Order in the court! When it comes to public opinion, sadly, attorneys are usually the butt of jokes. Real attorneys rebut those claims. Attorneys face extreme amounts of stress, endless research, late nights, tragic cases, and high expectations; they might enjoy the hefty salary, but they also like the work itself and winning cases for their clients.
According to the American Bar Association Journal, attorneys are called to be public servants devoted to improving their profession and the court system. The best attorneys are creative, compassionate, patient, and logical. They genuinely want to help people by advocating for them in court, and they use their skills well for their clients.
Hiring a great attorney is a multi-step process just like a legal case, but you can get a leg-up with a stellar job description. BeamJobs will guide you through the process to make sure you make a winning first impression with your attorney job description.
Download and edit in Microsoft Word.
Edit in Google Docs (choose "File" and "Make a copy").
Download and edit in Microsoft Word.
Edit in Google Docs (choose "File" and "Make a copy").
Download and edit in Microsoft Word.
Edit in Google Docs (choose "File" and "Make a copy").
Job descriptions are your first impression, so it's in your best interest to show that you're professional and prepared. Often, though, job descriptions are boring, ambiguous, and superficial. Some writers pour their efforts into describing the job on the company website but become oddly lax with the ones on job boards. (We've seen five different job descriptions for government positions with just the word "help" listed in the requirements.)
The problem is, how many readers are going to make it to your website when all they see is poor content? The answer is "not many." If you have subpar content, attorneys will readily spot a lack of care and attention. A clumsy job description will turn away high-caliber applicants, so it pays to invest in writing a winning job description.
Due process for job descriptions
Writing a great job description follows a series of steps, just like a legal case. We've provided an outline below, so you know exactly what to include, but of course, the writing part is up to you!
The first step is to get words on paper (or the screen). Use the outline we've provided and fill in all relevant details. Write in the details until the outline is complete. What do you think your attorney needs to know? What's essential to do the job?
Then go back and add one key element: why you're hiring. You need an attorney, but what specific function do you need them to fulfill? Is your firm growing, and do you need a tried and tested attorney on your family law team?
Do you need an attorney fluent in Spanish for your immigration law firm? Make it abundantly clear what role you expect your attorney to fill.
Even though you now have all your information down, you're far from finished. Revision is one step most writers miss, but it's essential when attracting amazing attorneys. Grammarly has an excellent guide on revising for conciseness, which is critical for a job description.
Shorten sentences, use power verbs, and keep your applicant in mind. They already have to read pages and pages of legal jargon—don't make them scroll through paragraphs of useless information so they can apply for the job. Keep it simple, and the attorney cover letters will begin pouring in!
After you've revised for content and conciseness, adjust your tone. Attorneys are persistent, caring, and discerning—does your job description reflect those qualities? If it doesn't, read some sources about attorney work to see how real attorneys act and think. One great example is the Power of One article about the lawyer as an advocate—attorneys are both personal and professional, which your job description needs to mimic.
Now it's time for cross-examination! Have your co-workers read through your job description and ask what works and what's irrelevant or confusing. It's hard to hear corrections, but it will strengthen your argument (your job description). Once you've heard their counterarguments, make the necessary revisions.
Lastly, review your formatting. Even if your content gets a winning verdict, poor formatting can ruin your efforts. When uploading your job description to job boards, check that it looks exactly as intended.
Then, hit "submit" and wait for your future applicants to start sending in their attorney resumes!
Make an outline to start your attorney job description
It may feel like writing a case brief is easier than writing a job description, but never fear! Use this handy outline to guide you through the process.
Job details: This is an introduction to your company, the job, and why you're hiring a new attorney. Include just enough points to be informative, but not so many it's overwhelming. As brief as it is, though, don't feel like you can't be interesting—strike a balance between professional and engaging to draw the reader in without appearing overly formal or too casual.
What you'll be doing/Roles/Responsibilities/Requirements: Most attorney positions share similar responsibilities, but that doesn't mean you should neglect this section. Every role varies, just as every company is different, so your job description should reflect that (Please don't just write "provide legal counsel" and leave it at that). Give concise requirements that are detailed but limited in number to provide an accurate portrait of your future attorney's general tasks.
Qualifications: Many job descriptions either stuff or starve this section. Both sides forget the goal: to give a snapshot of the skills required to do the job. You shouldn't list every possible qualification, nor should you assume that a degree and license are enough. Be descriptive, but remember that qualifications aren't everything, and sometimes amazing candidates might not have the experience yet.
Benefits: Benefits are a great way to entice applicants, so adding this section can be a major bonus. This section includes a salary range, insurance options, and other perks your company offers. Feel free to get specific, too—a few fun benefits like "Food Truck Fridays" make you sound more personable.
That being said, don't put this information first. It's not the most important, so it needs to come later on in the list.
About the company: Many job descriptions add too much information here. Again, those job descriptions forget their audience. It's important to talk about your company, so the applicants know who they'll represent and work for, but they don't need to know every case your firm has won. Be brief and to the point, while still upbeat and relaxed in this section.
The many responsibilities and functions of an attorney
It's easy to imagine attorneys forever living in court or studying case law in their offices; however, they balance much more than just those responsibilities. If you're struggling to understand an attorney's daily life, use the following list to generate some examples for your job description. One attorney may not be doing all of this, but it's a general outline of the expected functions of most attorneys.
Servant
Court Representative
Researcher
Advocate
Problem Solver
Salesperson