Attorney CV—Samples and 25+ Writing Tips

You need a flawless attorney 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 attorney 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:

• An attorney CV sample better than most.
• How to write a CV for attorneys that works at big firms.
• How to make an attorney job description partners notice.
• Why you can’t just list attorney skills (and what to do instead).

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What users say about Resumelab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.”
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My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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Not looking for a CV for attorney 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 attorney CV:

Sample Attorney CV You Can Copy and Use

1. Select the Right Attorney CV Format

Law is a conservative field.

You wear a suit. You cover your tattoos.

You also need a professionally-attired, well-formatted CV.

Put your work history in the reverse-chronological CV order.

Then use these attorney CV formatting tips:

Attorney CV Format

• Use 1-inch margins.
• Choose a clear CV font like 10–12pt Avenir Next or Helvetica.
• Make CV sectionsfor 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 attorney,” “unemployed,” or, “seeking work.”

2. Write an Attorney CV Objective or Summary

Your attorney 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. “attorney”
3. Years of experience (1+, 8+)
4. What you’ll do, and where (advocate for clients at Charles & Marden)
5. Best attorney 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 associate attorney CV examples:

Attorney CV Summary—Example

The point?

The second of those experienced attorney 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 attorneys with no experience too.

See this next attorney sample:

Entry-Level Attorney CV Objective

What’s the difference?

The first of these entry-level attorney samples has done due diligence. The second is just listing skills.

Expert Hint: Can’t get hired with your attorney CV? Volunteer. Even a few days or weeks of attorney 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 Attorney Job Description and Skills Section

What attorney skills does your CV need most?

Here’s a partial list:

List of Attorney Skills for CVs

But—

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

Instead, create a custom-fitted CV.

To write a job-winning attorney 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 an attorney who can bill, develop case files, and reach settlements—

See these experienced attorney CV samples:

Attorney Job Description for a CV [Sample]

Those aren’t equal.

The first of the lateral attorney 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:

Entry-Level Attorney CV Job Description [Sample]

Again.

Fit the job like the first of those entry-level attorney 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 attorney CV sample shows how:

Attorney CV Example—Education

Case closed.

That litigation attorney CV education section shows research, writing, and other attorney 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 Attorney CV with Extras

What do you bring to the table?

Does your attorney 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:

Attorney CV—Extra Sections

Big disparity.

The first of those attorney 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 an attorney CV:

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

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