Get your attorney resume more than the typical six-second scan from overwhelmed recruiters. Using this tips, hacks, and stats in this writing guide and corresponding attorney resume sample will help you stand out from competitors and get hiring managers to schedule that all-important interview.
Published: April 20, 2018 Last Updated: September 12, 2024 Average rating people’ve already rated it
Win your next hiring case with a persuasive attorney resume. As an attorney, you have the chance to practice in a profession for which you have passion. Job opportunities vary extensively in different fields of law, but with the right resume, you can be ahead of the crowd and grab the job of your dreams!
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The guide you’re reading now is designed to help you land that top-level job at a great law firm. Referring to the corresponding attorney resume example, we’ll cover these topics:
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Attorneys have diverse options when it comes to legal work environments and types of practice. Understanding the big picture will help you write the best resume for each scene! Law is a wide and deep profession. Very broadly, attorneys can work in private firms, for individual clients, in government, or themselves. Even if you strike out on your own, you will need to attract clients with your accomplishments.
Looking for more inspiration? View our related legal resume samples and writing guides listed below:
Large, private law firms
Working in a large, private firm requires long hours and hard work, but many opportunities and high salaries. Typically, these firms hire attorneys to work in one practice area or for one client. These may include employment law, general corporate law, litigation, employee benefits, tax or real estate. All require different expertise. These firms hire associates right out of law school, but may also have openings for experienced attorneys. Here are the questions big firms will consider when looking at an experienced attorney's candidacy, according to BCG Search, an attorney recruiting firm:
These are not just direct pointers on what to write, but an insight into the legal hiring psychology. If your resume answers these questions (even indirectly), you are much more likely to get that interview. As a bonus, try to show that you are a "rainmaker," or someone who can bring clients into the firm.
Statistical insightMedical attorneys make an average of $150,881 annually. They are the highest-paid attorneys. In contrast, corporate attorneys average $108,882 annually and public interest attorneys earn an average of $68,610, according to Money Inc. and Payscale.com.
Small, private firms
Smaller firms may specialize in one area, such as family law, or practice general law. Instead of large corporate clients, they work with individuals and small companies. At these firms, you may have more control over the hours you work and be able to develop stronger relationships with clients. You may also have more responsibility and opportunities to learn earlier in your career. On the downside, the pay may be lower and the resources fewer.
In-house counsel
Working at a corporation, or as an in-house counsel, means you have one client: your employer. These clients usually look for attorneys who have worked at large law firms for several years since those firms offer training programs to their employees. These roles are likely to focus on intellectual property rights or transactions, but the work may include labor and employment, real estate, tax, licensing, regulatory and administrative law. Your hours will be more predictable, and you will not have to worry about billable hours.
Government employment
Government employment is yet another career path. Most attorneys in this sector start as research assistants or law clerks for experienced attorneys or judges. Attorneys may work for a governmental body, such as a school board, or they may become an assistant district attorney, prosecuting defendants in court under the direction of a district attorney. These positions can also be lucrative, but require long hours and high-stress work. Now let's take the first step toward writing your resume.
Statistical insightGrowth in jobs for attorneys from 2022 to 2032 through 2029 is expected to be 8%, more than twice as fast as the occupational average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the job market for new law graduates has been robust in recent years, the National Association of Law Placement reports. Almost 92% of 2021 law graduates found full-time, long-term employment — tied for the highest rate in more than 30 years.
Understanding recruiters
Law firm recruiters are busy people who see thousands of resumes, especially if you are job-hunting at the same time as law school graduates are flooding the market. They are quickly scanning resumes to find great candidates. The more applications they can scan through and sort easily, the better for them. If a resume has a confusing layout or imprecise wording, it is likely to go in the garbage. Your professional skills, achievements, and attributes must stand out from the start.
Just as your briefs follow a format, so, too, should your resume. Before you dig in, here are the components that all attorney resumes need:
Whether you plan to argue cases or research arcane tax law, you need to be a great communicator who can code-switch depending on the situation. A standout attorney resume blends the right tone with a message for success. Just as you tell stories when you present arguments in the law, you are telling a story here — the tale of your success.
Tap into your network to research the firms you are interested in and find out what they value. Match your tone and linguistic style to the firm’s culture and environment whenever possible.
A compelling resume contains the argument for your employment and will get you in position for an interview. Follow this winning formula:
Applicant tracking systems, or ATS, are software programs that use algorithms to rank resumes. While once they were used only by large companies, they are almost ubiquitous today. Because job listings garner as many as 250 applications each, recruiters want to limit the resumes they review to only the top candidates. Recruiters and employers tell the ATS what is most important to them and the ATS uses those criteria to search for the best matches. You want to be among them. By strategically using keywords and phrases, placing your contact information well, and highlighting your skills, you will boost your chances of meeting the first challenge. Part of law training is analysis, so use your ability to break down job listings into the key skills the recruiter seeks.
Statistical insightThe ATS market is splintered among more than 275 software providers — with only nine companies holding more than at least a 1% share. That means there is no single guaranteed approach to beating ATS software, but there are many hacks that can give you an advantage.
Nine times out of 10, the reverse chronological order resume format is your best bet when writing an attorney resume. Employers want to see your most recent experience first when they peruse your employment history section. There are cases, however, where you may want to use a different style.
If you have worked on complicated technical cases or have very detailed knowledge in a niche field, a functional resume may work better to showcase your skills. This style offers an expanded skills section where you can explain your deep proficiency or highlight your cases. A hybrid (combination) format offers even more flexibility.
Congratulations if you have recently graduated or passed the bar! You may want to consider one of the resume formats we suggest as chronological alternatives. But in most instances, the reverse chronological order resume format is your best choice.
A distinctive header design enhances the professional look of your resume document. It gives recruiters a positive first impression overall, and makes everything look more inviting to read. Prominently displaying your identifying information ensures that it gets noticed right away and can be found easily when hiring managers want to get in touch. The header should include your name, occupation title, phone number, email, and city. Adding your LinkedIn profile is also recommended.
The resume summary is your chance to let your personality shine. This short synopsis of your career can win over recruiters from the start. The summary (also known as the profile or personal statement) is a great opportunity to distinguish yourself. Attorneys are expected to use concise, convincing language to communicate, argue, and persuade. This is the main opportunity on your resume to show off these talents. As an attorney, you need many other soft skills, including interpersonal, skills as well. Writing two to four sentences about your professional personality and achievements allows you to show them off. Of course, your breadth and depth of knowledge of the law should also be on display.
Expert tipBefore you start writing, develop a master list of your skills, professional achievements, and attributes. This will serve you well throughout your search because you can revise your resume for each firm by cherry-picking from the list.
A great summary can elevate your resume by giving recruiters an idea of who you are and what you will bring to the firm. This is not the time to be modest! Don't exaggerate, but be proud of who you are and the skills you have. Think about the ATS as you write. Strategic placement of keywords will help your ATS ranking and get your resume into the hands of a person.
Expert tipSpace on your resume is tight, so make the most of it. Convey your strengths with dynamic language, considering the traits recruiters are looking for in attorneys. The top five attributes of great attorneys, according to Attorneys at Work, are:
Here is attorney resume summary example text to use as a starting point for your own.
Adaptable resume summary exampleAccomplished and professional Attorney with several years of experience specializing in both the public and private sectors of litigation. Well known reputation for personal integrity, experience, and work ethic. Dedicated, honest, and constantly striving to uphold the highest standards of integrity in correspondence with the law. Bringing forth superior knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure, in combination with excellent analytical and logical reasoning skills.
Copy to clipboardAdd details that strengthen your argument for the job in the resume employment history section. Specifics will carry the day! Before you begin describing your work experience, shift from thinking in terms of job duties to professional achievements. Did you win a big case? Save your client thousands of dollars in taxes? Arbitrate a huge deal? Write briefs for a judge? That is what recruiters want to see on your CV instead of just a list of your responsibilities.
Statistical insightAccording to 2021 American Bar Association data, 48% of new law school graduates were hired by large private firms (1–500+ employees). Another 10.2% percent went into government work, 9.5% accepted clerkships, and business and industry accounted for 9.3%. Public interest law, solo practice, and education rounded out the legal employment sectors.
These foundational skills are necessary for attorneys. However, you may also have abilities and distinct knowledge in your specific field of law. Try to include a balance of general skills and achievements specific to your field. Use strong action verbs that showcase your accomplishments and your written communication skills. Demonstrate how you applied these skills in your jobs by quantifying your achievements with numbers. Incorporating the all-important keywords here will help you beat the ATS. Recruiters are also looking for professional growth, so highlight increased responsibility and how you rose to the challenge.
The employment history text from our attorney resume example illustrates below.
Adaptable resume employment history exampleEarning a law degree is no easy feat, so use your alma mater to your advantage in your resume education section. If you are focused on getting a job at a large law firm, where you earned your law degree does matter. Top firms tend to look for graduates of "T14"(top 14) law schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, because it is an easy way to narrow the field of applicants. You also have a much better chance at a Supreme Court clerkship. If that is you, great! You may want to move this section higher up on your resume page to get the attention of recruiters.
Statistical insightAfter an unprecedented increase of 111% in 2021, the 2022 lateral hiring market — hiring established attorneys from a different firm — produced mixed results, according to the latest National Association for Law Placement report. Overall lateral hiring fell by 11.5%, but that decline was driven by a cooling-off in the lateral associate market, which decreased by nearly 20% as compared to 2021, following a 149% year-over-year gain in 2021. Lateral hiring of both partners (+5.5%) and other lawyers (+9.5%) increased somewhat in 2022.
If you are looking for a job in the region where you attended school, your university credentials will also be very helpful. Attending a regional school shows your allegiance to the area, so highlight your education in this case, too.
Add any honors and activities that highlight your accomplishments, especially if they include leadership or demonstrate other sought-after skills. Don't bloat the education section, but spotlight your talents. Since you have an advanced degree, you should not list your high school.
Once you have secured your first job, your educational background becomes less important, so place it further down in your resume.
Expert tipIf you are a recent law school graduate, your resume should include any externships, internships, summer associate's jobs, law review work, trainee, and temporary or casual work you have done. Consider calling this section “Experience” instead of “Employment History.” Once your career gains traction, you may drop these experiences from your employment history.
Here is the education section from our attorney resume example.
Adaptable resume education exampleYour skills section should target each job application and put your abilities on display at a glance. Once you make it past the ATS, you have a little more than six seconds for your resume to make an impact and keep the recruiter reading, according to an eye-tracking survey by TheLadders.com. A clear list of your skills lets employers know quickly whether your abilities fulfill their needs.
Analyze the posted job description to find the skills desired most by the firm you hope to work for. Then, go back to your master list and choose the top five to 10. Remember that space is tight, so choose wisely.
Try not to repeat the exact wording you used in the summary or employment history. Changing the language gives the ATS one more chance to pinpoint what you offer. As a general pointer, the Kent College of Law in Chicago lists these as fundamental to the profession:
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Expert tipDon't neglect to individualize your master list list for every job application. No two law firms are exactly alike; therefore, none of your attorney resumes should be either. You may eliminate yourself from the job of your dreams if you exclude an important skill because you did not personalize your list. Putting in the extra effort now can land you at the top firm of your choice.
Check out the skills list from our attorney resume sample.
Adaptable resume skills exampleMake the first impression a great one with an elegant and easy-to-read design. Using one of Resume.io's ready made resume templates — perhaps from the professional style category — will make this part a breeze. But there are some rules you should know.
Simple layouts with clear sections and heading titles got the most attention from recruiters, according to the previously mentioned eye-tracking study by TheLadder.com.
