Lawyer resume template: a structure partners and ATS can read
Legal hiring is sceptical of decoration. Lead with admissions, then matters and outcomes you can discuss. In the UK, “solicitor CV” is the usual phrase; in the US, “attorney resume.”
A strong legal CV (or lawyer resume) is a chronological proof of matters, clients or case types, and responsibility level — not a novel about your passion for justice.
Recommended section order
- Contact details (body of page).
- Optional short profile for lateral hires.
- Admissions / practising status.
- Experience with matter types and scope.
- Education.
- Languages and relevant memberships.
How to write matter bullets
Matter-led: Advised on cross-border share purchase for a logistics buyer; coordinated disclosure across three counsel teams.
Personality-led: Hardworking lawyer with excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
What to avoid
- Confidential client names when you cannot disclose them — use sector + deal type instead.
- Dense paragraphs; use scannable bullets.
- Graphics that hide text from ATS parsers.
Tailor your legal CV to one posting without inventing matters. Tailor your CV
Frequently asked questions
Should a lawyer CV include every matter?
No. Select representative matters that match the target practice area.
Do I need a photo on a solicitor CV?
In the UK and US, usually no. Follow local norms; many EU countries still expect a photo on a Lebenslauf — know your market.
How long should it be?
US attorney resumes are often 1–2 pages. UK solicitor CVs frequently use two pages when experience warrants it.