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Law School Application Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
- Legal Research Intern
- Legal Assistant
- Public Interest Intern
- Judicial Intern
- Immigration Legal Intern
- Compliance Intern
- Criminal Law Intern
- Policy And Legal Intern
- Civil Litigation Intern
- Human Rights Legal Intern
- Environmental Law Intern
- Juvenile Justice Intern
- Veterans Legal Services Intern
- Disability Rights Legal Intern
- Employment Law Intern
- Pro Bono Legal Intern
- Legal Writing Intern
- Legislative Legal Intern
- Human Trafficking Legal Intern
- Law Clinic Intern
- Law School Application Text-Only Resume Examples
- How To Write a Law School Application Resume
- How To Pick the Best Law School Application Resume Template
- Frequently Asked Questions: Law School Application Resume Examples and Advice
Key Takeaways
- Focus on academic and leadership achievements: Law school resumes should emphasize academic accomplishments, honors, research, and leadership roles to demonstrate readiness for rigorous legal studies.
- Highlight relevant experiences and transferable skills: Showcase internships, volunteer roles, and jobs that reflect analytical thinking, writing, research, and leadership skills valued in law school candidates.
- Keep it professional and polished: Use a clean layout with clearly defined sections, consistent formatting, and a formal tone to make a strong first impression.
Law School Application Resume Examples and Templates [Download in App]
Legal Research Intern Resume Example
Why this legal research intern resume example is strong:
This resume is focused and well-aligned with law school goals, demonstrating relevant experience in both legal research and policy. It highlights skills like case law analysis and legislative tracking, which directly connect to law school coursework. The professional experience is clear and impact-driven. See how to refine your resume further by reviewing the best ways to build a resume for law school.
Legal Assistant Resume Example
Why this legal assistant resume example is strong:
This resume shows a direct path into the legal field, with responsibilities that align closely with the work of first-year law students. The candidate demonstrates skills in litigation logistics and legal document preparation. With a clean structure, the reverse-chronological order enhances the narrative. Explore the top resume format styles for legal applicants.
Public Interest Intern Resume Example
Why this public interest intern resume example is strong:
This resume ties legal experience directly to community advocacy, a major focus in many law school programs. The mix of legal aid and on-the-ground outreach shows initiative and compassion. Including Spanish fluency and public speaking adds further value. Discover other tips for applying to law school without traditional firm experience: how to write a resume with no experience.
Judicial Intern Resume Example
Why this judicial intern resume example is strong:
This resume reflects high exposure to real-world legal processes, which is valued by admissions committees. It shows a candidate with both court experience and academic legal research. The focus on family law adds depth. Learn how to position specialized legal internships like this by exploring how to list promotions and job progression on your resume.
Immigration Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this immigration legal intern resume example is strong:
This resume effectively highlights direct legal support experience in immigration law, showing both technical and human-centered strengths. Spanish fluency and client work stand out as differentiators. For advice on presenting education and language skills strategically, see how to list your education on a resume.
Compliance Intern Resume Example
Why this compliance intern resume example is strong:
This resume connects legal exposure with financial systems, demonstrating an understanding of regulatory frameworks and business ethics. The experience aligns well with corporate or transactional law interests. For advice on tailoring a resume toward law school, read more about how to build a resume for law school applications.
Criminal Law Intern Resume Example
Why this criminal law intern resume example is strong:
This resume clearly reflects a passion for criminal law through hands-on experience on both sides of the justice system. Exposure to real cases and filings adds credibility. Find out more about how to highlight multiple internships and career growth by checking out how to list promotions on a resume.
Policy And Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this policy and legal intern resume example is strong:
The candidate balances legal and legislative experience, making them well-prepared for law school focused on public policy. Each role supports a clear interest in systemic change. To learn how to keep your resume aligned with your goals, see the guide on how to align your resume with job postings.
Civil Litigation Intern Resume Example
Why this civil litigation intern resume example is strong:
This resume showcases real-world experience in civil law through both private and academic settings. Practical exposure to court documents and client prep strengthens the application. Get tips on how to keep resumes short and targeted by reviewing advice on how long a resume should be.
Human Rights Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this human rights legal intern resume example is strong:
This resume demonstrates a clear interest in international human rights law backed by hands-on legal research and advocacy. The candidate has both policy and client-focused experience. For more help structuring resumes for law school, check out tools like the AI resume builder to streamline formatting.
Environmental Law Intern Resume Example
Why this environmental law intern resume example is strong:
This resume focuses on a clear specialty within the law school path, showing work tied directly to climate law and regulation. It’s structured around impact and legal relevance. To see how to highlight early-career specialization on your resume, explore these resume objective examples.
Juvenile Justice Intern Resume Example
Why this juvenile justice intern resume example is strong:
The resume aligns legal support experience with youth justice issues, offering clear examples of case prep and advocacy. It reflects a strong commitment to a niche within public interest law. For insights on resume flow and visual clarity, check out the best resume format options.
Veterans Legal Services Intern Resume Example
Why this veterans legal services resume example is strong:
This resume highlights real legal work that demonstrates service, detail management, and government system familiarity, traits valued in many law school applicants. To explore how public service and career values influence resume tone, visit how to write a resume with no experience.
Disability Rights Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this disability rights legal intern resume example is strong:
This resume highlights relevant, impact-driven experience with a vulnerable population and ties it to core legal skills. It presents a clear motivation for law school. To help refine content flow and effectiveness, use the AI resume builder for clean formatting.
Employment Law Intern Resume Example
Why this employment law intern resume example is strong:
The resume shows real, applicable legal experience that aligns with law school coursework in civil procedure and employment law. It also highlights research and client interaction. For more guidance on listing early internships, check out how to list your education on a resume.
Pro Bono Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this pro bono legal intern resume example is strong:
This resume shows a strong public interest focus and provides direct legal exposure in family and housing law. It reflects a candidate who already understands client-centered work. To make your impact even more visible, learn how to list promotions and experience growth on your resume.
Legal Writing Intern Resume Example
Why this legal writing intern resume example is strong:
This resume highlights high-value skills essential for law school success, including editing, citation, and structured argumentation. It’s academic, but still practical. Create a sharp, targeted academic resume with the help of this article on how to build a law school resume.
Legislative Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this legislative legal intern resume example is strong:
This resume clearly connects legal research with legislative practice, offering solid insight into public sector law. It’s a strong fit for law school applicants interested in government or policy law. To keep this type of resume streamlined, check out this guide on how long a resume should be.
Human Trafficking Legal Intern Resume Example
Why this human trafficking legal intern resume example is strong:
The resume highlights unique and sensitive legal experience, showcasing emotional intelligence, discretion, and legal process knowledge. It’s clear, well-structured, and centered on a powerful legal mission. Discover how to present your experience effectively by reading about the resume skills that matter.
Law Clinic Intern Resume Example
Why this law clinic intern resume example is strong:
This resume highlights practical legal experience gained through a student clinic, showing initiative and real client support. The work is directly relevant to law school training. To explore resume formats that work well for law students, check out these resume outline examples.
Law School Application Text-Only Resume Examples
How To Write a Law School Application Resume
1. Select a suitable layout and design for your law school application resume
Your law school resume isn’t like a traditional job-seeking resume. It should be polished and academic in tone, focused on the experiences that show your intellectual curiosity, analytical strengths, and leadership potential. The layout must be clean, professional, and easy to navigate.
This means using a reverse chronological format, limiting yourself to one page (or two pages only if absolutely necessary), and avoiding distracting design elements. Your content should flow smoothly, highlighting your academic credentials, professional development, and any meaningful volunteer or extracurricular involvement.
If you’ve held jobs unrelated to law, that’s okay. Frame them in a way that shows transferable skills such as writing, critical thinking, and responsibility. Law schools want to see the depth of your involvement and your ability to commit to a goal.
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your law school qualifications
The summary or profile section of a law school resume is optional, but it can add clarity if you have a varied background or if you’re making a nontraditional transition into law. It should briefly explain your professional goals and summarize your academic foundation, leadership, and unique perspective.
Avoid using overly casual or vague language. Be confident and clear, and focus on how your past has prepared you for the demands of law school.
Strong summary example for a law school applicant
Motivated and detail-oriented honors graduate with a strong foundation in political science and legal studies. Experienced in research, debate, and community advocacy. Committed to pursuing a career in public interest law with a focus on civil rights.
Weak summary example for a law school applicant
I want to go to law school to become a lawyer. I’ve done a lot of activities and believe I have the skills needed.
3. Incorporate a results-focused work history section for your law school application resume
Work experience should demonstrate more than just job responsibilities. Whether you’ve worked in a legal environment or not, describe how your roles helped you build skills in communication, organization, problem-solving, and ethics.
Include internships, fellowships, research assistantships, or part-time work. Be specific about your achievements and the impact you made. Avoid listing unrelated tasks without context — show how your experience contributes to your ability to succeed in law school.
Strong experience example for a law school applicant
Legal Intern | Johnson & Myers LLP | Atlanta, GA | May 2024 to August 2024
- Drafted legal memoranda on family law cases, resulting in a 15% reduction in case preparation time for junior associates
- Conducted legal research on Georgia statutes and court rulings to support case strategy development
- Attended depositions and client interviews, taking notes and preparing internal summaries for partner review
Weak experience example for a law school applicant
Intern | Law Office | May 2024 to August 2024
- Helped lawyers with work
- Sat in on meetings
- Did research and paperwork
4. List your education and any pertinent certifications for a law school application
Your academic credentials are one of the most important parts of your law school resume. Start with your most recent degree and include your GPA (if above 3.5), academic honors, scholarships, research projects, relevant coursework, or study abroad programs.
Certifications aren’t typically required but you may include any that are related to legal research, writing, or public policy.
Education example for a law school applicant
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC
- GPA: 3.87
- Dean’s List (6 semesters)
- Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Constitutional Law
- President, Pre-Law Society
5. Highlight your essential abilities and technical proficiencies for a law school application
While law school resumes don’t require technical skills like coding or software development, it’s still valuable to showcase your strengths in tools and competencies related to legal work, writing, and research.
This might include legal research databases, document drafting tools, and even leadership and organizational skills developed through extracurriculars or work.
| Over 20 hard and soft skills for law school application resumes | |
|---|---|
| Academic research | Analytical reasoning |
| Case briefing | Client service |
| Debate and public speaking | Document review |
| Editorial writing | Grant writing |
| Legal writing | LexisNexis |
| Logical reasoning | Microsoft Office Suite |
| Moot court preparation | Nonprofit advocacy |
| Policy analysis | Political organizing |
| Problem solving | Public policy research |
| Task prioritization | Time management |
| Westlaw | |
How To Pick the Best Law School Application Resume Template
The best law school application resume templates are simple, clean, and professional. You want the admissions committee to quickly find your academic achievements, work experience, and any relevant skills without distractions.
Avoid fancy fonts or colorful designs. Stick to traditional formatting such as one column, standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial, and clear section headings. Ensure your document is well-aligned, consistent, and clutter-free. Every line on your resume should serve a purpose and help communicate why you’re ready for law school.
If you’re applying through LSAC, ensure your resume follows any guidelines they provide and converts cleanly into PDF format.
Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.
Build Your ResumeFrequently Asked Questions: Law School Application Resume Examples and Advice
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Authored |
| Collaborated | Composed |
| Conducted | Drafted |
| Facilitated | Investigated |
| Led | Organized |
| Presented | Researched |
| Spearheaded | Summarized |
| Wrote | |
These verbs highlight your initiative, research abilities, and leadership in academic and professional settings.
Tailor your resume to highlight the skills law schools value — strong academics, writing and research, leadership, and dedication to service. Use the same terminology as found in your personal statement or application essays to maintain a cohesive application.
Match your resume to the qualities emphasized by the specific law schools you’re applying to. If a program focuses on public interest law, it should emphasize related experiences and goals. If it’s known for moot court, highlight any debate or mock trial involvement.
The reverse chronological format is the best choice. It puts your most recent and relevant experience first, giving admissions officers a clear picture of your academic growth and professional readiness.
Focus on clarity, organization, and brevity. Law schools read hundreds of resumes—make yours stand out with precision and professionalism.
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.

