Resume

Personal Injury Attorney Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Personal Injury Attorney resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Personal injury attorneys represent clients who have been physically or emotionally injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or intentional misconduct. They help clients recover financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you’re looking for a job in this field or want to switch firms, you’ll need a resume that showcases your experience and skills in this complex area of law. Follow these tips and resume example to write a fantastic personal injury attorney resume that hiring managers will love.

James Smith
Los Angeles, CA | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Driven personal injury lawyer with more than 10 years of experience advocating for the rights of injured victims. Proven track record of success in obtaining settlements and verdicts for clients. Skilled at managing large caseloads while providing superior client service.

Education
University of California, Hastings College of the Law Jun '10
J.D.
University of California, Berkeley Jun '06
B.A. in Political Science
Experience
Company A, Personal Injury Attorney Jan '17 – Current
  • Handled a wide range of personal injury matters, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse/neglect cases, wrongful death claims and general civil litigation.
  • Drafted complaints for clients in various jurisdictions throughout the state as well as negotiated settlements with insurance companies on behalf of clients.
  • Conducted depositions of witnesses and prepared case files for trial or settlement purposes.
  • Assisted attorneys in preparing motions to dismiss cases prior to filing suit and assisted attorneys at hearings when needed.
  • Maintained client contact through phone calls and letters regarding status of their claim(s) until resolved or closed by the attorney handling the matter
Company B, Personal Injury Attorney Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Assisted in the negotiation of settlements and court-approved agreements with insurance companies on behalf of clients, resulting in an average savings of $5K per case
  • Conducted thorough investigations into client’s personal injury claims, including interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence and analyzing medical records
  • Prepared detailed legal documents for submission to courts or negotiations with insurance companies (pleadings)
  • Collaborated with other attorneys at law firm representing clients involved in complex litigation cases
  • Supervised paralegal staff responsible for scheduling appointments, maintaining calendar schedules and filing paperwork
Company C, Paralegal Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Investigated facts and prepared documents to assist attorney in preparing for legal proceedings.
  • Interviewed clients, witnesses, and other relevant parties to obtain information.
  • Drafted and edited legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, and contracts.
Certifications
  • Certified Civil Trial Advocate
  • Certified Specialist in Personal Injury Law
  • Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Personal Injury Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Trial Law, Appellate Law, Negotiation, Client Retention, Case Management
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, LexisNexis, TrialView, Westlaw, Google Apps
Soft Skills: Communication, Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, Client Retention, Teamwork, Leadership

How to Write a Personal Injury Attorney Resume

Here’s how to write a personal injury attorney 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 bullet points to tell a story about your work.

For example, rather than saying you “represented clients in personal injury cases,” you could say you “represented clients in personal injury cases involving car accidents, dog bites, and slip-and-falls, helping them obtain compensation for their injuries and resulting medical bills.”

The second bullet point is much more interesting and provides more detail about what you did and the type of cases you worked on.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you submit your resume to an applicant tracking system (ATS), it’s likely that the software will scan it for certain keywords. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might disqualify you from the pool of applicants.

The best way to make sure your resume contains all the right keywords is to read through job postings and take note of the terms that are used most frequently. Then, you can strategically place those same words throughout your resume.

Here are some common personal injury keywords:

  • Personal Injury Law
  • Litigation
  • Civil Litigation
  • Trials
  • Legal Writing
  • Legal Research
  • Trial Practice
  • Appeals
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Trial Practice
  • Mediation
  • Legal Advice
  • Criminal Law
  • Westlaw
  • Legal Consulting
  • Intellectual Property
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Consumer Law
  • LexisNexis
  • Insurance Law
  • Negotiation
  • Wrongful Death Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Plaintiff Personal Injury
  • Commercial Litigation Litigation
  • Attorneys
  • Claims Management
  • Property Damage

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a personal injury attorney, 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. Additionally, you should 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.

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