Legal Resume & Cover Letter Guide
Law firms, corporate legal departments, and legal services organizations providing counsel and representation across practice areas. Get industry-specific resume templates, cover letter examples, and ATS-optimized keywords to land your next Legal role.
Industry Insight: Legal hiring emphasizes credentials, practice area expertise, and demonstrated success. Bar admissions must be prominently displayed. Law firms value attorneys who can bring clients and contribute to business development, so highlight relationship-building alongside technical skills.
Legal Resume Tips
Follow these expert tips to create a resume that gets noticed by Legal hiring managers:
List bar admissions and jurisdictions at the top of your resume
Include practice areas and transaction/litigation experience
Quantify: deal values closed, cases won, hours billed
Highlight specific legal technology and research platform proficiency
Mention pro bono work and professional associations
ATS Keywords for Legal
Include these keywords throughout your resume to pass Applicant Tracking Systems and catch recruiters' attention:
Pro Tip: Don't just list keywords—weave them naturally into your achievement statements. For example: "Implemented Legal Research solution that reduced processing time by 30%."
Legal Cover Letter Example
Start your cover letter with a compelling opening that demonstrates industry knowledge:
"As a corporate attorney with 7 years of experience closing $2B+ in M&A transactions, I am drawn to [Firm Name]'s leading [practice area] practice. Your recent work on [notable case/deal] exemplifies the sophisticated matters I am eager to contribute to."
Structure Your Cover Letter
- 1.Opening: Hook with industry knowledge or company-specific insight
- 2.Body: 2-3 achievements demonstrating Legal Research and Westlaw skills
- 3.Alignment: Why this specific Legal company excites you
- 4.Close: Clear call to action and availability for interview
Legal Achievement Examples
Use these examples as inspiration to quantify your own Legal achievements:
Closed 25+ M&A transactions totaling $3.5B in enterprise value
Achieved favorable outcomes in 90% of litigation matters handled
Reduced contract review time by 40% through process optimization
Built compliance program for $500M company, passing all regulatory audits
Contributed 150+ pro bono hours annually to legal aid organization
Mistakes to Avoid
Don't make these common Legal job application mistakes:
Forgetting to list bar admissions and jurisdictions
Not specifying practice areas and types of matters handled
Omitting legal technology experience (Westlaw, document review platforms)
Using overly technical legal jargon that obscures achievements
Not quantifying deal values, case outcomes, or billable hours
Legal Roles to Explore
Get role-specific resume tips and application strategies:
Lawyer
Provide legal advice, represent clients in legal matters, and ensure compliance.
Paralegal
Support attorneys with legal research, documentation, and case management.
Compliance Officer
Ensure organizational compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Administrative Assistant
Provide administrative support and office management for teams and departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What format should my Legal resume be?
Use a clean, ATS-friendly format with clear section headers. For Legal, a reverse-chronological format typically works best. Include a professional summary, work experience with quantified achievements, skills section featuring keywords like Legal Research, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and relevant certifications. Save as PDF unless the employer requests a specific format.
What are the most important keywords for a Legal resume?
Key ATS keywords for Legal include: Legal Research, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Contract Drafting, Due Diligence, Litigation, Corporate Law, M&A. Mirror the exact language from job postings and place keywords naturally in your professional summary, skills section, and throughout your work experience descriptions.
How do I write a cover letter for Legal?
Start with a compelling opening that shows industry knowledge. Highlight 2-3 achievements demonstrating Legal Research and Westlaw expertise. Show why you're interested in this specific company. Keep it to one page (250-400 words) and end with a clear call to action.
What mistakes should I avoid in my Legal application?
Common mistakes include: Forgetting to list bar admissions and jurisdictions; Not specifying practice areas and types of matters handled; Omitting legal technology experience (Westlaw, document review platforms). Take time to customize each application and proofread carefully before submitting.
How do I stand out to Legal employers?
Legal hiring emphasizes credentials, practice area expertise, and demonstrated success. Bar admissions must be prominently displayed. Law firms value attorneys who can bring clients and contribute to business development, so highlight relationship-building alongside technical skills. Focus on quantified achievements, demonstrate knowledge of current industry trends, and tailor your application to each specific role and company.
Ready to Apply These Insights?
Transform your career narrative with our intelligent application builder.
Begin Your Story€5 · One-time payment · Cancel anytime