Attorney/Lawyer Resume Guidance

A lawyer resume summary is a great place to start. Highlight your main qualifications, any significant cases you have argued or won, and your educational history in your lawyer resume summary.

---

1. Contact Information

Include:

• Full Name
• Professional Title (e.g., “Attorney at Law”)
• Phone Number
• Professional Email Address
• LinkedIn Profile or Online Portfolio (if applicable)
• Bar Membership Details (State and Year Admitted)

---

2. Professional Summary or Objective

Write a concise, compelling overview of your qualifications tailored to the role:

• Example Summary:
  “Dynamic and results-driven attorney with 5+ years of experience in corporate law and litigation. Proven ability to navigate complex legal frameworks, negotiate favorable settlements, and provide strategic counsel to clients. Skilled in contract drafting, regulatory compliance, and risk assessment.”

---

3. Core Competencies or Key Skills

Include relevant skills, such as:

• Legal Research and Writing
• Contract Negotiation and Drafting
• Litigation and Trial Preparation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Mediation and Arbitration
• Client Relations
• Case Strategy Development
• Specific Practice Areas (e.g., Intellectual Property, Employment Law)

---

4. Professional Experience

Detail your legal experience in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:

• Job Title, Employer, Location, Dates
• Bullet points summarizing key responsibilities and achievements, emphasizing results:
  • “Drafted and reviewed complex commercial contracts, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.”
  • “Represented clients in 50+ depositions, securing favorable outcomes in 85% of cases.”
  • “Managed a docket of 30+ cases involving employment disputes, leading to a 90% success rate in resolution.”

---

5. Education

List your educational credentials, including:

• Degree Earned (e.g., Juris Doctor), Institution, Graduation Year
• Relevant coursework or achievements (if recent graduate, e.g., “Law Review Editor” or “Moot Court Participant”).
• Academic honors (e.g., magna cum laude, dean’s list).

---

6. Bar Membership and Licenses

• Clearly state the jurisdictions where you’re licensed to practice (e.g., “Admitted to the State Bar of California, 2020”).
• Include any additional certifications or licenses (e.g., mediation or arbitration certification).

---

7. Publications and Presentations (Optional)

• List articles, legal briefs, or presentations you’ve authored.
• Example: “Author, ‘Evolving Trends in Data Privacy Law,’ published in XYZ Law Journal, 2023.”

---

8. Pro Bono and Volunteer Work (Optional)

Highlight your commitment to community and legal service:

• “Provided 200+ hours of pro bono legal services to low-income families in housing disputes.”

---

9. Technical Skills

Include proficiency with legal tools and software, such as:

• Westlaw, LexisNexis, CaseMap
• E-discovery tools (e.g., Relativity)
• Microsoft Office Suite

---

10. Awards and Honors (Optional)

Mention any professional recognition, such as:

• “Rising Star Attorney Award, Super Lawyers, 2023.”
• “Best Oral Advocate, National Moot Court Competition.”

---

Formatting Tips

• Use a professional, clean layout with clearly defined sections.
• Stick to standard fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial) and 11–12 pt font size.
• Keep your resume to one page unless you have extensive experience (2 pages max).
• Save as a PDF to ensure consistent formatting.

---

Tailoring Your Resume

Customize your resume to the specific job description by emphasizing the skills and experiences most relevant to the role. Highlight keywords from the job posting to ensure alignment.

If you’d like assistance drafting a tailored attorney resume, provide details about your background, and I’ll help you create one!

---