20 Law and Legal Resume Examples and Templates for 2026

Lawyer Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]

Corporate Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this corporate lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume effectively conveys senior-level corporate legal expertise with quantified achievements tied to business outcomes. It also shows a clear upward trajectory through job titles. Review how to list promotions on your resume so you can display internal growth without confusing hiring managers.

Associate Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this associate lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume clearly shows early-career legal responsibilities and litigation exposure, making it ideal for candidates with 0–5 years of experience. Review how to present legal internships with purpose, following strategies from how to write a resume with no experience.

Employment Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this employment lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume effectively connects employment law with internal HR functions, demonstrating its cross-functional value. The summary quickly communicates specialization and experience level. Explore these resume objective examples to craft an impactful opening statement.

Immigration Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this immigration lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume shines because it balances legal impact with human-centered advocacy. The candidate’s fluency and case metrics support the summary with evidence. It also mirrors best practices from how to build a resume that tells a compelling career story across different environments.

Litigation Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this litigation lawyer resume example is strong:

The resume’s strength lies in its courtroom-focused narrative and use of trial results to prove value. It’s a great example of how to handle a longer legal career while keeping the content clean and focused, as recommended in guidelines on the optimal length of a resume.

Real Estate Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this real estate lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume highlights a focused legal niche, demonstrating how legal expertise drives business outcomes. The degree section is especially well done — simple and professional — just like the format suggested in how to list your education on a resume.

Banking Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this banking lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume emphasizes compliance leadership and banking law proficiency through regulatory-specific accomplishments. It reflects the structure of a great legal resume while showcasing clarity and focus, principles you’ll find detailed in best resume formats.

Business Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this business lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume shows how legal expertise can be tied to innovation and business growth. It also illustrates how lawyers can frame their work in terms of outcomes, a key idea in this guide on how to build a resume that aligns with employer goals.

Criminal Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this criminal lawyer resume example is strong:

The resume stands out by connecting courtroom metrics with advocacy. It’s also a strong example of how to feature volume-heavy experience without overwhelming the layout, as explained in this breakdown of how long a resume should be.

Entertainment Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this entertainment lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume captures a niche practice area and demonstrates legal work that supports creative industries. It’s a great fit for applicants who need their resume to reflect both legal rigor and industry fluency. For help balancing tone and structure, check out this article on the best resume formats for specialized roles.

Environmental Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this environmental lawyer resume example is strong:

The resume effectively links legal action to social and environmental outcomes. It also demonstrates how to structure impact-driven experience for mission-aligned roles, a strategy covered in how to build a resume that resonates with values-focused employers.

Health Care Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this health care lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume blends legal knowledge with industry-specific outcomes and shows measurable financial value. It also offers a model for structuring complex subject matter into easy-to-read bullet points, as demonstrated in the AI resume builder guide.

International Trade Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this international trade lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume showcases specialized legal expertise and global impact, which is particularly valuable when applying to international firms. It also mirrors how to list your education on a resume by using a clean, concise format that complements a specialized legal path.

Cybersecurity Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this cybersecurity lawyer resume example is strong:

The resume succeeds by blending legal expertise with technical literacy, a key trait for roles in digital privacy. It shows how to structure technical legal experience using a clean layout, much like the guidance in how to write a resume with no experience when you’re translating cross-functional skills into job-specific value.

Civil Rights Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this civil rights lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume stands out because it tells a values-based story while emphasizing legal rigor and courtroom performance. It also shows how to build a resume that balances emotional impact with measurable results, especially in advocacy-based roles.

Tax Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this tax lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume demonstrates technical expertise and concrete financial outcomes — key to success in tax law. It uses clear formatting to organize complex subject matter, which is essential when using an AI resume builder or applying to large firms.

Education Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this education lawyer resume example is strong:

This resume is strong because it demonstrates legal knowledge across public and private education sectors. It’s also a good reference on how to write a resume that reflects both litigation and advisory roles in one field.

Family Law Attorney Resume Example

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Why this family law attorney resume example is strong:

This resume works because it blends legal experience with client advocacy. It’s especially useful for candidates who want to showcase emotional intelligence alongside legal rigor. To create something similar, explore these resume objective examples to shape a targeted summary.

Patent Lawyer Resume Example

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Why this patent lawyer resume example is strong:

The resume effectively integrates technical background with legal writing, a key requirement for IP law. If you’re unsure how to connect degrees to your specialty, check this guide on how to list your education on a resume with impact.

Elder Law Attorney Resume Example

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Why this elder law attorney resume example is strong:

This resume is compelling because it balances technical estate law with human-centered legal care. It’s ideal for attorneys working closely with families and caregivers. For tips on reducing unnecessary sections and focusing on what matters most, see this resource on how long your resume should be.

Lawyer Text-Only Resume Examples

How To Write a Lawyer Resume

1. Select a suitable layout and design for your lawyer resume

Creating a polished and professional layout is essential for a legal resume. In law, attention to detail is everything, and your resume should reflect that. A clean format with clearly defined sections for experience, education, skills, and accomplishments helps communicate your qualifications quickly and effectively.

Use a layout that prioritizes clarity, organization, and professionalism. Avoid overly creative designs — employers in legal fields typically expect a straightforward presentation. Focus on making your resume easy to navigate, with consistent formatting and a hierarchy that places your most impressive credentials at the top. A concise and streamlined structure will help you convey legal expertise with authority.

2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your legal qualifications

Your professional summary should quickly establish your legal focus, experience level, and unique strengths. This opening statement is especially important in legal careers where specialization and track record matter. Whether you’re a litigator, in-house counsel, or paralegal, the summary should show how your legal background aligns with the role you’re pursuing.

Avoid generic phrases like “hardworking legal professional” and instead showcase years of experience, legal sectors you’ve worked in, and your track record, such as successful cases, contract negotiations, or regulatory compliance work.

3. Incorporate a results-focused work history section for your lawyer resume

The work history section is where you prove your legal impact. This part should focus on achievements, not just responsibilities. Go beyond listing duties — describe how your work improved client outcomes, contributed to firm goals, or supported successful litigation or negotiation.

Use strong action verbs like “negotiated,” “argued,” “drafted,” or “advised,” and add metrics wherever possible. For example, the number of cases handled, contract values, or successful resolutions can strengthen your credibility and make your contributions more tangible.

4. List your education and any pertinent certifications for a lawyer

Education is a core requirement in the legal profession, so it should appear prominently on your resume. Include your Juris Doctor (J.D.), undergraduate degree, and any honors (like magna cum laude) or law review participation. You don’t need to include graduation dates unless required.

Also list relevant certifications, such as bar admissions, continuing legal education (CLE) programs, or specialty certifications in areas like tax law or compliance. Make sure to include the issuing state and year of bar admission if applicable.

5. Highlight your essential abilities and legal proficiencies for a lawyer

A lawyer’s resume should include a well-rounded skills section that balances legal expertise with practical competencies. Include both hard skills, such as legal research, contract drafting, litigation, and regulatory compliance, and soft skills, including critical thinking, attention to detail, and negotiation.

Your skills section helps hiring teams quickly confirm your qualifications, so make sure it’s tailored to your area of law and the specific job description.

How To Pick the Best Lawyer Resume Template

Legal professionals benefit from traditional, clean resume templates that project confidence and clarity. Choose a template that puts your name, contact information, and summary at the top, followed by clearly labeled sections for experience, education, skills, and certifications.

Avoid overly stylized or modern templates with multiple columns or distracting design elements. In the legal field, a resume that looks polished and formal is more likely to be taken seriously. A good template will make your content easy to read and give hiring teams a positive first impression.

Look for templates that offer consistency in font, spacing, and section headers. Ensure that your accomplishments have sufficient space to be properly listed, and that the template can accommodate certifications and bar admissions without overcrowding the page.

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Kara Dennison

Head of Career Advising

Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC is an Executive Career and Leadership Coach, Organizational Strategy Consultant, and CEO of Optimized Career Solutions. With certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and Encouragement Consultant (EC), Kara brings a unique blend of strategic insight, behavioral science, and personal development to her work. Her career began in corporate recruiting and HR leadership, where she partnered with C-suite executives to hire top performers and reviewed more than 500,000 resumes. That experience ignited her passion for helping high-achieving professionals clarify their path, tell their story with impact, and advance into roles they love.

Today, Kara coaches executives and consults with organizations on culture, communication, and leadership development. She’s been named a Top 101 Global Employee Engagement Influencer by Inspiring Workplaces for 2023, 2024, and 2025, and contributes regularly to Forbes on topics like career growth, leadership trends, and the evolving workplace. Her work has appeared in Fast Company, LifeHacker, Thrive Global, and other leading outlets. Through one-on-one coaching, brand strategy, and organizational consulting, Kara’s mission is simple: empower professionals and leaders to live impactful lives, showing up with clarity and confidence so they and their teams can thrive.