Career objective
My objective is [Your professional objective for a licensed lawyer role, including your practice area, relevant experience, and intended contribution to the employer].
Copy-ready template
[Your Full Name] [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address] | [Your Location] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY [Licensed lawyer with experience in your practice area] [Relevant research, drafting, advocacy, and client communication strengths] [Applicable bar admission and jurisdiction, where relevant; admission requirements vary by jurisdiction] SKILLS [Legal Research] | [Legal Writing] | [Document Review] | [Client Communication] | [Relevant Practice Skills] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Role Title] [Company Name] | [Location] | [Employment Dates] - [Describe a relevant matter or assignment, your responsibilities, and the work you completed without disclosing confidential information] - [Describe research, drafting, or document review that supported your team's work] - [Describe an accurately represented contribution to client communication, case preparation, or matter coordination] EDUCATION [Your Degree] [School Name] | [Graduation Date]
How to tailor it by subfield
- Corporate: Highlight relevant experience with contract drafting, document review, transaction support, and business-facing communication. Describe your responsibilities precisely and protect confidential information.
- Family: Emphasise client interviewing, sensitive communication, matter organisation, and relevant drafting experience. Keep descriptions professional and anonymised.
- Criminal defence or prosecution: Highlight relevant legal research, evidence review, case preparation, and courtroom experience. Distinguish your own responsibilities from those of the wider team.
- Real-estate or employment law: Select experience relevant to the advertised practice area, such as document review, drafting, research, and client communication. Use terminology that honestly reflects your work.
Common mistakes
- Presenting this licensed lawyer template as suitable for an unlicensed role.
- Implying that bar admission in one jurisdiction applies everywhere.
- Including confidential client information or identifiable matter details.
- Claiming sole responsibility for work completed by a team.
- Using elaborate formatting or keywords that do not match your experience; prefer standard headings and plain text.
Sample resume
SAMPLE — all names, companies, and schools below are placeholders.
[Your Full Name] [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address] | [Your Location] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY [Your licensed lawyer profile, relevant practice experience, and professional strengths] [Your applicable bar admission and jurisdiction, where relevant; requirements vary by jurisdiction] SKILLS [Your Relevant Research Skill] | [Your Relevant Drafting Skill] | [Your Relevant Advocacy Skill] | [Your Relevant Matter Management Skill] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Role Title] [Company Name] | [Location] | [Employment Dates] - [Your relevant assignment, individual responsibility, and accurately described contribution] - [Your research or drafting contribution with confidential details omitted] EDUCATION [Your Degree] [School Name] | [Graduation Date]
Key skills to highlight
- Legal research and authority analysis
- Legal writing and document drafting
- Contract review
- Case and matter management
- Document review and evidence organisation
- Client interviewing and communication
- Negotiation preparation
- Oral advocacy and hearing preparation
Cover letter companion
Dear [Hiring Manager Name], I am applying for the [Role Title] position at [Company Name]. My experience includes [Relevant practice experience]. I contributed [Accurately described research, drafting, or advocacy example]. Thank you for considering my application; I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my contribution. Sincerely, [Your Name].