Research Summary. We analyzed 13,927 attorney resumes to determine which ones land the most jobs. Below you'll find examples of resumes that can help you get an interview (and a job offer) from companies like Skadden and Robert Half. Here are the key facts about attorney resumes to help you get the job:

  • The average attorney resume is 429 words long
  • The average attorney resume is 1.0 pages long based on 450 words per page.
  • Litigation is the most common skill found on an attorney resume. It appears on 18.7% of resumes.
After learning about how to write a professional attorney resume, you can make sure your resume checks all the boxes with our resume builder.

Resume

Attorney Resume Example

Choose From 10+ Customizable Attorney Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Attorney templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Attorney resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

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Entry level Attorney Resume example

Professional Attorney Resume example

Attorney Resume Format And Sections

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1. Add Contact Information To Your Attorney Resume

Your name should be the biggest text on the page and be at or near the top of the document.

Your address doesn't need to include your street name or house number - listing your city and state works just fine.

Your email address should be professional, but not your current work email address. It's not a good look to use your work email for personal projects (job-searching).

Your social media can be included if you have a fully-fledged LinkedIn page or another social media page that showcases your relevant skill set.

Attorney Resume Contact Information Example #1

Dhruv Johnson

d.johnson@email.com | 333-111-2222 | www.linkedin.com/in/dhruv-johnson

Do you want to know more?
How To Write The Perfect Resume Header
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2. Add Your Relevant Education To The Resume

Your resume's education section should include:

  • The name of your school
  • The date you graduated (Month, Year or Year are both appropriate)
  • The name of your degree
If you graduated more than 15 years ago, you should consider dropping your graduation date to avoid age discrimination.

Optional subsections for your education section include:

  • Academic awards (Dean's List, Latin honors, etc. )
  • GPA (if you're a recent graduate and your GPA was 3.5+)
  • Extra certifications
  • Academic projects (thesis, dissertation, etc.)

Other tips to consider when writing your education section include:

  • If you're a recent graduate, you might opt to place your education section above your experience section
  • The more work experience you get, the shorter your education section should be
  • List your education in reverse chronological order, with your most recent and high-ranking degrees first
  • If you haven't graduated yet, you can include "Expected graduation date" to the entry for that school

Attorney Resume Relevant Education Example #1

Doctoral Degree In Law 2004 - 2007

Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA

Attorney Resume Relevant Education Example #2

Doctoral Degree In Law 2006 - 2009

Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA

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3. Next, Create An Attorney Skills Section On Your Resume

Your resume's skills section should include the most important keywords from the job description, as long as you actually have those skills. If you haven't started your job search yet, you can look over resumes to get an idea of what skills are the most important.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing your resume's skills section:

  • Include 6-12 skills, in bullet point form
  • List mostly hard skills; soft skills are hard to test
  • Emphasize the skills that are most important for the job
Hard skills are generally more important to hiring managers because they relate to on-the-job knowledge and specific experience with a certain technology or process.

Soft skills are also valuable, as they're highly transferable and make you a great person to work alongside, but they're impossible to prove on a resume.

Example Of Attorney Skills For Resume

  • Trial Preparation Skills

    Trial preparation is the practice of gathering sufficient raw material for a court case. This preparation is done to make the bases of a case stronger by bringing the facts to light in a way that will give the concerned law bodies a better comprehension of the entire scenario. The method for preparing for a case may differ depending upon its nature.

  • Intellectual Property Skills

    Intellectual properties refer to individuals' intangible or non-physical wealth, which results from their imaginations and intellect.

  • Civil Litigation Skills

    Civil litigation is a legal process that is followed when a non-criminal legal dispute occurs between two parties. Such a legal process does not involve any criminal charges or penalties. The plaintiffs in such cases only seek compensation for the damages done by the defendants.

  • Social Security Skills

    Social security is a federal government program that offers benefits to those registered under it when they are retired or can't work because of some sort of disabilities.

Top Skills for an Attorney

Source: Zippia.com
  • Litigation, 18.7%
  • Legal Research, 9.0%
  • Law Firm, 8.2%
  • Legal Issues, 6.1%
  • Other Skills, 58.0%
Not sure which skills are really important?
3 Big Tips For Listing Skills On Your Resume
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4. List Your Attorney Experience

The most important part of any resume is the experience section. Recruiters and hiring managers expect to see your experience listed in reverse chronological order, meaning that you should begin with your most recent experience and then work backwards.

Don't just list your job duties below each job entry. Instead, make sure most of your bullet points discuss impressive achievements from your past positions. Whenever you can, use numbers to contextualize your accomplishments for the hiring manager reading your resume.

It's okay if you can't include exact percentages or dollar figures. There's a big difference even between saying "Managed a team of engineers" and "Managed a team of 6 engineers over a 9-month project."

Most importantly, make sure that the experience you include is relevant to the job you're applying for. Use the job description to ensure that each bullet point on your resume is appropriate and helpful.

Don't have any experience?
How To Show Your Experience On a Resume... Even When You Don't Have Any
Work History Example # 1
Paralegal
LAW OFFICES OF WINN SIMS
  • Obtained Notary Public certification in 1989 for St. Tammany Parish.
  • Drafted and managed standard legal documents including subpoenas, contracts, summonses, appeals, warrants and motions.
  • Communicated directly with lenders, real estate agents, buyers and sellers.
  • Complied and prepared documentation for Fianc Visas, divorce cases, & bankruptcy cases.
  • Drafted legal documents including motion, and subpoenas.
Work History Example # 2
Legislative Assistant
Hilton Worldwide Holdings
  • Developed and delivered summary information on committee hearings for the house caucus.
  • Directed Blue Dog caucus positions with Speaker and house leadership on key agriculture, energy, and climate legislation.
  • Advised Congressman on policy regarding foreign affairs, judiciary and technology issues.
  • Managed online presence through social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
  • Designed and administered a survey in which constituents could share experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Work History Example # 3
Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
  • Assisted head bankruptcy attorney at the Fort Worth Division of the United States Attorney's Office.
  • Drafted what would become basis for guidance document of creditor recovery in Chapters 7 and 11 bankruptcy of environmentally liable parties.
  • Researched and drafted pleadings regarding noncompliance with Bankruptcy Code.
  • Drafted and followed up on subpoenas for evidence located across the U.S..
  • Drafted subpoenas and analyzed evidence.
Work History Example # 4
Attorney's Assistant
AURIC PACIFIC GROUP
  • Communicated with opposing counsel, courts, court reporters, etc.
  • Summarized over one hundred and fifty license agreements for Intellectual Property and Licensing Counsel.
  • Attended court with attorney for bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Provided paralegal assistance to the Town Counsel for the Town of Hudson and the Town of Southborough.
  • Developed PowerPoint presentations for training and speaking engagements.
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5. Highlight Your Attorney Certifications On Resume

Certifications can be a powerful tool to show employers that you know your stuff. If you have any of these certifications, make sure to put them on your attorney resume:

  1. MEDIC First Aid BasicPlus - G2010
  2. Certified International Trade Law Specialist (CITLS)
  3. Certified Legal Secretary Specialist: Intellectual Property (CL§)
  4. Estate Planning Law Specialist
  5. Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law
  6. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)
  7. Foundations of Social Advocacy Certification
  8. Medical Assistant (MA)
  9. Board Certification in Civil Trial Law

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6. Finally, Add a Attorney Resume Summary Or Objective Statement

A resume summary statement is a 1-3 sentence spiel at the top of your resume that quickly summarizes who you are and what you have to offer. In this section, include your job title, years of experience (if it's 3+), and an impressive accomplishment, if you have space for it.

Remember to address skills and experiences that are emphasized in the job description.

Are you a recent grad?
Read our guide on how to write a resume summary statement

And If You’re Looking for a Job, Here Are the Five Top Employers Hiring Now:

  1. Latham & Watkins Jobs (220)
  2. Clifford Chance Jobs (48)
  3. King & Spalding Jobs (34)
  4. Microsoft Jobs (37)
  5. Epiq Jobs (34)

Common Attorney Resume Skills

  • Litigation
  • Legal Research
  • Law Firm
  • Legal Issues
  • Legal Advice
  • Juris
  • Legal Services
  • Appeals
  • Trial Preparation
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Intellectual Property
  • Probate
  • Arbitration
  • Civil Litigation
  • Social Security
  • Employment Law
  • Law Practice
  • Insurance Defense
  • Estate Planning
  • Due Diligence
  • Administrative Law
  • Federal Courts
  • Criminal Law
  • Subpoenas
  • Legal Opinions
  • Criminal Defense
  • Court Appearances
  • Legal Briefs
  • Foreclosure
  • Criminal Cases
  • HIPAA
  • Legal Representation
  • Legal Memoranda
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Administrative Hearings
  • Settlement Agreements
  • Child Support
  • Commercial Litigation
  • District Court
  • Product Liability
  • Management System
  • Private Practice
  • Interrogatories
  • Jury Trials
  • State Courts
  • Court Hearings
  • Motion Practice
  • Pro Bono
  • Demand Letters
  • Business Transactions

Entry Level Attorney Resume Templates

Professional Attorney Resume Templates

Attorney Jobs

Attorney Resumes FAQs

Do You Put Esq. On A Resume?

Yes, you do put Esq. on a resume. There is no rule that you have to use Esq. In fact, Esq. should only be used on your resume after your name and nowhere else.

It's a way to showcase that you are a licensed attorney who has passed the American Bar Association Exam. However, it is not required to put Esq. on a resume. Listing your education and license information is sufficient.

How Do You Write An Attorney Resume Profile?

You write an attorney resume profile by creating a concise summary that covers who you are as a lawyer, illustrates what you bring to the table, and highlights your accomplishments. As a lawyer, you're trained to make a concise, persuasive argument - your attorney resume profile should lead off in the same manner.

How Long Should A Lawyer's Resume Be?

A lawyer's resume should be between 1 to 3 pages. The length of the resume is determined by how much experience you have working in law. The general rule of thumb is that your resume should be as long as it takes (and no longer) to tell your story to your audience for your particular purpose.

What Should I Put On My Resume For An Attorney Job?

You should put contact information, a profile summary, education/license, work experience, and skills section on your resume for an attorney job.

Your resume as an attorney forms the foundation of your job search and is your most powerful self-marketing tool. It is your most important tool towards landing your dream attorney job.

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