9 Attorney Resume Examples That Got the Job in 2026

How to Write an Attorney Resume

Creating a job-winning attorney resume demands charisma, brevity, and a deep understanding of legal employers’ needs. We’ll show you the essential components of a standout attorney resume—from highlighting your legal expertise and courtroom success to showcasing your analytical skills and impactful achievements.

In this section we’ll cover:

• How to present your qualfication in the best format
• Why and how to craft a compelling professional summary
• How to present your experience with impact through metrics
• Hard and soft skills that matter to every role
• How to position your resume to match the job posting

How to choose the right resume format for attorneys

Your resume format makes it easy or difficult for recruiters, potential employers, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to read and understand your document. The right layout must make it easy to find the most crucial information:  Expertise, results, education, and professional growth presented for both human and AI readership.

As an attorney, you have three formats to choose from: reverse-chronological, functional, or hybrid/combined. The one you choose depends on your experience level, speciality, and career goals.

Let’s now delve more into how to make the best choice.

Reverse-chronological vs. functional format

The reverse-chronological resume is the most trusted and widely used format by attorneys and universally accepted by law firms. It prioritizes your legal experience, starting with your most recent position to earlier roles, showing a clear progression in both scope and expertise.

The reverse-chronological format is best if you:

• Have consistent experience in the same legal domain (e.g., litigation, corporate, or  IP law)
• Want to showcase career growth through promotions, leadership roles, or employer changes over time
• Need to align with the traditions of the legal practice

A functional format, by contrast, focuses on skills rather than experience and periods. As an  attorney, use it only when changing practice focus or returning to the legal field after a gap. However, be advised that law firm recruiters and ATS software tend to favor it less because it obscures employment timelines.

When to use a hybrid resume format

The hybrid (or combined) resume mixes both the worlds of chronological and functional elements. It can start with either the skills or work experience summary, then present each role and achievements in chronological order.

This format is ideal for:

• Mid-level attorneys transitioning into new specialties, for instance, from litigation to compliance
• In-house counsel candidates who want to emphasize strategic impact above roles
• Attorneys with a blend of experiences, say in consulting, contract, or part-time legal work, and would need flexibility in presentation

Formatting tips for entry-level vs. senior attorneys

Among many other factors, formatting options differ depending on your level of legal career. Here’s how to ensure you use the right format.

For entry-level attorneys:

• Don’t go beyond one page
• Prioritize your law school achievements and early-career track record from clerkships, internships, and bar admissions
• Present your section in headers, such as “Education,” “Legal Experience,” or “Skills”)

For senior attorneys:

• One page is great, but use two pages if you have 10 or more years of experience
• Prioritize your standout achievements in leadership and management
• Use metrics when possible

How to craft a compelling attorney resume summary

Your professional profile is a 10-second elevator pitch that can open doors for you. It’s what recruiters read first to identify a quality hire, so make it count. Whether you’re a legal beginner or a seasoned pro, this statement should highlight who you are and showcase your value, career journey, and aspirations.

Your attorney resume summary is, most of the time, the first and probably the only thing a hiring manager reads before deciding to toss or proceed reading the rest of your document. It’s also the key section that applicant tracking systems (ATS) begin their scanning on to establish relevance. Therefore, you need a two or three-line overview that proves you have the legal expertise, experience, and measurable accomplishments that say you’re fit for the job.

In short, this section should clearly answer:

• What type of attorney are you?
• What’s your law specialty?
• What impact have you made in prior roles or cases, and are they relevant?

Tip: Be factual, concise, and lean more on results rather than duties.

What to include in a legal resume summary

For an attorney resume summary to hook recruiters and impress  ATS, define your professional identity, expertise, and impact.

Must-include elements:

• Job title/niche: e.g., “Corporate Attorney,” or “Employment Law Specialist.”
• Years of experience: Be specific 5 years or give an estimation, 10+ years
• Core skills: Must be inclined to your niche, e.g.,  “M&A transactions,” “contract negotiation,” or “regulatory compliance”
• Notable achievements or metrics: Quantify your success where and when it makes sense
• Domain/client focus: Reference the industry you practice, such as  “healthcare,” “financial services,” or “intellectual property”

Pro Tip: Ditch vague phrases and instead, provide quantifiable evidence for your results,  reflecting your legal expertise.

Attorney resume summary examples (Entry-Level, Junior, Mid, Senior)

Your career summary should reflect your level,  goals, domain, and industry you want to join or have experience in.

Entry-level attorney resume objective:

“Recent J.D. graduate with substantial research and litigation skills developed through internships and moot court competitions. Passionate about corporate law and eager to join Latham & Watkins LLP as a junior associate to contribute to high-profile M&A cases. Proficient in legal writing, contract analysis, and case law research.”

Junior attorney resume summary example:

Mid-level attorney resume summary example:

“Corporate attorney with 6 years of experience advising 4 Fortune 500 clients on M&A transactions and compliance. Known for negotiating 50-million-dollar contracts and leading cross-functional deal teams to ensure risk mitigation and regulatory alignment.”

Senior attorney resume summary:

Business law attorney with 12+ years of experience advising Fortune 500 clients on regulatory compliance and commercial litigation. Achieved a 92%-win rate in arbitration cases over the past 6 years. Expert in risk assessment, cross-functional team leadership, and legal strategy. Seeking to lead the litigation practice at a forward-thinking law firm.

How to highlight your legal experience with impact

Your resume shouldn’t read like a job description—it should show your impact. Generate bullet points to demonstrate what you accomplished, not just your roles. Emphasize metrics, results, and the legal skills that made you successful. Recruiters want to know if you’ll make their lives easier and cases stronger.

Your legal experience section is the clearest signal of your professional credibility: It showcases where you’ve worked, what you achieved, and presents it with numbers that speak to your success. One great  trick here is to use action verbs and quantifiable results in a legal context to let recruiters know you’re the best candidate, as well as provide what ATS will be screening for.

As you follow this script, revisit the job posting and address the firm’s needs by offering solutions that leverage your skills, specialization, and results.

Use action verbs and legal jargon strategically

Strong verbs establish an immediate impact and help hiring managers visualize your capabilities. However, you must ensure a balanced use of legal jargon so that both humans and AI screener can understand.

Examples of high-impact action verbs for attorney resumes:

• Advocated
• Drafted
• Negotiated
• Litigated
• Argued
• Resolved
• Advised
• Structured
• Mediated
• Represented

Pro Tip: Don’t merely say, “Responsible for case”, Say, “Represented 4 clients…”

Quantify legal achievements (with metrics)

Metrics are transformative in that they convert your experience from mere description of duties to persuasive achievements that compel employers to pay attention to your resume. If possible and logical, use numbers, percentages, or frequencies to give the measurable outcome of your activities.

How to quantify legal experience:

• Case wins vs losses, acquittals vs. convictions
• Financial results for negotiated settlements
• Client impact, for example, “Reduced corporate litigation exposure by 33%.”
• Volume of work: Cases handled within a specific timeline
• Efficiency gains: Cutting case turnaround times by, say, an average of 13 days/case

Tailor experience to legal domain (Real Estate, Litigation, etc.)

Each legal field values different skills, so tailoring your resume shows you know what you want. Name the practice area, case type, or industry to show clients you understand their needs.

How to tailor your experience for each niche effectively:

• Litigation: Competencies in case preparation, motion practice, depositions, and achievements that say you’re a winner
• Real Estate Law: Provide hard proof that you can   be relied on to draft contracts, close hard-fought deals, zoning approvals, and property due diligence
• Corporate Law: Let big law firms or clients know that you have their backs in M&A, compliance, and contract negotiations
• Family or Criminal Law: Wins in client advocacy, mediation success rates, and case resolution speed are central to what clients, as well as potential employers, will seek in your resume

How to showcase relevant legal skills

Your attorney skills define the kind of expertise you would bring to the workplace when hired. Hiring managers and ATS will be screening for both hard and soft competencies to see if you meet the threshold dictated in the job posting. The best approach is to organize your skills in a manner that is visible and easy to retrieve.

Key legal skills for all attorneys

Your skills section should be a laser-focused list of what makes you the must-hire attorney. Think of it as your greatest hits—the tools, strategies, and legal knowledge that set you apart. Keep it tailored to the open role, relevant, and scannable.

Key legal skills:

• Legal Research & Writing
• Contract Drafting
• Trial Preparation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Litigation Strategy
• Corporate Law
• Negotiation
• Westlaw & LexisNexis
• Client Counseling
• Case Management

Top hard skills for attorneys (By specialization)

Hard skills are direct competencies that demonstrate your ability to handle legal procedures, tools, and documentation in accordance with professional standards and best practices. These attributes vary from one niche to another, but also span different practice areas.

Litigation attorneys

• Legal research and writing
• Motion drafting and pleading
• Deposition preparation and trial advocacy
• Client counseling
• Case strategy
• Electronic documentation:  PACER, CM/ECF

Corporate Attorneys

• Entity formation and restructuring
• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
• Contract negotiation and review
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk management
• Due diligence

Real estate attorneys

• Title review
• Closing coordination
• Contract analysis
• Lease drafting
• Property acquisitions and financing
• Escrow and settlement management

Intellectual property (IP) attorneys

• Trademark and patent application filing
• IP portfolio management & litigation support
• Licensing and infringement analysis
• Trade secret protection

Employment & labor attorneys

• Drafting employee handbooks
• Labor relations and dispute resolution
• EEOC and compliance representation
• Mediation and arbitration

In-demand soft skills for attorneys in 2026

While it’s your legal prowess that distinguishes your practice from other candidates, some positions expect you to be a leader, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent. Other interpersonal skills that matter for attorneys include:

• Strategic problem-solving
• Written and verbal advocacy
• Client relationship management
• Team collaboration and mentorship
• Active listening
• Time management and multi-case prioritization

Pro Tip: Always provide context on how and when you used these skills, as well as the results of your actions.

Where to place skills on your attorney resume

Place and use your skills in the following areas:

• Dedicate a “Skills” section, often below your professional summary, after education, or experience
• Embed within experience bullets to add context

How to include your education, certification, and bar admission

Education matters—especially in corridors of justice. List your law school first, including honors, relevant coursework, and your GPA if it’s 3.5 and above.

Certifications boost credibility. If you’ve taken legal-specific training or earned industry certifications, add them here.

Bar admission is non-negotiable. Mention your active license and jurisdiction. Include multiple states if applicable.

How to tailor your resume to the open role

The best attorney resumes respond to what the job demands. Carefully read the job posting, paying close attention to the key legal skills and experiences they seek. Add those key terms to your resume to get past ATS filters.

Next, choose a clean, modern, ATS-friendly template that will not be rejected by HR systems. Keep the formatting consistent, use standard headers, and save your document as a PDF for device portability unless specified otherwise.

Key takeaways

• Use a clear format (reverse-chronological most of the time)
• Start with a compelling summary 
• Show impact through metrics 
• Match your language to your practice area and mirror keywords from job descriptions
•  Blend hard and soft skills 
• Keep it one page and two pages if you’re experienced in a specific domain for 10+ years