4 Lawyer Resume Examples & Writing Guide
Make a strong case for yourself and your hirability with a professional lawyer resume. Follow our proven writing advice and examine our four lawyer resume examples to draft a document that lands you the legal role you're applying for.
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Lawyer resume template (text format)
Start by choosing the best resume format for your lawyer application. Whether you’re taking your first steps into the legal profession or you’re an experienced advocate, we have the right lawyer resume samples for you. If you’re still in law school, you’re probably looking for a law internship. Here’s an effective law intern resume example that you can use to get ideas for your own: If you’ve been a lawyer for a few years, you’ll have developed excellent legal skills, a work history worth showcasing, and a track record of success. Highlight these facets effectively with an experienced attorney resume like this one: Do you specialize in real estate law? You’ll need a real estate attorney resume that looks like this: The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use. Average lawyer annual salaries by state In this video, former lawyers and YouTubers Lloyd and Em provide their top tips for junior lawyers: We’ve compiled the following four tips that’ll help you hone your attorney resume and make a positive impression on law firms, NGOs, and government departments. Your lawyer resume summary should highlight your key skills, any major cases you’ve argued or won, and your educational background. To use an analogy, your resume summary is your opening argument — it should keep readers wanting to learn more about you. Here are three examples of attorney resume summaries: Dedicated and compassionate public defender with 8+ years of experience representing indigent clients in criminal cases. Proven track record in providing robust defense strategies, negotiating plea bargains, and advocating for clients’ rights in court. Skilled in case investigation, legal research, and client counseling, with a commitment to ensuring justice and fair treatment for all individuals. Highly skilled and disciplined O-5 JAG officer with 10 years of experience in military legal affairs. Expertise in the UCMJ, operational law, and international law, providing legal support to military personnel and commanders. Adept at conducting courts-martial, advising on rules of engagement, and ensuring compliance with military regulations. Committed to upholding the principles of military law and contributing to the mission of the US Navy’s JAG Corps. Innovative and detail-oriented patent lawyer with 7+ years of experience in intellectual property law. Specialize in patent prosecution, patent litigation, and IP strategy for clients in technology and biotech industries. Proficient in drafting and filing patent applications, conducting patentability searches, and defending clients’ IP rights in court. Dedicated to helping clients protect and commercialize their innovations through comprehensive legal support. Adding numbers is a surefire way to make your resume achievements stand out. As a lawyer, you should be able to keep track of statistics like: And then add them to your resume. Here’s an example of a quantified attorney resume: Quantified bullet points for an immigration lawyer resume You’ll need to be a member of the bar in your state (or federally) in order to practice law in your jurisdiction, so make that clear by including your bar membership details on your resume (normally in your education section). Here’s how that might look: Depending on your role and legal field, you’ll need certain hard skills on your resume. A district attorney will need different skills from a public defender, for example, and a real estate attorney will have different skills than a civil rights lawyer. Still, there are some hard skills all lawyers will have in common. If you’re having trouble locating specific hard skills in the job description, you can add some of these to your resume: Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
Lawyer resumes by experience level and legal specialty
Legal intern resume
Legal intern resume example highlights
Experienced attorney resume
Experienced attorney resume example highlights
Real estate attorney resume
Real estate attorney resume example highlights
Average lawyer salaries in the US
States Salary / Year
California $185,050
New York $179,650
Texas $145,000
Florida $121,500
Pennsylvania $130,270
Illinois $161,880
Ohio $117,500
Georgia $131,090
North Carolina $133,130
Michigan $121,760
National Average $59,706
Tips for junior lawyers
How to write a lawyer resume
1. Start off strong with a lawyer resume summary
2. Quantify your successes in the legal field
3. Highlight your bar admissions
4. Emphasize your legal skills
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