As an M&A lawyer, articulating the complexity of your transactional experience without overwhelming potential employers can be particularly challenging. Our guide provides clear strategies to distill your achievements into potent, digestible content that showcases your expertise effectively.
- Which sections do you need to include in your resume to meet recruiters' requirements;
- How to write your m&a lawyer resume experience section - even if you have don't have little to no work experience;
- Real-life professional examples to guide you how to write the most important m&a lawyer resume sections;
- Adding even more sections so your m&a lawyer resume stands out with professionalism and your personality.
We've also selected some of the best (and most relevant) resume guides for the m&a lawyer role you're applying for:
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The ultimate formula for your m&a lawyer resume format
Our best advice on how to style your m&a lawyer resume is this - first, take the time to study the job advert requirements.
The resume format you select should ultimately help you better align how your experience matches the specific role.
There are four crucial elements you need to thus take into consideration:
- How you present your experience. If you happen to have plenty of relevant expertise, select the reverse-chronological resume format to organize your experience by dates, starting with the latest.
- Don't go over the top with writing your resume. Instead, stick with a maximum of two-page format to feature what matters most about your profile.
- Headers aren't just for "decoration". The header of your resume helps recruiters allocate your contact details, portfolio, and so much more.
- The PDF format rules. It's the most common practice to submit your m&a lawyer resume as a PDF so that your resume doesn't lose its layout. However, make sure the read the job well - in some instances, they might require a doc file.
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If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
The key to your m&a lawyer job-winning resume - present your expertise with these sections:
- A header to make your resume more scannable
- Snapshot of who you are as a professional with your resume soft skills, achievements, and summary or objective
- Job advert keywords in the skills section of your resume
- Resume experience quantifying your past job successes with metrics
- A relevant education, certification, and technical sills section to provide background to your technological/software capabilities
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Demonstrated experience in handling M&A transactions, including due diligence, drafting, negotiation, and closing.
- Knowledge of corporate law, securities law, tax implications, and other legal areas relevant to mergers and acquisitions.
- Ability to coordinate with investment bankers, accountants, and other professionals involved in M&A processes.
- Strong transaction management skills, showcasing the ability to lead and manage complex M&A deals efficiently.
- Proven track record of successful client relationships and the ability to provide strategic legal advice in a business context.
Essential tips for crafting your m&a lawyer resume experience section
The experience section is indeed the core of your m&a lawyer resume. It's where you present your past and current job roles. But how should you approach this crucial part?
A common error is treating the experience section as merely a list of job duties. Many candidates fall into the trap of detailing what they did without illustrating the impact of their actions.
To effectively write your m&a lawyer resume experience section, consider these guidelines:
- Emphasize your achievements, supported by concrete metrics such as percentages, revenue increases, or customer satisfaction rates;
- Avoid using generic buzzwords like communication, hard work, or leadership. Instead, demonstrate how these skills added value in your previous roles;
- Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb, followed by a skill, and then the result of your actions;
- Tailor your resume for each job application by selecting the most relevant experiences, responsibilities, and successes.
We have an array of resume examples that illustrate how to optimally curate your m&a lawyer resume experience section.
- Led negotiation and execution of a cross-border merger involving a leading biotechnology firm, resulting in a successful acquisition valued at $1.2 billion.
- Advised on structuring complex financing arrangements for acquisitions exceeding $500 million, enhancing company liquidity and investment capability.
- Coordinated with regulatory authorities to secure antitrust approvals for multi-national deals while minimizing risks and compliance issues.
- Facilitated due diligence processes for over 20 M&A transactions annually, bolstering the firm's reputation for attention to detail and comprehensive risk assessment.
- Implemented innovative contract drafting techniques that increased deal efficiency by 30% and reduced client costs.
- Developed client relationships in the technology sector, contributing to a 20% increase in sector-specific M&A activity for the firm.
- Played a pivotal role in the $750 million acquisition of a competitor by a leading renewable energy company, ensuring the deal aligned perfectly with the growth strategy.
- Initiated a knowledge-sharing program within the M&A department that improved process efficiency and deal turnaround time by 25%.
- Analyzed and overcame complex legal and tax structures for international acquisitions involving up to $300 million in value.
- Orchestrated a strategic partnership deal worth $400 million between a major pharmaceutical company and a biotech startup, driving significant advancements in drug development.
- Managed the legal aspects of divestitures which included assets valued at over $200 million, ensuring transactions proceeded smoothly without disrupting ongoing business operations.
- Built a reputation for expert-level guidance on intellectual property considerations during tech industry mergers, resulting in enhanced asset protection for client portfolios.
- Directed teams through high-profile international M&A transactions, leading to successful deals that expanded client's global footprint into new markets.
- Revolutionized compliance protocols to align with evolving regulations, mitigating legal risks while expediting the M&A cycle time by 20%.
- Fostered multidisciplinary collaboration across finance, tax, and regulatory departments to ensure cohesive strategies during complex acquisitions.
- Provided expert M&A legal consulting for Fortune 500 companies, leading to optimized legal structures and successful post-merger integrations.
- Crafted bespoke solutions for cross-border transaction issues, significantly reducing client exposure to international legal entanglements.
- Streamlined client M&A procedures, instilling best practices that consistently shortened deal completion timelines by up to 15%.
- Masterminded a joint venture resulting in the creation of a $100 million enterprise that combined the strengths of two leading tech companies.
- Optimized the legal due diligence process for private equity clients, ensuring robust legal and financial analysis while saving up to 10% in associated costs.
- Crafted strategic exit strategies for start-up clients, leading to lucrative buy-outs and positive returns for investors.
- Supported lead attorneys in the execution of M&A transactions, contributing to a 10% increase in firm’s deal volume through meticulous document preparation and management.
- Developed an automated tracking system for M&A deal flow stages that improved the firm's overall transaction management and client reporting.
- Composed and reviewed legal documents such as confidentiality agreements and term sheets that accelerated initial stages of M&A processes.
- Conducted in-depth market analysis for M&A opportunities that guided clients towards profitable investments and strategic growth.
- Assisted in the successful resolution of post-merger disputes, maintaining the integrity of deals and safeguarding against potential financial losses.
- Developed training modules for junior lawyers on M&A contract drafting, greatly enhancing the team’s capability in handling complex agreements.
- Advised on landmark deals such as the acquisition of a leading fintech company for $900 million, positioning the client as a market innovator.
- Introduced a comprehensive risk management framework for M&A activities that became the standard for subsequent transactions within the firm.
- Acted as the primary liaison between clients and the firm’s international offices, ensuring seamless coordination and communication during multinational M&A transactions.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Highlight the total value of M&A deals you have facilitated, demonstrating the scale of transactions you've been involved with.
- Include the number of M&A transactions you've managed to showcase your experience and capability in handling complex processes.
- Mention the percentage of successful deals closed versus those initiated to illustrate your effectiveness in seeing deals through to completion.
- Specify the number of cross-border transactions you've worked on to emphasize your global experience and adaptability.
- List the quantifiable cost savings achieved through your negotiation tactics, which indicates your direct contribution to a deal's financial efficiency.
- Indicate the size of the teams you've led or collaborated with, underlining your team leadership and project management skills.
- State how many due diligence processes you've overseen, underscoring your attentiveness to detail and risk assessment proficiency.
- Present any growth percentages in client portfolios as a result of M&A activities to show your impact on client wealth expansion.
Action verbs for your m&a lawyer resume
Remember these four tips when writing your m&a lawyer resume with no experience
You've done the work - auditing the job requirements for keywords and have a pretty good idea of the skill set the ideal candidate must possess.
Yet, your professional experience amounts to a summer internship .
Even if you have limited or no professional expertise that matches the role you're applying for, you can use the resume experience section to:
- List extracurricular activities that are relevant to the job requirements. Let's say you were editor-in-chief of your college newspaper or part of the engineering society. Both activities have taught you invaluable, transferrable skills (e.g. communication or leadership) that can be crucial for the job;
- Substitute jobs with volunteer experience. Participating in charity projects has probably helped you develop an array of soft skills (e.g. meeting deadlines and interpersonal communications). On the other hand, volunteering shows potential employers more about you: who you are and what are the causes you care about;
- Align job applications with your projects. Even your final-year thesis work could be seen as relevant experience, if it's in the same industry as the job you're applying for. Ensure you've listed the key skills your project has taught you, alongside tangible outcomes or your project success;
- Shift the focus to your transferrable skills. We've said it before, but recruiters will assess your profile upon both job requirements and the skills you possess. Consider what your current experience - both academic and life - has taught you and how you've been able to develop your talents.
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PRO TIP
If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
In-demand hard skills and soft skills for your m&a lawyer resume
A vital element for any m&a lawyer resume is the presentation of your skill set.
Recruiters always take the time to assess your:
- Technological proficiency or hard skills - which software and technologies can you use and at what level?
- People/personal or soft skills - how apt are you at communicating your ideas across effectively? Are you resilient to change?
The ideal candidate presents the perfect balance of hard skills and soft skills all through the resume, but more particular within a dedicated skills section.
Building your m&a lawyer skills section, you should:
- List up to six skills that answer the requirements and are unique to your expertise.
- Include a soft skill (or two) that defines you as a person and professional - perhaps looking back on feedback you've received from previous managers, etc.
- Create up to two skills sections that are organized based on the types of skills you list (e.g. "technical skills", "soft skills", "m&a lawyer skills", etc.).
- If you happen to have technical certifications that are vital to the industry and really impressive, include their names within your skills section.
At times, it really is frustrating to think back on all the skills you possess and discover the best way to communicate them across.
We understand this challenge - that's why we've prepared two lists (of hard skills and soft skills) to help you build your next resume, quicker and more efficiently:
Top skills for your m&a lawyer resume:
Legal research and analysis
Mergers and acquisitions litigation
Due diligence
Contract drafting and negotiation
Corporate governance
Regulatory compliance
Financial modeling
Tax law pertaining to M&A
Securities law
Antitrust and competition law
Communication skills
Negotiation skills
Project management
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Teamwork
Adaptability
Leadership
Time management
Stress tolerance
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If you happen to have plenty of certificates, select the ones that are most applicable and sought-after across the industry. Organize them by relevance to the role you're applying for.
How to include your education and certifications on your resume
We're taking you back to your college days with this part of our guide, but including your relevant higher education is quite important for your resume.
Your degree shows recruiters your dedication to the industry, your recent and relevant know-how, and some form of experience in the field.
Your m&a lawyer resume education should:
- Include your applicable degrees, college (-s) you've graduated from, as well as start and end dates of your higher education;
- Skip your high school diploma. If you still haven't graduated with your degree, list that your higher education isongoing;
- Feature any postgraduate diplomas in your resume header or summary - this is the perfect space to spotlight your relevant MBA degree;
- Showcase any relevant coursework, if you happen to have less professional experience and think this would support your case in being the best candidate for the role.
As far as your job-specific certificates are concerned - choose up to several of the most recent ones that match the job profile, and include them in a dedicated section.
We've saved you some time by selecting the most prominent industry certificates below.
The top 5 certifications for your m&a lawyer resume:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - CFA Institute
- Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA) - Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors
- Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) - American Society of Appraisers
- Member of the American Law Institute (ALI) - American Law Institute
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) - Global Association of Risk Professionals
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The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
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Adding a summary or objective to your m&a lawyer resume
One of the most crucial elements of your professional presentation is your resume's top one-third. This most often includes:
- Either a resume summary - your career highlights at a glance. Select the summary if you have plenty of relevant experience (and achievements), you'd like recruiters to remember about your application.
- Or, a resume objective - to showcase your determination for growth. The perfect choice for candidates with less experience, who are looking to grow their career in the field.
If you want to go above and beyond with your m&a lawyer resume summary or resume objective, make sure to answer precisely why recruiters need to hire you. What is the additional value you'd provide to the company or organization? Now here are examples from real-life m&a lawyer professionals, whose resumes have helped them land their dream jobs:
Resume summaries for a m&a lawyer job
- Seasoned M&A lawyer with a decade-long record of guiding multimillion-dollar transactions within the tech industry, ensuring compliance and orchestrating smooth due diligence processes. Expertise in facilitating cross-border mergers and a track record of negotiating terms that significantly benefit client portfolios.
- With over 15 years of legal practice, I have executed successful mergers and acquisitions for leading pharmaceutical companies. My proficiency in complex contract law is complemented by a strategic approach to navigating regulatory frameworks, securing streamlined integrations and business expansions.
- A former investment banker transitioning into M&A law brings a unique financial perspective to the table. With a solid understanding of capital markets and an MBA in finance, ready to deploy strong analytical skills to facilitate effective and profitable M&A strategies for multi-sector clients.
- Dedicated compliance officer eager to apply an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements and risk management to the M&A legal landscape. Five years of ensuring corporate adherence to laws and regulations position me uniquely to anticipate and mitigate legal risks during transaction processes.
- Recent Magna Cum Laude law graduate seeking an entry-level position to apply extensive academic knowledge in M&A law. Enthusiastic about leveraging research capabilities, contemporary legal methodologies, and a fresh perspective to contribute to high-stakes acquisition deals.
- Aspiring M&A attorney with a passion for corporate finance, driven to apply rigorous legal training and internship experience gained at a top-tier corporate law firm. Eager to further develop negotiation and due diligence skills within a dynamic M&A environment, with a focus on achieving strategic business goals.
Showcasing your personality with these four m&a lawyer resume sections
Enhance your m&a lawyer expertise with additional resume sections that spotlight both your professional skills and personal traits. Choose options that not only present you in a professional light but also reveal why colleagues enjoy working with you:
- My time - a pie chart infographic detailing your daily personal and professional priorities, showcasing a blend of hard and soft skills;
- Hobbies and interests - share your engagement in sports, fandoms, or other interests, whether in your local community or during personal time;
- Quotes - what motivates and inspires you as a professional;
- Books - indicating your reading and comprehension skills, a definite plus for employers, particularly when your reading interests align with your professional field.
Key takeaways
We've reached the end of our m&a lawyer resume guide and hope this information has been useful. As a summary of our key points:
- Always assess the job advert for relevant requirements and integrate those buzzwords across various sections of your m&a lawyer resume by presenting tangible metrics of success;
- Quantify your hard skills in your certificates and skills section, while your soft skills in your resume achievements section;
- Ensure you've added additional relevant experience items, such as extracurricular activities and projects you've participated in or led;
- Use both your resume experience and summary to focus on what matters the most to the role: including your technical, character, and cultural fit for the company.
