Attached to this article are 2 free lawyer CV samples which are also available for download. By the end of this article, you will learn how to craft a compelling lawyer CV that will increase your chance of getting hired. Let’s get right into it.
Note: If you need any form of assistance with your CV/Resume, you can contact us today. An expert will review or revamp your resume and help you improve it to better capture the key things that will help you stand out.
Who Is A Lawyer?
A lawyer is a licensed professional who uses their in-depth understanding of the law to offer advice on legal issues to people, businesses, governmental entities, and society at large.
Duties Of A Lawyer
The duties of a lawyer are quite numerous, however, we have listed 25 different duties you can include in your lawyer CV. Also, use the lawyer CV sample template provided above as a reference to what you will be learning here.
- Oversee the administration of the clients’ contracts, estates, trust funds, deeds, lawsuits, and other legal documents.
- Documenting and monitoring legal risks for clients.
- Providing legal counsel.
- Advise clients on their legal rights and obligations by interpreting laws, decisions, and regulations for them.
- Conduct legal research, gather evidence, secure approvals, investigate precedents, and present evidence to back their clients’ claims.
- Offer legal representation in arbitration, mediation, and court proceedings.
- Always available to provide clients with accurate and effective legal counsel.
- Manage regulatory and compliance services.
- Provide innovative solutions for clients.
- Oversee paralegals.
- Handle court appearances.
- Examining police reports, reviewing transcripts and medical records, preparing arguments, and acting as a liaison between clients and barristers.’
- Delivering oral arguments in court.
- Setting realistic expectations for clients.
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with clients.
- Engaged in out-of-court settlements.
- Providing business owners advice on policy implementation and impact.
- Collaborating with team members to prepare comprehensive briefs for trial cases.
- Scheduling and conducting witness and expert depositions.
- Investigating legal principles such as case law, court decisions, statutes, and regulations.
- Providing accurate legal citation and interpretation of statutes.
- Prepare all documents required for case filing, such as briefs and other court materials.
- Negotiating cases to meet the needs of the clients.
- Keeping accurate case files, notes, and reports
- Ensuring all parties follow court orders and pay fines.
How To Write A Lawyer CV Perfectly
As a lawyer, your CV should contain a detailed description of you and your expertise. So, here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly write a lawyer CV.
1. Write A Concise Yet Detailed Profile Summary
Writing a brief profile summary is important, but crafting a detailed and concise profile summary is crucial. For a lawyer, this section should showcase everything you embody and stand for. Begin by highlighting your skills, industry experience, additional qualifications or certifications, and the contributions you would make if hired.
Expert Tip: Keep your profile summary short and detailed; 4 to 5 bullet points or 5-6 lines is ideal.
2. Emphasize On Your Legal Skills
As you progress from school to your first job, you may notice certain abilities that come naturally to you. These are your soft skills, which you didn’t necessarily learn but find yourself using. In addition to these, there are technical skills, such as legal skills if you’re in the legal profession. It’s important to clearly distinguish between your soft skills and your legal skills when listing them on your resume. Further in this article, you will find a list of 30 skills that can be included in a lawyer’s resume.
3. Quantify Your Work Experience
Numbers and figures play a great role when added to the description of your work experience. What do I mean? Look at these two examples which one looks and/or sounds more appealing if you were to judge which would you go for?
Example A: Negotiated settlements and also advocated for clients in and out of the courtroom.
Or
Example B: Drafted and submitted 150+ immigration petitions, including H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visa applications, with an approval rate of 95%
Now that you have seen two different examples of how to write your work experience, which would you prefer?
4. Highlight Memberships
Include bar memberships if you are already practicing law in your area. For instance, you can write it thus: U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island — Admitted 20XX.
5. Add Other Useful Information
Being a lawyer is a competitive field. Therefore, adding other relevant information to your lawyer’s CV is crucial for gaining a competitive edge.
- Volunteer Work
- Research Projects
- Awards
- Publication History
Relevant Skills To Include In A Lawyer CV Sample: Free Lawyer CV Samples
Whether you are a lawyer who is just starting in this career or you have been practicing for several years, your skills are one of the sections that show your expertise. Below are 30 skills you can use in your resume as a lawyer. Take a look at it!
- Mediation
- Privacy law
- Data privacy
- Corporate law
- Civil litigation
- Entertainment law
- Corporate governance
- Legal writing
- Intellectual property
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Negotiation & Settlement
- Documentation
- Client management
- Trial preparation
- Documentation
- Knowledge of laws and legal procedures
- Analytical skills
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability
- Persuasive speech & writing
- Client care skills
- Discretion
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet tools, presentation software, and other packages
- Self-confidence
- Commercial awareness
- Problem-solving
- Resilience
- Financial skills
Text Format Of A Lawyer CV (Sample)
Yusuf Abdul, Esq.
Contact Information
- name@gmail.com
- +234-90XXXXXX
- St. Cosmos Lodge, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Profile Summary
Experienced commercial litigation attorney with a proven track record of successfully representing clients in complex business disputes. Skilled in all aspects of civil litigation, including legal research, brief writing, negotiation, and trial preparation. Adept at developing and executing effective litigation strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for clients. Committed to providing exceptional service and delivering results.
Work Experience
Associate || Law Firm LLP, Location, || August 2022 – Present
- Represented clients in complex commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and real estate transactions
- Conducted legal research, prepared memoranda, and drafted pleadings, motions, and other court filings
- Negotiated settlements and successfully resolved several cases before trial, saving clients significant legal costs
- Collaborated with senior partners to develop litigation strategies and actively participated in all aspects of case management
Assistant Associate || Top-Tier Law Firm, Location || April 2017- Sept 2021
- Researched legal issues, drafted client memoranda, and assisted with various transactional and litigation matters
- Attended client meetings, court hearings, and depositions to gain practical experience
- Received an offer to join the firm as a full-time associate upon graduation
Law Clerk || Federal District Court, Location || 2016 – 2017
- Researched legal issues, drafted bench memoranda, and assisted the judge with various civil and criminal proceedings
- Gained valuable experience in federal court litigation and the judicial decision-making process
Skills
- Proficient in legal research, analysis, and writing
- Experienced in e-discovery, document management, and litigation support software
- Skilled in negotiation, dispute resolution, and client communication
- Fluent in Spanish
Education
- LL.B in Business Law || Rivers State University, Port Harcourt || Entry Year – Graduation Year
- Nigeria Law School || Lagos State || Entry Year – Graduation Year
Free Lawyer CV Word Doc Download
Download the free Lawyer CV samples below and use them as a professional guide for writing your own. Avoid jeopardizing your future applications by directly copying the information from the samples.
Link to download Lawyer CV sample 1: Click here
Link to download Lawyer CV sample 2: Click here
Conclusion: Free Lawyer CV Samples
When creating a lawyer CV, it’s important to include a list of cases won, legal skills, memberships, and volunteer experience. These details can improve your chances of impressing potential employers. A well-written CV and securing a job isn’t about the length of words or pages, but rather a thorough explanation of your past experiences, current work, and how you can benefit the company if hired. Hopefully, with the information covered in this article, you’ll be able to craft an outstanding CV that immediately captures your recruiter’s attention.
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Cheers!
