60 Legal Resume Tips for Landing Your Dream Job

The legal industry is more competitive than ever, with law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations seeking top-tier talent. Whether you're a recent law school graduate or a seasoned attorney, crafting a standout resume is crucial to securing your dream job. In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape—shaped by AI, remote work, and global crises—your resume must reflect both expertise and adaptability.

Here are 60 legal resume tips to help you stand out in a crowded job market.

1. Formatting & Structure

Keep It Clean and Professional

1. Use a simple, readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri (10-12 pt).
2. Stick to one page if you're early in your career; two pages max for experienced attorneys.
3. Avoid flashy designs—legal resumes should be conservative and polished.

Organize Sections Strategically

1. Start with contact information (name, phone, email, LinkedIn).
2. Follow with a strong summary or objective (tailored to the job).
3. List education (law school, GPA if strong, honors).
4. Highlight legal experience in reverse chronological order.
5. Include skills, certifications, and bar admissions.
6. Add relevant volunteer work or pro bono experience.

2. Tailoring Your Resume for Different Legal Roles

For Big Law Firms

1. Emphasize prestigious clerkships, internships, or moot court experience.
2. Highlight billable hours if applicable.
3. Showcase high-profile cases or transactions you’ve worked on.

For In-House Counsel Positions

1. Focus on business acumen—corporate law, compliance, or contract negotiation.
2. Mention cross-functional collaboration with executives.
3. Include industry-specific expertise (tech, healthcare, finance).

For Public Interest & Government Roles

1. Highlight pro bono work, advocacy, or policy experience.
2. Show commitment to social justice (e.g., immigration, civil rights).
3. Mention grants, legislative drafting, or regulatory work.

3. Writing Powerful Bullet Points

Use Action-Oriented Language

1. Start with strong verbs (e.g., "Drafted," "Negotiated," "Litigated").
2. Quantify achievements—"Reduced contract review time by 30%."
3. Avoid vague statements like "Responsible for legal research."

Showcase Legal Expertise

1. Specify types of cases (e.g., IP, employment, mergers).
2. Mention courtroom experience if applicable.
3. Highlight settlements or verdicts you contributed to.

4. Addressing Gaps & Challenges

Handling Employment Gaps

1. Use "freelance legal consulting" if you took time off.
2. Highlight continuing education (e.g., CLE courses).

For Career Changers

1. Frame transferable skills (e.g., compliance, negotiation).
2. Explain why law in your summary.

5. Leveraging Technology & Modern Trends

AI & Legal Tech Skills

1. Mention e-discovery tools (Relativity, LexisNexis).
2. Highlight AI-assisted legal research (Westlaw, Casetext).
3. Show data privacy or cybersecurity expertise (GDPR, CCPA).

Remote Work & Virtual Lawyering

1. Include experience with virtual court proceedings.
2. Mention collaboration tools (Zoom, Slack, Clio).

6. Avoiding Common Mistakes

1. No typos—have multiple people proofread.
2. Don’t exaggerate—misleading info can cost you a job.
3. Avoid personal pronouns ("I," "me").
4. Don’t include irrelevant jobs (e.g., college bartending).

7. Bonus Tips for Recent Graduates

1. Lead with education if experience is limited.
2. Include law review, journals, or moot court.
3. Add relevant coursework (e.g., Constitutional Law, Corporate Compliance).

By implementing these 60 legal resume tips, you’ll position yourself as a strong candidate in today’s dynamic legal job market. Whether you're targeting Big Law, in-house roles, or public service, a well-crafted resume is your first step toward landing your dream job.