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legal
Law
Resume Example
4.5 / 5
Why This Template Works
This resume format works well for ATS optimization because it clearly outlines the candidate's professional experience and skills relevant to law positions, including specific achievements such as negotiating a cross-border merger worth $20 million. The use of action verbs and quantifiable results also helps in ranking higher during automated searches. Additionally, by integrating keywords that are commonly searched for in legal job postings, this resume increases its visibility among potential employers looking for candidates with strong legal expertise.
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How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL | Portfolio URL (Optional)
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey. A portfolio or personal website is recommended for creative, technical, or design roles.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Don't use unprofessional email addresses.
Real Examples
Don't
Emily Wright 1234 Elm St, Apt 567 San Francisco, CA 94104 [email protected]
Do
Emily Wright San Francisco, CA (555) 987-6543 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/emily-wright-law
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
02
Summary
Summary
Professional Title Result-oriented [Role Name] with [Number] years of experience in [Key Skills/Industries]. Proven track record of [Major Achievement]. Skilled in [Key Technologies/Skills]. Committed to delivering [Specific Value] for [Target Industry/Company type].
General Guidelines
A professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should be 3-5 sentences long, summarizing your experience, key skills, and major achievements. Tailor it to the job description by using relevant keywords. Focus on what makes you unique and the value you bring to potential employers.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: I am a hard-working individual looking for a Law position where I can learn new things and advance my career.
Do
Experienced Senior Legal Counsel with over 6 years of experience in international regulatory compliance. Developed comprehensive data privacy policies that reduced legal violations by 75%. Skilled in managing cross-border contracts and using Westlaw for legal research.
Real Examples
Highlight your key achievements.
Don't
Do
Legal Operations Specialist with over a decade of experience integrating legal expertise into corporate strategy. Successfully negotiated a cross-border merger worth $20 million, ensuring compliance in 15 jurisdictions.
Real Examples
Showcase specific tools and technologies.
Don't
Do
Experienced Legal Advisor with expertise in drafting contracts using Ironclad for efficient management. Developed a new compliance training program that reduced legal infractions by 75%.
Real Examples
Emphasize your unique skills and experiences.
Don't
Do
Senior Legal Counsel with extensive knowledge in intellectual property rights. Spearheaded the integration of data privacy laws across all international subsidiaries, ensuring adherence to GDPR.
Real Examples
Demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
Don't
Do
Dedicated Legal Operations Specialist with a focus on leveraging legal tech platforms such as Clio and Relativity. Ensured compliance across multiple jurisdictions while streamlining operations.
Real Examples
Highlight your impact on teams and projects.
Don't
Do
Experienced in managing cross-functional teams, including technology and HR departments, to align legal objectives with business goals. Led the development of 20 international contracts.
Real Examples
Include relevant certifications.
Don't
Do
Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Contract Management Professional (CCMP). Expert in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and ensuring compliance across borders.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Technical Skills - Legal Databases: Westlaw, LexisNexis - Contract Management Tools: Ironclad, Concord - Case Management Software: Clio Soft Skills - Project Management - Cross-Cultural Communication - Strategic Thinking
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Legal Databases, Contract Management). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., "Java: 80%"). Don't include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Don't
Legal Databases - Microsoft Word, Excel
Do
Legal Databases - Westlaw, LexisNexis
Don't
Project Management, Time Management (60%)
Do
Project Management, Strategic Thinking
Quick Tips
- Focus on specific legal databases and tools that are commonly used in your field.
- Highlight soft skills relevant to law, such as strategic thinking and cross-cultural communication.
- Arrange technical skills under categories for clarity and ease of reading.
- Avoid listing general skills like 'Time Management' or 'Communication Skills'; these are better demonstrated through experience.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Action Verb + Context + Result (Quantified) - Led [Project] resulting in [Outcome]... - Collaborated with [Team] to implement [Feature]...
General Guidelines
This is the core of your resume. Use reverse-chronological order (most recent first). Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Focus on achievements and impact, not just duties. Use numbers to quantify your impact (dollars, percentages, time saved, users affected). Show progression and increasing responsibility.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like "Responsible for..." or "Tasked with...." Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for experiences
Don't
Responsible for reviewing contracts, ensuring compliance with regulations.
Do
Reviewed and updated 45+ company policies to align with new regulatory requirements.
Don't
Assisted in contract management tasks.
Do
Drafted and negotiated 30 contracts for various departments, improving contract turnaround time by 50%.
Quick Tips
- Use strong action verbs such as 'negotiated', 'drafted', 'implemented' to start each bullet point.
- Quantify your achievements with specific numbers and metrics where possible (e.g., reduced processing time, increased revenue).
- Highlight any cross-functional collaboration or leadership roles you have had in legal operations.
- Tailor the experience section to showcase how you added value to previous positions, focusing on unique contributions.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year - Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2] - Honors/Awards: [Award Name] - GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for educations
Don't
Bachelor of Arts | State University | Anytown, USA January 1980 – May 1984 - Coursework: Introduction to Psychology, Calculus I, Western Literature - GPA: 3.2 - Graduated with Honors in English
Do
Juris Doctor (JD) | University of Law School | San Francisco, CA September 2007 – May 2010 - Coursework: Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Compliance, International Law - GPA: 3.8
Quick Tips
- List your degrees in reverse chronological order.
- Include only the most relevant coursework that aligns with your career goals.
- Highlight any honors or awards you received to demonstrate academic excellence.
- Omit high school education if a bachelor's degree is present and more recent.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used - Briefly describe what you created and its purpose - Highlight specific challenges you solved - Link to portfolio or demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don't just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Created a basic blog about data privacy laws without any practical application or specific challenges mentioned.
Do
Developed an educational blog series on data privacy laws, addressing the latest regulations and their impact on businesses. This project was aimed at enhancing awareness among non-legal professionals.
Quick Tips
- Highlight projects that demonstrate your legal expertise and problem-solving abilities.
- Ensure each project includes specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
- Include links to live demos or portfolios where possible to give hiring managers a better understanding of your capabilities.
- Focus on projects that are relevant to the job you're applying for, showcasing skills in areas like data privacy laws, intellectual property rights, and international regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Key skills include research and analysis, legal writing, negotiation, client communication, and familiarity with relevant laws.
Highlight any gap years spent on legal studies, internships, or volunteer work to show continuous professional development.
A law degree (LLB), passing the bar exam, and relevant experience are crucial for advancing your career.
Include specific cases you worked on, detailing your role, outcomes achieved, and any awards or recognitions received.
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