3 Lawyer Resume Samples & Examples for 2022

Overview

Despite job growth for lawyers being level with the national average, it’s imperative for those in the industry to have a professional resume to stand out from the competition.

Let us inspire you with our professionally designed attorney resume samples and path your way towards the job you have been dreaming of since you started law school: prestigious law firms and corporate companies are looking for a successful legal professional like you.

Whether you want to work as a government lawyer on key influential projects or assist refugee migrants that need representation, you can use our lawyer resume samples to get you there: over 3 million other professionals have been reaching their career potential with VisualCV, so there’s never been a more perfect time to start.

If you put as much detail into crafting the perfect lawyer resume as you would representing that important client on trial, you’d have firms throwing themselves at you to secure you as their legal representative. But with an average of 6 seconds spent per resume received, you’ve got to strike straight from the start: these legal firms have no time to waste!

Use a clear font type like Arial when constructing your lawyer resume.

Combine this with big headings and lots of white space to ensure it can be read clearly by potential recruiters.

Then, follow the standard practice of exporting it in PDF rather than word: the result will make sure all of your information is in order when being considered by recruiting professionals in the law industry. You want the best attorney resume out there, and you are on your way to get it!

The Lawyer Resume Summary Section

This a section for showcasing your biggest legal wins and achievements. If you’re high experienced in developing detailed litigation strategies for individual cases or presenting watertight cases as an Attorney, be sure to make it count here.

A good example of a summary section for the experienced lawyer is:

Good Experienced Lawyer Resume Summary Example

Professional and driven Attorney with 10 years experience developing creative case strategies for professionals in the entertainment industry. Proven execution of favourable outcomes in court cases, with strong application of trial research, legal document drafting and case delivery. Seeking to leverage professional strategies to work with Y company.

This summary, on the other hand, doesn’t get past basic responsibilities:

Bad Lawyer Resume Summary Example

Experienced Attorney seeking employment at X firm. Have successful track record of developing strong cases and arguing motions in front of jurors.

Related: Our guide on how to write a resume summary.

Our resume builder can be used for tips and examples of how to construct the best lawyer resume.

If you’re an entry-level or junior lawyer looking to gain more experience, use this section as an objective statement. This will allow you to highlight any transferable experience while also expressing your motivation to continue your professional practice.

A good junior lawyer objective statement is below.

Good Lawyer Resume Objective Example

Professional and motivated entry-level commercial lawyer looking to implement academic legal strategies at Deakin & Levy, to provide in-house legal advice and support to network of clients. Proven successful application of compliance issue advice on small local business level, with hand in sales and purchase agreements and drafting disclosure letters. Seeking to leverage industry experience at national firm.

Bad Lawyer Resume Objective Example

Entry-level lawyer wishes to gain experience at Y company. Knowledge of providing legal advice and support to clients but no practical experience. Fast learner and dedicated to professional practice.

Lawyer Resume Work experience

This is your moment to showcase any niche experience you have within the field of law. Whether you’re a junior level commercial lawyer starting at your first firm or operate your own real estate law practice dealing with high-end developments, we can help you bring out the best of your work history.

Have you opened up investigations from complains of retaliatory or discriminatory employment practices that have led to substantial company restructure? Have you prepared residency or naturalisation applications for a range of migrant clients? This is the time to make this information count!

Lawyer Resume with experience: Before listing your actual experience, please consider these points:

1. What are the specific job qualities and skills listed?
2. How do you meet thee qualities?
3. List your experience in bullet points
4. Always begin with your most recent job first

Start by listing the company name, your position and the dates you worked. Then, without overloading too much, highlight your professional achievements and tailored skill set for the job in question.

Lawyer Resume Work experience Example

Immigration Lawyer J&Q Paralegal 2016-now

• Proven success track record of preparing and submitting Tier 1 visa, permanent residency and naturalisation applications.
• Preparing bespoke submission instructions to assist clients in delivering applications before the due deadline.
• Manage 3 in-house immigration lawyers with diverse client base, controlling file management and billing administration.

Lawyer Resume with no experience: If you’re a junior lawyer or fresh out of university, we recommend taking on some industry experience to help boost your work history section. Legal support apprentice work involving file admin, data entry and case administration is transferable experience that you should surely include - as is assisting attorneys with managing their caseload.

A good junior legal support work experience section is:

Legal Support Resume Work experience Example

Legal Support Apprentice B&C Paralegal 2018-present

• Preparing bundles and court documents for use by head attorneys .
• Opening new files, liaising with clients, courts and third parties by phone or email.
• Daily file file admin, legal terminology and data entry for attorney caseloads.

A no experience work history section like this could use a bit of work:

Legal Support Apprentice B&C Paralegal 2018-now Printing, filing and scanning Managing emails and reception duties

If you need an extra boost, use our resume guide for information on writing your lawyer work experience section.

How to List Education on Your Lawyer Resume

Holding a ABA accredited law degree and practicing licence is integral for all professionals wishing to work in law, regardless of the specialism. Taking and passing the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) will ensure you can begin your tertiary experience, but extensive training and testing in specific doctorates will be requirement afterward.

You should be including the following information:

• Where you studied
• What you studied
• When you studied
• Any certifications (Juris Doctor, LL.M. Programs, Advocacy Skills, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Law, International Trade)

It goes without saying that all of the information included here needs to be truthful. If you’ve got gaps in your employment or are fresh out of university, you need to make this known.

Here’s a good example of a lawyer education section:

Juris Doctor Melbourne Law School 2009-2014 Litigation specialism Co-founder of the Grounds Court board Entered and received 2nd prize for national legal competition with Grounds Court

Here’s an education section that fails to shine:

Juris Doctor Melbourne Law School 2009-2014 4.0 GPA Successfully passed all units

Best Lawyer skills

If you’ve got technical legal skills that fit the job role, you could be walking your way into a new gig. But getting them across in a professional manner isn’t always easy. You’ve also got to highlight your soft skills that show off your interpersonal skills. This following includes skills for an attorney lawyer.

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Efficient drafting of discovery requests	Independent worker

| Proven application of corporate law|| Attention to detail |

| Large scale pleadings | Adaptability | | Effective trial preparation | High work ethic | | Client sensitive settlement procedures | Analytical mindset | | Professional legal document preparation| Persuasiveness | | Contracts and dispositions | Interpersonal skills | | ethical solutions to legal matters | Excellent Communicator | | Product Liability Law | Privacy | | Anti-Trust Law | Client Management | | Mediation | Documentation |

How can I highlight my experience as a Lawyer on my resume?

Emphasize your expertise in legal research, drafting documents, and representing clients in legal proceedings. Highlight your role in managing cases, advising clients, and negotiating settlements to achieve favorable outcomes.

What are the key skills to feature on a Lawyer's resume?

Focus on skills such as legal analysis, client counseling, and case management. Detail your proficiency in legal writing, your courtroom experience, and your ability to conduct comprehensive research and build strong legal arguments.

How do I demonstrate my ability to handle legal cases on my resume?

Provide examples of cases you’ve successfully managed, mentioning specific areas of law, your role in litigation, and outcomes achieved for clients. Highlight your experience in preparing legal briefs, motions, or negotiating settlements.

Should I include metrics on my Lawyer resume? If so, what kind?

Yes, include metrics like the number of cases won, settlement amounts achieved, or reductions in legal costs. These figures help quantify your impact as a legal professional.

How can I showcase my experience with legal research on my resume?

Mention specific tools and databases you’ve used, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis. Describe your approach to conducting thorough research, identifying legal precedents, and ensuring accurate analysis to support your cases.

What kind of achievements should I highlight as a Lawyer?

Highlight achievements like winning significant cases, negotiating high-value settlements, or being recognized for legal excellence. Mention recognitions from clients or peers, or awards received for your legal contributions.

How do I address a lack of experience in a specific area of law on my resume?

Emphasize your core legal skills and willingness to learn. Mention relevant courses, certifications, or internships that demonstrate your commitment to gaining knowledge in new practice areas.

How important is client communication for a Lawyer role?

Client communication is crucial, as it involves managing client expectations and building trust. Emphasize your experience in advising clients, simplifying complex legal concepts, and providing timely updates on case progress.

How do I demonstrate my ability to draft legal documents on my resume?

Mention your experience in drafting contracts, legal briefs, and other documents. Highlight your attention to detail and your ability to tailor documents to meet specific legal requirements and client needs.

Should I include certifications or bar admissions on my Lawyer resume?

Yes, include your bar admissions, such as being licensed to practice in specific states or jurisdictions. Mention any relevant certifications like Certified Specialist in your field of law or mediation training.

Cover letter: Yes or no?

If you are looking for the perfect lawyer cover letter, you've come to the right place. Convince those prestigious law firms that you're the one they're looking for with our cover letter examples.

• Include practicing skills and experience, like visa preparations for immigration law
• Add any specialised training programs you’ve done, like Environmental Law or Energy Efficiency
• Include any specific statistics and figures to highlight wins

DON’T (embarrass yourself or lie)

• Underestimate your transferable skills and experience
• Write unprofessionally
• Lie about your tertiary qualifications

Looking for that final touch? Our lawyer resume templates have been helping professionals just like yourself, so why not give them a try? Click here to make your life simpler with our CV templates!