In-House Attorney Resume Examples

Writing a compelling in-house attorney resume can be a tough briefcase to crack. Many in-house attorneys find it challenging to showcase their diverse skills and experience on a single sheet of paper. You might wonder how to highlight the nuances of your legal expertise without getting lost in legal jargon. Crafting a resume that stands out to hiring managers in a crowded job market is no small feat. This guide will help you navigate the common pitfalls and tailor your resume to the unique demands of in-house legal roles. Let's transform your legal expertise into a standout resume!

To make your resume shine, choosing the right resume template is crucial. The right template helps structure your information clearly and professionally, making sure that your key skills and experience jump off the page. Don't underestimate this step!

With more than 700 resume examples, we have the resources you need to create a resume that lands interviews. Let’s get started!

What to focus on when writing your in-house attorney resume

An in-house attorney resume should convey your expertise, reliability, and your ability to navigate the complexities of corporate law. It needs to reflect your versatile skills in legal compliance, litigation management, and contract negotiations. Demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and experience with internal counsel can make a big impact.

Boost your impact with these additions:

• Proven track record of reducing legal risks and costs.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Strong negotiation outcomes in high-stakes deals.
• Excellent rapport with regulatory bodies.
• Notable contributions to company policy and strategy improvements.

Must have information on your in-house attorney resume

To create an effective in-house attorney resume, make sure it includes the essential sections that highlight your qualifications and experience.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Legal Skills
• Certifications

Consider additional sections such as Professional Affiliations and Publications to further showcase your expertise and involvement in the legal community. Including these will provide a well-rounded view of your capabilities.

Which resume format to choose

For an in-house attorney resume, the reverse-chronological format is ideal because it highlights your extensive experience and career progression. Opt for clean, modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of outdated choices like Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting and ensure it is easily readable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Keep margins uniform and no less than one inch to avoid overcrowding your content. Use clear section headings like "Experience" and "Education" to improve ATS compatibility and ensure your resume gets seen.

Your resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Core Competencies
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• References

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this for you, making it simple to create a polished, professional resume.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section for your in-house attorney resume involves a well-thought-out approach to ensure it is both readable and impactful. Let’s break it down logically to cover all the important points and make your resume shine.

Start by listing your most recent job first and work backward. This is because recruiters usually pay more attention to your latest roles. Go back around 10-15 years, but if you had an extremely relevant job earlier, you can include it. Focus on job titles that are related to in-house legal work. When writing job titles, clearly state your role such as "Corporate Counsel" or "Legal Advisor".

Tailoring your resume for each job application is essential. Use the job description from the posting to match keywords and skills. This helps your resume get past automated systems that filter resumes for the best candidates.

Use strong action words to describe your experiences. Words like "led," "implemented," "achieved," and "managed" can clearly show your impact. Focus on achievements rather than listing your responsibilities. Instead of saying what you did daily, mention what you achieved through your actions.

Let’s look at two examples to understand the dos and don'ts better.

This example does not work well. The job description is too generic. It tells the reader what you did day-to-day but misses out on your achievements. Also, it lacks specific details and metrics which could show your value.

This second example stands out for a few reasons. It shows specific achievements using numbers which add credibility. The points are clear and give a picture of how you added value to the company. This tracks results beyond your everyday tasks, making your contributions clear.

Focusing on achievements rather than daily tasks, using action words, and tailoring your resume to the job helps your experience section stand out. Follow these guidelines to create an impactful and professional resume as an in-house attorney.

In-house attorney resume experience examples

Ready to dive into the multifaceted world of an in-house attorney? Buckle up, because we're about to deposition some top-tier resume experiences that will make your qualifications stand out "laws and found"!

Achievement-focused

Showcase your significant accomplishments that highlight your value. Focus on specific metrics or notable successes in your legal career.

Skills-focused

Highlight your core legal skills that are crucial for an in-house attorney role. Make them relatable to your daily tasks.

Responsibility-focused

Detail your core responsibilities emphasizing your leadership and strategic role.

Project-focused

Describe your involvement in significant projects and your key contributions.

Result-focused

Emphasize the outcomes of your work and the quantifiable impact you've had.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to show expertise in the specific industry you have worked in.

Problem-Solving focused

Showcase how you've solved significant problems or handled major challenges.

Innovation-focused

Describe how you've introduced innovative legal solutions or processes.

Leadership-focused

Highlight your leadership roles and how you've influenced teams and departments.

Customer-focused

Show how you've prioritized client or internal departmental needs.

Growth-focused

Demonstrate how your work has contributed to the organization’s growth.

Efficiency-focused

Focus on how you've increased efficiency within legal operations.

Technology-focused

Highlight your expertise in leveraging technology for legal solutions.

Collaboration-focused

Detail your experience working cross-functionally with other departments.

Training and Development focused

Describe your efforts in training and developing junior staff or teams.

Write your in-house attorney resume summary section

Writing a compelling resume summary for an in-house attorney is essential. To craft an impressive summary, you should highlight your experience, skills, and what you bring to the table. Your summary should be concise yet full of impactful details. Avoid jargon, and stick to a direct, straightforward tone.

It's tempting to use buzzwords, but it's better to describe yourself in concrete terms. Mention your years of experience, areas of expertise, and specific accomplishments. Tailor your summary to the job you're applying for to make it clear you are the right fit.

A resume summary is different from a resume objective. A summary provides an overview of your experience and skills. An objective states your career goals. A resume profile is similar to a summary but is usually longer and more detailed. A summary of qualifications is a bulleted list of your most relevant skills and achievements.

Here is an example that doesn't work well:

The first example is bad because it is too vague and lacks specific information. Words like "experienced" and "lots of experience" don't tell the employer much. Saying "great at writing and research" is generic. The mention of "looking for a challenging position" focuses on the job seeker’s wants, not what they can offer.

Here is a better example:

This version is far better because it provides concrete details. Mentioning "10 years of experience" and "focus on regulatory compliance and contract negotiation" sets a clear expectation. Including achievements like "reducing legal risks" and "saving $2M" makes a stronger case. Finally, the last sentence shows your ability to collaborate and contribute to business goals.

Listing your in-house attorney skills on your resume

Writing the skills section for your in-house attorney resume involves more finesse than simply listing out abilities. Your skills can be a standalone section, or they can be smoothly incorporated into other sections like your experience and summary. Including your strengths and soft skills is essential; these often relate to your interpersonal effectiveness and leadership. In contrast, hard skills are technical abilities and specific knowledge pertinent to your role.

Strongly consider how these elements translate into resume keywords. Specific skills and strengths are often what employers seek when scanning resumes, and they can help you pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Properly highlighting them will make your resume more attractive to potential employers.

This standalone skills section is effective because it lists key competencies specific to in-house attorneys. It is concise, easy to read, and directly relevant to the field. This helps recruiters quickly understand your expertise and improves your chances of getting noticed.

Best hard skills to feature on your in-house attorney resume

Hard skills that an in-house attorney should have are specialized abilities and specialized legal knowledge. They should communicate your technical competence and your capacity to handle specific legal tasks relevant to the corporate environment.

Best soft skills to feature on your in-house attorney resume

Soft skills for an in-house attorney should highlight your ability to work with people, lead teams, and manage various tasks efficiently. These skills communicate your interpersonal effectiveness and leadership.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of any in-house attorney resume. It provides the hiring manager with crucial information about your background and qualifications. This section should be tailored to the job you're applying for, meaning any irrelevant education shouldn't be included. Highlighting your most pertinent degrees and achievements will make you stand out. You can include your GPA if it's impressive, typically above 3.0, and list honors such as cum laude right after your degree. Listing the degree accurately, with the institution name and graduation dates, is also key.

The above example is poorly written because it includes degrees that are not directly relevant to an in-house attorney position. The dates overlap, which may confuse the reader, and there is no mention of honors or GPA.

In contrast, this example is excellent as it highlights a Juris Doctor degree from a prestigious law school, includes honors, and provides an impressive GPA. Every detail is directly relevant to the job, and the dates are clear and accurate.

How to include in-house attorney certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section on your in-house attorney resume is crucial as it showcases your specialized training and additional qualifications. List the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date when you received the certification. Add the issuing organization to give it credibility.

You can even place the certificates information in the header of your resume to make it immediately noticeable. For example, at the top of your resume, you could write, "Bar Admission: New York State, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Certification."

A good example of a standalone certificates section should be comprehensive yet concise and show relevance to your in-house attorney role.

This example is effective because it includes important details like the title and issuer for each certificate. The listed certificates directly relate to skills needed for an in-house attorney. They show dedication to continuing education and proficiency in specialized areas.

Extra sections to include in your in-house attorney resume

Crafting a resume as an in-house attorney requires attention to detail and the inclusion of specific sections that can set you apart from other candidates. To ensure your resume stands out, consider adding sections like language skills, hobbies, volunteer work, and books you've authored or contributed to in your field. These extra details can paint a more complete picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.

• Language section — Highlight your language skills if you speak more than one language. This is beneficial because it showcases your ability to communicate with a diverse clientele and work in multi-jurisdictional environments.

• Hobbies and interests section — Include your hobbies and interests to give a snapshot of your personal side. This helps to humanize your resume and can be a conversation starter during interviews.

• Volunteer work section — Describe any volunteer work you have done, particularly if it is related to law or social justice. This section emphasizes your commitment to community and pro bono work, showcasing a well-rounded, service-oriented mindset.

• Books section — List any books you’ve written or contributed to within the legal field. This can establish your expertise and knowledge, adding significant credibility to your professional background.

Adding these sections can make your resume more compelling and give potential employers a fuller sense of who you are, beyond just your work experience. This multifaceted approach can make you a more attractive candidate for an in-house attorney position.

Pair your in-house attorney resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you, highlights your strengths, and explains why you are the perfect fit for the position. A cover letter can help you stand out by showcasing your personality and providing context for your accomplishments. It can also convey your enthusiasm for the role and company, making a stronger case for your candidacy.

For an in-house attorney, a cover letter should focus on your legal skills, experience with relevant laws, and understanding of corporate governance. It should highlight your ability to handle internal legal matters while protecting the company's interests. Mention any specific cases or projects that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Ready to make your cover letter? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for ease and PDF exporting to protect your content and formatting. Get started now and make a strong impression!