Lawyer & Attorney Resume: Tips and Examples
U.S. lawyer resumes differ from general professional resumes in format and emphasis.
Understanding how law firms and recruiters expect information to be presented is key to building an effective resume.
Below, you’ll find comprehensive lawyer resume examples and clear guidance to help you present your skills and background effectively.
Legal Resume Examples: Lawyers, Attorneys and Paralegals
Lawyer Resume Sample
This example shows how a licensed lawyer with some career experience should structure a U.S. legal resume.
Why this resume works:
- Uses a traditional, law-firm-friendly format.
- Clearly states bar admission status.
- Focuses on substantive legal work, not vague duties.
Martina J. Collins
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 555-7394
Email: martina.collins@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/martinajcollins
Bar Admissions
New York, admitted October 2022
Summary
Junior Lawyer with experience in civil litigation and motion practice in New York state courts. Strong legal research and writing skills, with hands-on experience drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, and supporting trial preparation. Admitted to the New York Bar.
Skills
- Legal research and writing (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- Civil litigation and motion practice
- Discovery management and document review
- Client intake and case preparation
- Deposition summaries and trial binders
- Attention to detail and deadline management
Experience
Associate Lawyer | Hudson & Blake LLP | New York, NY
September 2022 – Present
- Drafted motions, memoranda, and pleadings for commercial and employment litigation matters.
- Conducted legal research on New York CPLR and federal procedural issues.
- Assisted in discovery, including document review, privilege logs, and deposition preparation.
- Supported trial teams with exhibit preparation and witness outlines.
Judicial Intern | Supreme Court of the State of New York | New York, NY
January 2022 – May 2022
- Researched legal issues and drafted bench memoranda for civil motions.
- Observed motion hearings, trials, and settlement conferences.
Education
Juris Doctor | Fordham University School of Law | Bronx, NY | 2022
Activities: Fordham Law Review (Staff Editor)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Boston University | Boston, MA | 2019
Associate Attorney Resume Sample
This example is for an associate attorney, with experience that includes contract and project-based work.
Why this resume works:
- Clearly signals associate-level responsibility without overstating authority.
- Uses conservative formatting aligned with U.S. legal recruiting standards.
- Highlights substantive legal skills and tools.
- Maintains a clean, ATS-friendly structure.
Daniel R. Whitman
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 555-4186
Email: daniel.whitman@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danielrwhitman
Bar Admissions
New Jersey, admitted November 2017
Summary
Associate Attorney admitted to the New Jersey Bar with experience supporting commercial litigation matters and representing clients in public interest law settings. Skilled in e-discovery using Relativity, privilege log preparation, and legal writing, with a strong focus on accuracy, ethics, and collaboration with supervising attorneys.
Skills
- Contract analysis and drafting
- E-discovery and document review (Relativity)
- Regulatory compliance
- Legal research, writing, and issue spotting
- Client confidentiality and professional ethics
Experience
Associate Attorney (Contract) – Litigation Projects | Various Clients | Remote
March 2021 – present
- Review and analyze large-scale document productions for complex commercial litigation matters.
- Prepare privilege logs and issue summaries to support motion practice and case strategy.
- Use Relativity for document review, tagging, quality control, and workflow management.
- Coordinate with supervising attorneys to identify key documents and litigation issues.
- Support trial teams under tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
Staff Attorney | Greenfield Legal Aid Society | Newark, NJ
August 2017 – February 2021
- Represented low-income clients in housing and public benefits matters.
- Conducted client interviews and prepared filings for administrative hearings and court proceedings.
- Collaborated with social workers and advocacy organizations to support client outcomes.
- Maintained strict adherence to ethical standards and client confidentiality requirements.
Education
Juris Doctor | Rutgers Law School | Newark, NJ | 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | University of Maryland | College Park, MD | 2014
Family Law Attorney Resume Sample
This example shows how a senior family law attorney should prioritize experience over education.
Why this resume works:
- Clearly reflects specialization in family law.
- Emphasizes courtroom advocacy, negotiation, and client counseling.
- Maintains a conservative, senior-attorney structure aligned with U.S. legal hiring standards.
Jonathan M. Reynolds
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 555-6829
Email: jonathan.reynolds@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanmreynolds
Bar Admissions
Illinois, admitted October 2011
Summary
Experienced Family Law Attorney with over 12 years of practice representing clients in divorce, child custody, support, and marital property matters. Extensive experience managing complex domestic relations cases, negotiating settlements, and advocating for clients in court proceedings.
Skills
- Divorce and marital dissolution proceedings
- Child custody, visitation, and support matters
- Marital and non-marital property division
- Settlement negotiation and mediation
- Court appearances and motion practice
- Client counseling and case strategy
Experience
Senior Family Law Attorney | Morgan, Lee & Foster LLP | Chicago, IL
June 2015 – Present
- Represent clients in contested and uncontested divorce proceedings, including complex asset division matters.
- Handle child custody, parenting time, and child support cases, advocating for client interests in family court.
- Draft and argue motions related to temporary orders, enforcement, and post-decree modifications.
- Negotiate settlement agreements and marital settlement agreements, resolving matters efficiently when possible.
- Advise clients on legal rights, obligations, and realistic outcomes during emotionally sensitive proceedings.
Associate Attorney | Keller & Ruiz LLP | Chicago, IL
September 2011 – May 2015
- Supported senior attorneys in family law cases involving divorce, custody, and support disputes.
- Conducted legal research and drafted pleadings, discovery requests, and settlement documents.
- Assisted with court preparation, including drafting witness outlines and organizing exhibits.
Education
Juris Doctor | University of Michigan Law School | Ann Arbor, MI | 2011
Bachelor of Science in Finance | Indiana University | Bloomington, IN | 2008
Paralegal Resume Example
Here is a sample paralegal resume, that shows a standard format and highlights important skills relevant to the profession:
Why this resume works:
- Clearly defines your role and avoids overstating legal authority.
- Highlights practical litigation support skills commonly used in U.S. law firms.
- Uses a clean, ATS-friendly format that is easy for recruiters to scan.
Angela Sanchez
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 555-2847
Email: angelasanchez@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/asanchez
Summary
Paralegal with experience supporting civil litigation matters in New York state courts. Skilled in legal research, discovery coordination, and trial preparation, with hands-on experience assisting attorneys with case management, document review, and client communications. Known for strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability in fast-paced legal environments.
Skills
- Legal research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- Discovery management and document review
- Case file organization and document management
- Client intake and correspondence
- Deposition summaries and trial preparation support
- Attention to detail and deadline tracking
Experience
Litigation Paralegal | Hudson & Blake LLP | New York, NY
September 2022 – Present
- Support attorneys in civil and employment litigation matters by organizing case files and managing discovery materials.
- Conduct legal research and assist with drafting pleadings, motions, and correspondence under attorney supervision.
- Coordinate document review and prepare exhibits, deposition summaries, and trial binders.
- Communicate with clients, courts, and opposing counsel regarding filings and scheduling.
Paralegal Intern | Supreme Court of the State of New York | New York, NY
January 2022 – May 2022
- Assisted court staff with case administration and document management for civil proceedings.
- Organized filings and supported preparation for hearings and conferences.
- Observed motion practice, trials, and settlement conferences.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies | John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) | New York, NY | 2022
How To Write a Lawyer or Attorney Resume
Once you’ve seen the examples, let’s break down what makes a legal resume effective in the U.S. market.
The best format for a lawyer resume
The chronological format is the standard for lawyers and attorneys.
It works because it:
- Highlights recent legal experience first
- Shows career progression clearly
- Is familiar to recruiters and hiring partners
- Parses cleanly in ATS systems
However, if you’re early in your career and do not have a lot of experience, consider using a functional resume. This focuses on your skills rather than experience.
Legal resumes should be:
- 1 page for recent graduates and junior associates
- Up to 2 pages for experienced attorneys
Some recommended templates for lawyers and attorneys include:
You can use our AI Resume Builder to instantly build an ATS-optimized lawyer resume from scratch or improve your existing one using AI.
How to highlight your bar admission status
Bar admission is typically listed immediately after your contact information, in its own section. Recruiters and hiring managers want to be able to verify this at a glance.
Attorneys with extensive experience may place it after the Experience section, where admission is generally assumed.
Accuracy in this section is critical. Never imply admission if you are not admitted.
It is usually listed by jurisdiction and year of admission. Here is a quick example:
Bar Admission
New York Bar, admitted October 2022
How to write the perfect summary for an attorney resume
Your resume summary should be short, factual, and focused on your practice area and years of experience.
It’s important to use clear, legal language that aligns with how law firms evaluate candidates. Here are a few examples for different types of attorneys:
| Type of Lawyer | Summary |
|---|---|
| Personal Injury Attorney summary | Personal injury attorney with 8+ years of experience representing plaintiffs in motor vehicle and premises liability cases. Proven record of case resolution through settlement and trial, with strong client advocacy and litigation strategy skills. |
| Real Estate Attorney summary | Real estate attorney with extensive experience in residential and commercial transactions. Skilled in contract drafting, due diligence, and closings, and regularly advises clients on regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. |
| Defense Attorney summary | Criminal defense attorney with experience handling felony and misdemeanor cases in state courts. Focused on case strategy, motion practice, and trial preparation, and known for thorough legal analysis and client representation. |
You can use our AI Summary Generator to create a personalized resume summary in just a few impactful lines that highlight your strengths and professional focus.
What are the key skills for a lawyer resume?
Your skills section should reinforce your experience in the legal profession.
Use keywords from the job posting exactly as written. Try to avoid generic soft skills without context, such as hard-working or team player.
Some key skills for lawyer or attorney resumes include:
- Legal research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- Civil litigation and motion practice
- Contract drafting and review
- E-discovery (Relativity)
- Depositions and discovery management
Use our AI Skills Generator to get a tailored list of the most relevant legal skills for your target role, generated by AI based on your experience and practice area.
Including contact information on lawyer resumes
Contact information should appear at the very top of your resume.
Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, city and state, and (optionally) your LinkedIn profile.
Jane Doe
New York, NY
(212) 555-1234
jane.doe@email.com
linkedin.com/in/janedoe
Adding your experience to an attorney resume
Legal employers want to see substantive legal work and measurable responsibility.
Listing tasks without context makes it impossible to assess your skill level.
Your experience section should answer three questions:
- What type of law did you practice?
- What level of responsibility did you have?
- What was the complexity of the work?
Here is an example of what a legal experience section entry should look like:
Associate Attorney | Carter, Mills & Rosen LLP | New York, NY
September 2021 – Present
- Draft motions, pleadings, and legal memoranda for civil litigation matters in state and federal court.
- Conduct legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis on procedural and substantive issues.
- Manage discovery, including document review, preparation of privilege logs, and coordination with contract attorneys.
- Prepare deposition summaries and assist with trial preparation, including exhibit organization and witness materials.
- Communicate with clients regarding case status and assist senior attorneys with case strategy and deadlines.
How to list education on a legal resume
Education is critical in legal hiring, but its placement depends on your experience level:
- Law students and recent graduates (0–3 years): Education goes first.
- Experienced lawyers (3+ years): Education moves below Experience.
Make sure to always include:
- Full degree name (e.g., Juris Doctor)
- Law school name
- Graduation year
- Honors, journals, or law review (if applicable)
Education
Juris Doctor | Rutgers Law School | Newark, NJ | 2019
- Activities: Rutgers Law Review
- Honors: Dean’s List
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | University of Maryland | College Park, MD | 2016
Including certifications and credentials on a lawyer resume
Legal resumes should only include credentials that are directly relevant to legal practice.
This section is about licensing and authority, not general learning.
Some credentials you could add include:
- Bar admissions (if you have not included it in its own section)
- Court admissions
- Specialized legal certifications (mediation, compliance, arbitration)
Licenses & Professional Credentials
- New York Bar, admitted 2022
- Certified Mediator, New York Peace Institute
- Compliance Certification, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE)
Lawyer & Attorney Resume FAQs
The average lawyer salary in the U.S. is around $176,470 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Actual pay varies widely by specialization and location. For example, the mean average wage for lawyers working in the motion picture and video industry is $280,910.
Yes, most legal employers still expect a cover letter. It allows you to explain your interest, practice area fit, and writing ability. Not including one can hurt your application, especially for competitive roles.
You can use our AI Cover Letter Generator to create a tailored cover letter that matches your background and the role you’re applying for.
You should include metrics that show the impact that you have made.
For example, a defense attorney might list an acquittal or dismissal rate. A corporate lawyer could highlight the number or value of contracts negotiated.
Use stats that reflect outcomes, efficiency, or the scope of your responsibility.
No, you should not call yourself an attorney until you are officially sworn in. You may state “Bar exam passed” or “Pending admission” with the jurisdiction.
When writing your resume, it’s important to make sure this is completely accurate. Misrepresenting licensure can seriously harm your credibility.
In most legal roles, conservative formatting is safest.Law firms value clarity and professionalism over visual flair.
Creative templates are more acceptable in legal tech or alternative legal careers.
You should switch to “experience first” once your legal work history is stronger than your academic profile.
This typically happens after your first full-time legal role. At that point, employers care more about practice experience than coursework, clinics, or law school honors.
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