20 Attorney Resume Examples and Templates for 2025
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Attorney Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
- Associate Attorney
- Real Estate Attorney
- Immigration Attorney
- Employment Attorney
- Litigation Attorney
- Appellate Attorney
- Assistant District Attorney
- Business Attorney
- Compliance Attorney
- Construction Attorney
- Environmental Attorney
- Intellectual Property Attorney
- Family Law Attorney
- Tax Attorney
- Securities Attorney
- Health Care Attorney
- Bankruptcy Attorney
- Personal Injury Attorney
- Civil Rights Attorney
- Entertainment Attorney
- Attorney Text-Only Resume Examples
- How To Write an Attorney Resume
- How To Pick the Best Attorney Resume Template
- Frequently Asked Questions: Attorney Resume Examples and Advice
This guide offers expert tips to help you craft an attorney resume that highlights your most significant achievements. By focusing on your accomplishments and your impact in previous roles, you’ll create a resume that stands out.
Key Takeaways
- Emphasize your strengths: Start your resume with a summary paragraph highlighting why you’ll excel in your target attorney job.
- Detail your achievements: In the experience section, describe outcomes (with numbers when possible) to illustrate your impact in each role.
- Use keywords for ATS: Include relevant skills and keywords from the job posting to ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and reaches hiring managers.
Attorney Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
Associate Attorney Resume Example
Why this associate attorney resume example is strong:
This resume showcases the candidate’s experience handling complex legal matters, including litigation and contract negotiations. The bullet points highlight measurable accomplishments, such as successful case outcomes and client representation. A strong education section further reinforces the candidate’s qualifications. Read more: How to build a resume
Real Estate Attorney Resume Example
Why this real estate attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s transactional experience, including contract drafting and property negotiations. It also emphasizes key legal proficiencies related to zoning laws and regulatory compliance, making it ideal for real estate law positions.
Immigration Attorney Resume Example
Why this immigration attorney resume example is strong:
This resume demonstrates the candidate’s expertise in immigration law, asylum cases, and client advocacy. It includes measurable achievements, such as the number of successful visa applications and asylum cases handled, making the candidate’s impact clear.
How to list your education on a resume
Employment Attorney Resume Example
Why this employment attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively showcases the candidate’s employment law expertise, particularly in discrimination cases and labor disputes. The work experience section includes specific achievements, such as settlements won and company compliance improvements.
How to list promotions on a resume
Litigation Attorney Resume Example
Why this litigation attorney resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes the candidate’s experience in courtroom litigation and case strategy. It highlights successful trial outcomes, settlements, and case management, demonstrating the candidate’s ability to advocate effectively for clients.
Appellate Attorney Resume Example
Why this appellate attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s expertise in legal research, brief writing, and appellate litigation. It provides clear examples of appellate case successes and legal arguments won in higher courts.
How to list promotions on a resume
Assistant District Attorney Resume Example
Why this assistant district attorney resume example is strong:
This resume demonstrates a strong background in criminal prosecution, trial advocacy, and case preparation. It highlights successful prosecutions and emphasizes the candidate’s ability to handle high caseloads.
Business Attorney Resume Example
Why this business attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively showcases experience in corporate transactions, contract law, and business compliance. It highlights major deals closed and risk management strategies implemented.
Compliance Attorney Resume Example
Why this compliance attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and corporate governance. It showcases measurable achievements, such as improved compliance rates and reduced legal risk.
Construction Attorney Resume Example
Why this construction attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s expertise in contract law, construction litigation, and risk mitigation. It demonstrates case successes and negotiations that benefited clients.
How to list your education on a resume
Environmental Attorney Resume Example
Why this environmental attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s legal expertise in environmental law, regulatory compliance, and sustainability policies. It demonstrates impact through successful litigation and policy advisory work.
Intellectual Property Attorney Resume Example
Why this intellectual property attorney resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes expertise in patent law, trademark disputes, and intellectual property litigation. It highlights key legal victories and contributions to corporate IP strategy.
Family Law Attorney Resume Example
Why this family law attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights the candidate’s ability to handle sensitive legal matters, including divorce and child custody cases. It showcases strong negotiation and litigation skills in family law.
Tax Attorney Resume Example
Why this tax attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights the candidate’s expertise in tax law, compliance, and litigation. It showcases measurable results, such as reducing client tax liabilities and resolving IRS disputes.
Securities Attorney Resume Example
Why this securities attorney resume example is strong:
This resume showcases the candidate’s regulatory expertise, emphasizing SEC compliance, securities litigation, and risk management. It includes quantifiable achievements, such as preventing regulatory penalties and handling multimillion-dollar cases.
Health Care Attorney Resume Example
Why this health care attorney resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes the candidate’s expertise in health care regulations, compliance, and litigation. It highlights successful cases and advisory work for medical institutions.
How to list your education on a resume
Bankruptcy Attorney Resume Example
Why this bankruptcy attorney resume example is strong:
This resume highlights expertise in bankruptcy law, financial restructuring, and debt negotiations. It includes successful case results, showing the candidate’s ability to assist both businesses and individuals.
Personal Injury Attorney Resume Example
Why this personal injury attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights experience in personal injury litigation, case settlements, and client advocacy. It emphasizes measurable results, such as settlements won and trial success rates.
Civil Rights Attorney Resume Example
Why this civil rights attorney resume example is strong:
This resume emphasizes the candidate’s commitment to social justice, litigation skills, and policy advocacy. It highlights significant legal victories in civil rights cases.
Entertainment Attorney Resume Example
Why this entertainment attorney resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights experience in intellectual property law, contract negotiations, and legal representation of artists and media companies. It emphasizes successful contract deals and copyright protections.
Attorney Text-Only Resume Examples
How To Write an Attorney Resume
1. Select a suitable format for your attorney resume
Use the combination (or hybrid) resume format to position yourself effectively for jobs as an attorney. (All the resume examples on this page follow the combination format.) This format has two main parts:
- An introduction highlighting your top skills and qualifications for your target job. The resume intro usually comprises a summary profile and skills list.
- An experience overview of your recent work or other career-related activities. This part of your resume often centers on sections for your work experience and education.
Following are tips and examples to help you create each main section of your attorney resume.
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your attorney qualifications
Your resume summary is likely the first section an employer will read, so make it count. This brief paragraph should capture your most relevant achievements and experiences. A strong summary is concise, specific, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Use it to set the tone for the rest of your resume.
Avoid vague statements that could apply to any candidate. Instead, focus on concrete accomplishments. Emphasize your unique value proposition as an attorney, showcasing how your expertise aligns with the firm’s goals.
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write this section last.)
Strong summary example for an attorney
Corporate attorney with eight years of experience in contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. Managed multimillion-dollar mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Recognized for strong litigation skills and a strategic approach to risk management.
Weak summary example for an attorney
Attorney with experience in various legal matters. Skilled in handling contracts, negotiations, and legal research. Looking for a position where I can use my legal knowledge to help clients.
3. Highlight your essential abilities and technical proficiencies for an attorney role
Include a skills list under your summary to show the different ways you can contribute as an attorney. With this section, you can give your document the right keywords to perform well on ATS screenings.
| Common key skills for attorney resumes | |
|---|---|
| Case analysis and legal strategy | Civil and criminal litigation |
| Client advocacy | Compliance and regulatory law |
| Contract drafting and negotiation | Corporate governance |
| Courtroom litigation | Deposition and trial preparation |
| Employment and labor law | Evidence collection and analysis |
| Intellectual property law | Legal research and writing |
| Mediation and arbitration | Mergers and acquisitions |
| Risk assessment and mitigation | SEC and regulatory compliance |
| Settlement negotiations | Tax law and financial regulations |
| Trial advocacy | |
4. Incorporate a results-focused work history section for your attorney resume
For each recent job you’ve held, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Spell out your positive impact on past clients or law firms, and quantify in terms of any data you can disclose.
Then, review each detail through the lens of your target attorney job. Choose the most relevant duties or highlights to present as bullet points in your experience section. This approach helps give your resume the right focus so hiring managers can picture your positive impact on their organization.
Strong experience example for an attorney
Corporate Attorney | XYZ Law Firm | New York, NY | June 2017 – present
- Led legal negotiations for corporate mergers and acquisitions valued at over $500 million, ensuring compliance with SEC regulations
- Drafted and reviewed commercial contracts, reducing liability exposure by 30% through strategic risk assessments
- Defended a Fortune 500 company against intellectual property litigation, securing a favorable settlement and protecting company assets
- Provide legal counsel to executive teams on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and employment law matters
Weak experience example for an attorney
Corporate Attorney | XYZ Law Firm | New York, NY | June 2017 – present
- Handle legal contracts for companies
- Represent clients in corporate legal matters
- Provide legal advice to businesses
- Work on various cases involving business law
5. List your education and any pertinent certifications
Provide a clear and concise overview of your formal education, as well as any certifications or specialized training relevant to the role. Highlighting this information helps show you’re committed to the field and have the knowledge required to excel in the position.
When listing your education, include the degree you earned, the school you attended, and optionally the year you graduated. If you’ve completed any certifications, list them along with the issuing organization and optionally the completion date. Below is an example of how to effectively present education and certifications on your resume:
Education
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Harvard Law School | Cambridge, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, CA
Certifications
Licensed to practice law in New York and California
Certified Mediator | American Arbitration Association
How To Pick the Best Attorney Resume Template
The resume templates above can all help you highlight your attorney skills and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. When choosing from these or other approved templates, trust your instinct. Often the design you’re naturally most drawn to will best reflect your work style and personality.
Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.
Build Your ResumeFrequently Asked Questions: Attorney Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for attorney resumes?
| Common action verbs for attorney resumes include: | |
|---|---|
| Advised | Analyzed |
| Clarified | Compiled |
| Consulted | Created |
| Cross-examined | Developed |
| Enhanced | Established |
| Evaluated | Filed |
| Improved | Increased |
| Interpreted | Interviewed |
| Introduced | Negotiated |
| Optimized | Prepared |
| Presented | Prevented |
| Raised | Reduced |
| Represented | Researched |
| Won | Wrote |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?
A great way to tailor your attorney resume is by revisiting the skills section.
First, delete any terms from your skills list that don’t appear in the job post text.
Then, take another look at the job requirements. Do they cover any skills you possess but haven’t added to your list already? Including those terms gives a more complete picture of the value you can add to the organization.
What is the best design for an attorney resume?
With resume design, less is more. The less visual information you add, the more attention you’ll call to your relevant skills and achievements. Keep your design simple and conservative. Avoid visual flourishes like elaborate borders, colorful logos, or unusual bullet symbols, which distract the hiring manager.
Career Coach
Irina Pichura, founder of Resumeology, is a renowned career coach with over 10 years of recruiting experience at Fortune 500 companies like Goldman Sachs and ADP, as well as startups such as Investopedia. With a degree in Psychology from Fordham University in New York City, Irina offers a unique perspective on what it takes to stand out in a competitive job market.
Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.