11 Attorney Resume Examples That Got the Job in 2024

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

See the Resume Example

Attorney

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• Attorney Resume
• Attorney Resumes by Experience
• Attorney Resumes by Role
• Attorney Resume FAQs

As a successful attorney in 2024, you are a stellar researcher, writer, investigator, and client confidante.

But when it comes time to write your resume, how are you supposed to fit everything you do into one page? You also have to consider formatting, metrics, and whether to add any optional sections.

We’re here to help you handle your resume and attorney cover letter so you can do what you do best: practice law.

Our 11 attorney resumes have helped lawyers of different specialties land jobs at top-tier law firms, so they’re perfect for beginning your resume-writing journey. We also have tips and tricks for each resume type to help you rise above the competition and get the attorney job you’ve always dreamed about in 2024.

Attorney Resume

Why this resume works

• Let’s face it, snagging that attorney position is no walk in the park—it’s seriously competitive out there. You’ll need an attorney resume that’s as polished and persuasive as a closing argument in a high-profile case. And if you need a hand crafting it, we’ve got your back.
  • From what we’ve seen, “dedicated”, “generated,” “developed,” and “communicated” are the kind of words worth a prominent position at the beginning of your resume bullet points. These power starters turn making a strong first impression into a breeze because they clarify and condense your achievements, making them pop.
  • Always go out of your way to tailor your attorney resume to the job description and hiring firm’s needs. Phrases like “researching state laws and challenges” and “conduct and consolidate legal research,” for instance, can act as evidence of your relevant chops and know-how. And you know what? That just might get you on the recruiter’s speed dial.
  • Listing your job responsibilities is alright. But so will every other candidate applying for that job. To stand out and catch the recruiter’s attention, use numbers to quantify your achievements, such as “84% positive feedback” and “increasing efficiency by 14%.”
  • Want to tick that “practical experience” box? By showcasing pertinent skills (think “collaboration with clients,” “negotiations,” and “legal research”) in your work history section, you tell potential employers loud and clear that you’re not just capable in theory but can actually roll up your sleeves and get to work.

  Entry-Level Attorney Resume

  

  Why this resume works

  • Don’t worry if your entry-level attorney resume lacks work experience; as an entry-level candidate, you have more flexibility with your resume.
    • You can list projects, internships, and any other work experience you have, even if it’s not related to law.
    • Feel free to add relevant courses from your law school to highlight your skills even further!
    • As a rule of thumb, you must customize your objective for each job to which you apply.
    • If you’re going to use the same objective for each application, leave it off entirely and focus on work experience or projects.

    Associate Attorney Resume

    

    Why this resume works

    • As you get more litigation experience, you’ll have more to include on your associate attorney resume. However, we’d recommend having a maximum of four work experience entries (three being the average).
      • This allows you to include at least four bullet points per entry, which is just enough to learn about your accomplishments without overwhelming the reader.
      • Always check your resume for typos, grammar errors, and other mistakes before you submit it.

      Senior Attorney Resume

      

      Why this resume works

      • Practice makes perfect, and experience begets skills. So you should include more hard skills in your resume skills section.
        • Good skills to include on your senior attorney resume are “contract review,” “ethics,” and any specific areas of law you have experience researching.
        • Whatever you choose, double-check the job description to ensure you’re providing the correct information.

        Corporate Attorney Resume

        

        Why this resume works

        • The corporate law world is brimming with new attorneys each day, so cutting corners on your resume? That’s a no-go unless you want that opportunity to slip through your fingers. Our advice? Equip your corporate attorney resume with the right sections to prove you’re qualified.
          • Sure, you’ve got the basics down—header, work experience, education, skills—all set. But don’t stop there; toss in the certifications and Bar admissions sections to put your eligibility in the spotlight and confirm that you’ve got what it takes to talk the corporate law talk and walk the courtroom walk.

          Transactional Attorney Resume

          

          Why this resume works

          • Got the right soft and hard skills? Check. Remarkable career accomplishments? Check! Passed the bar? Indeed. Then, the only thing standing between you and that job you want could be a complex resume design that the applicant tracking system can’t read.
            • It’s time to ditch the flashy design quirks (think images, tables, text boxes, and gimmick fonts like Comic Sans) and embrace the beauty of simplicity. Employ bullet lists for easy readability, accentuate key wins with bold and italics, and play with colors to highlight different section headings. It’s about keeping things clean and ensuring the ATS (and eventually, human eyes) can navigate your transactional attorney resume with ease.

            Trademark Attorney Resume

            

            Why this resume works

            • When you’re applying for a more specialized role like a trademark attorney position, you’ll need to showcase the work you’ve done in that practice area.
              • If you’ve never worked as a trademark attorney before, highlight your transferable skills. For example, have you advised clients on how to navigate prospective new legislation? Trademark law is always changing, so knowing how to research recent litigation is a highly useful skill.
              • Use similar keywords and responsibilities to reassure your future employer that you’re fit for the job.

              Litigation Attorney Resume

              

              Why this resume works

              • Many top attorneys start out as paralegals. A professional background in legal support equips you to dive right in to the firm once you’ve earned your J.D.
                • Don’t downplay your paralegal experience on your litigation attorney resume. It adds a degree of proficiency to your practice.

                Real Estate Attorney Resume

                

                Why this resume works

                • As an attorney, you know that you can only practice in the state you were admitted to the Bar. But if you’re a certified member of a specialized Bar Association—like real estate—in that same state, you can take your real estate attorney resume up a notch.
                  • Devote valuable resume space to both your Bar admissions and certifications to demonstrate excellence in your field.

                  Contract Attorney Resume

                  

                  Why this resume works

                  • The best way to make your contract attorney resume shine is by matching your experience and skills with the attorney job description.
                    • Tailor your resume skills section and work experience by including keywords mentioned in the job ad. Include just enough to show your expertise without copying everything word-for-word. Most of all, be honest about the skills you possess.
                    • Make sure that you list the specific types of contracts you have negotiated and managed, too!

                    Civil Litigation Attorney Resume

                    

                    Why this resume works

                    • Quantifiable results always grab an employer’s attention, and since civil litigation almost always involves dollars, you need to show hiring managers the money!
                      • All jokes aside, you can also include metrics related to things other than money. How many cases did you handle? How many clients did you meet? How many contracts or drafts did you review? Odds are, most of your responsibilities involve numbers!
                      • Use bullet points and action verbs to cut filler, and avoid using adjectives or adverbs that take up space.
                      • Symbols can also help: a $ instead of “dollars” and + instead of “more than” is both simple and effective!

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                      Attorney Resume FAQs

                      

                      1. Should you list certifications on an attorney resume?

                      As an attorney, employers expect you’ll have passed the bar, and depending on the specific type of legal work you’re interested in, you may need more specialized certifications, such as the Certified International Trade Law Specialist or Board Certification in Criminal Law. While hiring personnel will likely request photocopies of your licenses and certifications, you should still list these on your attorney resume since it’s a quick assurance that you’re qualified for the specific role.

                      2. How should attorneys list education on a resume?

                      List your highest education first. Start with law school and work your way down to your undergraduate degree (exclude high school). In the education section of your resume, you should list the name of the school along with the location, degree, and when you completed the degree. If you’re recently out of school, consider adding short bullet points that point to academic accomplishments, especially as it relates to legal work.

                      3. How long should a resume be for an attorney?

                      No doubt, you’re used to pages of legalese and it’s no sweat for you to make sense of it; however, for your attorney resume, keep it to one page. This is your opportunity to quickly advertise your best law qualifications and accomplishments. Going into detail is best reserved for writing a great cover letter.