Lawyer Resume Tips: What Hiring Managers Look For
Resume advice specific to Lawyer roles — which metrics to include, which keywords pass ATS screening, and how to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
5 Resume Tips for Lawyers
1
List the cases or transactions you've worked on — deal value or case significance matters to law firm readers
2
Note publication credits: law review, articles, CLE presentations
3
Include bar admissions prominently with the exact states
4
Law school ranking matters disproportionately at Big Law firms — list it clearly
5
Pro bono hours signal commitment and can distinguish candidates at public interest and government employers
ATS Keywords to Include
Use these exact terms from your skills and experience — ATS systems scan for specific keyword matches, not paraphrases.
Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)Legal WritingContract DraftingNegotiationOral AdvocacyClient CounselingCase StrategyDeposition SkillsDiscovery ManagementDocument Review
Universal Resume Rules
- One page for under 5 years of experience; two pages for senior roles
- PDF format unless the posting specifically requests Word (.docx)
- Quantify every achievement possible — numbers create credibility
- Standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills) for ATS compatibility
- Tailor keywords from each specific job description before applying