Law School Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Getting into law school is not an easy task. It requires a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. Without dedicating yourself to getting good grades throughout university, you will struggle to get into law school.

However, your job is not done after finishing college. Are you stressing about writing your first law school resume to get into law school? You’re not alone. Many people struggle when they reach this step.

But although this may seem like a daunting task, do not worry because we are here to help. We have some high-end law school resume examples to guide you.

Law School Resume Examples

Not everyone is in the same situation when they apply to law school. As a result, you cannot all look at the same resume as a template for one of your own.

So, we are going to look at five of the best law school resume samples. Once you finish reading, you should have a good idea of how to put together your resume for your application.

Entry-Level Law School Resume Example

The first type of resume we want to look at is an entry-level law school resume. This example should help most people who have recently graduated from university and are looking to immediately transition to law school.

Objective:

Diligent pre-law graduate with a year of experience working as a law clerk. Looking to enroll at your law school and grab every opportunity to become a world-class legal professional.

Work Experience 1: Summer Intern

• Managed caseloads for 12 clients, resulting in 67% client retention.
• Contacted clients and established relationships by offering empathy, advice, and legal expertise in various areas of law.
• Initiated conversations with clients to propose solutions for tricky legal situations, increasing customer satisfaction by 31%.
• Resolved client complaints, achieving 84% customer satisfaction.
• Created and managed processes to compile data, study historical experience, store results, and produce easily usable outputs, reducing loss of information by 6%.

Work Experience 2: Law Clerk

• Assisted in the preparation of legal documents, such as motions, briefs, and memoranda of law.
• Interpreted technical legal content to 10+ individuals weekly.
• Reviewed documents for relevance, risk, and privilege.
• Assisted 46 attorneys in all phases of litigation and collaborated with the clerk research team to help with 50+ cases.
• Managed court calendars and seven attorney calendars.

Project Experience:

• Led a team to appeal a decision and achieved a favorable outcome for the concerned public interest group.
• Interviewed and counseled the client (plaintiff) regarding civil litigation procedures and decision-making.
• Provided general legal advice for 20+ clients visiting the clinic.

Skills:

• Writing Communication
• Legal Research
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Data Analysis
• File Management

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO

September 2016 to June 2020

Licenses & Accreditations:

• Certified Paralegal
• Accredited Legal Professional Certification
• Legal Studies Certification

Why This Resume Works:

When looking at this resume, it is not hard to see why it works. The objective is clear in making it obvious the applicant seeks to gain admission to law school.

They concisely outline their goals and experience. The rest of the law school resume follows suit, keeping things concise.

The work experience provided by the applicant is relevant to the application and does not include unnecessary information.

The same is true for the project experience and skills sections. Finally, the education and licenses sections are easy to view if the school wants to verify their validity.

This law school resume example does a good job of including all the information that is necessary for an applicant to get into law school.

Law School Application Resume Example

When applying to law school, you must ensure your resume has up-to-date and accurate information. It is challenging to get into law school as you need high LSAT scores in addition to good grades in university.

Fortunately, putting together a law school resume is not challenging if you have all the prerequisites.

Objective:

Recent pre-law university graduate with experience in four areas of law looking to secure a position in law school. Once admitted, I would like to expand my administrative and legal skills to work towards a career in law.

Work Experience 1: Legal Intern

• Managed the portfolios of 15 low-income clients applying for pro bono legal help.
• Conducted phone interviews with an average of five clients every day to obtain necessary information and identify potential legal issues with incoming cases.
• Assisted the managing attorney in foreclosure, debt buyer defense, and bankruptcy cases, improving work efficiency by 37%.
• Streamlined the processes for legal research, drafting, and creation of self-help materials for pro se clients by implementing software, decreasing research time by four hours.
• Drafted a manual that two offices later adopted on a trial basis.

Work Experience 2: Barista

• Ensured availability of sufficient supplies and equipment needed to run the bar, improving efficiency by 23%.
• Managed bar inventory and cleaned equipment during slow periods, increasing drink-making efficiency by 24%.
• Supervised weekly schedule to adhere to labor guidelines and reduce employee burnout, reducing no-shows by 7%.
• Designed all in-house sales promotional displays and promotions, increasing revenue by 16%.
• De-escalated conflicts with angry customers following minor issues with their orders, improving the morale of customers and employees by 29%.

Project Experience:

• Founded BG Debate Club and club constitution.
• Engaged in biweekly debates with 10 club members on topics, including law, politics, sports, and environmental regulations.
• Instructed Debating 101 class every semester, increasing Debate Club membership by 119%.

Skills:

• Legal Writing
• Written Communication
• Case Review
• Debate and Advocacy
• Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Law

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

September 2014 to June 2018

Licenses & Accreditations:

• Professional Legal Secretary Certification
• Legal Studies Certification
• Accreditated Legal Professional Certification

Why This Resume Works:

When you are applying for law school, you will not have as much experience as a law student does. You likely do not have much experience in the industry, so you must use the experience you have creatively.

Ideally, you can reference an internship you had while acquiring your undergraduate degree. This applicant does a good job of including as much information as possible from their internship.

However, the applicant is not afraid to include other non-law-related jobs. Their job as a barista is not relevant to law, but the person reviewing applications can see the soft skills the person acquired from working as a barista.

As an applicant, you must include as much information as possible to help you get into law school.

Law School Student Resume Example

When you are in law school, you can often apply for jobs with the assumption that you will graduate from law school in the future.

Your acceptance is contingent on you graduating from law school, so you cannot slack on your studies. However, you can safely apply before graduating. Here we will look at a resume that fits these criteria.

Objective:

Dedicated and practical law school student with experience in civil litigation and tort law. Seeking a career as an associate attorney with your law firm to gain deeper insight into family and immigration law procedures and earn practical litigation experience.

Work Experience 1: Writer

• Mentored and managed a team of nine arts and humanities staff writers, decreasing late article submissions by 48%.
• Wrote two articles per week on different legal topics, including civil procedure, classical rhetoric, and illness liability.
• Awarded 2021 Article Editor of the Year by Texas Legal Awards.
• Awarded the Burton Legal Writing Award in 2021 and 2022.
• Collaborated with the editor-in-chief to write an annual written review: “Early Childhood Development.”

Work Experience 2: Quantitative Research Intern

• Collaborated with 4 interns to conduct statistical analysis and develop predictive investment models.
• Monitored email communication for legal compliance, resolving 98% of compliance issues without supervisor assistance.
• Reviewed, copyedited, and distributed monthly and quarterly research analysis reports to management.
• Attended quarterly research conferences to learn research techniques, increasing research effectiveness by 62%.
• Implemented Hubspot and Asana to delegate tasks and distribute messages, increasing efficiency by 31%.

Project Experience:

• Managed client billing by preparing, finalizing, and sending out invoices two days in advance.
• Collaborated with billing attorney to resolve invoice issues, reducing late payments by 6%.
• Researched regulations, laws, and legal articles to prepare reports, case files, and general legal advice.

Skills:

• Document Review
• Civil Litigation
• Data Analysis
• Case Management
• Commercial Awareness

Education:

• Texas A&M University School of Law, College Station, TX

September 2020 to Present

Licenses & Accreditations:

• Legal Studies Certification
• Certified Paralegal
• Professional Legal Secretary Certification

Why This Resume Works:

This resume works because it has a lot of relevant experience to help boost the appeal of the applicant.

The objective is clear about the situation of the applicant, outlining the fact that they are still in law school. However, it does a good job showing why the applicant would be a good fit with the law firm and what their goals are as an aspiring lawyer.

The rest of the resume does not waste any space. The work experience is outlined concisely, ensuring hiring managers do not get bored while reading the application.

The work experience is very relevant to the position the person is applying. Additionally, the skills, licenses, and project experience all work to bolster the application. Every aspect of the resume helps improve the standing of the applicant.

Law School Student Loan Resume Example

Unfortunately, law school is very costly. While undergraduate degrees are expensive, the price goes up as you enter law school.

As a result, many applicants must take out student loans. Not everyone has parents that can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their children’s education, so loans are necessary. Here is what a law school student loan resume should look like.

Objective:

Pre-law student looking to advance my career by going to law school and obtaining a law degree. Looking to obtain a loan from your institution so I can pay my tuition and expenses while obtaining my degree.

Work Experience 1:Legal Assistant

• Managed bills for third-party vendors, processed all check requests, and collaborated with the accounting department to ensure correct data with 100% reconciliation.
• Managed three attorney calendars and scheduled conferences, meetings, and depositions.
• Researched and adopted three new software applications for five legal offices to streamline document management and organization, increasing efficiency by 28% and reducing paper waste by 69%.
• Operated reception desk and dispersed inquiries to appropriate lawyers, reducing client wait time by two minutes.
• Handled complaints from clients regarding legal fees. Improved client retention rates.

Work Experience 2: Law Student Apprentice

• Provided legal research for nine firm partners, receiving commendation from partners for exceptional work quality on time-sensitive issues.
• Interpreted legalese, providing clarity for clients and teams.
• Scheduled 15+ weekly meetings, recording minutes and tracking billable hours for two lawyers.
• Assisted four judges on bench duties, including providing research on evidence legality and proper use of law by attorneys.
• Built relationships with clients to understand specific needs, and brought in $400K in upsells to satisfy those needs.

Project Experience:

• Founded and presided over a 60-member club, recruiting 50+ students in the first year of operation.
• I hosted monthly meetings and events with 2% of NYU law faculty sponsoring seminars or presentations.
• Achieved higher than average rate of job placements post-graduation, with 43% of club members finding clerking or other law roles upon graduation.

Skills:

• Legal Jargon
• Written and Oral Skills
• Legal Management Software
• Legal Research
• Client Services

Education:

• Bachelor of Law, New York University School of Law, New York, NY

September 2020 – June 2023

Licenses & Accreditations:

• Professional Legal Consultation Certification
• Professional Paralegal License
• Professional Legal Secretary Certification

Why This Resume Works:

This resume does several things that work towards getting a loan. When applying for a loan, you will need to jump through different hoops than when applying for a job. Different banks will have varying requirements.

So, your application will need to be adjusted to fit the requirements. That being said, this resume works because it starts with a good objective. It shows the applicant’s position, and how they plan to proceed with the loan.

The rest of the resume shows their work experience, education, and skills that will help them repay the loan in the future. These things show the applicant has a good chance of graduating law school, getting a high-paying job, and paying back their loan.

Law School Internship Resume Example

The final law school resume we want to look at is one for a law school internship.

Internships are crucial to the success of law students. They provide essential experience to students and are often included on job applications towards the end of law school.

Objective:

Knowledgeable and results-driven law student with experience conducting detailed legal research, reviewing and writing complex license agreements, and attending negotiation meetings.

Great communicator with extensive knowledge of legal procedures and the law. Looking for a short-term legal intern position.

Work Experience 1: Legal Intern

• Performed in-depth legal research on intellectual property and assisted with the completion of patent applications.
• Prepared and reviewed license agreements, ensuring that all information was accurate.
• Participated in negotiation meetings and maintained related legal documents for all the clients.
• Communicated with clients by phone and over email to interview and get information from them.
• Awarded intern of the month for improving and streamlining the whole patent application process.

Work Experience 2: Paralegal

• Coordinated trail exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation, and reporting digital materials and displays.
• Performed research to elaborate legal paperwork like contracts, pleadings, and briefs.
• Wrote well-researched legal documents, including briefs and motions and briefs, for court proceedings and litigation processes.
• Collaborated with clients and third parties to put together and develop case information.
• Assessed and analyzed judicial and government judicial structures, as well as concepts related to arbitration and negotiation techniques.

Project Experience:

• Developed a software program that housed information for potential vendors from online surveys, which was then used company-wide.
• Established a methodology to use by the company for future NCQA contract and vendor audits.
• Collaborated with senior management, including Associate General Counsel of Employment and Vice President to resolve non-solicit clauses and the Assistant General Counsel of OP on various issues regarding license clearances and agreements.

Skills:

• Legal Terminology
• Legal Research Techniques
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Skills
• Time Management

Education:

• Legal Studies, University of California, Berkeley, CA

September 2021 to Present

Licenses & Accreditations:

• Certified Paralegal
• Legal Studies Certification
• Accredited Legal Professional Certification

Why This Resume Works

When applying for a legal internship, it is crucial to include as much experience as possible. While interns do not have as much responsibility as other employees, it is still esential for them to know what they are doing.

So, if you have experience working in other legal fields, include it. That is done here as the candidate includes their previous experience as a legal intern and paralegal.

The rest of the resume does everything it needs to do. It concisely presents the relevant information. There is no unnecessary fluff, so the hiring manager should have an easy time reading it.

You can rest assured that using this law school resume as a template will help you get an internship.

Common Skills & Action Verbs To Include On a Law School Resume

When writing a law school resume, you should do everything you can to stand out as much as possible. However, that does not mean there are not certain things every law school applicant should try to include on their resume.

Many common skills and action verbs are green flags for application managers. So, we want to look at some common skills and action verbs to include on your resume.

Common Skills for Law School Resumes

• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Analytical Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Collaboration
• Negotiation Skills
• Client Service
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• Interpersonal Skills
• Technology Proficiency
• Foreign Language Skills
• Policy Analysis
• Organization and Management

Common Action Verbs for Law School Resumes

• Analyzed
• Researched
• Drafted
• Advocated
• Negotiated
• Presented
• Investigated
• Assisted
• Prepared
• Litigated
• Mediated
• Synthesized
• Advised
• Developed
• Evaluated

Tips for Writing a Better Law School Resume

When writing a law school resume, you might have trouble getting started. It is understandable to be nervous.

After all, a lot hinges on the success of your resume. Fortunately, we are here to help. We want to provide you with several tips on how to write a better law school resume. These tips should be helpful to all applicants.

1. Focus on Academic Achievements

It might sound obvious, but you should attempt to focus on academic achievements as much as possible.

Highlight your academic accomplishments like your GPA, class rank, honors, and awards. Include any relevant coursework or research projects that demonstrate your legal knowledge and analytical skills.

It is important to remember that everyone that applies to law school has good grades. As a result, it is crucial to focus on other academic achievements to help set yourself apart.

Include your GPA, but spend more time discussing other aspects of your academic success.

2. Emphasize Research and Writing Skills

You might not think it is true from watching legal TV shows, but lawyers spend most of their time doing research and writing.

So, if you can include your skills as a researcher and writer, it will bolster your resume.

You can showcase any relevant research projects, publications, or legal writing competitions you have participated in. You can even include a link to your blog if you have one.

Highlight your ability to analyze complex legal issues and present your arguments persuasively.

3. Begin With a Strong Objective or Summary Statement

When many people write resumes, they start by listing their education, work experience, or skills. While all of these things are important to your resume, they should not come first.

The first thing you should include on your resume is a concise summary or objective statement that highlights your career goals, relevant skills, and what you bring to the table as a law school applicant.

Your objective should also discuss why you are a good fit for that law school specifically. You can talk about specific areas of law you want to focus on. Alternatively, if you have personal ties to a particular area of law, you can mention them.

4. Show Your Legal Experience

Although you probably do not have much legal experience as an undergraduate, there are probably some things to include.

Emphasize any legal experience you have, such as internships, clerkships, or paralegal work. Provide specific details about the tasks you performed, the skills you developed, and the impact you made. If you do not have legal experience, emphasize transferable skills gained from other roles.

You can gain skills that are relevant to law school from any job. You might not have hard skills, but you can acquire soft skills anywhere. One of the resumes above has a work experience section for a barista. So, you should be able to find a job that displays soft skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wrap up, we want to ensure you have all the information you need by answering some frequently asked questions.

Similar Resume Types To Reference

You can get fantastic ideas on how to improve your resume from other professions. Here are some similar resume types to reference when writing your law school resume.

• Paralegal Resume: Paralegals need lots of legal expertise, so you can use their resumes to get ideas on what skill and experience to include.
• Legal Assistant Resume: A legal assistant will have more knowledge than a law student. So, we recommend looking at one of your resumes before submitting your application.
• Executive Assistant Resume: If you are looking for soft skills, an executive assistant’s resume is the best place to check out.

Wrapping Up

Writing a law school resume is a daunting task. However, it is not as challenging as you might think. If you get the right advice and look at high-quality examples, you should not have any trouble putting one together.

Fortunately, there are five excellent law school resume examples above. After reading through all five examples, you should be ready to start putting yours together. Give it a personal touch, and you are good to go.

If you have questions about this article, let us know in the comments. Share it with your friends and family if they’re getting ready for law school!