Attorney Resume Examples and Templates
20 Best Law and Legal Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
By Andrew Stoner
, Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner
Read More
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Last Updated:
December 3, 2025
For an effective legal resume, focus on your deep understanding of the law and its effect on your clients or organization. Give examples of your success in similar legal jobs, and cite any advanced degrees or credentials you’ve earned. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a resume showing your best law and legal qualifications.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant ones to the job in which you’re interested to feature in your experience section – this helps you give your resume the right focus.
- Spell out the results of your past legal work. Describe how your efforts helped clients or employers, and quantify the impact when possible.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Enhanced,” or “Represented.”
Most Popular Law and Legal Resumes
Legal Assistant Resume Example
Why this legal assistant resume example is strong:
This resume has a clear and concise structure while showcasing key skills in legal research, document preparation, and client communication. The candidate’s ability to manage case files and support attorneys is well-presented, with measurable achievements such as streamlining administrative processes to save time. Read more: Key Skills Examples for Your Resume
Legal Secretary Resume Example
Why this legal secretary resume example is strong:
This resume highlights prioritization skills, legal documentation expertise, and the ability to streamline office operations. The candidate shows their impact by improving scheduling and document organization processes, which are vital for legal secretaries. Read more: Keywords That Make Your Resume Awesome
Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this legal intern resume example is strong:
This example demonstrates how a legal intern can showcase their education and internships. The resume focuses on contributions to research and document preparation, essential skills for aspiring legal professionals. Read more: Professional Hard Skills for Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Legal Clerk Resume Example
Why this legal clerk resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights clerical skills in the legal field, such as preparing court documents, managing deadlines, and supporting attorneys. The candidate’s organizational skills and attention to detail are emphasized throughout. Read more: Resume Objective Examples — Career Statement for All Types of Jobs
Entry-Level Legal Assistant Resume Example
Why this entry-level legal assistant resume example is strong:
This resume highlights relevant coursework and internships for an entry-level candidate. The focus on transferable skills and education allows the candidate to stand out despite limited professional experience. Read more: Resume Vs. Curriculum Vitae: What’s the Difference?
Legal Resume Writer Resume Example
Why this legal resume writer resume example is strong:
This resume demonstrates the candidate’s ability to craft impactful resumes for legal professionals. It highlights experience in legal terminology, client communication, and storytelling while showcasing measurable success in improving client outcomes. Read more: Should You List Your Address on Your Resume
Attorney Legal Resume Example
Why this attorney legal resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes both litigation and advisory experience, clearly showcasing a blend of courtroom skills and legal counseling. It highlights measurable achievements, such as case outcomes and advisory results, to demonstrate expertise. Read more: The Best Fonts for Your Resume
Chief Legal Officer Resume Example
Why this chief legal officer resume example is strong:
This example highlights strategic leadership, risk management, and executive-level advisory skills. It showcases measurable impacts on company performance and strong collaboration with executive teams. Read more: Leadership Skills for Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Corporate Legal Assistant Resume Example
Why this corporate legal assistant resume example is strong:
This resume effectively demonstrates expertise in supporting corporate legal departments. It emphasizes skills like contract management and regulatory compliance support, key for this role. Read more: The Best Looking Resumes To Impress Hiring Managers With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Executive Legal Assistant Resume Example
Why this executive legal assistant resume example is strong:
This resume highlights experience in high-level administrative and legal support, showcasing skills in managing executive schedules, preparing legal correspondence, and handling confidential matters. Read more: Tips on Writing the Education Section of Your Resume
Litigation Paralegal Resume Example
Why this litigation paralegal resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes the candidate’s expertise in trial preparation, legal research, and case management. It effectively demonstrates experience in high-pressure litigation environments while showcasing quantifiable results. Read more: Two Page Resume: Will It Crush Your Chances?
Criminal Defense Attorney Resume Example
Why this criminal defense attorney resume example is strong:
This example highlights the candidate’s success in defending clients in complex criminal cases, emphasizing courtroom expertise and negotiation skills. It also quantifies results, such as favorable verdicts and case dismissals. Read more: What Can I Say Instead of “Responsible” on a Resume?
Contract Attorney Resume Example
Why this contract attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s specialization in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts. It demonstrates proficiency in compliance and risk mitigation, which are crucial for corporate legal roles. Read more: What Is a Good Headline for a Resume? With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Immigration Paralegal Resume Example
Why this immigration paralegal resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights expertise in assisting clients with visa applications, legal documentation, and case management. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to navigate complex immigration processes and support attorneys. Read more: What To Put on a Resume
Compliance Attorney Resume Example
Why this compliance attorney resume example is strong:
This example emphasizes the candidate’s ability to ensure organizational compliance with regulations, highlighting skills in policy development and audits. It quantifies results, such as reduced legal risks, to demonstrate expertise. Read more: Action Verbs, Power Words, and Strong Synonyms to Use on Your Resume
Real Estate Attorney Resume Example
Why this real estate attorney resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes the candidate’s ability to handle property transactions, zoning issues, and contract negotiations, which are vital for success in the real estate legal field. It highlights quantifiable accomplishments, such as successfully closing high-value transactions. Read more: Are Resume Templates a Good Idea?
Family Law Paralegal Resume Example
Why this family law paralegal resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s expertise in managing sensitive legal cases, such as divorce and child custody. It demonstrates proficiency in client support, legal documentation, and court filing processes. Read more: Best Resume Formats With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Environmental Law Attorney Resume Example
Why this environmental law attorney resume example is strong:
This example showcases the candidate’s expertise in regulatory compliance and litigation related to environmental protection. It emphasizes success in resolving disputes and advising clients on compliance strategies. Read more: Core Competencies on a Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide
Legal Operations Manager Resume Example
Why this legal operations manager resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s ability to streamline legal processes, manage budgets, and implement technology solutions to improve efficiency. It demonstrates measurable success in operational improvements. Read more: Headline Examples for Your Resume
Trademark Attorney Resume Example
Why this trademark attorney resume example is strong:
This example emphasizes the candidate’s expertise in intellectual property law, showcasing success in securing trademarks and resolving disputes. It includes quantifiable achievements, such as managing a large portfolio of trademarks. Read more: How Far Back Should a Resume Go? How Many Jobs/Years to List?
Law and Legal Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write a Law and Legal Resume
Your law and legal resume should usually include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
Below are tips and samples to help you organize each resume section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your contact information is current so employers can reach you for an interview.
Example:
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your law and legal qualifications
You can impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five primary reasons you’ll excel as their next hire. These selling points may include your:
- Main strengths or legal expertise
- Work style or approach (efficient, diligent, collaborative…)
- Advanced school degree(s)
When writing this section, use simple, direct phrases like “skilled in” or “focused on,” and avoid more elevated language like “outstanding” or “exceptional.”
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Senior-level profile example:
Senior corporate attorney with 12 years of experience specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate compliance, and contract negotiation. Proven record of providing strategic counsel to Fortune 500 firms, closing $300 million in M&A deals, and mitigating legal risks through proactive compliance programs.
Entry-level profile example:
Legal assistant with three years of experience focused on legal research, case preparation, and client communications. Skilled at supporting litigation attorneys by preparing legal briefs, conducting interviews, and managing case files to ensure smooth operations.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success. For each job in your recent work history, first brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points on your resume. This two-step process helps you write full descriptions of each legal job, but also figure out and describe the value of any recent jobs you’ve held outside law.
Senior-level professional experience example:
Corporate Counsel, ABC Corporation, New York, NY | April 2016 – Present
- Led legal strategies for M&A deals, overseeing contracts totaling $200 million annually, and ensured compliance with federal regulations
- Established a new compliance program that reduced legal risks by 30% and helped company pass all regulatory audits
- Advised executive leadership on legal implications of strategic business decisions, mitigating potential liabilities
Entry-level professional experience example:
Paralegal, XYZ Law Firm, Chicago, IL | June 2020 – Present
- Prepared affidavits, pleadings, and other legal documents for litigation cases, ensuring 100% compliance with court procedures
- Conducted detailed legal research for three attorneys, reducing case preparation time by 15%
- Supported client intake processes, creating positive first impressions and streamlining case onboarding
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, use relevant performance data to measure the results you’ve achieved. Hard numbers like percentages and dollar amounts put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your impact.
Do:
- “Managed over 150 case files and conducted research, helping the litigation team achieve a 90% case success rate”
Don’t:
- “Responsible for organizing case files and conducting research”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
For each job posting you respond to, note any details given about the hiring firm’s size, industry, client base, or legal services. How do these areas compare to your recent experience? By citing these similarities in your profile, you can make a stronger first impression on the hiring manager.
What if you have no work experience?
As long as the job posting doesn’t strictly require it, you don’t need direct work experience to write an effective resume. The trick is focusing on your transferable skills, which can come from various areas such as internships, volunteer positions, academic projects, or college courses. By detailing these areas in full on your resume, you can ensure it helps you get interviews for your target job.
4. Include relevant education and certifications
The education and certifications sections are critical in showing you have a strong base of legal knowledge. Each degree or credential also serves as a formal endorsement of your skills and professionalism. Following are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, ST] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]
Example:
Juris Doctor (J.D.), Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA | 2015
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]
Example:
Certified Paralegal, National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) | 2019
5. List pertinent key skills
A skills section lets you quickly show the different ways you can apply your legal expertise. Below, you’ll find some key terms to consider for this section:
| Key skills | |
|---|---|
| Case management | Client consultations |
| Contract negotiations | Corporate compliance |
| Dispute resolution | Federal regulations |
| Junior staff mentoring | Legal analysis |
| Legal document preparation | Legal research |
| Litigation support | Mergers and acquisitions |
| Public speaking and presentations | Regulatory compliance |
| Risk assessment and mitigation | Work planning and scheduling |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and tell a compelling story about your legal experience.
The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your law and legal resume:
| Action verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advised | Advocated |
| Analyzed | Clarified |
| Classified | Collaborated |
| Consulted | Created |
| Decreased | Defended |
| Drafted | Enhanced |
| Established | Filed |
| Fostered | Generated |
| Grew | Improved |
| Increased | Introduced |
| Litigated | Lowered |
| Managed | Negotiated |
| Prepared | Prevented |
| Ranked | Reduced |
| Represented | Researched |
| Reversed | Reviewed |
| Secured | Streamlined |
| Updated | Won |
How To Pick the Best Law and Legal Resume Template
A resume is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted that way. Choose a template that’s clear and straightforward, and avoid any template with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple, conservative resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and update your work history going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions: Law and Legal Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a law and legal job posting?
Focus on editing your skills section. With just a few quick changes to this section, you can further hone your resume and help it get past screenings by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
First, take a close look at the job posting and highlight any skills required. Then, compare those highlighted terms against your resume's existing skills section. Delete any skills from your list that don't appear in the job posting, and add any missing skills of yours that do.
Say the job posting calls for experience in training new hires, which you have. Add the phrase "New hire training" to your skills section so ATS and human readers can see you have the leadership ability they're looking for.
What is the best law and legal resume format?
The combination (or hybrid) format, because it lets you present yourself both clearly and strategically. According to job search experts Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, this format "gives you many opportunities to share your specific successes.... It offers immense flexibility in an easy-to-follow structure."
A combination resume has these two features:
- An introduction to your strengths. Typically, the resume intro consists of a profile paragraph and skills list, as in the examples on this page. But there are many variations. Depending on your job search, you may choose to omit one or both of these sections in favor of a brief professional headline. You may also add elements like charts or client testimonials. Whatever approach you choose, make sure your introduction tells why you're great for the job.
- One or more experience sections. Hiring managers want to know your latest career activities. The combination format lets you provide that information with sections for your recent years' work, internship, education, or other experience. For most job seekers, the bulk of their combination resume will be a "Professional Experience" section with detailed job descriptions in reverse-chronological order.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter sharpens your job application by answering the question, Why are you interested in this particular job or law firm? As with starting your resume, brainstorm your thoughts on a separate document or blank paper and then choose the most compelling ones as your foundation. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.
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Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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