Hard skills in law, such as legal research, contract drafting, and understanding statutes and regulations, are essential for effective representation.
Law Resume Examples & Templates
Looking to advance your legal career? Our law resume examples help you showcase critical skills like legal research, negotiation, and advocacy that catch the eye of hiring managers.
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Popular Law Resume Examples
Discover our top law resume examples that emphasize critical skills such as legal research, advocacy, and negotiation. These examples will guide you in effectively showcasing your achievements to potential employers.
Looking to create an impressive resume? Our Resume Builder offers user-friendly templates tailored for legal professionals, making the process simple and efficient.
Recommended
Attorney resume
What this resume does well:
This resume uses a modern layout and resume fonts that improve readability. These design choices organize information in a clear way while projecting professionalism, helping the applicant capture the attention of potential employers effectively.
Paralegal resume
What this resume does well:
This resume effectively combines skills such as legal research and document drafting with relevant work experience. By showcasing these competencies alongside practical roles, employers can clearly see how the applicant's abilities translate into real-world legal support, improving their understanding of the applicant's qualifications.
Legal consultant resume
What this resume does well:
This resume skillfully uses bullet points to clearly showcase the job seeker's extensive legal experience while maintaining a clean, organized layout. The strategic spacing allows for quick scanning of achievements and qualifications, making it easier for hiring managers to identify the most relevant skills at a glance.
Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste
Ming Huang
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(555)555-5555
Ming.Huang@example.com
Professional Summary
Experienced legal advisor with proven skills in negotiation, compliance, and case management, enhancing client outcomes and driving growth.
Work History
Legal Advisor
Integrity Legal Group - Minneapolis, MN
October 2024 - October 2025
- Increased client base by 20% in six months
- Developed legal strategies saving 1M annually
- Led 30+ case reviews for corporate clients
Law Associate
Global Justice Solutions - Minneapolis, MN
June 2022 - September 2024
- Drafted 50+ case briefs for litigation
- Negotiated settlements totaling M
- Managed client relationships, improving satisfaction by 15%
Judicial Assistant
City Court Administration - Minneapolis, MN
June 2021 - May 2022
- Assisted with courtroom operations for 100+ cases
- Coordinated documentation reducing errors by 30%
- Supported judge in legal research and proceedings
Skills
- Legal Research
- Contract Negotiation
- Litigation Support
- Client Relations
- Corporate Law
- Regulatory Compliance
- Mediation & Arbitration
- Case Management
Education
Master of Laws Corporate Law
Columbia University New York, New York
May 2021
Bachelor of Arts Political Science
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California
May 2019
Certifications
- Certified Corporate Law Specialist - American Bar Association
- Mediation and Conflict Resolution Certificate - National Institute of Mediation
Languages
- Spanish - Beginner (A1)
- French - Beginner (A1)
- German - Beginner (A1)
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How to Write a Law Resume Summary
Your resume summary is the first opportunity to capture an employer's attention, so it’s important to make it strong. In just a few sentences, you should showcase how your skills align with the expectations of the legal profession.
As a lawyer, you possess a unique mix of analytical abilities and communication skills that must shine through in this section. Highlight your experience, areas of expertise, and any notable achievements that demonstrate your qualifications.
To better understand what constitutes an effective resume summary, review these examples that illustrate both strong and weak approaches:
Weak resume summary
I am an experienced lawyer with a diverse background in various legal fields. I hope to find a position that allows me to use my skills effectively and contribute positively to the firm. A supportive work environment where I can develop professionally is very important to me.
Why this summary misses the mark:
- Lacks specific examples of legal expertise or accomplishments, making it unclear what the job seeker brings to the table
- Overuses personal language and fails to highlight relevant achievements, which weakens its impact
- Prioritizes the applicant's desires over demonstrating value to potential employers, creating a one-sided narrative
Strong resume summary
Dynamic attorney with over 7 years of experience in civil litigation, focusing on contract disputes and personal injury claims. Successfully secured a 90% win rate in court cases and achieved settlements totaling over $3 million for clients through expert negotiation skills. Proficient in legal research, case management software, and drafting comprehensive legal documents.
Why this summary works:
- Begins with specific years of experience and areas of expertise relevant to the law field
- Highlights measurable achievements that demonstrate effectiveness and client advocacy
- Showcases essential technical skills that are critical for legal professionals, making it appealing to employers
PRO TIP
If you're new to the legal field and feel short on experience, consider using a career objective in your resume. This approach can showcase your aspirations and enthusiasm. Explore resume objective examples tailored to various law positions to help you get started.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
The work experience section is important in your resume if you're pursuing a career in law. This area typically contains the bulk of your content, and good resume templates make sure to emphasize it.
Organized in reverse-chronological order, this section should list your previous legal positions. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and responsibilities you held within each role.
To help you craft a strong work history, we will present examples that demonstrate effective practices for law resumes. These examples will clarify what works well and what pitfalls to avoid.
Weak work experience
Attorney
Smith & Associates Law Firm – New York, NY
- Handled client cases.
- Reviewed legal documents.
- Worked with other attorneys.
- Attended court when needed.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
- No details about specific case achievements or contributions
- Too vague, lacking any notable skills or outcomes to highlight value
- Emphasizes routine tasks instead of unique accomplishments
Strong work experience
Lawyer
Smith & Associates Law Firm – New York, NY
March 2020 - Current
- Represent clients in over 50 litigation cases, achieving a favorable outcome in 85% of trials.
- Draft legal documents and contracts, ensuring compliance with state regulations which led to a 30% reduction in client disputes.
- Mentor junior attorneys on case strategy and negotiation tactics, improving team performance and client satisfaction.
Why this work experience section works:
- Starts each bullet with powerful action verbs that highlight the applicant’s contributions
- Incorporates specific statistics to illustrate success and effectiveness
- Demonstrates essential skills like mentoring and compliance through concrete examples
While your resume summary and work experience are important components, it’s important not to overlook the other sections that contribute to a well-rounded presentation. For further insights on how to write a resume effectively, be sure to refer to our comprehensive guide.
Top Skills to Include on Your Resume
A skills section is important for your resume, as it quickly showcases your qualifications to potential employers. This allows them to see that you possess the essential capabilities needed for a successful career in law.
To impress hiring managers, your resume should feature a balanced mix of both hard and soft skills.
Soft skills, like critical thinking, negotiation, and strong communication abilities, help foster trust and collaboration with clients, colleagues, and the court system.
Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with employer expectations and navigating automated screening systems effectively. Many employers rely on software to exclude applicants lacking essential skills.
To ensure your resume stands out, review job postings carefully for hints on important skills. Prioritizing these will help capture the attention of recruiters and pass the applicant tracking system (ATS) successfully.
PRO TIP
Using our ATS Resume Checker ensures your resume stands out to recruiters. It identifies over 30 common mistakes, helping you fine-tune your document to successfully navigate applicant tracking software.
10 skills that appear on successful law resumes
Improving your resume with top legal skills can significantly boost your visibility to hiring managers. You’ll discover these essential qualifications showcased in our resume examples, allowing you to approach job applications with the assurance that a polished resume brings.
Here are 10 skills you should consider including in your resume if they fit your qualifications and role requirements:
Legal research
Contract negotiation
Analytical reasoning
Attention to detail
Communication skill
Client relations
Knowledge of case law
Time management
Ethical judgment
Problem-solving
Based on analysis of 5,000+ law professional resumes from 2023-2024
Resume Format Examples
Choosing the resume format that suits your needs is important in law, as it effectively highlights your most relevant qualifications, experiences, and professional development to potential employers.
Entry-Level 0 - 2 years
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs
Best for:
Recent graduates and career changers with up to two years of experience
Mid-Career 3 - 7 years
Combination
Balances skills and work history equally
Best for:
Mid-career professionals looking to demonstrate their skills and pursue advancement opportunities
Experienced 8+ years
Chronological
Emphasizes work history in reverse order
Best for:
Seasoned lawyers excelling in advanced litigation and strategic counsel
Law Salaries in the Highest-Paid States
Our law salary data is based on figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the authoritative source for employment trends and wage information nationwide.
Whether you're entering the workforce or considering a move to a new city or state, this data can help you gauge what fair compensation looks like for laws in your desired area.
$0$130K$260K
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a cover letter with my law resume?
Absolutely. Including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by showcasing your personality and detailing relevant experiences. It allows you to connect the dots between your resume and the job requirements. For tips on crafting an effective cover letter, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter, or use our Cover Letter Generator for quick assistance.
Can I use a resume if I’m applying internationally, or do I need a CV?
When applying for jobs outside the U.S., use a CV instead of a resume. A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional history, which is often required in international applications. To improve your job search, explore our CV examples and learn how to write a CV effectively through our guides and samples.
What soft skills are important for laws?
Soft skills such as negotiation, active listening, and critical thinking are essential in law. These interpersonal skills foster strong relationships with clients and colleagues, enabling effective collaboration and successful advocacy in legal matters.
I’m transitioning from another field. How should I highlight my experience?
Highlight your transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork when applying for law positions. These abilities indicate your readiness to excel in a legal environment, even if your background isn't directly related. Share specific instances where you successfully navigated challenges or collaborated effectively to showcase how your experience aligns with legal responsibilities.
Where can I find inspiration for writing my cover letter as a law?
Explore our collection of expertly crafted cover letter examples to inspire your job applications in the legal field. These samples provide valuable insights into effective formatting and content ideas, helping you present your qualifications and career narrative with clarity and confidence.
How do I write a resume with no experience?
Applying for law positions with limited work experience can be daunting, but there are many ways to showcase your suitability. Highlight relevant coursework, internships, volunteer opportunities, and transferable skills like critical thinking and communication. Consider using a resume with no experience format to effectively demonstrate your passion for justice and commitment to learning. This approach will resonate with employers, showing them that you are a valuable applicant ready to grow.
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