Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: With measurable accomplishments like reducing contract disputes by 35%, the applicant showcases compelling contributions and value.
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Skills such as regulatory compliance and litigation management highlight the applicant’s tailored expertise for corporate law roles, demonstrating industry-specific aptitude and readiness.
- Uses action-oriented language: Using action verbs like “managed” and “authored,” the applicant conveys proactive leadership and initiative.
More Law Resume Examples
Browse our law resume examples to discover how to highlight your legal expertise, case management skills, and professional experience. These samples will help you build a strong resume that effectively presents your qualifications to potential employers.
Contract Specialist Resume
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: The applicant’s educational journey, from a bachelor’s in business administration to a master’s in contract management, shows a solid foundation for early-career success.
- Shows digital literacy: Implementing a contract lifecycle system showcases the applicant’s computer skills and adaptability to digital tools necessary in modern workplaces.
- Effective use of keywords: Using terms like “vendor management” and “risk management,” the resume carefully integrates keywords that align with industry standards for ATS compatibility.
Legal Assistant Resume
Why this resume works
- Demonstrates language abilities: Language skills in Spanish, French, and German showcase the applicant’s ability to support cross-cultural communication, essential for international legal work.
- Points to measurable outcomes: Reducing errors by 30% through thorough legal research shows the applicant’s effectiveness in contributing to case accuracy and overall productivity.
- Displays technical expertise: The paralegal certification from the American Bar Association highlights specialized expertise important for handling complex legal tasks and responsibilities.
Corporate Attorney Resume
Why this resume works
- Focuses on work history: Using a chronological resume format, the applicant showcases extensive work history from associate attorney to corporate attorney, emphasizing progressive career growth.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: By highlighting achievements such as negotiating cost-saving contracts and leading successful teams, the applicant’s standout performance is evident.
- Emphasizes leadership skills: The applicant’s leadership skills are apparent through roles managing teams and overseeing major transactions.
Explore Even More Law Resumes
Law Resume Template (Text Version)
Jennifer Parker
Chicago, IL 60605
(555)555-5555
Jennifer.Parker@example.com
Professional Summary
Dynamic legal advisor with expertise in corporate law, compliance strategies, and litigation management. Proven track record in reducing legal risks and driving innovative solutions to complex legal challenges.
Skills
- Contract negotiation
- Litigation management
- Regulatory compliance
- Legal writing
- Risk assessment
- Communication skills
- Case analysis
- Team leadership
Certifications
- Certified Legal Project Manager – Legal Management Institute
- International Contract Law – Global Academy of Law
- Corporate Governance Professional – Governance Institute
Education
JD Law
Harvard Law School Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 2016
Bachelor of Arts Political Science
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California
June 2012
Work History
Legal Advisor
Pacific Law Consultancy – Chicago, IL
May 2022 – August 2025
- Reduced contract disputes by 35%
- Led cross-functional teams and legal workshops
- Provided legal insights for $10M project
Corporate Counsel
GlobalTech Holdings – Chicago, IL
April 2018 – April 2022
- Managed $6M in legal budgets
- Drafted complex contractual agreements
- Implemented compliance automation
Associate Attorney
East Coast Legal Solutions – Chicago, IL
March 2016 – March 2018
- Won litigation reducing fines by 25%
- Lead team in developing case strategies
- Authored legal articles increasing visibility
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Mandarin – Beginner (A1)
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Advice for Writing Your Law Resume
Discover how to write a resume that highlights your legal expertise and sets you apart from the competition. Dive into our tips on how to write a resume tailored specifically for law professionals, and learn how to best showcase your skills, experience, and dedication to justice.
Highlight your most relevant skills
Listing your skills when applying for a law job is important because it shows what you can do and how you fit the role. A dedicated skills section on your resume helps employers quickly see your strengths.
It’s good to mix both technical skills, like legal research or contract drafting, with interpersonal skills, such as communication and negotiation. This balance shows you’re not only knowledgeable but also able to work well with others.
To make your skills stand out even more, weave them into your work experience section. For example, if you managed cases in a previous job, mention how your organizational skills helped you succeed. Or if you’ve mediated disputes, explain how your problem-solving abilities played a part. By doing this, you give real-world examples of how you’ve used these skills effectively in the past.
Remember, showing relevant skills helps employers picture you in their team and makes your application stronger. Focus on what matters most for the job you’re applying for and be specific about how you’ve used these abilities before. This way, you’ll leave a positive impression that could lead to landing an interview or even the job itself.
Selecting a resume format that highlights legal research skills, case analysis experience, and strong writing abilities can distinguish law professionals.
Showcase your accomplishments
When creating a resume for a law position, it’s important to organize your work experience in reverse chronological order. This means listing your most recent job first and working backward. For each entry, make sure to include the job title, employer name, location, and employment dates. This clear structure helps hiring managers quickly understand where you’ve worked and what roles you’ve held over time.
Instead of just listing tasks you performed at each job, focus on turning these duties into achievements by adding measurable results. Use numbers like percentages or dollar amounts to show how you improved something at work—whether it was saving time, cutting costs, or boosting efficiency.
For example, instead of saying “managed documents,” you could say “streamlined document management process, reducing retrieval time by 30%.” Action-oriented words like “implemented” or “negotiated” keep the focus on what you achieved rather than just what you did.
Quantified accomplishments are key because they help hiring managers quickly see the impact of your work and tangibly understand your skills. In law roles, especially, showing how you’ve made real improvements can set you apart from other applicants. Make sure every achievement is tied to an outcome that benefits the employer or client.
5 law work history bullet points
- Drafted and reviewed over 200 legal documents annually, ensuring compliance and mitigating risk for corporate clients.
- Negotiated settlements in litigation cases, resulting in a 40% reduction in potential damages for the firm.
- Conducted thorough legal research that contributed to winning arguments in 15 high-profile court cases.
- Developed a legal training program that improved junior associates’ case handling efficiency by 25%.
- Led a team of paralegals in organizing evidence for trials, improving preparation time by 30%.
When selecting a resume template, opt for one that’s neat and easy to read. Use clear headers and bullet points, avoiding excessive colors or fancy fonts that complicate your information.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary on a resume acts as an introduction to hiring managers, providing a snapshot of your skills and achievements. When writing a resume, you can choose between crafting a summary or an objective.
A professional summary is a concise section, usually three to four sentences, that highlights your work experience, key skills, and notable achievements. It is best suited for experienced applicants who want to show their professional identity and the value they bring to a new role. Crafting a strong ‘professional summary’ helps you effectively communicate what you have accomplished in your career so far.
In contrast, resume objectives are statements about your career goals and are ideal for entry-level individuals, career changers, or those with employment gaps. While summaries focus on “what I’ve accomplished,” objectives emphasize “what I aim to contribute.” By linking a ‘resume objective,’ individuals can clearly express their ambitions and how they align with the company’s needs.
Next, we’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for different industries and levels of experience, including roles in law. See our library of resume examples for additional inspiration.
Law resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent law graduate with a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited institution and a strong foundation in legal research and writing. Completed internships with local law firms, gaining exposure to case preparation and client consultations. Eager to apply analytical skills in contract review and litigation support, while pursuing bar admission.
Mid-career
Practicing attorney with over six years of experience in corporate law and commercial litigation. Proven track record of managing complex cases from initial filing through resolution, including negotiation and settlement agreements. Admitted to practice in New York, with additional expertise in intellectual property rights protection and compliance advisement.
Experienced
Senior counsel with 15 years of experience specializing in international trade law and regulatory compliance. Recognized for leading cross-functional teams on high-stakes cases resulting in favorable outcomes for multinational clients. Expert at navigating legal frameworks across jurisdictions, offering strategic advice that drives business growth while mitigating risks.
Law resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Aspiring attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school, eager to apply legal research and analytical skills in a dynamic legal environment. Committed to contributing to a law firm by assisting in case preparation, client interaction, and ensuring thoroughness in legal documentation.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning into the legal field with strong negotiation and communication skills developed through previous roles in business management. Seeking an entry-level position at a law firm to leverage strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities while gaining hands-on experience in legal proceedings.
Recent graduate
Juris Doctor graduate with a focus on environmental law seeking an opportunity in a forward-thinking firm. Driven to use skills in legal writing and advocacy to support sustainable practices and policy development, while growing expertise through mentorship and active involvement in powerful cases.
Use our Resume Builder to create your lawyer resume. It helps you highlight key skills and experience, making your resume stand out to potential employers.
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring your resume to job descriptions is important. When you customize your resume to match the job posting, it helps you stand out and boosts your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for keywords from job postings, so using the right words can make a big difference in getting noticed.
An ATS-friendly resume includes specific words and phrases that align with the job description. Incorporating these keywords alongside your skills increases your chance of catching a hiring manager’s attention. Using the same language as in the posting also highlights why you’re a strong fit for the role.
To identify relevant keywords, focus on repeated skills, qualifications, and duties in job postings. For instance, if a law position emphasizes “legal research,” “client interaction,” or “case management,” include those terms in your resume.
Incorporate these terms naturally by rephrasing your experiences thoughtfully. For example, instead of writing “Conducted research,” opt for “Performed legal research on case precedents.” Ensure each keyword integrates smoothly into either your work history or skills section without sounding forced.
Using targeted resumes improves ATS compatibility while showing employers you grasp their needs. By customizing every application with relevant keywords and phrases, you improve both automated filtering success and human reader appeal.
Want your resume to pass the ATS test? Try our ATS Resume Checker to find common mistakes and get advice to make your resume better.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my law resume?
Yes, including a law cover letter with your resume can improve your application and differentiate you from other job seekers.
A cover letter allows you to express your motivation for joining the specific firm or legal organization and highlights relevant experiences that align with their needs.
For instance, if the firm specializes in corporate law, you could elaborate on any related internships or coursework that demonstrate your expertise in this area.
Consider using our Cover Letter Generator to craft a personalized cover letter efficiently, ensuring it complements your resume by focusing on key achievements and skills.
Additionally, reviewing cover letter examples can offer insights into effective formats and phrases tailored for legal roles.
How long should a law resume be?
For a law professional, the length of your resume often depends on your experience level. Generally, a one-page resume is ideal for recent graduates or those with less experience, as it succinctly highlights key qualifications like internships, moot court participation, and legal writing skills.
If you possess extensive experience or have held multiple significant positions in the legal field, a two-page resume might be more appropriate. This allows room to showcase detailed achievements in past roles, publications, and specialized areas of practice without overwhelming the reader.
Ultimately, deciding how long a resume should be involves balancing thoroughness with clarity. Tailor each section to focus on the most relevant information for the specific role you are applying for.
How do you write a law resume with no experience?
Writing a resume with no experience can be challenging. Emphasize your education, relevant skills, and extracurricular activities in the legal field. Highlight your academic achievements and coursework related to law to make a strong impression. Here are a few tips:
- Showcase your education: Detail your degree in law or pre-law studies, including the institution’s name, graduation date, and any honors or awards received.
- Highlight relevant coursework and projects: Mention specific classes or projects where you developed critical thinking, research, or writing skills applicable to law.
- Include internships or volunteer work: Even if unpaid, any legal internships or volunteer positions at legal aid organizations count as valuable experience.
- Emphasize transferable skills: Skills such as analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving should be listed as they are important in the legal field.
For more guidance on crafting a resume with no experience, see how to write a resume with no experience as an entry-level professional looking to enter the legal industry.
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