Solicitor CV Examples, Template and Guide for 2024

You need a flawless solicitor CV. Why?

Because law firms get a million applications. But—Rarely do they see a stand-out candidate. To get hired by firms like Sullivan & Cromwell, you need to bring something to the table. Your crisp solicitor CV needs to show that in detail.

Don’t worry. If you can make it through a 24-hour exam, you can write an evidence-rich CV.

In this guide:

• A solicitor CV sample better than most.
• How to write a CV for solicitors that secure big firm jobs.
• How to make a solicitor job description partners will notice.
• Why you can’t just list solicitor skills (and what to do instead).

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Not looking for a CV for solicitor jobs just yet? See our guide:

• Paralegal CV Guide & Sample
• Law School CV Sample & Guide
• Legal CV Sample & Guide
• Legal Assistant CV

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV Examples.

Here’s how to write a convincing solicitor CV:

Sample Solicitor CV You Can Copy and Use

1. Select the Right Solicitor CV Format

Law is a conservative field.

You wear a suit, you also need a professionally-attired, well-formatted CV. Put your work history in the reverse-chronological CV order.

Then use these solicitor CV formatting tips:

Solicitor CV Format

• Use 1-inch margins.
• Choose a clear CV font like 10–12pt Avenir Next or Helvetica.
• Make CV sections for Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Add white space to respect the partners’ eyes.
• Keep a 1-page CV length if you’ve got less than 7 years of experience.
• Save your CV as a PDF. They present well on any screen. (And yep, they’re ATS-readable.)

Expert Hint: On your business card, print, “Law Offices of [YOUR NAME].” It’s much more hirable than “entry-level solicitor,” “unemployed,” or, “seeking work.”

2. Write a Solicitor CV Objective or Summary

Your solicitor CV must make its case fast. Firms will glance at your career summary or career objective. If it doesn’t grab them in 6 seconds, they’ll move on to the other 500 CVs.

So—put these in your heading statement:

1. One adjective (efficient, dedicated)
2. “solicitor/trainee solicitor”
3. Years of experience (1+, 8+)
4. What you’ll do, and where (advocate for clients at Charles & Marden)
5. Best solicitor moments (averaged 1500 billable hours...)

Your header statement goes up top, but—

Write it last. That way you’ll have precedent to draw on. See these solicitor CV examples:

Solicitor CV Summary—Example

Efficient litigation solicitor with 5+ years of experience. Seeking to use strong research and litigation skills to advocate for clients at Charles & Marden. At WPG, averaged 1500 billable hours a year. Handled 120+ mediations with 91% settlement rate and settlements of £1M–£50M.

Experienced solicitor with a proven track record of successful litigation, trial preparation, and research. A client-focused team player with a deep knowledge of legal procedure and first-rate interpersonal skills. Recognised for a strong work ethic and ability to build lasting client relationships.

The point?

The second of those experienced solicitor CV samples sounds great! If you can believe its claims. Most employers won’t. Meanwhile, the first example offers evidence.

You can do that in a CV for solicitors with no experience too.

See this next solicitor sample:

Trainee Solicitor CV Objective

Junior solicitor, skilled in research and LexisNexis. Performed 9 pro bono trial preparations for Cook County Small Claims Court. Judged MIG Moot Court Competition and wrote 4 decisions. Wrote monthly column in John Marshall Law School Blog.

Entry-level solicitor and recent law school graduate with strong work ethic and a head for research. Have not yet worked for a law firm but am aggressively pursuing my law career. Skilled in legal procedure, research, client advocacy, and LexisNexis.

What’s the difference?

The first of these trainee solicitor samples has done due diligence. The second is just listing skills.

Expert Hint: Can’t get hired with your solicitor CV? Volunteer. Even a few days or weeks of solicitor volunteer work will help a skimpy CV. Plus you’ll build contacts.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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3. Prepare Your Solicitor Job Description and Skills Section

What solicitor skills does your CV need most? Here’s a partial list:

List of Solicitor Skills for CVs

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Litigation	Interpersonal Skills
Trial Preparation	Communication
Mediation	Time Management
Settlements	Work Ethic
Client Advocacy	Organisation
Negotiation	Problem Solving
Corporate Law	Stress Management
Tort Law	Detail Oriented
Antitrust Law	Persuasiveness
LexisNexis	Reliability

But—Don’t exhibit all of them. You’ll look fungible.

Instead, create a custom-fitted CV.

To write a job-winning solicitor work experience section for your CV:

1. Search the job posting for CV skills to list.
2. Use them as evidence in your bullets. They’re your CV keywords.
3. Show the size of those skills by adding numbers (i.e. pack your CV with achievements.)

For a job that wants a solicitor who can bill, develop case files, and reach settlements—

See these experienced solicitor CV samples:

Solicitor Job Description for a CV [Sample]

Experience

Solicitor

Williams, Prior, & Groves

2014–2019

• Developed 45 case files, bringing 10 to trial.
• Achieved 91% settlement rate for 120+ mediations.
• Billed an average of 1500 hours per year.
• Reached 5 settlements in excess of £5M and one of £50M.

• Conferred with multiple clients and witnesses about case facts.
• Developed litigation strategies and discovery plans.
• Conducted copious legal research for active cases.
• Conducted due diligence for retail and commercial clients.

Those aren’t equal.

The first of the lateral solicitor CV examples above is worthy of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. It shows case file development, settlement, and billing. That’s the firm’s entire wish list. But—

Need to write a CV with no experience?

Let’s say the job duties involve research, LexisNexis, writing, and trial preparation. See these samples:

Trainee Solicitor CV Job Description [Sample]

Paralegal

Leadbetter & Clyde

2018–2019

• Performed 95% of legal research in 3 successful tax delinquency proceedings.
• Used LexisNexis to provide critical research for 100+ cases.

Freelance Legal Experience

2012–2013

• Judged MIG Moot Court Competition, writing 4 decisions.
• Performed 9 pro bono trial preparations, Cook County Small Claims Court.

Paralegal

Leadbetter & Clyde

2018–2019

• Investigated case-related facts.
• Proofread legal correspondence and legal documents.
• Helped reduce administrative expenses by improving telecommunication plan.

Again.

Fit the job like the first of those entry-level solicitor CV examples.

They asked for research, LexisNexis, trial prep, and writing and you’ve done it.

Now they know it.

4. Make the Perfect Education Section

That Juris Doctorate did not come easy. Use it to stand out like Jack McCoy, with a skills-heavy education section for your CV.

This solicitor CV sample shows how:

Solicitor CV Example—Education

Education

Juris Doctor, John Marshall Law School

2010–2013

• Pursued a passion for legal research.
• Presented 3 legal arguments in school Moot Court.
• Wrote monthly column on legal procedure.

BS in Accounting, Bradley University

2006–2010

• Excelled in written communication coursework.
• Awarded John H. Adkins award for academic research.

Case closed.

That litigation solicitor CV education section shows research, writing, and other solicitor skills.

5. Highlight Your Bar Association Membership

Your bar association membership can get you hired. It’s great networking. Plus it’s proof you’re not some Slippin’ Jimmy. So—

Put it right up top, beneath your summary. This real estate attorney CV sample shows how:

Expert Hint: There are 778,700 attorney jobs, but 1.3 million attorneys in the US. You may need to send your CV for attorneys to 150+ job postings before you’re hired.

6. Complete Your Solicitor CV with Extras

What do you bring to the table? Does your solicitor CV just show you went to school and worked a bit?

That’s average.

Big firms don’t hire “average.”

You must bring something to the table—passion. Energy. Intelligence. Reliability.

So, add extra CV sections like:

• Association memberships (ABA, NLA, local bar association, etc.)
• Conferences (CodeX FutureLaw, ABA events)
• Certifications
• Journal notes or publications
• Pro bono work
• Freelance work
• Additional activities
• Fitness activities
• Languages you speak

See these new attorney CV examples:

Solicitor CV—Extra Sections

Journals

• Journal Note: Devaluing Originalism: Virginia Law Review, June 2019

Publications

• Article on LexisNexis linked to by Fast Company.
• Article on trial preparation appeared in The Appeal.

Additional Activities

• Pro bono work for local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
• Avid competitive sailor.

Additional Activities

• Sailing
• Pro bono work

Big disparity.

The first of those solicitor CV examples could get in at Kirkland & Ellis.

It’s the details.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your CV for attorney jobs (here are few examples of cover letters for legal jobs). Research the law firm first. Say what you love about it. Finally, display evidence of why you fit.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a solicitor CV:

• Use the solicitor CV template up top. It makes a solid first impression with your best legal achievements.
• Prove you have the law skills the job needs. List hours billed, Moot Court appearances, and other big accomplishments.
• Create a heading statement with highlights from your CV for solicitor jobs.
• Write “additional” CV sections to show what you have on offer.

Got questions on how to write great CVs for solicitor jobs? Not sure how to put law expertise on a CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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