Trust and Estate Attorney Resume Examples

Crafting a compelling resume as a trust and estate attorney can feel like navigating a complex legal document without precedent. Despite your seasoned expertise in estate planning, probate law, and wealth management, translating these skills into a standout resume can be tricky. Common challenges include condensing years of experience into a concise format, showcasing specialized skills, and standing out in a competitive job market. Worry not; this guide is your trust-worthy ally in crafting a resume that does your expertise justice.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for trust and estate attorneys. A well-structured template ensures that your experience and skills are highlighted effectively, making you stand out to potential employers. The right layout can also aid in readability, ensuring that busy hiring managers can quickly grasp your qualifications.

We have over 700 resume examples that you can use to create a resume that truly represents your skills and experience. Check them out now!

What to focus on when writing your trust and estate attorney resume

A trust and estate attorney's resume should clearly communicate expertise in managing wills, trusts, and estate planning. Showcasing familiarity with tax laws, probate processes, and client relationship management is key. Highlighting strong analytical skills and experience in drafting legal documents helps make your profile stand out. Including key certifications, notable case successes, and professional memberships can boost the impact.

To further enhance your resume:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• Proficiency in tax preparation software
• Experience in forensic accounting
• Strong audit background and regulatory knowledge

Must have information on your trust and estate attorney resume

Crafting the perfect resume for a trust and estate attorney requires focused attention on key sections that highlight your expertise in this legal area. The must-have resume sections include:

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

Including additional sections such as "Professional Affiliations" and "Publications" can further bolster your credentials. Tailoring your resume to emphasize relevant experience and qualifications will make you stand out to potential employers.

Which resume format to choose

For a trust and estate attorney resume, a reverse-chronological format is best because it highlights your extensive experience and career progression in a clear, straightforward manner. Fonts like Rubik and Montserrat can give your resume a clean, modern look, setting you apart from others using Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting remains consistent across all devices. Use standard one-inch margins to keep your resume from looking cramped. Well-defined section headings are crucial for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to parse your resume effectively.

A trust and estate attorney resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Skills
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Licenses and Certifications
• Professional Affiliations
• Volunteer Experience (optional)

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

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your resume's experience section as a trust and estate attorney involves careful planning and precision. Follow a logical order, starting with your current or most recent job and working backwards. Go back 10-15 years, but include older jobs if they are highly relevant.

Only list job titles that show progression and relevance to your field. Tailor your resume to each job by highlighting skills and experience that fit the specific job description. Use action words to show what you've achieved rather than just listing duties.

Strong action words include “developed,” “managed,” “achieved,” “led,” and “implemented.” Focus on outcomes and use numbers to quantify achievements.

Here is a poorly written resume experience example:

This poorly written example is problematic because it is too vague and doesn't highlight achievements. Statements like "provided legal advice" and "handled client cases" are generic and fail to show what was accomplished.

Now, here is an outstanding resume experience example:

The outstanding example clearly illustrates achievements with numbers and specific outcomes. Phrases like "developed comprehensive estate plans for over 50 high-net-worth clients" show significant contributions. Using quantifiable data, such as "increased efficiency by 25%," demonstrates your effectiveness and provides concrete evidence of your skills.

Trust and estate attorney resume experience examples

Welcome to the section where your future boss might just say "you’re hired!" faster than you can say "irrevocable trust." Let's make your resume shine brighter than a polished diamond!

Achievement-focused

Highlight your major achievements to show you’re not just good, you’re great at what you do. Focus on what sets you apart.

Skills-focused

Focus on demonstrating your skills that are perfect for the job. Make sure each skill you highlight is relevant.

Responsibility-focused

Emphasize your responsibilities to show that you can handle the weight of your role.

Project-focused

Showcase specific projects you’ve worked on, especially those that demonstrate your expertise.

Result-focused

Highlight measurable results to emphasize your ability to make a meaningful impact.

Industry-Specific Focus

Show how your expertise in the industry makes you uniquely qualified.

Problem-Solving focused

Demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems effectively.

Innovation-focused

Highlight how you brought innovative solutions to the table.

Leadership-focused

Showcase your ability to lead teams and initiatives.

Customer-focused

Emphasize your commitment to excellent client service.

Growth-focused

Show your contributions to business growth and client acquisition.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight your ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Technology-focused

Show how you use technology to improve your effectiveness and efficiency.

Collaboration-focused

Highlight your ability to work well with others, both within your team and with clients.

Training and Development focused

Show your commitment to training and developing the skills of yourself and others.

Write your trust and estate attorney resume summary section

Writing a resume summary for a trust and estate attorney involves showcasing your unique qualifications and experiences. It's your chance to grab attention quickly. Describe yourself by highlighting your strengths, expertise, and career highlights. Avoid jargon and keep it simple.

A summary is a snapshot of your career and skills. An objective focuses on what you seek in a job. A profile is a brief overview of key skills and achievements. A summary of qualifications lists specific competencies and accomplishments.

Here’s a poorly written summary:

This example is vague. It lacks specific details about experience and skills. It doesn’t stand out to potential employers. It also focuses more on what the job seeker wants rather than what they offer.

Here’s an example of an outstanding summary:

This summary is strong because it specifies the candidate's experience, skills, and unique strengths. It shows their dedication to helping clients and highlights their communication skills and legal expertise. This makes them more memorable to hiring managers.

Listing your trust and estate attorney skills on your resume

When writing the skills section for your trust and estate attorney resume, keep in mind that skills can either be a standalone section or incorporated into other sections like experience and summary. Your strengths and soft skills like communication and empathy can be highlighted within your summary and professional experience. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge, like expertise in estate planning or tax law.

Skills and strengths serve as resume keywords that help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and attract the attention of hiring managers. These keywords match the qualifications listed in the job description, making your resume stand out.

Here’s an example of a standalone skills section for a trust and estate attorney:

This is a great example because it focuses on skills that are crucial for a trust and estate attorney. Each skill listed is highly relevant to the role and demonstrates a mix of both hard and soft skills necessary for success in this field.

Best hard skills to feature on your trust and estate attorney resume

Hard skills for a trust and estate attorney should highlight your technical abilities and expertise. Here’s what they should cover:

Best soft skills to feature on your trust and estate attorney resume

Soft skills for a trust and estate attorney should show your ability to connect with clients and manage various responsibilities:

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your resume, especially for a position like a trust and estate attorney. Your education background should be tailored to the job you are applying for, so avoid listing any academic experiences that are not relevant to your legal career.

If your GPA is above 3.5, consider including it to highlight your academic achievements. When listing a degree, always mention any honors such as cum laude.

Here is a poor example of an education section for a trust and estate attorney resume:

This example is poorly written because it includes irrelevant education for a legal position. Moreover, no GPA or honors are mentioned, neglecting academic excellence that could impress potential employers.

Here is an outstanding example of an education section for a trust and estate attorney resume:

This example is excellent because it lists a relevant law degree, includes the prestigious institution, mentions a high GPA, and shows precise dates. The use of cum laude further emphasizes the candidate's academic achievements, making them more appealing to employers in the legal field.

How to include trust and estate attorney certificates on your resume

Incorporating a certificates section in your trust and estate attorney resume is crucial as it highlights your specialized expertise and continuous professional development. List the name of each certificate to make it easy for recruiters to identify your qualifications. Include the date you received the certification to show your most recent accomplishments. Add the issuing organization to verify the credibility of your certification. Certificates can also be included in the header to give them an even higher prominence. For example, you could format your header to read: "John Doe, Esq. | Certified Trust and Estate Planner | Bar Member, California State."

This example is effective because it specifies the title of each certification, which directly relates to the trust and estate law field. The inclusion of reputable issuing organizations like the American Bankers Association validates your certification. The specific mention of "Certified Trust and Financial Advisor" and "Estate Planning Law Specialist" demonstrates focused areas of expertise that are crucial for a trust and estate attorney. By following this format, you clearly convey your qualifications and boost your resume’s impact.

Extra sections to include in your trust and estate attorney resume

Crafting an effective resume for a trust and estate attorney involves showcasing your legal expertise, educational background, and relevant experiences. Additionally, including sections like languages, hobbies, volunteer work, and books can provide a well-rounded view of your capabilities and personality.

• Language section — Highlight your fluency in multiple languages and list them with proficiency levels, e.g., Fluent in Spanish and Conversational in French. Demonstrating language skills can offer a competitive edge in serving diverse clients and handling international matters.
• Hobbies and interests section — Add this section to give a glimpse of your personality outside of work, e.g., avid reader, runner, or chess player. Showing your interests can humanize your resume and make you more relatable.
• Volunteer work section — Include volunteer experiences that demonstrate your commitment to community service, e.g., volunteering at legal aid clinics. Participating in volunteer work can enhance your credibility and show your dedication to giving back.
• Books section — List legal and professional books you’ve read or contributed to, e.g., “Estate Planning for Modern Families.” Including a books section can illustrate your ongoing commitment to learning and your industry knowledge.

These additions can make your resume not only comprehensive but also memorable to potential employers.

Pair your trust and estate attorney resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information about your skills and experience. It introduces you to the employer and explains why you are a great fit for the job. Cover letters can help applicants stand out by showcasing their personality, enthusiasm, and specific qualifications for the role.

For a trust and estate attorney, your cover letter should highlight your expertise in estate planning, trust administration, and your ability to navigate complex legal issues. Mention your experience in representing clients, drafting documents, and your strong attention to detail. Stress your communication skills and ability to build relationships with clients.

To craft a standout cover letter with ease, try Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. The tool simplifies the process and lets you export your letter as a PDF, ensuring your content and formatting stay protected. Start creating your professional cover letter today!