Free Lawyer Resume Templates & Examples

Lawyer Resume Template (Text)

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and state (ZIP code is optional)
• LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)

PRO TIP

Avoid including personal details such as your age, gender, or social media links on your resume unless the employer specifically requests this information.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief section of two to four sentences that highlights your key qualifications and background. It serves as an engaging introduction for hiring managers, designed to pique their interest and prompt them to explore your resume further.

Typically located at the top of your resume, this profile can take the form of either a summary or an objective, each serving distinct functions. A summary provides an overview of your experience, while an objective focuses on your career goals:

• A resume summary emphasizes your relevant skills, legal expertise, and notable achievements that align with the demands of law practice. This format is particularly beneficial for those with established work experience or transferable skills who aim to highlight their significant contributions in the legal field.
• A resume objective focuses on your career goals and showcases what you plan to achieve in your professional journey. It can be especially helpful for recent law graduates, individuals transitioning from other fields, or those with limited legal experience who are seeking to join the profession.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Lawyer resume summary example:

Lawyer resume objective example:

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is a critical component of your professional narrative. Employers assess your job history to grasp not only where you’ve practiced law but also the impact you’ve had on cases and clients.

Your legal background illustrates how your experiences prepare you for the challenges of the target role.

The work experience section should contain:

• Job title
• Employer name and location
• Dates of employment (month/year)
• 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to reflect the specific legal role you’re pursuing. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Advised,” “Negotiated,” “Drafted”) to strengthen your statements and emphasize your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable achievements or metrics wherever possible. Specific numbers and outcomes illustrate your effectiveness and help distinguish you from other job seekers in the competitive legal field.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Explore more work experience examples for lawyers further down the page.

4. Skills

The skills section provides a concise overview of the professional abilities that define a lawyer. This summary assists hiring managers in quickly assessing qualifications for the role.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

• Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that shape how lawyers collaborate and negotiate with clients and colleagues. Key qualities like communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and empathy are important for establishing trust and navigating complex legal situations, ultimately improving professional relationships and contributing to success in the legal field.
• Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities gained through education, training, or experience. For a lawyer, examples include drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and negotiating settlements.
• Technical skills are the specific competencies required to perform certain tasks. In law, this includes skill in legal research databases, case management software, and document automation tools.

In general, aim to include a diverse array of relevant skills that match the job requirements to demonstrate your full professional value. Find additional lawyer skills examples further down the page.

PRO TIP

If you’re a newer lawyer, consider placing your skills section higher on your resume, right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s better to position this section lower and weave relevant skills throughout your work history for a cohesive presentation.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is important for showcasing your qualifications. Start with the most recent or relevant law degree, including the type of degree and the institution’s name.

If you’re a recent graduate, you might add your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), honors received, or relevant coursework to strengthen your profile.

Lawyer resume education section example:

PRO TIP

If you’re advancing from an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies to a Juris Doctor (JD), or have earned another relevant degree, list them in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume improves your profile, especially when practical experience is limited. Although this section might not be standard for every resume, it holds significant value for many professionals in the legal field. Employers often seek specific qualifications, such as bar admissions or specialty certifications, based on the area of law practiced.

Focus on including only those certifications and credentials that directly support your application. Make sure these are current and presented clearly to boost readability and impact.

Lawyer certification examples:

• Licensed Attorney, New York #987654 | New York State Bar Association | Expires: 12/2028
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) | International Association of Privacy Professionals | Expires: 07/2027
• Mediation Certification | American Arbitration Association | Expires: 01/2028
• Legal Project Management Certification | Institute for Advanced Legal Studies | Expires: 05/2027

Popular Resume Bullets for Lawyers

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV