Junior Associate Attorney Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Junior Associate Attorney resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Junior associates are the new kids on the block. They’re the newest members of a law firm, just beginning their careers as lawyers. Junior associates are typically recent law school graduates with little or no experience. But don’t let their lack of experience fool you—junior associates are extremely hard workers who are eager to learn and build their resumes.
Because you’re new to the world of law, you might not know where to begin when it comes to writing your resume. Follow these tips and resume example to write a winning junior associate attorney resume that will impress hiring managers everywhere.
How to Write a Junior Associate Attorney Resume
Here’s how to write a resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will read. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.
But many applicants make the mistake of using generic bullet points that don’t really tell a story or provide any context. For example, rather than saying you “assisted attorneys with legal research and drafting documents,” you could say you “assisted attorneys with over 100 legal briefs and pleadings, including drafting more than 50 motions for preliminary injunction on behalf of major tech company.”
The second bullet point provides more detail about what you did and the results of your work. It also provides a specific number to demonstrate your level of involvement in the project.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you submit your resume for a junior associate attorney role, it’s likely that it will be screened by an applicant tracking system (ATS). This program will scan your resume for certain keywords related to the position, like “estate planning” or “probate law.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common junior associate attorney keywords as a starting point:
- Litigation
- Legal Writing
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Research
- Commercial Litigation
- Trials
- Legal Advice
- Appeals
- Criminal Law
- Westlaw
- Corporate Law
- Mediation
- Paralegals
- Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property
- Arbitration
- Labor and Employment Law
- Jury Trials
- Hearings
- Document Drafting
- LexisNexis
- Document Review
- Client Service
- PLLC
- Property Law
- Real Estate
- Contract Law
- Wills
- Personal Injury Law
- Civil Litigation
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a junior associate attorney, you will be expected to be proficient in the use of technology in the legal field. This includes having experience with legal research databases, case management software, and e-discovery platforms. Additionally, you should be familiar with 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.