Law Student Resume—Samples, Template & 20+ Tips

The law is a funny thing—

Not always “ha ha” funny, though.

You’re about to take your biggest step yet to becoming a legal professional.

Getting into law school was a big achievement, sure: but now it’s time to put those skills into practice. 

So, whether you’re applying for an entry-level legal job or a law internship, be Mary-Jo-White brave and put your better foot forward.

How?

With a law student resume that’s gavel-clack crisp.

In this guide:

• A law student resume sample better than most.
• How to create the perfect law student resume job descriptions.
• How to write a law student resume with no legal experience.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

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Need an academic CV or resume?

• Law School Resume
• Academic CV
• Student Resume
• College Application Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Internship Resume
• College Freshman Resume
• College Student Resume Example
• Graduate School Application Resume
• MBA Application Resume
• Scholarship Resume

Also, check out these law-related resume guides:

• Legal Resume
• Attorney Resume
• Legal Assistant Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Technical Writer Resume
• Federal Resume

Sample Law Student Resume

Now here’s how to write a law student resume they’ll love:

1. Choose the Right Law Student Resume Format

Disclaimer:

This is a general guide that works well in most cases—

But before you apply for an internship or an entry-level job, make sure to always check with the organization for a full list of application requirements.

Now—

The key to Alan Shore’s physical appeal?

Understated elegance.

Here’s what that looks like in resume format form:

Law Student Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format, but put your education before your work experience.
• Choose an understated resume font like a Noto or Calibri in 11–12 pt.
• Leave all your resume margins at one inch and plan for plenty of white space.
• Follow the recommended length. How many pages should a resume be, anyway? Simple: one page if at all possible.Don’t go over two pages.
• Include at least these resume sections: Resume header, Profile, Education, Experience, and Skills.

You’re probably well aware that it’s better to save your resume in PDF rather than *.docx—

But double check if that’s what the organization or company wants.

Some companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) that don’t deal too well with PDF. In that case, your ATS resume should be a Word file, or whatever format the company prefers.

2. Write a Compelling Law Student Resume Objective or Summary

May it please the Court—

Start with a resume profile statement that sums up your candidature and highlights your strengths.

Got some work experience to lean on?

Then go with a resume summary statement—

It’ll let you augment your academic achievements with work accomplishments.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, detail-oriented, highly motivated)
2. Your status as a law student or graduate
3. What proven skills you’ll leverage in order to succeed in your studies
4. Two or three of your most impressive achievements, with at least one academic and one work-based achievement.

These law student resume examples show how:

Law Student Resume Examples—Summary

See that?

The first example is concrete, with achievements quantified wherever possible.

Not enough work experience to go this route? Need to write a law student resume with no legal experience? 

No worries—

Write a resume objective statement and leave the spotlight solely on your academic and volunteer work.

Law Student Resume Objective—Examples

Getting that overwhelmed feeling?

Write your law student resume objective or summary last—

It’ll be less stress and a better result all round.

3. Your Education Is Key—Treat It as Such

Education isn’t everything when applying for entry-level law opportunities—

Far from it:

So-called life skills are extremely important.

But—

Your college education is likely to be your greatest asset at this point in your career. 

So—

List your degrees (with majors), school names, and years attended.

Then:

Add subsections and bullet points that cover some or all of the following:

• Thesis titles
• Thesis supervisors
• Publications
• Conference papers
• Coursework (only what’s relevant)
• GPAs (if 3.7+)
• Achievements
• Awards and scholarships

This law student resume example shows how:

Law Student Resume Template: Education Section

Short on paid work experience? 

Expand on your resume education section even more by including select projects and extracurricular activities and accolades.

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4. Draft the Perfect Law Student Resume Job Description and Skills Sections

Compelling arguments often have this in common:

They’re based on factual, verifiable statements.

So—

Show them what you’re capable of by describing what you’ve already done.

Make your resume work history section a barrage of accomplishments.

How to write job descriptions for a law student resume:

1. Re-read the application guidelines.
2. List some of the skills this particular employer might value.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to benefit your previous employers.
4. Write resume bullet points that describe the above and back them up with numbers. Quantifiable achievements work much better than a bland list of duties. 

These law student resume examples show how:

Law Student Resume Template—Job Descriptions

Subtle tweaks, significant improvement.

One more thing:

Select the right skills to put on your resume.

The key to success:

Be extremely selective in which and how many skills you include.

Here are some examples to get the ball rolling:

Law Student Resume Skills Section—Sample

5. Stack Your Law Student Resume With Added Sections

Robert Shapiro doesn’t get juries to see past key evidence by doing the bare minimum—

There’s more to your candidature than your education, experience, and skills.

Paint a fuller picture—

Add one or two extra sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two law student resume examples show aye vs nay:

Law Student Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Overruled, meet sustained.

The second example should seek new counsel—

There’s nothing wrong with listing hobbies and interests.

But—

Everything you add has to be directly relevant to your application.

One last thing:

You should always assume a cover letter is required until told otherwise.

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Key Points

For a law student resume that gets interviews:

• Use the law student resume template given up top. It’s as tight as a David E. Kelley script.
• Put relevant achievements in your resume profile, education, and work history sections to show you’re the best candidate.
• Select the right law student skills. Make sure your choices are appropriate to the position and organization to which you’re applying, all while playing to your strengths.
• Write a law student cover letter. It’s basic etiquette and a great opportunity to put your enthusiasm on display as you make an opening statement.

Got any remaining questions as to how to make a resume for law students that really stands out? Still not sure how to write a law student resume with no legal experience? Drop us a line down below. We’ll be sure to get back you.