Commercial Attorney Resume Examples

Writing a resume for a commercial attorney position can feel like navigating through a legal minefield. When you're versed in corporate law, you might find it challenging to condense your expertise, intricate case histories, and client relations into a compelling one-page document. Unlike drafting a watertight contract, summarizing your career without sounding verbose or self-important can be tricky. Add to that the pressure of standing out in a competitive job market, and it's easy to see why you might find this process overwhelming. But fear not, because crafting an effective resume isn't as daunting as it seems.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for presenting your qualifications clearly and professionally. A well-structured template ensures that your skills, experience, and achievements are highlighted effectively. It can make the difference between landing an interview or being passed over.

Explore our library of more than 700 resume examples to guide you in writing a resume that catches the eye of hiring managers. Dive in and unlock your potential!

What to focus on when writing your commercial attorney resume

A commercial attorney resume should instantly convey your deep expertise in commercial law, client-management skills, and proven track record in successful negotiations and contracts. Highlight your ability to solve complex legal challenges and your experience working with cross-functional teams. Ensure your resume includes these impactful elements:

• Detailed descriptions of past commercial contracts you have managed.
• Quantifiable success stories, such as cost savings or litigation wins.
• Strong academic credentials and ongoing legal education.
• Clear evidence of effective client communication and advisory roles.

Your goal is to show how you can bring value to the company by leveraging your legal acumen and commercial insight.

Must have information on your commercial attorney resume

A top-notch commercial attorney resume needs key sections to highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments effectively.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Licenses and Certifications

Consider adding sections like Skills, Professional Affiliations, and Publications to showcase additional expertise and achievements. Including these can make your resume stand out to potential employers.

Which resume format to choose

For a commercial attorney resume, the best format is the reverse chronological resume. This format highlights your most recent work experience first, making it easy for hiring managers to see your latest and most relevant roles. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of Arial or Times New Roman for a sleek, updated look. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it looks the same on any device. Keep margins at 1 inch all around to ensure readability and a clean layout. Use clear section headings, which help with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by making it easier for the software to parse your information effectively.

Your resume should include the following sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills, and possibly Publications or Honors and Awards.

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making sure your resume is not only professional but also optimized for getting noticed.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your commercial attorney resume can be a bit tricky, but it doesn't have to be. Start with your most recent job and work backward. Keeping your experience within the last 10-15 years is a good rule of thumb. Include relevant job titles, especially those that align with the job you're applying for. Tailoring your resume to each job is crucial; highlight the skills and achievements most relevant to the position you're aiming for.

Use action words like "managed," "achieved," "led," and "negotiated." These words are impactful and make your accomplishments stand out. Remember, focus on what you achieved, not just what your responsibilities were.

Here are two examples to make things clearer:

This example is not effective. It lists vague responsibilities without showcasing specific achievements or using strong action words. For instance, "Handled various legal tasks" is too general and doesn't provide a clear picture of what you accomplished.

Now, let's look at a better example:

This example is excellent because it focuses on specific achievements with quantifiable results. Words like "Negotiated," "Led," and "Advised" are strong action verbs that make your contributions clear and impactful. The numbers provide a concrete sense of your accomplishments, making it easier for potential employers to see the value you bring to the table.

Commercial attorney resume experience examples

Ready to craft an impressive resume for your career in commercial law? Let's dive into some tailor-made resume experiences that will make your expertise shine—no brief required! Buckle up for a page-turner that's bound to be lawfully amazing!

Achievement-focused

Highlight key awards or recognitions you have received. Note any major wins, projects, or successful negotiations that had tangible impacts.

Skills-focused

Detail specific legal skills that are crucial to your role. Emphasize your competencies in areas like contract law, negotiation, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibility-focused

Demonstrate your roles and responsibilities by outlining what you managed or oversaw. Stress on your command in guiding clients and overseeing legal matters.

Project-focused

Detail significant projects that you led or participated in. Highlight your contributions and how they benefited your clients or your firm.

Result-focused

Showcase the results you have achieved in your previous roles. Focus on metrics, accomplishments, and favorable outcomes that underscore your effectiveness.

Industry-Specific Focus

Illustrate your experience in a specific industry (e.g., Tech, Healthcare). Provide details about how your legal expertise benefitted clients in that sector.

Problem-Solving focused

Identify situations where you successfully resolved issues or overcame challenges. The focus should be on your approach and the eventual positive outcome.

Innovation-focused

Emphasize new methods, tools, or strategies you introduced. Highlight any innovative solutions that improved processes or results.

Leadership-focused

Showcase your leadership abilities. Mention instances when you managed teams or led initiatives within the firm or for clients.

Customer-focused

Detail your efforts and successes in putting client needs first. Note how your client-centric approach led to positive outcomes or feedback.

Growth-focused

Illustrate how you contributed to the growth of your firm or your client's businesses. This can be through winning new clients, increasing revenue, etc.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight efforts to improve efficiency either for clients or within the firm. Mention technologies, processes, or strategies that streamlined operations.

Technology-focused

Discuss your experience with legal technologies, digital tools, or any tech-savvy approaches. Highlight how these skills benefited your role or clients.

Collaboration-focused

Show your ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders. This could be within the firm, with clients, or in cross-functional teams.

Training and Development focused

Illustrate your role in training, mentoring, or developing talent. Highlight your contributions to the professional growth of junior attorneys or colleagues.

Write your commercial attorney resume summary section

Your resume summary section is crucial in making a great first impression. It should provide a brief snapshot of your skills, experience, and expertise that align with the role you are applying for. You want to convey your value quickly and effectively to keep the hiring manager engaged.

An applicant can better describe themselves by focusing on their achievements and specific skills. Use clear and concise language to illustrate your professional background. Highlight your unique selling points and quantify accomplishments when possible.

A resume summary is different from other elements like a resume objective, resume profile, and summary of qualifications. A resume summary provides a concise overview of your skills and background. A resume objective focuses on your career goals. A resume profile blends elements of both the summary and objective. A summary of qualifications lists your key qualifications in bullet points.

Here is an example:

This example is poorly written. It is vague, lacks specifics, and does not highlight measurable achievements. It fails to capture the reader's attention and does not demonstrate how you can add value to the prospective employer.

Here is an improved example:

This example is excellent because it is specific, highlights measurable achievements, and demonstrates value. It shows your expertise and experience in a clear, concise manner. It immediately captures the reader’s interest, making you a strong candidate for the role.

Listing your commercial attorney skills on your resume

Writing the skills section of your commercial attorney resume can be tricky, but it's crucial for grabbing the attention of hiring managers. Skills can have their own standalone section or be sprinkled throughout other sections like your experience and summary. Mention your strengths and soft skills in concise sentences. Strengths can include things like your ability to communicate complex legal issues simply or your knack for strategic thinking. Soft skills are personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively with others, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Hard skills are technical skills you’ve acquired through education or experience. For a commercial attorney, these might include contract drafting, legal research, and negotiation. Skills and strengths can also act as resume keywords. Keywords are scanned by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and hiring managers to determine if your resume matches the job description.

Example of a standalone skills section:

This example is effective because it lists specific, relevant skills that are easy for hiring managers and ATS to identify. Each skill mentioned is crucial for a commercial attorney, reflecting both expertise and competence in the field.

Best hard skills to feature on your commercial attorney resume

Hard skills for a commercial attorney are specific, teachable abilities essential for the role. They show that you have the technical know-how to perform legal tasks efficiently.

Best soft skills to feature on your commercial attorney resume

Soft skills are equally important as they highlight your ability to work well with others and manage your workload.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your commercial attorney resume. It should be tailored to the job you're applying for, so you shouldn't include any irrelevant education. Always aim for clarity and relevance.

When listing your degree, clearly mention the degree type, institution name, location, and the years attended. If you graduated with honors like cum laude, it's crucial to include that. If your GPA is strong, you should list it, but only if it adds value to your application. Providing context for the GPA (e.g., "3.8/4.0") can also be helpful.

Here’s a bad example of an education section and a detailed explanation of why it’s ineffective:

This example is bad because it lists an irrelevant degree for a commercial attorney position. It lacks GPA information and omits the institution's location, making it appear incomplete and unfocused.

Here’s an outstanding example of a commercial attorney resume education section and why it’s effective:

This example is good because it includes a relevant degree, institution, location, and honors. Showing a high GPA provides additional value and context. Everything is presented clearly and relates directly to the commercial attorney role.

How to include commercial attorney certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in a commercial attorney resume is crucial. It showcases additional qualifications and expertise. Certificates can also be integrated into the resume header to attract immediate attention. For instance, your header could read: "Jane Doe, J.D. — Certified in Corporate Law, Harvard University".

To create a certificates section, start by listing the name of the certificate. Include the date you earned it to show recentness and relevance. Add the issuing organization to highlight credibility. This structured approach ensures clarity and professionalism.

Here is a good example of a standalone certificates section:

This example is effective because the certificates are from well-known educational institutions, adding weight to your expertise. The titles are relevant to commercial law, demonstrating targeted knowledge and skills. The dates are omitted for simplicity, but you should add them in your actual resume. This section communicates your dedication to professional growth and specialization in commercial law.

Extra sections to include in your commercial attorney resume

As a commercial attorney, your resume needs to highlight not just your professional skills but also the unique aspects that can set you apart from the competition. Including various sections that reflect your language proficiency, personal interests, volunteer experiences, and literary involvement can add depth to your profile.

• Language section — Highlight your language skills to show your ability to serve diverse clients or work in international settings.

• Hobbies and interests section — Share your hobbies to give a glimpse of your personality and demonstrate qualities like dedication or teamwork through your interests.

• Volunteer work section — Include your volunteer work to show your commitment to community service and your ability to manage responsibilities outside your job.

• Books section — Mention books you've authored or significant industry publications you follow to reflect your dedication to continuous learning and expertise in your field.

Adding these sections can give potential employers a well-rounded view of what you bring to the table beyond your legal expertise. It will make your resume stand out and give you a competitive edge.

Pair your commercial attorney resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a brief document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer, highlights your most relevant experiences and skills, and explains why you're a perfect fit for the position. This letter can make a significant difference in your job application by showcasing your personality and enthusiasm, often providing a compelling narrative that your resume alone cannot convey.

For a commercial attorney, a cover letter should focus on your legal expertise, negotiation skills, and experience with commercial agreements. Highlight your background in areas like corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance matters. Be sure to mention any notable cases or clients you have worked with, and emphasize your ability to foster and maintain client relationships.

Don't delay creating a strong cover letter! Try Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for an easy-to-use tool that ensures your document looks polished and professional. With PDF exporting, your cover letter will keep its format and content secure, making a great impression on potential employers.