CV Example for a Lawyer

Firms look at the kind of matters you handled, the courts you appeared before, and the quality of your legal drafting.

Skills employers screen for

• Drafting briefs and commercial contracts
• Legal research and case law analysis
• Advocacy before courts and tribunals
• Building case files and evidence bundles
• Negotiation and settlement
• Handling filings and registrations
• Managing client relationships

Keywords an ATS would look for

• legal drafting
• advocacy
• legal advisory
• contract law
• commercial law
• legal research

CV section order

1. Summary with practice area
2. Bar admission and licence
3. Matters handled by type
4. Degree and legal specialisation
5. Legal and research skills

Lawyer resume example

Lawyer — commercial litigation and corporate advisory

Lawyer with seven years in commercial litigation, contract drafting and corporate advisory work. I take files from initial analysis through to judgment and work to reduce contractual risk before a dispute arises.

Senior Associate — Commercial Law Chambers — London, UK | 2021 – Present

• Litigated 64 commercial matters with a 78% favourable outcome rate across judgments and settlements.
• Drafted and reviewed 210 commercial contracts, adding clauses that cut recurring contractual disputes 35%.
• Managed a portfolio of 18 corporate clients with regular monthly advisory.

Associate — Law and Advisory Chambers — Birmingham, UK | 2019 – 2021

• Prepared 130 legal submissions and statements of case in civil and commercial matters.
• Built a standard contract precedent library that sped up the firm's agreement drafting.
• Represented clients at 40 hearings before commercial and employment tribunals.

Education: LLB Law — King's College London, 2019 | Solicitor of England and Wales

Core skills: commercial litigation, contract drafting, corporate advisory, arbitration, legal research, advocacy, employment law, settlements

Ready templates that suit this profession

• Classic — A formal layout is the professional norm in law, and this one holds to it without ornament. Use this template
• Executive — Suits an application to partnership or to head a legal department. Use this template
• Luxury — For targeting large firms with demanding clients who expect a polished presentation. Use this template

Tools that help in this profession

• Readability Analyzer — Clarity of writing is the core of the profession — make sure your CV is direct, not rhetorical.
• CV Score Checker — Check that your admission details and experience section are complete before applying.
• Cover Letter Generator — Tailor the letter to the firm's practice area — commercial, employment or arbitration.

Frequently asked questions

Should I detail the cases I have litigated?

State the type, number and outcome without disclosing client identities or confidential details. The safe formulation is 64 commercial matters with a 78% favourable rate, which conveys volume without breaching privilege.

How do I evidence contract drafting experience?

Give the number and type of contracts drafted or reviewed, then one measurable effect, such as a reduction in recurring disputes from clauses you added. Volume alone is less persuasive than volume plus outcome.

What do law firms look for?

Practice area first, then current admission, then the volume of files you ran autonomously. A firm wants to know which matters you will be productive on from day one.