Create a Law
Resume in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

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  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Law Resume

A career in law demands skills such as legal writing, oral argumentation talents, and the ability to conduct legal research, as well as deep knowledge of the law. Job seekers who want a job in the legal industry should focus on perfecting their resumes. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder gives applicants comprehensive and easy-to-follow help in crafting an effective resume. Here are some examples of content generated from LiveCareer’s professional resume writers through our Resume Builder:

  • Negotiated with opposing groups or individuals to reach resolutions, avoid litigation and accomplish goals of clients
  • Developed polished legal documents, including motions and briefs, to support litigation processes and court proceedings
  • Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation, and preparing digital materials and displays

6 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Law Resume

  • Do give specific information about your legal experience. Job seekers should focus their resumes primarily on experiences in the legal industry. While other professional jobs may also be relevant, law firms want to see applicants with experience working on legal cases.
  • Do include more details about your academics. For recent graduates, academic performance matters. Applicants should give a detailed history of their college backgrounds, including undergraduate and law degrees. Legal support staff should also highlight academic degrees and training certifications.
  • Do highlight legal writing skills. The ability to comprehend legal documents and write contracts, case descriptions, and pleadings is in demand at law firms. In the work experience section of the resume, give specific examples of legal writing abilities.
  • Don’t leave out relevant pro-bono experience. Volunteer and pro-bono experiences are also useful to include on a resume. Volunteer work may show a firm an applicant’s commitment to social advocacy while also giving more background about their specific legal experience.
  • Don’t hesitate to showcase your persuasive abilities. Take an opportunity to show off persuasive skills with a strong professional summary. Legal professionals use these skills in their regular job duties, so they should show competence with a strong opening that persuades a firm to see their value.
  • Don’t neglect to incorporate legal technology skills. Technology is also more important in today’s digital world for legal job seekers. Potential lawyers or other legal professionals should include skills in eDiscovery software, electronic pleadings, and other digital proficiencies.

Beat the ATS With These Law Resume Skills

Many top law firms today rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to pick candidates out of large pools of graduates and experienced professionals. Legal employers equip the ATS to scan resumes for keywords and phrases. Applicants may need to conquer the ATS before getting an interview with a law firm.

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder can be a helpful tool to beat an ATS. Job seekers need to know the right phrases to complete their resumes, pass ATS checks, and get an interview. Our resume writers employ ATS-friendly verbiage to help applicants make a good impression. Here are some examples:

  • Active bar association license in state
  • Extensive litigation experience
  • Experience conducting depositions
  • Knowledge of drafting wills and contracts
  • Understanding of court procedures
  • Proficiency with e-filing systems
  • Knowledge of estate planning and probate
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Law Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level

Legal Intern

Applicants who want a position as an entry-level employee in the legal industry have to be creative with their resumes. This applicant uses a functional format and an eye-catching layout for a legal intern job. The individual stresses essential legal skills learned from volunteer positions, such as leadership, research, and problem-solving.

The layout of this resume uses all of the space effectively, with organized details showing off additional strengths of the applicant. The left side of the resume includes specific legal skills, such as court transcription, contract review, and case management.

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Mid-Career

Attorney

Professionals with some experience in the legal field also need to use creative layouts to attract potential employers. This resume masters the combination format, blending a strong history of experience as an attorney and a legal associate with bankable industry skills.

The applicant’s resume showcases skills that firms value, such as civil law, oral debate, commercial litigation, and legal writing. His resume also puts prized qualifications front and center, such as communication, research, and legal interpretation.

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Executive-Level

Partner

Applicants for a leadership position, such as partner, must do their best to impress. Employers want legal experts with a history of success, and this applicant caters to that audience by highlighting his strong employment background with a chronological resume format.

This individual points out his experience as a leader, with details about running a business and managing staff members in his professional summary at the top. Additionally, he shows off a large list of skills in the legal profession, such as relationship development, citation, and corporate partnerships.

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More Law Resume Samples

Find resume examples for your desired law career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Law Jobs

Common Legal Occupations and Median Pay

Lawyers$120,910
Judges or hearing officers$117,190
Arbitrators, mediators or conciliators$62,270
Court reporters$57,150
Paralegals or legal assistants$50,940
075K150K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Common Legal Occupations and Median Pay

Legal services48%
Self-employed20%
Local government7%
State government6%
Federal government5%
050%100%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Largest Number of Legal Professionals by Job Title

Lawyers, judges and magistrates44.1%
Paralegals and legal assistants21.3%
Administrative assistants (except legal, medical, and executive)6.3%
Legal secretaries and administrative assistants3.2%
Office clerks, general2.4%
050%100%

Source: Data USA, U.S. Census Bureau

States With The Highest Number Of Lawyers Mb

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Education Requirements for Legal Professionals

  • Win

    Lawyers

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Ok

    Paralegals and legal assistants

    Associate degree

  • Win

    Judges and hearing officers

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Certificate

    Court reporters

    Postsecondary non-degree award

  • Badge

    Arbitrators and mediators

    Bachelor’s degree

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Job Outlook for Legal Professionals (2018-2028)

Paralegals or legal assistants12%
Arbitrators, mediators or conciliators8%
Court reporters7%
Lawyers6%
Judges or hearing officers3%
010%20%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gender Composition of Lawyers, Judges and Magistrates

Mechanical Engineer

Female 38.1%

Male 61.9%

Source: DataUSA, U.S. Census Bureau

Diversity of Lawyers, Judges, and Magistrates

White85.6%
Black6.2%
Asian5%
Two or more races2.3%
Other0.7%
050%100%

Source: DataUSA, U.S. Census Bureau

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