Resume

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.

Mary Thompson
Chicago, IL | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Driven junior associate attorney with experience in civil litigation and insurance defense. Exhibits a dedication to public service and a commitment to upholding the law. Possesses strong research and writing skills, with a proven ability to manage complex legal matters.

Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Jun '10
J.D.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jun '06
B.A. in Political Science
Experience
Company A, Junior Associate Attorney Jan '17 – Current
  • Drafted legal memoranda and letters, motions, briefs, and other documents in complex commercial litigation matters.
  • Conducted extensive factual investigation of cases through written discovery requests to opposing parties and interviews with witnesses and clients.
  • Assisted attorneys in conducting depositions of opposing party’s witnesses as well as drafting responses to interrogatories from the opposition.
  • Reviewed relevant documents such as contracts or corporate records for applicable provisions related to case issues.
  • Prepared exhibits for hearings or trials including witness statements, photographs, etc., following established procedures regarding evidence admissibility under the law.
Company B, Junior Associate Attorney Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Assisted in the drafting of pleadings, motions and discovery requests for a variety of civil cases
  • Prepared legal documents such as contracts, leases, deeds and wills for clients with varying degrees of sophistication
  • Conducted research on real property law issues related to landlord/tenant matters and contract disputes
  • Drafted lease agreements, including all amendments and addendums; prepared move-in letters for tenants
  • Reviewed existing leases to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations before execution by tenant or landlord
Company C, Paralegal Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Researched and gathered information on relevant laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials to support attorneys in the development of cases.
  • Drafted correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents under the supervision of an attorney.
  • Maintained and organized case files, client contact information, and other data to ensure efficient access and retrieval by attorneys and other staff.
Certifications
  • Juris Doctorate
  • Member, Illinois State Bar Association
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Litigation, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Legal Analysis, Case Management, Courtroom Experience, Case Law
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Outlook
Soft Skills: Leadership, Teamwork, Public Speaking, Communication, Research, Writing, Time Management

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.

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