Attorney Resume Example & Writing Guide

Build a professional attorney resume. Includes lawyer resume examples, practice area skills, and tips for showcasing case wins and bar admissions.

ATS-Optimized Expert-Written Updated 2026

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Attorney Resume Example

Here's a professional attorney resume example that you can use as a reference. This example highlights the key sections and content that hiring managers look for.

Alex Johnson

Attorney

New York, NY | alex.johnson@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson

Professional Summary

Licensed Attorney with 8+ years of experience in corporate litigation and commercial law. Admitted to the bar in New York and California with a track record of favorable outcomes in 90%+ of cases. Skilled in trial preparation, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance with expertise in managing complex multi-party disputes.

Work Experience

Senior Attorney

2022 – Present

ABC Corporation, New York, NY

•Managed a caseload of 40+ active matters with favorable outcomes in 92% of litigated cases
•Negotiated settlements totaling $25M+ across complex commercial litigation matters
•Drafted and reviewed 300+ contracts annually, identifying risk provisions that saved clients $4M

Attorney

2019 – 2022

XYZ Company, Chicago, IL

•Won a precedent-setting summary judgment motion in a $10M intellectual property dispute
•Supervised 5 associate attorneys and 3 paralegals, managing workflow and professional development

Skills

Litigation Strategy • Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis) • Brief Writing • Trial Preparation • Contract Negotiation • Mediation & Arbitration • Client Counseling • Regulatory Compliance • Case Management • Depositions • Motion Practice • Discovery Management • Corporate Law • Risk Assessment • Legal Writing

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Use This Template in Resume Builder

Attorney Resume Summary Examples

Your resume summary is the first thing hiring managers read. Here's a strong example for aattorney with 8+ years of experience:

Good Example

“Licensed Attorney with 8+ years of experience in corporate litigation and commercial law. Admitted to the bar in New York and California with a track record of favorable outcomes in 90%+ of cases. Skilled in trial preparation, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance with expertise in managing complex multi-party disputes.”

Avoid This

“Hardworking attorney looking for a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.”

Why the first example works: It includes specific years of experience, quantified achievements, technical skills, and certifications — all things ATS systems and hiring managers look for.

Work Experience Bullet Points

Here are powerful, metrics-driven bullet points for a attorney resume. Notice how each one starts with an action verb and includes specific numbers:

Managed a caseload of 40+ active matters with favorable outcomes in 92% of litigated cases
Negotiated settlements totaling $25M+ across complex commercial litigation matters
Drafted and reviewed 300+ contracts annually, identifying risk provisions that saved clients $4M
Won a precedent-setting summary judgment motion in a $10M intellectual property dispute
Supervised 5 associate attorneys and 3 paralegals, managing workflow and professional development

Pro Tip: Use the formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantified Result. For example: “Managed” + “team of 12 engineers” + “delivering project 20% under budget.”

Key Skills for a Attorney Resume

Include these skills on your attorney resume to pass ATS screening and impress hiring managers:

Litigation Strategy

Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis)

Brief Writing

Trial Preparation

Contract Negotiation

Mediation & Arbitration

Client Counseling

Regulatory Compliance

Case Management

Depositions

Motion Practice

Discovery Management

Corporate Law

Risk Assessment

Legal Writing

ATS Keywords for Attorney Resume

These are the most important keywords that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for in attorney resumes. Include them naturally throughout your resume:

attorneylawyerlitigationlegal researchWestlawLexisNexisbrief writingtrialcontract negotiationmediationcase managementdepositioncorporate lawbar admissionregulatory compliance

Important: Don't stuff keywords. Use them naturally in your summary, experience, and skills sections. ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing and may flag your resume.

Education & Certifications

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Certifications

State Bar Admission (specify state)
Federal Court Admission
Mediation Certification
Certified Privacy Professional (CIPP)

Expert Tips for Your Attorney Resume

List bar admissions and court admissions prominently

Quantify caseload, win rates, and settlement amounts

Highlight practice area expertise and notable case outcomes

Include legal research tools and case management systems

Show business development and client relationship skills for senior roles

Attorney Salary & Job Outlook

Entry Level

$70K

Median Salary

$146K

Experienced

$200K

Job Outlook

8% growth (2022-2032), faster than average

Source: BLS 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an attorney put on a resume?

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Include bar admissions, practice areas, caseload volume, win/settlement rates, notable case outcomes, and any published legal writing. Quantify your impact.

How do I format a legal resume?

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Use a traditional reverse-chronological format. Lead with education (J.D. is key), bar admissions, and experience. Keep it concise — 1-2 pages even for experienced attorneys.