Attorney Resume Writing Tips

 

• Sample Litigation Resume
• Sample Corporate Resume
• Preparing a resume addendum can help to highlight the particular experience you have had and the responsibilities you assumed. The addendum is usually in the form of a case or transaction summary and can be divided up by type of case/transaction. It can also be organized functionally by skill (e.g. Motion Practice, Discovery, Trial Practice). Preparing such a summary is also a useful exercise in helping you to take stock in what you have done to date. It also helps to prepare you for an interview

A resume is a direct mail marketing piece (which may or may not arrive by mail). It is only designed to help a candidate secure an interview. The piece should be error free, accurate and tailored to the particular position for which the candidate is applying. Understanding firm dynamics can eliminate job-search stress; this video on why you should never worry about finding an attorney job offers valuable encouragement as you evaluate your options. For a complete, structured approach to legal resumes, check out the Attorney Resume Guide.
 

• If you find yourself struggling with tricky resume dilemmas, check out Key Legal Resume Insights: Comprehensive Answers to Common Resume Challenges for step-by-step solutions. Alongside these tips, our Attorney Resume Guide provides a structured roadmap for building a standout legal resume.

Unlock Your Legal Potential with BCG Attorney Search – Upload Your Resume Now!
 

• See How to Write a Legal Resume for more information.

It is my belief that many professionals in a job search spend too much time and energy thinking about and perfecting their resume (I was one of those professionals). Time spent getting the wording on the page absolutely "perfect" could be better spent networking.

Your resume is a summary that should emphasize those skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you want. It should not be a summary of everything that you have ever done or even necessarily every law related activity you have ever been involved with (unless omitting the information would distort your background or leave large gaps of time that go unexplained or unless the experience clearly demonstrates that you have closely related skills and experience). Emphasizing your storytelling and analytical writing abilities can set you apart—Exploring the Possibilities: Unveiling the Benefits of Attorneys Becoming Journalists expands on how those very strengths are prized in the world of legal journalism. A powerful resume gains even more traction when combined with BCG’s complete job-search method, explained in Why Following BCG’s System Gets You Interviews—and Hired.
 

• Combine these tips with comprehensive strategies from Crafting an Effective Legal Resume: Essential Advice for Attorneys for best results.

• See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.

In many ways, it is similar to writing a brief. When drafting a brief, a good lawyer will include only her best arguments, not every argument that she can articulate. Similarly, a good advocate is very selective about which facts to include in a brief while being sure not to distort the case. If you were applying for an in-house position with a company that does a lot of acquisition work, for example, it would be a good idea to include anything you have done that relates to mergers and acquisitions; but your pro bono work with the District Attorney's office is probably less relevant. Learn why over 85% of attorney resumes fail and discover strategies to fix yours in Why Over 85% of Attorney Resumes Are Failing—and How to Fix Yours Now.
 

• To ensure your resume stands out, see Top 10 Common Legal Resume Mistakes That Keep You from Getting Hired for a list of errors attorneys often make—and how to prevent them.

To understand how these tips translate into career success, explore this attorney resume advice transcript."
 

• make sure at least one other person proofreads your resume
• have a few versions for the different kinds of jobs that you are considering
• in addition to your general responsibilities, try to list specific examples of your accomplishments. Include case names if they might be recognized by the intended reader
• put the most important information first. Typically, this means putting education below your work experience. It can also mean putting dates in a less prominent place. For an example of this see my training resume
• where possible, and if impressive, try to quantify your accomplishments (e.g. "extensive corporate transactional experience including significant involvement in over 50 mergers;" "drafted and argued over 100 motions")
• don't obsess about whether your resume should be one or two pages. Anyone who proclaims that resumes should never be more than one page may be right with respect to some readers, but entirely wrong with respect to others
• try to do something to make your resume stand out of the pack, realizing that attorneys reading the resume will not react well to something that is too unusual
• use language and formatting to emphasize what you think is important and de-emphasize what is not really important (in my training resume, I emphasize activities and accomplishments that lead the reader to the conclusion that I know how to design training for lawyers. I have not overly emphasized my experience as a mediator.) You may want to consider attaching a selected list of transactions that you have worked on, a description of their magnitude and something impressive about your role To see how targeted resume and application strategies lead to success, read Why Just About Every Candidate Who Follows BCG's System Gets Interviews and Hired. For rapid optimization guidance, watch Five Immediate Changes You Can Make to Your Legal Resume — it highlights five techniques hiring partners expect to see. Alongside strengthening your resume, this video explains why you should never worry about finding an attorney job and the mindset that sets successful applicants apart.

For a deeper dive that includes videos and expert commentary, visit the guide on attorney resume resources and professional tips. For a more in-depth, long-form breakdown of these techniques, feel free to explore the Attorney Resume Guide, which covers everything from formatting basics to advanced optimization strategies.


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• Attorney Resume Writing Tips

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No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

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This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

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He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

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Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
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If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

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With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

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Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

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If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

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Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.