How to Write a Perfect Lawyer Resume (with Examples and Tips)

In the US and many other places in the world, the terms legal advocate, lawyer and attorney are used interchangeably in a broad sense.

Their responsibility is to represent another person or entity in the legal system or the court of law to advocate for their rights or needs. 

However, a lawyer is more like an umbrella term while an advocate and an attorney requires a more specialized training.

Both advocates and attorneys represent their clients in the court of law but advocates do not have direct contact with their clients.

Whether you are writing a lawyer resume or an advocate resume, the importance of a well-written resume cannot be overstated. A dazzling lawyer resume boosts your overall competitiveness among other candidates.

Before drafting your lawyer resume, here are some crucial steps to follow to understand the basics. 

Step 1: Understand the differences between a CV and a resume.

A lawyer resume briefly summarizes your experience, skills, and accomplishments.

A lawyer CV is, on the other hand, a detailed summary of your affiliations, research, and accomplishments and is typically used for academic purposes.

Step 2: Choose the right resume format for lawyer jobs.

There are three common lawyer resume formats at your disposal.

• Chronological resume format:
  The chronological format   lists your previous positions and education background in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent  ones on the top followed by your less recent ones.
  
• Functional resume format:
  This format stresses your competence rather than your experience.
  
• Combination resume format:
  The combination resume format is the combination of the chronological resume format and the functional resume format.

Step 3: Refer to lawyer resume examples & templates.

It’s also  good to start with consulting other advocate resume examples and lawyer resume examples online. Be sure to make additional changes to customize your own ones when using a lawyer resume template.

Step 4: Tailor your lawyer resume for the role. 

Tailoring your lawyer resume means perfecting it so that it matches the requirements in the job description. 

Step 5: Craft a lawyer cover letter.

For lawyers and advocates, a cover letter is a must because it acts as a supplement to your lawyer resume. Later in the article, we will be showing you a more in-depth guide on how to craft a cover letter for lawyers.

Step 6: Proofread.

Finally, have your lawyer resume proofread and checked by professionals and you’re all set!

1. Resume Header

A resume header contains your personal information such as your name, address and your socials. 

2. Resume Title

A resume headline or a resume title is the key to grabbing HR’s attention. It should be a giveaway of who you are and what you have accomplished. 

3. Lawyer Resume Summary

A resume summary is extremely important. It encapsulates your accomplishments and your experience in 3 sentences. 

4. Lawyer Resume Objective

A resume objective briefly describes prospects for your career. A well-written career objective for your lawyer resume  strengthens your resume. 

5. Skills

There are two types of skills you want to include on your lawyer resume, which are hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are measurable skills while soft skills are practical skills.

6. Work Experience

For the work experience section on your lawyer resume, please use the reverse chronological order. 

List the name of the organizations that you previously worked at, their locations, the span of your employment and your duties and achievements. 

7. Education

In the education section, you should mention the name of your study, school and the duration in reverse chronological order. 

If you have an outstanding GPA (3.7/4.0 or above) or accomplishments that are worth mentioning, make sure to add them too. 

8. Additional Information

This section is where you mention any certificates, personal projects, awards, hobbies, and other references that support the above-mentioned information.

👍 1. Customize the resume for lawyer jobs.

With so many resumes to process, hiring managers are more likely to value the ones with higher relevance. You want to put the most relevant prominent experience and skills on top of your lawyer resume where recruiters can see at first glance. 

👍 2. Quantify results on resumes.

Numbers speak louder on a resume. Sentences like “assisted more than 40 corporations in the court of law” weigh more than a sentence with no numbers, such as “experienced corporation lawyer” on the resume

👍 3. Craft an ATS-friendly resume.

ATS stands for Applicants Tracking Systems. It scans  applicants’ resumes in search of relevant keywords. Make sure you adopt keywords that are highlighted in the job requirements.

👍 4. Adopt resume action words.

Action verbs are words that accentuate your skills and experience. Verbs such as “assisted”, “organized”, and “processed” are all powerful action verbs.

👍 5. Include both hard skills and soft skills on your lawyer resume.

Be sure to mix hard skills and soft skills in the experience section and in your lawyer resume summary. It leaves a better impression on  the readers.

Like other cover letters, a lawyer cover letter is a brief introduction of you, your background, your motivation, skills, and last but not least your prospects.

It can further show your enthusiasm for the job and add value to you as a promising lawyer that the resume cannot do.

1. Contact Details

Include your full name, phone number, and address. You can also provide information such as your social media if applicable.

2. Introduction

Greet the hiring manager, and then state your ambition for the position.

3. Motivation

This is where you state the reasons for your application. Show your genuine interests in the job  and career objectives that you want to achieve as a lawyer.

4. Qualification

Be very specific about your relevant skills and qualifications. It is optimal to state your previous experience to back up the statement.

To stand out among the candidates, state one unique trait of yours that is different from others.

5. Closing

Thank the hiring manager for taking his/her time to read your lawyer cover letter. Remember to mention if there is any attachment, such as a portfolio or a resume.