Persuasive Lawyer CV (Step-by-step Guide with Examples)

In the UK, becoming a lawyer boasts a staggering 2% success rate. These numbers may look intimidating, but don’t let them discourage you from pursuing your dream job. They play a pivotal role in providing legal advice, drafting documents, and representing clients in courtrooms across the UK.

As this lucrative field continues to demand sharp expertise and a deep understanding of UK law and the job market, staying ahead in your career journey is crucial. Embracing AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and navigating tech-driven changes bring new challenges and opportunities. Yet, the demand for skilled legal professionals remains ever-high, as they play a crucial role in resolving civil and criminal cases, ensuring that justice prevails within society.

Whether you are a recent law graduate, a paralegal, or a seasoned Chief Legal Officer (CLO), this guide helps you navigate the complex legal job market. Discover our expert tips and CV templates for creating a compelling solicitor CV, propelling your legal career to new heights.

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The CV writing process: Where to start?

Just as lawyers skilfully win cases in court, the CV process reflects the lifecycle of drafting legal documents, including initiation, planning, and execution. It is essential to market yourself efficiently to meet rigorous profession standards. For preparation before writing your lawyers CV, we suggest carefully examining the job description and researching the industry you are targeting.

Most common types of lawyers:

• Solicitor

• Barrister

• Conveyancer

• Property lawyer

• Paralegal

• Arbitrator

• Chartered legal executive

• Registered foreign lawyer.

Gaining insights into what hiring managers expect from your application could help you compile splendid career documents that closely align with their requirements. By strategically highlighting your strengths, you can present a compelling case for your legal expertise and present yourself as a top-notch candidate.

See the article on writing a good CV to learn more about master and job-specific CVs.

Lawyer CV example

Download this legal CV example UK as a PDF.

Andrei Popescu is an experienced mid-level lawyer with a specialisation in employment law. His skill set includes drafting compelling legal documents, conducting thorough research, and representing clients in diverse labour law cases. With a strong advocacy background, he is a suitable candidate for his next role. He has opted for the simple layout and two-column Wisconsin template that conveys his qualifications and expertise in an easy-to-read format.

What to include in a lawyer CV?

There are core and optional sections you need to take note of when preparing your law CV. The core sections could include personal details, personal profiles, work experience, education, and skills. The optional sections, on the other hand, are additional experience, references, and languages.

Areas of law in the UK:

• Employment law

• Corporate law

• Clinical negligence law

• Family law

• Tax law

• Criminal law

• Environmental law

• Human rights law

• International law.

There is no uniform way of writing a CV for an advocate and the way you write it depends on factors such as the type of job or industry and your professional background. The last but not least step is optimising your CV for applicant tracking systems (ATS), as your recruiters or hiring managers can parse your CV for years of experience, technical skills, and the right qualifications.

How to write a personal profile on a lawyer CV

A personal profile on a CV, also known as a personal statement, is a brief snapshot of your key qualifications and career aspirations in four to six lines. It provides a quick overview of your personality and shows how you can contribute to the law sector you’re trying to enter. Highlight your notable achievements, areas of expertise, and years of experience. Instead of listing your skills in a separate section, use this personal statement to mention your main capabilities. Good soft skills for a personal profile include 'communication', 'negotiation', 'attention to detail' and 'organisation'.

What skills to put on a lawyer CV?

Incorporating the right legal skills on a CV is crucial not only to impress hiring managers but also to navigate ATS. Carefully opt for the most prominent skills that showcase valuable capabilities that could benefit the organisation or law firm. The key is to differentiate between soft and hard skills because. So, make it easy for employers to recognise your strengths and enhance your prospects for a successful legal career.

If you’re a trainee or transitioning to a different role, try to incorporate transferable skills such as ‘problem solving’, ‘project management’, or ‘critical thinking’ from previous experience. This could further help you land your job, especially if you’re seeking a career change.

Examples of hard skills:

• Writing

• Legal knowledge

• Commercial awareness

• Legal research

• Data management

• Knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure

• MS Office Suite.

Examples of soft skills:

• Initiative

• Empathy

• Public speaking

• Resilience

• Conflict resolution

• Persistent

• Attentive.

Example of technical skills:

• Legal research: Westlaw, LexisNexis

• Case management systems: Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther

• E-discovery: Relativity, Nuix

• Document automation: HotDocs, Contract Express

• Legal billing: Bill4Time, TimeSolv

• Legal analytics: Bloomberg Law, Ravel Law

• Cybersecurity and data privacy compliance: GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA.

How to write work experience on a lawyer CV

Work experience on a CV is the foundation for any CV in the legal field, as that’s what most hiring managers ask you to have. Focus on showcasing tangible achievements rather than just listing duties. Emphasise your most recent and relevant legal roles that align with your targeted legal positions. Tailor your CV to a specific job by demonstrating your expertise, legal prowess, and the valuable contributions you've made as a lawyer.

Examples of achievements:

• Drafted and negotiated contracts for high-profile corporate clients, resulting in a 20% increase in business agreements.

• Developed and executed 30+ winning trial strategies, securing critical court decisions and favourable judgments for clients.

• Trained and onboarded 5 paralegal teams to address legal issues in mergers and acquisitions, contributing to the successful completion of multimillion-pound deals.

See the achievements article for more guidance.

Examples of work experience:

Senior Lawyer, Smith & Associates Law Firm, New York | 2016-Present

Represent clients in complex litigation cases, handling trial preparation, legal research, and drafting legal documents. Collaborate with senior attorneys on legal strategy and case analysis. Advise corporate clients on compliance with regulatory requirements and conduct due diligence in M&A transactions.

• Achieved favourable outcomes in 85% of cases, leading to increased client referrals and high client retention rates.

• Negotiated settlements for clients, successfully resolving 90% of cases out of court, saving time and resources for both clients and the firm.

• Received recognition for outstanding contributions to a landmark litigation case.

Corporate Legal Adviser, TechLink Inc., San Francisco | 2014 - 2020

Provided legal guidance and support to the company's management and cross-functional teams. Drafted and reviewed various commercial contracts, ensuring legal compliance and risk mitigation. Led the legal team in intellectual property matters, securing three successful patent registrations and enabling the company's expansion into international markets.

• Designed and implemented internal legal training for employees on contract best practices.

• Counselled with external counsel to manage litigation cases effectively, resulting in an impressive 80% success rate in favour of the company.

• Received commendation for exceptional legal counsel in a high-stakes M&A negotiation.

How to list education on a lawyer CV

Education on a CV is a testament to your legal acumen, expertise, and qualifications. Showcase your relevant legal training and academic achievements to demonstrate your capabilities in handling complex legal matters and commitment to professional excellence. Legal work is intellectually challenging and competitive, so universities expect excellent A-level grades as evidence that you'll be able to cope with the demands of studying law.

Examples:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of London, London | 2020 - 2023

• Graduated with First Class Honours.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Manchester, Manchester | 2017 - 2020

• Obtained Upper Second Class Honours (2:1).

• Recipient of the Law Scholarship for outstanding academic performance.

Legal Practice Course (LPC), City Law School, London | 2014 - 2017

• Completed extensive advocacy training for courtroom practice.

How to list courses and certificates on a lawyer CV

As a solicitor, showcasing your professional development through relevant courses and certifications on a CV can bolster your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest law best practices. Renowned legal institutions like The University of Law, The City Law School, and The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) provide specialised certificates tailored to various legal specialisations. Incorporating these certifications into your CV not only enhances your credibility but also showcases your expertise in specific legal domains.

Examples of courses and certificates:

• Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

• Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), Bar Standards Board (BSB)

• Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx), Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)

• Higher Rights of Audience (HRA), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

• Advanced Criminal Litigation and Advocacy Certificate, Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

• Notary Public, The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury

• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

Key takeaways

After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of what hiring managers expect in your CV and how to format and structure your lawyer CV effectively. Technologies rapidly shape the legal landscape, so take advantage of that and demonstrate your proficiency in the latest tools and legal knowledge. See our key takeaways below:

• Keep your CV concise, focusing on the most relevant information.

• Write a compelling personal statement that showcases your passion and noteworthy achievements in the legal sector.

• Differentiate between soft and hard skills by incorporating the former in the personal profile section.

• Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and numbers whenever possible.

• Highlight both duties and achievements, such as drafting documents or securing court decisions.

• Showcase your relevant education alongside qualifications or certificates.

• Proofread your CV thoroughly for spelling and grammar errors.

Next steps?

If you need to improve your legal writing skills, reach out to our CV Writing Services. We’re here to answer all your pressing questions. For further inspiration, explore 40+ CV examples to guide yourself in structuring and writing your CV concisely. Additionally, see how to start a cover letter and submit an application with no worries.

FAQ

What should a lawyer CV look like?

It should include core sections such as personal details, work experience, education, and skills. Use clear section headings, a professional font (no less than 10 points), and maintain consistent fonts, sizes, and layout. Lastly, while listing your achievements or awards, utilise bullet points and appropriate spacing to enhance readability.

Are lawyers solicitors?

In the UK, the term "lawyer" is a broad term used to describe anyone who is a legal practitioner qualified to offer legal advice or representation in one or two branches of law. In England and Wales, solicitors and barristers fall under the category of lawyers. Solicitors handle personal legal matters such as divorces, wills, and employment claims, whereas barristers are involved in higher court cases. On the other hand, in the US, the legal profession is not divided into two, and individuals practising law are commonly referred to as 'Attorneys'.

How do I write a good CV for a legal internship?

A CV for a legal internship includes your personal details, relevant work experience, education, extracurricular activities or achievements related to the world of law. Emphasise your legal research and writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a team. Highlight any relevant coursework, volunteer work, or participation in law-related organisations.

See our school leaver for more guidance.

What is the best format for a legal CV?

We recommend you use a reverse chronological format, starting with your most experience and working your way backwards. Most hiring managers expect candidates to have that, so it’s better to be on the safe side in this case. If you have little to no experience, have career gaps, or seeking a career change, consider creating a skills-based CV which lists your skills types and achievements instead of focusing on work history. Lastly, use a consistent font and professional template that aligns with the company’s culture.

How do I write a CV for a law student?

Start with including your personal details, education, relevant coursework, and any legal internships or apprenticeships you might have taken. Since you don’t have much experience as a student, we suggest using a skills-based approach and focusing on transferable skills from your studies. Highlight your academic achievements, legal research abilities, and participation in law-related activities or organisations. Show your passion for law and commitment to professional growth. Lastly, create a degree description to show how your education and expertise can contribute to your target industry.