Lawyer resume example
What makes this resume great
This resume stands out due to its clear progression of legal experience, prestigious educational background, and a strong set of relevant skills. The candidate demonstrates growth from intern to senior associate, showing increasing responsibility. The skills section is comprehensive and tailored to the legal profession. The resume also includes professional contact information and a LinkedIn profile, which adds credibility. The combination of top-tier education and practical experience makes this resume a strong example for a lawyer.
Resume summary examples for Lawyer
Example #1
Strong Summary
Accomplished attorney with 8+ years of experience in litigation, contract drafting, and client counseling, recognized for successfully managing high-stakes cases and delivering favorable outcomes for clients at top New York law firms.
Weak Summary
I am a lawyer with some experience in law firms and legal research.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Results-driven legal professional with a JD from Columbia Law School and a proven track record in negotiation, compliance, and mediation, adept at handling complex legal matters and leading case management teams.
Weak Summary
Graduated from law school and have worked in a few legal jobs.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Senior Associate Attorney skilled in legal writing, public speaking, and litigation, with a history of exceeding client expectations and driving successful resolutions in both individual and corporate cases.
Weak Summary
I have done legal writing and spoken in public before.
Resume achievement examples for Lawyer
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Led a litigation team that secured a $2.5M settlement for a corporate client, reducing potential liability by 80%.
Weak Achievement
Worked on settlements for clients.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Drafted and negotiated over 150 contracts annually, achieving a 95% client satisfaction rate and zero compliance violations.
Weak Achievement
Drafted contracts and made sure clients were happy.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Successfully mediated 30+ disputes, resulting in a 90% resolution rate without the need for court intervention.
Weak Achievement
Helped mediate disputes between parties.
Essential skills for a Lawyer
- Legal research
- Litigation
- Contract drafting
- Negotiation
- Legal writing
- Client counseling
- Case management
- Compliance
- Mediation
- Public speaking
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Lawyer
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Lawyer.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Lawyer, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Lawyer (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.