When you apply for a position at a law firm, you want to do what you can to stand out from the competition. Your resume provides an introduction to the hiring managers. With the right details and format, your document will compel hiring managers to spend more time on your materials, which might lead to an interview.
For attorney positions, hiring managers expect to see evidence that you have the experience and expertise for the position. One way to ensure your submission adequately imparts this information is to review attorney resume samples. You can get ideas on what to include, as well as insight into the best performing formats for particular positions. Below, you will find examples of several attorney resumes to help you find the right one for your situation.
Attorney Resume Samples
Attorney Resume Sample
Although attorneys face an average job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certain positions are highly competitive. As a busy attorney, you most likely do not have the time to spend on writing your resume. However, you must find ways to impress hiring managers to continue growing in your career.
For:
- Instead of wasting time starting from scratch, use our attorney resume samples for inspiration.
Attorney Skills To Include:
- Valid license to practice in the state
- Litigation experience
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Ability to take depositions
More Information: Have a look at our attorney resume sample to learn more.
Employment Attorney Resume Sample
As an employment attorney, you probably have met many HR professionals. In your interactions, you might have learned about the importance of an attractive resume that accurately imparts the candidate’s qualifications.
Rather than trying to remember all the information your HR colleagues told you, review our attorney resume samples to see what information to include in your own document.
For:
- Attorneys with experience in employment law looking to advise a company on remaining compliant, or work in a private firm specializing in employment law.
Attorney Skills To Include:
- Experience in employment law
- Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act
- Expert in Fair Labor Standards ACT
- In good standing with the state bar association
- Project management skills
Senior Attorney Resume Sample
To achieve a senior attorney role, it is imperative that you accurately impart your leadership skills as well as your many accomplishments in your work history. As someone who likely has extensive work experience, it becomes difficult to know what to include when you apply for a new position.
Read through our attorney resume samples to get an idea of what aspects of your job history to include so you increase your chance of securing a senior position.
For:
- Attorneys with significant experience looking to take point on cases and acquire additional responsibility.
Attorney Skills To Include:
- Leadership skills
- Trial history
- Arbitration experience
- Ability to efficiently multitask
- Preparation of pleadings
More Information: For additional ideas on what information to include, look at our senior attorney resume sample.
Patent Attorney Resume Sample
When you apply for a position as a patent attorney, you want to demonstrate that you have sufficient knowledge and experience in national as well as international patent law. However, you also do not want to spend more time than necessary on listing your work experience and accomplishments.
That is where reviewing attorney resume samples comes into play. You can get an idea of how much information to include, as well as the best formats for emphasizing the most important details.
For:
- Attorneys focusing on patent law looking to work for a private organization or in a specialty law firm.
Attorney Skills To Include:
- Contract negotiation
- Licensing
- Copyright and trademark law
- Dispute resolution
- Compliance and audits
More Information: Take a moment to look at our patent attorney resume sample to learn more.
Entry-Level Attorney Resume Sample
When you start out as an attorney, it can seem hard to compete against all the other recent graduates for entry-level positions. You might not have much work experience, but you do have education, experience, and accomplishments to include on your document to demonstrate the value you bring to the firm.
If you are unsure what to incorporate into your resume, review other attorney resume samples to get an idea of the important areas to detail on your own document.
For:
- Current law students applying to internships, and recent graduates searching for their first attorney position.
Attorney Skills To Include:
- Oral and written communication skills
- Litigation experience
- Current license to practice law
- Research skills
- Trial preparation
More Information: For more ideas about creating a standout resume, look at our entry-level attorney resume sample.
FAQ
What skills are the best to list on an attorney resume?
There are two different categories of skills that you want to include on your attorney resume. First, you want to detail key skills for the area of law you intend to practice. For example, if you plan to work in employment law, you should include information about your knowledge of key acts, such as ADA. General attorney skills to include on your resume include organization, negotiation, arbitration, litigation, multitasking, and communication skills. To see examples of applicable skills from which to choose, review our attorney resume samples.
How do I list education on an attorney resume?
Your resume will include a special section in which you list your education. In most formats, this will go at the bottom after your work experience, but you might find some resume formats list it in a different location.
As an attorney, you have undergraduate and graduate education to include on your resume. It is best to list your most recent education, which is most likely your JD degree, first, followed by your undergraduate degree. Include any honors or awards you received in your education in this section as well. You can see examples of education sections on our attorney resume samples.
What sections should I include in my attorney resume?
Most formats for attorney professional documents include similar sections, even if the order is slightly different. The most important sections include a professional summary, areas of expertise or skills section, work experience section, and education. As an attorney, you likely belong to professional organizations. You may include these in a separate section, especially if you held a board position. On our attorney resume samples, you will see the key sections utilized for attorney positions.
How can I separate my attorney resume from other candidates’ resumes?
To increase your chance of securing an interview, you must find ways to stand out from the competition. One of the best ways to do this is to emphasize your accomplishments rather than simply listing your job duties and skills. In your work experience section, incorporate measurable metrics to demonstrate the value you provided in your previous positions.
Additionally, focus on including the skills and experience listed in the job description. Do not forget to also demonstrate your soft skills, such as organization and communication. Reviewing attorney resume samples provides you with some inspiration on what to include to help you separate yourself from the rest of the competition.
What should I do to make sure my attorney resume makes it past an ATS?
Many businesses, including law firms, rely on applicant tracking software, also known as ATS, to streamline the hiring process. To ensure that your materials make it past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager, you want to see that you have the right keywords in your resume.
Review the job description and pick out some keywords and phrases. Incorporate these verbatim in your resume, but make sure they flow naturally in your document. However, do not stuff your resume with the keywords. Customize your document, especially the professional summary, for each position. Finally, incorporate a simple format and avoid using acronyms or abbreviations.
Attorney Resume Tips
As a professional attorney you will be accustomed to the preparation of important documentation. Developing and delivering factual information will be part of your every day life. You must use your resume to demonstrate the expertise you have developed throughout your career.
Your resume should reflect your excellent communication and interpersonal skills and your ability to develop rapport with each client, assuring each of your personal attention and commitment to success. Your experience is very important and will be key to securing your desired position. Be specific and offer factual information, stating achievements and successes experienced to date throughout your career.
The attorney resume should be able to demonstrate an ability to absorb new information, effective decision making skills and an ability to work under pressure meeting strict deadlines.
Resume Template
Contact Information :
- Full name
- Campus and permanent addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Email address
Objective : Short specific statement that includes position, industry, and/or relevant skills.
Summary of Qualifications : Recommended for experienced professionals. This section should consist of a minimum of three, and preferably no more than ten, "bullet points", each describing an accomplishment in terms of results.
Example : Experienced consultant with five years experience in information technology. Strong project management skills with extensive knowledge in statistical processes.
Education : In reverse chronological order required information includes:
- Degree(s) and major
- Date of graduation (month and year)
- Universities you attended
- Location of universities (city and state)
- Any certifications of licenses related to your degree
Use Keywords : Use extensively attorney related keywords and action verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments.
Try to use Action Verbs when constructing your statements :
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Skills : Mention all your legal or law related strengths to make your resume outstanding.
Experience : List the recent first. Emphasize your law related accomplishments and achivements as an Attorney.For example
“Researched employment law issues and drafted legal memoranda on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA); performed research and prepared legal memoranda on litigation issues; attended depositions; participated in witness interviews”.
Available Sample Resumes
- Attorney Case Manager
- Attorney 3
- Consultant