiency is crucial for operational success.

Technology-focused

Highlight your role in integrating or utilizing technology in legal practice. Tech-savvy lawyers are increasingly in demand.

Collaboration-focused

Show the power of collaboration and teamwork in achieving legal goals. Collaboration is key to a successful legal practice.

Training and Development focused

Show your commitment to training and development, both receiving and providing. Continuous learning is critical in law.

Write your business lawyer resume summary section

When crafting your resume summary section as a business lawyer, keep it brief yet impactful. You need to clearly state your expertise, highlight key accomplishments, and include any specialized skills. This section should grab the hiring manager's attention quickly.

Describing yourself in the resume summary efficiently is essential. Emphasize your value through experience, without sounding too boastful. Use action verbs and quantifiable achievements to make a strong impression. Avoid vague jargon and focus on your specific contributions and successes.

The differences between a summary, a resume objective, a resume profile, and a summary of qualifications are important. A summary is a concise overview of your career achievements and skills. A resume objective focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the position. A resume profile often combines elements of both a summary and an objective, offering a snapshot of your career story. A summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of your core competencies and professional strengths.

Here's an example of a poorly written resume summary:

This summary lacks specific details and accomplishments. It uses generic phrases like "many years" and "legal stuff", which don't convey a clear picture of your expertise or value.

On the other hand, here's an example of an outstanding resume summary:

This summary is specific and packed with relevant details. It highlights your expertise, includes quantifiable achievements, and uses strong action verbs, making it clear why you are a valuable candidate.

Listing your business lawyer skills on your resume

When writing your skills section for a business lawyer resume, skills can either stand alone in a dedicated section or be incorporated throughout other sections such as your experience and summary. Your strengths and soft skills paint a picture of your interpersonal capabilities, like communication and leadership, which are crucial in law practice. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific, teachable abilities such as knowledge of corporate law or proficiency in contract drafting. Skills and strengths also serve as resume keywords, helping your resume stand out to both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) by highlighting your relevant qualifications.

This is a good skills section because it is concise and includes relevant, in-demand skills that make you an attractive candidate. Each skill is specifically related to the role of a business lawyer, showcasing your ability to handle duties common in the field. It avoids fluff and focuses on key competencies that employers look for.

Best hard skills to feature on your business lawyer resume

As a business lawyer, hard skills are essential in demonstrating your legal expertise and ability to handle complex legal issues. These skills should clearly show your knowledge and proficiency in specific legal areas.

Best soft skills to feature on your business lawyer resume

Soft skills are just as important as hard skills for a business lawyer. They show how well you work with others and handle the demands of the job.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your business lawyer resume. This section showcases your qualifications and helps employers determine your suitability for the role. Tailor your education section specifically to the job you're applying for. Any irrelevant education should be excluded to maintain focus.

Including GPA on your resume can strengthen your application, especially if it's above 3.5. Mention cum laude or other honors to highlight academic excellence. Always list your degree clearly, such as "Juris Doctor (JD)".

Here’s a badly written example:

This example is not good because it lists an irrelevant degree and includes a low GPA. The institution does not add value to a business law career.

Here’s an outstanding business lawyer resume education section:

This example is good because it lists relevant degrees, a high GPA, and notable institutions, demonstrating strong qualifications for a business lawyer role.

How to include business lawyer certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your business lawyer resume is important. It showcases your credentials and specialization. You can list your certificates in the header or in a dedicated section.

List the name of each certificate prominently. Include the date of issuance to show your recent qualifications. Add the issuing organization to validate the certificate. Ensure the certificates are relevant to the job you seek.

Here is an example:

This example is good because it clearly lists relevant certificates for a business lawyer. The dates are realistic, and the issuing organizations are reputable. This boosts your credibility and shows your commitment to professional development.

Extra sections to include in your business lawyer resume

In today's competitive legal market, a well-crafted resume for a business lawyer can make all the difference. Including diverse sections can showcase your multifaceted skills, making you stand out to potential employers. Here's how you can effectively add different sections to your resume.

• Language section — Include languages you're proficient in to highlight your ability to engage with diverse clients. Speak multiple languages to demonstrate your international capabilities.
• Hobbies and interests section — Add your hobbies to show your well-rounded personality. Engage in activities like chess or running to exhibit analytical and endurance skills.
• Volunteer work section — Mention voluntary roles to show your commitment to community service and passion for the law. Describe specific pro bono cases to underline your hands-on legal experience.
• Books section — List influential books to reflect your continuous learning and thought leadership. Highlight titles related to business law to underscore your expertise and dedication to staying informed.

Each of these sections can add depth to your resume and convey your unique value to potential employers. Choose relevant details to make sure your resume is both comprehensive and compelling.

Pair your business lawyer resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It provides an introduction to who you are and why you're interested in the position. A good cover letter can highlight your strengths, show your enthusiasm for the role, and explain how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit. It can set you apart from other applicants by giving potential employers a deeper sense of your personality and professional goals.

For a business lawyer, a cover letter should focus on your expertise in corporate law, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance. Detail any specific cases or projects that demonstrate your ability to provide sound legal advice and achieve favorable outcomes. Mention any relevant work experience, such as internships during your law school years or positions at law firms, that align with the job you're applying for. Make sure to convey your ability to understand complex legal issues and communicate solutions effectively to clients.

Create your cover letter easily with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. Its simple design allows you to craft a professional document quickly, and exporting to PDF ensures your content and formatting stay intact.