Lawyer resume
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Key skills for a lawyer resume
Terms that job ads ask for and ATS filters look for. Only include the ones you master.
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Litigation
- Contract drafting
- Negotiation
- Due diligence
- Client counseling
- Motion practice
- Depositions
- Regulatory compliance
Tips for your lawyer resume
- Put your bar admissions near the top, with each state.
- Say your practice area: litigation, corporate, employment, real estate, IP or family law.
- Say where you work: law firm, in-house, government or your own practice.
- Describe the type of matters and deals without confidential details.
- Add results you can share: trials, verdicts, deals closed or matters handled.
- Include publications, pro bono work and languages.
Lawyer resume summary examples
Adapt these examples with your real details: years of experience, industry, tools and certifications.
Employment lawyer admitted in New York and New Jersey with 7 years of experience at a mid-size firm. I counsel employers on hiring, terminations and policies, and defend them in agency charges and litigation, taking depositions and arguing motions. Fluent in Spanish.
Recent J.D. graduate admitted to the California bar, with a judicial internship and a summer associate position at a litigation firm, where I drafted motions and research memos. Law review editor. Looking for a first-year associate role.
Other job titles
Search for them too and use the one in the job ad on your resume.
- Attorney
- Associate attorney
- In-house counsel
- Legal counsel
- Solicitor (UK)
- Barrister (UK)
How to write a lawyer resume step by step
Write a short summary
Three or four lines with your bar admissions, experience and practice area.
Detail your experience
In “Experience”, add the firm or company, practice area and type of matters.
Add education and certifications
In “Education”, your J.D. and honors. In “Certificates”, your bar admissions.
Show publications and achievements
In “Publications”, include articles. In “Achievements”, notable results you can share.
Tailor your resume to the job ad and download it
Paste the job ad into Beatjob: the AI improves the wording with the keywords your experience backs up. Then download the PDF.
More resume examples
Frequently asked questions about a lawyer resume
What does it take to become a lawyer?
Lawyers typically need a law degree and a state license, which usually requires passing a bar exam. Most states require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Do I need a license in every state where I practice?
Lawyers who want to practice in more than one state usually must meet the licensing requirements of each state.
Can I name clients or cases on my resume?
Only if they are public and you are allowed to. Otherwise describe the type of matters and deals in general terms.
Sources
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