Estate Planning Lawyer Resume Examples

Writing an estate planning lawyer resume can feel like drafting a complex will—it requires precision and attention to detail. You want to highlight your legal expertise, but it can be challenging to strike the right balance. Employers look for specific traits, experience, and skills that set you apart. Lawyers often struggle with showcasing their unique value while keeping their resume concise and targeted. With high competition in the field, a tailored resume is your key to standing out.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. The right format can make it easier to organize your credentials, experience, and skills effectively. A well-structured resume will highlight your strengths and make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Don't risk your career on a poorly designed template; ensure you get it right from the start.

We have over 700 resume examples specifically designed to help you craft the perfect resume. Dive in and start creating your standout resume today!

What to focus on when writing your estate planning lawyer resume

An estate planning lawyer resume should clearly portray your expertise in creating wills, trusts, and handling probate cases. Highlight key competencies such as asset protection strategies, tax planning, and client counseling. Reflect your ability to liaise effectively with clients and other legal professionals.

To boost its impact, you can include:

• Proven case outcomes reflecting your expertise
• Relevant certifications and licenses
• Client testimonials or references
• Continuing education in estate law

Must have information on your estate planning lawyer resume

When crafting your resume as an estate planning lawyer, it's essential to include critical sections that highlight your expertise and experience. These sections ensure your resume is comprehensive and attractive to potential employers:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications or Licenses

Additionally, you might consider adding sections like "Professional Affiliations," "Volunteer Work," and "Publications or Presentations" if they are relevant to your career in estate planning. These can provide further insight into your professional dedication and expertise.

Which resume format to choose

For an estate planning lawyer resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological layout because it highlights your most recent and relevant experience first. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat to give your resume a sleek look, rather than traditional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Always save and send your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting across different devices. Ensure your margins are set to one inch on all sides to provide a clean and readable appearance. Section headings like "Experience," "Education," and "Skills" should be simple and clear, which also helps with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan for relevant keywords.

An estate planning lawyer resume should include several key sections that highlight your qualifications effectively:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Professional Affiliations
• Publications (optional)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this for you, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

When writing the experience section for your estate planning lawyer resume, make it a point to organize your roles in reverse chronological order. This means starting with your most recent job and going backward. It's typically a good idea to go back no further than 10-15 years unless earlier experiences are particularly relevant.

Include specific job titles like "Estate Planning Lawyer," "Senior Legal Advisor," or "Associate Attorney." Tailoring your resume to each job application can really make a difference. Focus on using action words like "achieved," "led," "increased," and "improved." These words make your work accomplishments stand out.

Now, let's look at a couple of examples to see what works and what doesn't.

This example has several shortcomings. It lacks specificity, numbers, and results. Phrases like "Responsible for estate planning" are too vague and don't highlight any particular achievements. Readers won't be able to understand how well you performed your job.

Now, compare this to the following example:

This example is highly effective. It quantifies achievements, such as increasing the client base by 30% and maintaining a 95% client satisfaction rate. It also demonstrates the impact of your work by mentioning how you reduced tax liabilities significantly.

By focusing on numbers and achievements instead of vague responsibilities, you not only make your resume more impactful but also demonstrate the value you bring to potential employers.

Estate planning lawyer resume experience examples

Crafting an effective resume can sometimes feel like estate planning for your career—it's all about how you present the details! Here are sections tailored towards different focuses, perfect for showcasing your skills as an estate planning lawyer.

Achievement-focused

Highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and impact in estate planning.

Skills-focused

Emphasize the specific skills you’ve developed and mastered in estate planning.

Responsibility-focused

Detail the key responsibilities you held in your role to showcase your reliability and expertise.

Project-focused

Showcase specific projects you led or contributed to, illustrating your project management skills.

Result-focused

Highlight tangible results you’ve achieved to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to demonstrate deep knowledge of estate planning law and related areas.

Problem-Solving Focused

Highlight instances where you've effectively solved problems or mitigated risks.

Innovation-focused

Show your ability to innovate within your role to benefit clients and the firm.

Leadership-focused

Detail your leadership roles and the impact you've had on your team and firm.

Customer-focused

Show how you prioritize client needs and build lasting relationships.

Growth-focused

Showcase your role in helping the firm grow its client base and services.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight your ability to enhance processes and improve efficiency in your role.

Technology-focused

Emphasize your experience with technology and how it benefits your work in estate planning.

Collaboration-focused

Show how you work well with others within the firm and with clients.

Training and Development focused

Focus on your role in training and mentoring others in your field.

Write your estate planning lawyer resume summary section

When writing the resume summary section for an estate planning lawyer, focus on highlighting your key skills, experience, and what makes you unique in your field. The summary serves as the first impression for potential employers, so it should be clear, concise, and compelling.

To describe yourself effectively in the resume summary, use plain language and avoid unnecessary jargon. Emphasize your accomplishments and how you can add value to the employer. The goal is to pique their interest in reading further.

A resume summary is different from a resume objective, a resume profile, or a summary of qualifications. A resume summary gives a brief overview of your professional background and key skills. A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume profile is a more comprehensive statement that combines aspects of both the summary and the objective. A summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list highlighting your key achievements and skills.

This example is poorly written because it lacks specifics and fails to highlight unique skills or achievements. It is vague and does not provide any quantifiable achievements or compelling reasons for an employer to consider hiring you.

This example is strong because it provides specific metrics, highlights key areas of expertise, and shows how you add value. It communicates your experience level and aims, making you a more attractive candidate.

Listing your estate planning lawyer skills on your resume

When crafting the skills section for your estate planning lawyer resume, you have several options. Your skills can be featured as a standalone section or can be woven into your experience and summary sections. Highlighting your strengths and soft skills can show your ability to communicate, negotiate, and empathize with clients. Hard skills, on the other hand, refer to specialized knowledge and technical abilities you possess, such as drafting wills or trust administration.

Incorporating your skills and strengths into your resume helps you stand out and ensures your resume gets noticed by automated systems and hiring managers. These can serve as keywords, which are crucial for passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

This skills section is strong because it uses specific terms relevant to estate planning law. It signals to potential employers and ATS systems that you possess vital skills for the role. Each skill is concise and targeted, making it easy for readers to quickly understand your capabilities. This section also balances technical skills like “Wills and Trusts Drafting” with interpersonal skills like “Client Counseling,” providing a well-rounded snapshot of your strengths.

Best hard skills to feature on your estate planning lawyer resume

Hard skills should communicate your technical expertise and specific knowledge in estate planning. They reflect your ability to handle legal tasks related to asset management and tax planning.

Best soft skills to feature on your estate planning lawyer resume

Soft skills should highlight your ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and empathize with clients. They demonstrate your professional behavior in client interactions.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your estate planning lawyer resume. It's your chance to showcase your academic background and how it aligns with the job you're applying for. Only include education that's relevant to the position; irrelevant education would waste valuable resume space.

When including GPA on your resume, list it only if it is 3.5 or above and can enhance your application. If you graduated with honors like cum laude, include it directly after your degree. Clearly state your degree, institution, and graduation dates.

Here is a badly written example of a standalone education section:

This example is bad because it includes a degree in Culinary Arts, which is irrelevant for an estate planning lawyer job. The GPA is also missing and there's no mention of any honors.

Here is an outstanding estate planning lawyer resume education section example:

This example is good because it is directly relevant to the job. It lists a Juris Doctor degree, highlights the cum laude honor, and includes a strong GPA, demonstrating academic excellence. The education timeline is appropriate and clearly presented.

How to include estate planning lawyer certificates on your resume

Adding a certificates section to your estate planning lawyer resume is crucial. Certificates validate your skills and expertise. List the name of the certificate, include the date you earned it, and add the issuing organization. If you prefer to emphasize these credentials, you can also include them in your resume header.

For example, you can write in the header: "John Doe, Estate Planning Lawyer, J.D., LL.M., Certified Specialist in Estate Planning from the State Bar of California."

Here is a good standalone certificates section example:

This example works well because it focuses on certifications relevant to estate planning. The certificates highlight advanced knowledge and specialization. They demonstrate not only competence but also commitment to the field, making you a strong candidate.

Extra sections to include in your estate planning lawyer resume

Navigating the intricate world of estate planning can be challenging, which is why it's crucial for an estate planning lawyer to present a well-rounded resume. A resume showcasing diverse skills and experiences can distinguish you in the competitive legal field.

• Language section — Demonstrate fluency in multiple languages like Spanish, French, or Mandarin, as it broadens your client base and shows cultural competence.

• Hobbies and interests section — Include activities like chess or reading legal literature, which highlight your analytical skills and passion for the field.

• Volunteer work section — Discuss involvement in community legal aid programs, emphasizing your commitment to pro bono work and community service.

• Books section — Mention relevant books you've read, such as "A Trustee's Handbook" or "The Complete Estate Planning Guide," showcasing your dedication to continuous learning.

Pair your estate planning lawyer resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a short document sent with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you and explains why you are a good fit for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can highlight your unique skills and experiences, making you stand out from other applicants.

For an estate planning lawyer, the cover letter should focus on your expertise in wills, trusts, and estate management. Mention your ability to advise clients on legal matters and your experience handling complex cases. Make sure to highlight any certifications and your familiarity with state laws. It's also helpful to show your communication skills and how you build trust with clients.

Don't forget, creating a cover letter doesn't have to be hard. Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for a quick and easy experience. Export your cover letter as a PDF to keep your formatting intact and your content secure. Start your perfect cover letter today and take the next step in your career!