How To Write a Law School Application Resume
Writing a law school application resume is similar to writing a resume for a job. Start by determining key characteristics the law school might be looking for in students. Look at your own experience and accomplishments, and present those facts in a way that aligns with the law school’s focus or mission.
This guide provides actionable advice about creating professional experience and education sections. It also discusses the type of format and template you might want to use and what skills and action verbs might be relevant.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Your profile section may be your first introduction to an admissions officer or panel. This short blurb — keep it to four or fewer sentences — can serve a few purposes. It should highlight some of your best qualities or most impressive achievements, teasing them to persuade someone to read more of your resume or application.
Your profile can also express enthusiasm for a specific law school and hint at your reasons for wanting to attend. However, it should still be professional.
Profile Example #1
Recent college graduate with high academic honors and strong legal internship experience.
Profile Example #2
Paralegal with 8+ years of experience. Well-versed in legal terminology, with broad knowledge of procedures of law and court practices.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Focus on results and value in this section rather than simple lists of job duties or extracurricular activities. Use bullet points, action verbs, and actual measurements to create a story about why you’re an ideal candidate for a law school.
For example, you might write that you “contributed to research for dozens of legal briefs as an intern” or that you “suggested an updated filing process that reduced file room man-hours by 10%.”
Mine your volunteer, academic, and professional work for information for this section.
Professional Experience Example #1
Legal Intern, Roth, Mayhern & Associates, Pittsburgh, PA | January 2022 to May 2022
[Small firm focused on international law.]
- Reviewed discovery documents for principal lawyers
- Attended and observed court sessions with firm’s head litigator
- Researched and wrote a well-received court memorandum on environmental violation case
- Helped research and write 3 finding summaries
Professional Experience Example #2
Paralegal, Cohen & Sons LLC, San Francisco, CA | September 2016 to Present
- Draft various legal materials including client letters, pleadings, and memoranda
- Read, analyze, and interpret legal documents, case law, and statutory law
- Conduct legal research, gather data, and prepare reports for use in presentations and court
- Attend court hearings, and assist the firm’s principals as needed during trials
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Education credentials enhance your value as an applicant and demonstrate you have the qualifications and experience to succeed in law school. Because law schools require previous degrees, ensure your education is clearly spelled out on your resume. Find easy templates for including your degree below.
Certifications are less common for law school applicants. However, if you’re making a career change and entering law school after working in another field, your certifications might help demonstrate your work ethic, leadership capability, or other traits. For example, a project management certificate positions you as an applicant who can multitask, problem-solve, and plan for large efforts.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Sociology
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA | 2022
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
NALS Certified Professional Paralegal, The Associated for Legal Professionals, 2020
4. List pertinent key skills
Adding relevant skills to your resume helps flesh it out and create a more impressive overall document. Pick some of your most impressive skills to list in their own section, especially if you can back them up with more information in your cover letter.
Also, work key skills into your profile summary and professional experience section. Think about how you can combine skills with accomplishments, such as “developed leadership experience as law club president” or “conducted research projects on various legal topics, including personal injury, criminal law, and labor laws.”
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Advocacy | Client management |
| Collaboration | Flexibility |
| Leadership | Management |
| Mediation | Microsoft Office Suite |
| Multitasking | Negotiating |
| Oral and written communication | Problem-solving |
| Public presentation | Research and documentation |
| Teamwork | |
How To Pick the Best Law School Application Resume Template
It might be tempting to up the ante on your resume’s wow factor with unique design elements or an eye-catching font. However, these additions tend to make resumes harder to read. Instead, look for a template that presents a clean, professional design. Simple fonts and well-aligned resume components will please most admissions panels more than distracting visual flourishes.
Find a template that offers room for academic achievements and provides creative freedom in completing various sections. This makes it easier to add volunteer work and extracurriculars to your resume, if relevant.
Law School Application Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Mark Watney
(384) 492-4029
[email protected]
812 Ridge Avenue, Mars, PA 14052
Profile
Recent college graduate with high academic honors and strong legal internship experience.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology, Pre-Law Concentration, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA | 2022
- 3.8 GPA | magna cum laude
- Honors Thesis: “Environmental Considerations of Transnational Corporate Law”
Co-Curricular Activities
Pre-Law Club | 2018 to 2022
- Vice President (2021 to 2022)
- Member (2018 to 2022)
Writer / Assistant Editor, The Legal Brief | 2020 to 2022
[Monthly newsletter produced by the CMU Pre-Law Department for students, faculty, and staff.]
Volunteer, Pre-Law Department Job Fair | 2019 to 2022
Work Experience
Legal Intern, Roth, Mayhern & Associates, Pittsburgh, PA | January 2022 to May 2022
[Small firm focused on international law.]
- Reviewed discovery documents for principal lawyers
- Attended and observed court sessions with firm’s head litigator
- Researched and wrote a well-received court memorandum on environmental violation case
- Helped research and write 3 finding summaries
Office Assistant, Bertolli & Mathers, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA | January 2019 to December 2021
[Large corporate law office.]
- Filed documents and correspondence for past and current cases in the firm’s law library
- Assisted front desk staff with clerical duties such as copying, answering email queries, and directing phone calls
Key Skills
- Legal Research & Analysis
- Task Prioritization
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Time Management
- Writing, Editing & Proofreading
Mary Russell (203) 384-0394 [email protected] 221 Baker Street, San Francisco, CA 10394
Profile
Paralegal with 8+ years of experience. Well-versed in legal terminology, with broad knowledge of procedures of law and court practices.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA | 2017 | 3.7 GPA
- Coursework included American Foreign Policy; American Political Processes; International Relations; Legal Frameworks for Change
Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Bryant & Stratton College, San Francisco, CA | 2014 | 3.6 GPA
- Coursework included Civil Litigation; Contract Law; Criminal Law & Procedures; Law Office Management & Technology; Legal Research & Writing
Credential
Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE) Certification, National Federation of Paralegal Associations | 2019
Professional Experience
Paralegal, Cohen & Sons LLC, San Francisco, CA | September 2016 to Present
- Draft various legal materials including client letters, pleadings, and memoranda
- Read, analyze, and interpret legal documents, case law, and statutory law
- Conduct legal research, gather data, and prepare reports for use in presentations and court
- Attend court hearings, and assist the firm’s principals as needed during trials
Paralegal, Miltock & Benson, Inc., San Francisco, CA | June 2014 to September 2016
- Researched, analyzed, and summarized past cases related to corporate and business law
- Maintained calendar and other confidential materials for senior partner
- Collaborated with business office manager to process and maintain billing and accounts receivable
- Helped draft and file legal documents and correspondence in support of upcoming cases
- Reported directly to firm’s senior partner
Key Skills
- Legal Documentation
- Legal Research & Analysis
- Public Speaking & Presentations
- Task Prioritization
- Writing & Proofreading
Alona Twelvetrees
(584) 394-3029
[email protected]
Helena, MT 10928
Profile
Administrator with 13+ years of experience in Montana state government. Passionate about upholding the sovereignty and legal rights of Native Americans. Naturally curious and committed to learning new legal topics and concepts.
Professional Experience
Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, Montana State Capitol, Helena, MT | October 2009 to Present Assistant to the Director (September 2015 to Present)
- Promoted to serve as liaison between state and tribal governments, attending and speaking at meetings for both
- Research and write white papers, reports, memoranda, and more on issues of Native American sovereignty and legal rights to be presented to the governor and other state officials
- Work with director and other state officials to resolve individual complaints and legal issues faced by tribes
- Seek consensus among tribes, and work toward including their shared goals in state initiatives
Office Manager (October 2009 to September 2015)
- Public-facing role focused on addressing all in-person visitors’ questions and concerns
- Handled phone queries and mail correspondence including letters from constituents
- Helped director troubleshoot and resolve issues consistently and fairly
- Proposed system improvements that raised filing efficiency by 50%
Education
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies,
Blackfeet Community College, Browning, MT | 2009
- 3.6 GPA | cum laude
- Coursework included Federal Indian Policy & Government; Legal Research & Writing; Tribal Criminal Law & Procedure
- Completed office management internship at Blackfeet Tribal Government Headquarters (Browning, MT)
Frequently Asked Questions: Law School Application Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for law school application resumes?+
Law schools know you’re attending to learn, but when you can position yourself as an active candidate who provides value to others, you may impress admissions panels. Including action verbs on your resume helps you create a more dynamic narrative about your accomplishments and experience, which can set you apart from other applicants.
The right action verbs also make your resume easier to read and scan, ensuring admissions professionals can get right to the important elements of your application.
Some action verbs to consider using on your resume include:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advocated | Analyzed |
| Argued | Composed |
| Drafted | Evaluated |
| Facilitated | Mediated |
| Negotiated | Organized |
| Participated | Presented |
| Researched | Served |
| Studied | Trained |
| Validated | Verified |
| Worked | Wrote |
How do you align your resume with a potential law school?+
When sending resumes with law school applications, do a little homework to ensure your document makes the grade. Read through the law school’s brochure or website to understand what type of student tends to succeed there. Look for terms that are repeated or seem important to the faculty or school, and consider how you might work those terms into your resume naturally.
The job market for attorneys is expected to grow by 8% through 2032, a pace that’s faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Aligning your resume with a potential law school’s needs or mission is a small step toward joining the ranks of lawyers in the future.
What is the best law school application resume format?+
For potential law school students, the combination resume format is a good choice. This format provides plenty of room for work experience as well as skills lists. It creates a well-rounded document that captures your knowledge and the effort you put in to build it.
A combination format also leaves room for creatively capturing accomplishments. For example, you may want to include specific coursework or academic achievements, volunteer work, or experience unique to a student, such as work-study efforts.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
A cover letter allows you to show enthusiasm and passion for the next step in your career. You can use our lawyer resume cover letter examples as a guide for how to write and format this letter. Be personable but also concise and professional. In a few paragraphs, tell the admissions office or other relevant personnel why you’re a great option for their school.
