Attorney Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Attorney resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Lawyers are the ultimate problem solvers. They’re called in when there’s a conflict or dispute that needs resolving, a contract that needs drafting, or a case that needs defending in court.
Attorneys are highly trained professionals who know how to navigate the legal system. They’re able to take complex issues and break them down into manageable pieces, and they’re able to write and speak clearly and persuasively about those issues.
If you’re interested in becoming an attorney but aren’t sure where to start your job search, here are some tips and an example resume for reference when writing your own attorney resume.
How to Write an Attorney Resume
Here’s how to write an attorney resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
When it comes to writing bullet points, the more specific you can be, the better. Rather than saying you “assisted attorneys with legal research,” you could say that you “conducted legal research on complex issues of federal and state law for top-tier law firm in New York City.”
The second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and where. It also mentions the type of law and the location, which is always a good thing.
Related: What Is an Attorney? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Endicia
Endicia is an e-commerce company that helps businesses process and track their shipping. When you apply for a job at Endicia, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This program will search for certain keywords related to the position you’re applying for in order to determine whether your skills and experience are a match for the job.
The most important keywords for
- Legal Advice
- Litigation
- Legal Writing
- Legal Research
- Commercial Litigation
- Legal Issues
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Document Preparation
- Contract Law
- Legal Consulting
- Family Law
- Corporate Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Criminal Law
- Personal Injury Law
- Corporate Governance
- Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property
- International Law
- Due Diligence
- Westlaw
- Mediation
- Negotiation
- Trial Practice
- Arbitration
- Business Strategy
- Legal Document Review
- Legal Contract Review
- Consumer Law
- Copyright Law
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As an attorney, you are expected to be proficient in the use of technology, as it is essential for research, writing, and communication. Many law firms now use specific software programs for case management, so it is important to be familiar with as many of these programs as possible. Additionally, attorneys need to be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, as this is the standard for most businesses.
Some of the programs and systems that attorneys are typically expected to be proficient in include: case management software, legal research databases, document management systems, and e-discovery platforms.
Related: How Much Does an Attorney Make?
Remember The Basics
As you draft your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Easy to Scan
If you want your resume to look its best, you’ll need to follow some basic guidelines for formatting. This includes left-aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and limiting the use of bolding, italics, and all-caps. You should also try to keep your bullets to 2 lines or less, and use digits to write out numbers. Finally, leave some white space on the page to make the document easier to digest.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but one page is preferable for recent graduates and those early in their careers. A two-page resume is more common for those with eight or more years of experience. When in doubt, less is more.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is an important step in ensuring that it looks its best. There are a few key things to watch for: spelling mistakes, punctuation mistakes, and grammatical mistakes. You should also be aware of easily confused words, such as their/there/they’re and to/too/two. Spell checking your resume is a good start, but you should also have someone else proofread it for you to catch any mistakes that you may have missed.
Consider a Summary
A resume summary statement is an excellent way to show off your most marketable skills and experiences. It can help to bridge the gap between your past experience and your future goals, and it can be a great way to show off your relevant skills and abilities. When writing your own summary, be sure to focus on your most highly transferable skills, your relevant experience, and your future goals. Play up your strengths, and keep it brief and to the point. A well-written summary can help you to stand out from the competition and to show off why you’re the perfect candidate for the role you’re hoping to land.
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