Criminal Lawyer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Criminal Lawyer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
As a criminal lawyer, you’ll work closely with clients to develop defense strategies, build cases, and represent them in court. Because of the sensitive nature of the work, you’ll need a thick skin and a sense of humor. You’ll also need a solid grounding in the law and years of experience representing clients in courtrooms across the country.
Because there are so many different types of criminal cases, you’ll need to be flexible and willing to tackle whatever comes your way. Some criminal lawyers specialize in defending individuals against criminal charges, while others work on behalf of corporations or government agencies to resolve civil matters.
Here are some tips and an example for writing a compelling criminal defense attorney resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Criminal Lawyer Resume
Here’s how to write a criminal lawyer resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. But rather than simply listing your responsibilities, you can use them to tell a story about your work. For example, rather than saying you “represented clients in criminal court,” you could say you “represented clients in criminal court on charges ranging from petty theft to murder, securing acquittals on all but one count in a high-profile murder case.”
Notice how the second bullet point is more specific and provides more detail about the nature of the case. It also provides more context by mentioning the outcome of the case.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job as a criminal lawyer, your resume is typically scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This system looks for certain terms that are commonly used in the job posting, like “prosecutor” or “trial experience.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, focus on including relevant keywords throughout all parts of your resume. Here are some of the most commonly used criminal lawyer keywords:
- Criminal Law
- Legal Advice
- Trials
- Litigation
- Hearings
- Legal Writing
- Criminal Defense
- Appeals
- Trial Practice
- Corporate Law
- Westlaw
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Research
- Legal Issues
- Intellectual Property
- Mediation
- Labor and Employment Law
- Family Law
- Criminal Justice
- Criminal Prosecutions
- Motions
- White Collar Crime
- Prosecution
- Corporate Governance
- Criminal Trials
- Commercial Litigation
- Arbitration
- Competition Law
- Criminal Investigations
- Civil Litigation Defense
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a criminal lawyer, you will need to be proficient in the use of technology in order to effectively represent your clients. This includes being familiar with legal research databases, case management software, and e-discovery platforms. You should also have experience with specific programs like Microsoft Office Suite and Westlaw. Being able to list your level of expertise in each area will show that you’re a valuable asset to any law firm.