Attorney Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Marc H. Forsythe
(777) 202-9876
[email protected]
54631 Gemini Way, Des Moines, IA 50047
Profile
Enthusiastic, highly motivated attorney with over a year of experience and solid academic record in law and business. Able to apply extensive research skills to independent assignments or collaborations with legal research and litigation teams. Adept at building strong professional relationships with colleagues and clients.
Key Skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- High familiarity with legal terminology across a wide variety of civil legal contexts
- Thorough legal research skills
- Solid grasp of business and federal laws and legal procedures
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Master of Business Administration, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
September 2016 – May 2019
- Legal Writing Teaching Assistant, Drake University, Des Moines, IA (August 2017 – May 2019)
- Developed and researched assignments
- Prepared sample memoranda
- Graded student assignments for grammar, cite-form, and substance (62 students)
- Helped coordinate C. Edwin Moore Moot Court Competition (2017 & 2018)
- Judicial Extern, The Honorable Mary Ann Brown, District 8B Chief Judge, Des Moines, IA (Summer 2018)
- Assisted in researching and drafting judicial opinions for cases involving HIPAA and ERISA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
August 2012 – May 2016
- Dean’s List, three semesters
- Edwin Moore Moot Court Competition, participant and coordinator
Professional Experience
Senior Law Clerk, Law Offices of Isaac L. Brooks, West Des Moines, IA
June 2019 – Present
- Assist attorneys with transactional and litigation practice
- Research and draft legal memoranda in the areas of real estate, contracts and other civil litigation
- Draft answers, complaints, motions, responses, and settlement agreements
- Assist attorneys at real estate closings
- File pleadings at state and federal courts
Credentials
- Admitted to Iowa State Bar Association, June 2019
Harry Harrison
(222) 222-2222
[email protected]
123 America Street, Seattle, WA 99999
Profile
A seasoned litigator with expertise in environmental litigation and regulatory compliance. Proven trial, preparation and negotiation skills. Conducted over 500 mediations with a 91% settlement rate.
Professional Experience
Senior Counsel, Abraham, Martin & John LLP, Seattle, WA
March 2016 – Present
- Assist businesses with water quality permit compliance, stormwater pollution prevention, hazardous waste spill cleanup, and cost recovery litigation
- Advise clients on a broad array of environmental litigation issues, including crisis management, incident response, and civil/criminal enforcement actions
- Provide legal advice on the potential implications of climate change on complex business decisions, including long-term environmental compliance
Junior Attorney, Bruski and Clark, LLP, Tacoma, WA
October 2012 – February 2016
- Researched legal issues and drafted documents including internal strategy memos, motions, and briefs
- Independently produced client-ready documents and provided supportive assistance on complex transactions involving energy and environmental regulations
- Created corporate client reports for senior counsel
Legal intern, CGH Law Group, Portland, OR
June 2015 – November 2015
- Assisted with drafting and negotiating a broad range of agreements in a timely manner with vendors, contractors, and collaborators
- Performed legal research, writing, and analysis as assigned
- Established and maintained a database of the firm’s clients to ensure each is up-to-date on licensing and federal regulations
Education
Juris Doctor, Law
University of Idaho College of Law, Moscow, ID, September 2013 – June 2016
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Washington State University, Pullman, WA, September 2008 – June 2012
Key Skills
- Impeccable solution-finding and problem-solving skills
- Thorough understanding of federal energy and environmental regulations
- Strong ability to facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through mediation
Jonathan Douglas
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
987 Third Street, New York City, NY 12345
Profile
Civil Litigation lawyer with over 15 years of experience representing clients in personal injury cases. Able to take depositions and has a proven track record of securing substantial settlements on behalf of clients. Consistently takes the initiative and delivers creative solutions that achieve positive results for clients and the firm. Works well in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
Professional Experience
Litigation Attorney, Schaff, Turner, and Morner LLP, New York, NY
December 2010 – Present
- Meet with potential clients to evaluate their case and decide if the firm would take them on as clients – approximately 20 clients per month
- Represent and advise clients in matters involving civil litigation with a focus on personal injury and auto accident claims
- Courtroom experience and oral advocacy: lead negotiations for settlements prior to trial, lead counsel during jury trials, and status and settlement conferences in State and Federal Court
- Take and defend depositions of witnesses and experts
Civil Lawyer, Greenfields Law, New York, NY
October 2002 – November 2010
- Researched issues and case law for personal injury cases
- Served documents on parties being served by clients
- Assisted in negotiating settlements
- Deposed witness on the record
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
New York University, New York City, NY, September 1996 – July 2000
Juris Doctor
New York University, New York City, NY September 2000 – July 2002
Key Skills
- Communication
- Team leader
- Excellent organization
- Punctual
- Able to meet deadlines
Certificate
- Member in good standing of the New York State Bar
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Attorneys
Highlighting the key skills and appropriate action verbs that hiring managers are looking for is an essential part of getting your resume noticed. Most hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes and evaluate them based on the number of keywords and phrases that match. Highly-rated resumes are identified and forwarded to the hiring manager for further investigation. This means that the more skill keywords you include, the greater the chance of being invited for an interview.
| Key Skills & Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Affidavits | Briefs |
| Case law | Civil litigation |
| Client management | Compliance |
| Conflict resolution | Court proceedings |
| Criminal law | Depositions |
| Discovery | Dispute resolution |
| Due diligence | Employment law |
| Estate planning | Evidence collection |
| Family law | Legal documents |
| Legal research | Pre-trial motions |
| Tax law | Trial preparation |
| Trial records | |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Communicate | Defend |
| Draft | Examine |
| Interrogate | Litigate |
| Manage | Mediate |
| Negotiate | Organize |
| Prepare | Prosecute |
| Record | Research |
| Resolve | Solve |
Tips for Writing a Better Attorney Resume
Highlight your legal educational achievements
Your education is important when applying for a job as an attorney, especially if you’re recently out of school. Hiring managers will be interested in the details of your education, so ensure you include the school name and location, the year you graduated and the degree you earned. Although firms won’t be interested in a GPA, educational honors that highlight your achievements should be included. These include the Dean’s List, Law Review or being valedictorian. You can also detail any relevant coursework, projects or achievements that match what the firm is looking for.
Example #1
Good
Juris Doctor
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., September 2016 – June 2019
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude
- Participated in Communications and Technology Law Clinic, working on cases in digital privacy and limits to data collection
Bad
Juris Doctor
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., September 2016 – June 2019
Example #2
Good
Juris Doctor
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, September 2015 – June 2018
Concentration in Environmental, Land Use, & Real Estate Law
Relevant Coursework:
- Conservation Clinic
- International Environmental Law
- Wetlands and Watersheds: Law, Science and Policy
Bad
Juris Doctor
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, September 2015 – June 2018
Quantify your experience as an attorney
Hiring managers look for candidates who can provide concrete examples of their experience. Using specific numbers can help provide a clear picture of the scope of your skills and abilities. Use the bullet points in your professional experience section to tell the story of your career by including answers to questions that ask “how much?” or “how many?”
Example #1
Good
Represented 70+ clients in personal injury cases from concept through trial and appeal when required, achieving a favorable result in 91% of cases
Bad
Worked in personal injury law, often negotiating favorable settlements for clients
Example #2
Good
Administered legal research for trials, preparing 12+ legal memoranda every week and filing 350+ legal documents, including lawsuits, appeals, and motions
Bad
Conducted legal research and prepared and filed legal documents
How to Align Your Resume with the Job Description
Hiring managers define the qualities of their ideal job candidates by developing a job description. They whittle down the pool of job applicants by comparing resumes to the skills and experience listed, so tailoring your resume to fit the description can be crucial to standing out.
To determine the skills and attributes you should be featuring, start by looking at the requirements listed first in the job description and those that are mentioned more than once. These are generally the most important. Make sure your resume details how you can deliver on these key priorities and focus on your major attributes and contribution. A generic resume will tend to be overlooked, so steer clear of copying and pasting and bland language.
Example Attorney Job Description
ABC & Partners is looking for a motivated attorney to join our family law firm and work to uphold clients’ rights and provide them with the best possible outcome. You must be able to develop relationships with clients, provide counsel, assist them with understanding their legal options and rights, and represent them in court and negotiations. You will also conduct legal research, prepare documents and perform other duties as required. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively with other members of the team and have experience in mediation, divorce negotiations and custody disputes.
Responsibilities:
- Manage and oversee legal issues between members of the same family
- Provide accurate and timely counsel to clients that explains their legal rights and options while taking into account the sensitive nature of proceedings
- Direct mediation sessions and offer sound legal advice
- Organize all official documents required to file cases and keep accurate records
- Collaborate with staff to prepare extensive briefs for cases that go to trial
- Attend trials and court proceedings
- Communicate regularly with clients, including updating them on their case and responding to urgent needs
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor
- License to practice law from the State Bar Association
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
- Skilled in negotiation, debate and persuasion techniques
- Able to work collaboratively with others
- Experience in mediation
- Experience in all aspects of family law, including divorce cases and child custody agreements
This job description demonstrates that the ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
- Family law experience
- Provide legal counsel and advice
- Mediation
- Collaboration
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Attend trial
- Prepare legal documents
Take what you highlighted in the job description and include the skills and experiences you have that demonstrate you can fill those requirements. Below is an example of how to best incorporate them into your resume:
Attorney Work Experience Example
Family Law Attorney
XYZ Family Law, November 2016 – Present
- Provide family law counsel and advice to clients on matters pertaining to divorce settlements, custody arrangements, adoption and wills
- Manage and direct mediation proceedings, using communication and interpersonal skills to reach a satisfactory agreement in 87% of cases
- Act as a negotiator in family law cases and attend trial when necessary to protect the rights and interests of my clients
- Collaborate with family law team to conduct legal research, prepare legal documents for filing with the court and accurately keep all records