Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By mentioning a 98% client approval rate and reducing case prep time by 25%, the applicant’s resume accomplishments clearly communicate their significant impact at law firms.
- Uses action-oriented language: Through strong verbs like “conducted,” “managed,” and “streamlined,” the applicant’s choice of action verbs effectively conveys initiative and decisive action in legal settings.
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Highlighting skills such as legal research, contract drafting, and litigation support showcases the applicant’s readiness for a specialized role within the legal industry.
More Legal Resume Examples
Use these law resume samples to build a compelling resume that highlights your dedication to the legal field and relevant experiences.
Court Clerk
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: By weaving in role-specific terms like “legal document processing” and “court scheduling,” the applicant leverages keywords to optimize their resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) compatibility.
- Shows digital literacy: The inclusion of legal tools and organizational systems showcases digital readiness, aligning with the modern workplace emphasis on computer skills.
- Puts skills at the forefront: Placing capabilities like multitasking and time management prominently reflects a skills-based resume format, effective for spotlighting strengths early in the document.
Legal Assistant
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: Quantifiable achievements like reducing legal documentation errors by 40% highlight the applicant’s ability to deliver meaningful results effectively.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Highlighting language skills in Spanish, French, and German supports the applicant’s capability to engage in cross-cultural communication within diverse legal environments.
- Displays technical expertise: Technical expertise is evident through certifications such as Certified Litigation Support Professional, showcasing specialized skills essential for managing complex legal tasks efficiently.
Paralegal
Why this resume works
- Lists relevant certifications: Listing certifications like Certified Paralegal, the applicant showcases expertise and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: By implementing a new filing system, the applicant’s accomplishments reflect substantial impact on legal efficiency and team effectiveness.
- Focuses on work history: The work experience on this chronological resume highlights extensive career progression from litigation support specialist to paralegal.
Legal Intern Resume Template (Text Version)
Yuki Davis
New York, NY 10003
(555)555-5555
Yuki.Davis@example.com
Professional Summary
Dynamic legal professional with 8 years of experience in litigation support, contract drafting, and legal research. Proven ability to optimize processes by 25%, draft precise documents, and effectively prepare court filings. Dedicated to providing high-quality legal services and achieving results.
Work History
Legal Intern
JusticeAlliance Law Firm – New York, NY
February 2024 – August 2025
- Conducted legal research, reducing case prep time by 25%
- Drafted briefs and memos with 98% client approval rate
- Streamlined contract reviews, improving accuracy by 30%
Legal Assistant
Precision Legal Services – Albany, NY
June 2021 – January 2024
- Managed a team of 3 assistants to meet 95% deadlines
- Analyzed case data, increasing efficiency by 40%
- Prepared court filings with zero procedural errors
Paralegal
Integrity Law Partners – Albany, NY
August 2017 – May 2021
- Assisted attorneys in winning 85% of civil litigation cases
- Reduced research expenses by $10,000 annually
- Drafted contracts with 99% error-free documentation
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- German – Intermediate (B1)
Skills
- Legal research and analysis
- Contract drafting and reviewing
- Litigation support
- Client communication skills
- Document management systems
- Data-driven case analysis
- Court filing procedures
- Legal technology proficiency
Certifications
- Certified Paralegal (CP) – National Association of Legal Assistants
- Advanced Corporate Law Certification – American Bar Association
Education
Master of Laws (LLM) Corporate Law
Columbia Law School New York, NY
May 2017
Bachelor of Arts Political Science
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA
May 2015
Related Resume Guides
Advice for Writing Your Legal Intern Resume
Understanding how to write a resume tailored for a legal intern role can help you highlight your passion for law and relevant experiences that set you apart. Explore our tips on how to write a resume specifically for aspiring legal professionals, and discover how to effectively present your skills, education, and goals in this competitive field.
Highlight your most relevant skills
When applying for a legal intern role, listing the right skills is like showing off your toolkit. These skills help employers see that you’re ready to take on the tasks of the job. A dedicated skills section on your resume can make it easy for hiring managers to find what they are looking for.
It’s important to have a mix of technical skills, like research and writing, and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. This balance shows you are well-rounded and can handle different parts of the job.
To make your resume stand out even more, try weaving these key skills into your work experience section. For example, if you worked at a law firm before, mention how you used your research skills to help with cases or improved communication by working with clients.
This not only shows that you have these skills but also how you’ve applied them in real situations. Doing this helps paint a clearer picture of what you can bring to the table as a legal intern.
Clarity and organization are key—choose a resume format that highlights research, case analysis, and attention to detail.
Showcase your accomplishments
When organizing your work experience as a legal intern, start with the most recent position first and work backward. Each job entry should include your job title, the employer’s name, the location, and your employment dates. This reverse chronological order helps employers quickly see your most recent and relevant experience.
To make your resume stand out, focus on quantifying your accomplishments instead of just listing duties. For example, instead of saying you “researched legal cases,” highlight that you “conducted in-depth research for 15+ legal cases which contributed to successful outcomes in 80% of them.”
Using numbers like percentages or time savings shows the impact you had and makes it easier for hiring managers to gauge your skills. Use action-oriented words that emphasize what you achieved rather than what you were responsible for.
Turning duties into achievements by incorporating measurable results will show potential employers how effective you were in previous roles. This approach not only highlights your capabilities but also demonstrates how you can bring value to their organization. Quantified accomplishments help hiring managers quickly assess your impact and skills, making your resume more compelling and memorable.
5 legal intern work history bullet points
- Researched and drafted legal memorandum, reducing attorney preparation time by 20%.
- Assisted in preparing case files for litigation, ensuring compliance with court deadlines and increasing filing accuracy by 15%.
- Interviewed clients and witnesses to gather evidence, contributing to successful resolution of 8 cases.
- Analyzed contracts and agreements, identifying discrepancies that saved the firm $10K annually in potential liabilities.
- Collaborated with attorneys during depositions, streamlining documentation processes by 25%.
Select a resume template featuring clear sections and simple fonts. This allows employers to focus on your skills and experience without being distracted by excessive design elements or colors.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary is a short introduction on your resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers.
A professional summary highlights your experience, skills, and achievements in three to four sentences. It’s best for applicants with some background in their field because it shows what you’ve already accomplished and how you add value to a team. This section helps establish your professional identity early on.
Resume objectives are statements about your career goals. They’re ideal for entry-level job seekers, those changing careers, or individuals with employment gaps. While summaries focus on “what I’ve accomplished,” objectives highlight “what I aim to contribute” to prospective employers.
Now that we understand these sections let’s explore examples tailored to various industries and levels of experience, including how they might look for someone aiming for a legal intern role.
Legal intern resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent law school graduate with a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited institution. Completed internships focusing on legal research, drafting memorandum, and assisting in case preparation. Proficient in Westlaw and LexisNexis with strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Aiming to contribute to effective legal work while gaining practical experience.
Mid-career
Legal intern with over three years of experience supporting attorneys in corporate and civil litigation cases. Skilled in drafting contracts, conducting client interviews, and preparing discovery documents. Experience includes working with cross-functional teams on complex compliance matters and contributing to successful case outcomes through thorough legal analysis.
Experienced
Versatile legal professional with extensive internship experience specializing in intellectual property and contract law. Proven track record of managing high-stakes research projects, assisting senior attorneys during trial preparations, and ensuring regulatory compliance for multinational clients. Adept at mentoring junior interns while delivering efficient support within fast-paced environments.
Legal intern resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Ambitious recent law school graduate seeking an entry-level legal intern position to apply academic knowledge and research skills in a dynamic legal setting. Eager to support attorneys with case preparation, client interviews, and legal document drafting while gaining practical experience.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning into the legal field with a background in business administration and strong analytical skills. Seeking a legal intern role to contribute to case analysis and document review while learning from experienced lawyers and improving understanding of corporate law.
Entry-level applicant
Detail-oriented individual with a paralegal certification looking for an opportunity as a legal intern in a reputable law firm. Committed to assisting with case management, conducting legal research, and providing administrative support to ensure efficient workflow within the practice.
Make your legal intern resume stand out! Use our Resume Builder to create a polished and professional resume quickly and easily.
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is important for job seekers. It helps them stand out and pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS). Employers use ATS to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings. If your resume doesn’t have these keywords, it might not even reach a hiring manager. Therefore, customizing your resume can make a big difference.
An ATS-friendly resume includes keywords that match the job description. These words should reflect your skills and experiences. When you align your resume with the job listing, it increases the chances of catching a hiring manager’s attention. This way, your resume won’t be filtered out by the ATS before anyone sees it.
To find keywords in job postings, look for skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned more than once. Pay attention to specifics like “legal research,” “case management,” or “client communication.” Using exact phrases is important because that’s what ATS looks for when sorting through applications.
Incorporating these terms into your resume should feel natural. For example, if a posting mentions “conduct legal research,” you might write “conducted thorough legal research to support case strategies.” This shows you’ve done what they’re looking for without sounding forced.
Targeted resumes are more likely to pass through ATS systems smoothly. By matching your resume to each position you’re applying for, you’ll improve its effectiveness and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Make sure your resume gets seen by using our ATS Resume Checker. It helps get your resume in the right format and includes the best keywords.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my legal intern resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your legal intern resume is often beneficial as it provides an opportunity to highlight your enthusiasm for the role.
A cover letter allows you to elaborate on specific experiences or skills that relate directly to the legal field, such as research or analytical abilities.
For instance, if you’re applying to a firm known for its work in environmental law, you can detail any coursework or projects you’ve completed in that area.
To make the process easier, try using a Cover Letter Generator which can help craft a professional document tailored to your resume and the job description.
Additionally, reviewing cover letter examples specifically designed for legal positions can offer insight into effective ways of articulating your qualifications and interest.
How long should a legal intern’s resume be?
For a legal intern, a one-page resume is typically the best choice. It lets you focus on key details like relevant coursework, internships, research experience, and any legal writing or moot court achievements. Keeping it concise ensures recruiters can quickly see your qualifications without sifting through unnecessary information.
That said, if you’ve had extensive internships or extracurricular activities directly tied to law, a two-page resume might be acceptable—but only if every detail adds value. Avoid including unrelated experiences just to fill space.
If you’re unsure how long a resume should be for your career stage, consider tailoring content so it highlights your most recent and strong experiences effectively.
How do you write a legal intern resume with no experience?
Writing a resume with no experience for a legal intern involves highlighting your education, relevant skills, and any applicable coursework or projects that demonstrate your potential in a legal setting. Here are some key tips to help you get started:
- Emphasize your education: Start with your degree details, including the name of the institution, major, minors if any, and expected graduation date. If you’ve taken specific courses related to law, list those as well.
- Highlight transferable skills: Focus on skills like research, writing, critical thinking, and organization. If you’ve participated in moot court or debate teams, include these experiences to show practical application.
- Include volunteer work or extracurriculars: If you’ve engaged in activities that involved leadership or teamwork—such as student government or volunteering at a legal aid clinic—mention these experiences.
- Showcase relevant projects: Detail any academic projects or papers focused on legal topics that showcase your understanding and interest in the field.
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Legal Intern
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