Keeping your CV relevant and impactful can be a significant challenge in the competitive legal sector, where distinguishing yourself is crucial. Our guide offers tailored strategies to enhance your CV's effectiveness, ensuring you showcase your qualifications and experience in a manner that resonates with leading law firms.
Learn how to create your next legal CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Resume examples for legal
Explore additional legal cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Legal Trainee
- Impressive Career Advancement - Max Wright's CV illustrates a clear trajectory of growth, moving from a Paralegal at Allen & Overy LLP to a Legal Advisor at Pinsent Masons LLP. This progression highlights a deepening of responsibilities and expertise over time, showcasing his ability to consistently advance in the legal field.
- Integration of Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV emphasizes Max’s exceptional soft skills, including client care and negotiation. His leadership is evident through the development of training programs and client workshops that have directly contributed to improved team operations and heightened client engagement.
- Strategic Initiative and Business Impact - The CV effectively communicates Max's achievements in implementing a case management system and developing legal document templates, both of which have significantly enhanced departmental efficiency. These initiatives demonstrate his ability to deliver strategic, quantifiable improvements that directly benefit business outcomes.
Legal Intern
- Demonstrates a solid foundation and growth in the legal field - Charlie's career trajectory showcases a progressive path in the legal industry, with relevant volunteer and internship experiences that demonstrate an increasing level of responsibility and application of legal skills in diverse contexts. Starting with a Bachelor's degree and advancing to specialized internships and volunteer roles, Charlie has effectively leveraged educational experiences to transition smoothly into practical applications within legal contexts.
- Emphasizes impactful contributions and industry-specific methodologies - The CV highlights industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as drafting policy documents and conducting legal research, which are crucial for addressing challenges in the legal sector. By illustrating their role in streamlining processes and influencing policy changes, Charlie’s experience reflects a deep understanding of the technicalities within contract law and IP, further enhanced by the practical application of these skills at organizations like Mozilla Foundation and TechUK.
- Showcases leadership and adaptability with cross-functional collaboration - Charlie's involvement in activities such as leading a team to propose policy enhancements and working within cross-functional teams underscores strong leadership and teamwork abilities. Furthermore, the described experience in adapting to different functions, such as digital rights workshops and legal literacy initiatives, highlights a versatile skill set that can be pivotal in dynamic and evolving work environments like those found in global software companies.
Senior Legal Counsel
- Strategic Leadership and Mentorship - Lily Cooper's CV highlights her leadership capabilities, demonstrated by her success in managing and mentoring a team of junior counsels. Her ability to cultivate a high-performance culture not only led to exceeding team targets by 25%, but also showcases her talent in developing future leaders within the legal industry.
- Global Expertise and Risk Management - With rich experience in coordinating the legal aspects of international expansions, Lily has effectively mitigated risks while ensuring regulatory compliance in multiple regions. Her aptitude in navigating different legal jurisdictions underscores her adaptability and proficiency in global legal frameworks and cross-cultural business contexts.
- Robust Achievements in Contract Negotiation - The CV details significant accomplishments in contract negotiation, such as securing $1M in annual savings through her skillful negotiation of commercial terms. This not only reflects her expertise but demonstrates a direct positive impact on the financial outcomes for her employers, enhancing their competitive edge in the industry.
Head of Legal
- Content Presentation - The CV is structured with clarity and conciseness, which makes it easy to follow Jack Taylor's career story. Individual sections like Experience, Education, and Skills are clearly delineated, allowing the reader to quickly glean pertinent information. Achievements are highlighted with precise percentages and metrics, making the candidate's impact tangible and relatable.
- Adaptability and Cross-functional Experience - Jack Taylor's CV reflects a strong ability to adapt and thrive in various sectors, as demonstrated by his transition from educational organizations like Pearson Education and Kaplan International to a more governmental role at British Council. His ability to manage different roles and responsibilities showcases his cross-functional expertise and adaptability, key assets for any dynamic business environment.
- Achievements and Their Business Relevance - This CV shines through with impactful achievements that are clearly aligned with business goals. For instance, the reduction of legal risks by 50% and the cost reduction by 25% through strategic contract negotiations not only demonstrate a profound understanding of legal intricacies but also align with the business's bottom line, proving vital to organizational growth and sustainability.
By Role
Legal Secretary
- Strong emphasis on project management skills - The CV shines by showcasing a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams effectively. With a focus on successful project delivery, it details experiences coordinating between marketing, sales, and product development departments, ensuring strategic alignment and timely execution across all fronts.
- Strategic career progression in a competitive field - The career trajectory outlined is noteworthy, demonstrating a clear path of advancement from a junior marketing analyst to a senior director position within a span of eight years. This reflects an exceptional ability to adapt, grow, and lead in fast-paced environments within the tech industry.
- Depth of expertise in emerging technologies - The CV distinguishes itself by detailing proficiency in cutting-edge tools and platforms relevant to the tech industry. Including experience with AI-driven analytics platforms and proficiency in Python for data analysis, it positions the candidate as a forward-thinker with technical capability to drive innovation and efficiency.
Legal Advisor
- Structured Layout and Clarity - The CV displays a well-organized structure, presenting information concisely. Each section, from experience to education, is clearly labeled with key achievements highlighted, making it easy for potential employers to identify strengths and relevant experience areas effectively.
- Progressive Career Development and Industry Transition - The career trajectory shows a clear progression from a Legal Officer to a Legal Advisor role, highlighting promotions and increased responsibilities within family, child, and education law. This trajectory indicates growth and expertise in these sectors, making the candidate suitable for advisory and leadership roles.
- Impactful Achievements with Social Relevance - Each role includes specific achievements, such as improving client satisfaction and securing significant aid for children. These accomplishments emphasize the candidate's business impact and societal contributions, showcasing a commitment to enhancing community welfare through legal practice.
Legal Analyst
- Comprehensive Career Growth - Alfie Edwards' career trajectory is impressive, demonstrating a clear path of progressive responsibility within the intellectual property domain. Starting as an IP Administration Assistant and advancing to an IP Legal Analyst position, his journey highlights professional growth and commitment to the field, maintaining focus on patent processes and document management.
- Strong Industry-Specific Tools and Techniques - The CV showcases Alfie Edwards' proficiency in specialized patent databases such as PatBase and Espacenet, along with extensive experience in patent documentation systems and compliance. This technical depth highlights his capability to manage complex IP processes efficiently, addressing industry-specific challenges effectively.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Significance - Alfie Edwards' accomplishments, detailed with specific metrics, are particularly notable. Achievements like improving patent document retrieval efficiency by 30% and reducing process redundancy by 40% demonstrate not only his capability in optimizing processes but also his contribution to the overall business objectives, aligning directly with roles demanding high organizational efficiency.
Legal Operations Manager
- Clear Structure & Presentation - The CV is meticulously structured, with clearly defined sections for summary, experience, education, and skills. Each section is easy to navigate, ensuring readers can quickly glean critical information. Bullet points enhance readability, effectively outlining key responsibilities and achievements concisely.
- Strong Career Progression - Edward Mitchell’s career trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from an entry-level analyst role to a senior management position. Over the years, he has assumed increasing responsibilities, transitioning from supporting roles to leading large teams and managing significant budgets within renowned law firms, showcasing his growth and commitment to the legal operations field.
- Integration of Legal Technology - A standout feature is Mitchell's involvement in implementing legal technology solutions, markedly improving efficiency and case handling times. His expertise in cutting-edge legal tech reflects his ability to adapt and drive innovation within traditional legal environments, a critical ability in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Legal Researcher
- Structured and Clear Content Presentation - Grace Bailey's CV is well-organized, featuring clear sections that make it easy to navigate through her qualifications, experience, education, and achievements. The use of bullet points under each job role effectively highlights key responsibilities and accomplishments, ensuring that important details are concise and easily digestible by the reader.
- Consistent Career Growth - The career trajectory outlined in the CV demonstrates steady progression from a Research Associate to a Compliance Specialist. Each role shows an escalation in responsibility and impact, indicating Grace's capability to adapt and thrive in increasingly complex roles within the compliance and data analysis sectors.
- Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights numerous achievements that not only show numerical improvements but also their relevance to business operations, such as increasing data accessibility by 40% and reducing non-compliance incidents by 12%. These accomplishments illustrate Grace’s ability to implement practical solutions that drive organizational efficiencies.
Legal Compliance Officer
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is exceptionally well-organized, starting with personal details and a professional summary that concisely outlines Ruby's qualifications. Each section is clearly delineated, making it easy for the reader to follow the progression from education to work experience and achievements, contributing to a seamless reading experience.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Ruby Gibson's career demonstrates a steady climb in responsibility and expertise within the compliance field. Her transition from a Compliance Coordinator to a Compliance Officer showcases growth, while her experience in different aspects of regulatory affairs highlights her dedication to advancing her knowledge in the industry, further backed by a solid educational foundation.
- Impactful Achievements - The CV emphasizes Ruby’s significant contributions across various roles through measurable achievements. For instance, her work reducing regulatory violations by 30% at DS Smith and achieving a 98% compliance score at Mondi Group highlight her capacity to deliver substantial business impact and enhance organizational compliance.
Legal Executive
- Impressive Career Progression - Alice Barnes's career trajectory exemplifies consistent growth and commitment to the finance law sector. Starting as a Legal Assistant and advancing to a Legal Consultant role within a few years underscores her dedication and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. Her experience at top financial institutions like Barclays, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank showcases her upward mobility and adaptability within the legal sphere.
- Expertise in Regulatory Compliance - The CV highlights Alice’s deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and her role as a regulatory compliance specialist. Her ability to reduce compliance issues by 30% demonstrates significant business impact, showing her proficiency in navigating complex legal landscapes and implementing precise compliance strategies to accommodate evolving regulations.
- Integrating Technology for Legal Process Improvement - Alice's involvement in promoting and implementing advanced legal technologies marks a contemporary skill set essential in modern legal professions. The CV mentions enhancements in documentation accuracy and process efficiency through technological integration, underscoring her capability to merge traditional legal practices with innovative tools for better business outcomes.
Legal Editor
- Structured Presentation with Clear Focus - The CV is well-organized, presenting information in a logical sequence that flows seamlessly from section to section. It includes clearly defined categories such as experience, education, skills, and achievements, which ensures that each aspect of William Hall's professional profile is easily accessible and digestible. The choice to use bullet points within the experience section further enhances readability, making complex achievements clear and concise.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - William's career shows a clear progression from a Content Specialist to an Associate Editor, reflecting a steady upward movement within the legal publishing industry. Each position held demonstrates an increase in responsibility and complexity, with significant achievements that highlight his ability to drive change and optimize content engagement. His movement between prestigious companies like Bloomsbury Publishing, Thomson Reuters, and LexisNexis illustrates his adaptability and desirability within the field.
- Strong Leadership and Communication Skills - Throughout his CV, William emphasizes his capacity for leadership and mentoring, notably through initiatives such as leading cross-functional projects and establishing mentorship programs. These experiences underline his ability to improve team dynamics and productivity, enhancing overall content quality and performance. His strong communication skills are further evidenced by his proven record of improving user interaction and client satisfaction through strategic and precisely targeted content.
Legal Project Manager
- Structured and Clear Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with clear sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each role is accompanied by a concise list of responsibilities and achievements, making it easy to understand the candidate's contributions and skill set at a glance. This clarity is crucial for effectively communicating complex roles in legal project management.
- Career Advancement and Leadership - Isaac Scott's career shows a steady progression from Legal Analyst to Legal Project Manager, illustrating a clear growth trajectory. This ascent demonstrates not only his expertise in legal project management but also his leadership qualities and ability to take on more responsibilities and higher-level roles within the industry.
- Emphasis on Industry-Relevant Tools and Methodologies - The CV highlights specific tools like PowerBI, SharePoint, and enterprise reporting systems, as well as methodologies such as Lean Management and workflow automation. These mentions signal the candidate's technical depth and ability to leverage industry-standard tools to enhance legal project efficiency and outcomes.
Legal Technician
- Effective Use of Tools and Technologies - The CV demonstrates the candidate's proficiency with essential industry tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and PDF editing software. This technical depth, alongside courses like "Advanced Microsoft Word Techniques," underscores their capability to produce and manage complex legal documents efficiently.
- Strong Career Advancement - Henry White’s career progression from a Document Coordinator to a Legal Document Technician highlights a clear trajectory of increasing responsibility and specialization. This growth reflects his ability to take on challenging roles and contribute significantly to each organization, from streamlining processes at Pinsent Masons to innovating document workflows at DLA Piper.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV lists achievements that go beyond mere numbers by illustrating their impact on business outcomes. For instance, improving client satisfaction ratings by tailoring document amendments demonstrates how their work translates to enhanced client relationships, a crucial element in legal services.
Legal Services Director
- Strategic Presentation and Clarity - The CV is meticulously structured, presenting information in a logical and clear manner. Each section builds upon the previous one, leading the reader smoothly through a narrative of progressive professional development. The concise yet comprehensive bullet points in the experience section highlight key achievements without overwhelming detail, allowing the reader to quickly grasp the depth and breadth of Isabella Watson's expertise.
- Diverse and Progressive Career Path - Isabella Watson's career trajectory stands out for its upward mobility and diversification. Moving from Senior Legal Advisor to Director of Legal Services showcases significant growth in responsibility and a deepening of expertise in legal strategy and governance. Her shifts within the legal services industry, from Allen & Overy LLP to leading roles in Pinsent Masons LLP, reflect her ability to adapt and thrive in different organizational contexts, demonstrating her leadership acumen and versatility.
- Impactful Achievements with Tangible Business Relevance - The CV emphasizes not just numbers but the concrete impact of Watson's achievements. For instance, her work led to a 30% increase in community engagement and secured £10 million in funding, underscoring her ability to deliver results that drive substantial business and community benefits. These accomplishments are contextualized within regeneration and governance frameworks, highlighting their strategic importance and reinforcing her value as a visionary legal leader.
Legal Assistant
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized, presenting information in a systematic manner that allows for easy understanding. Each section, such as experience, education, and skills, is clearly delineated, which improves readability. The use of concise bullet points ensures that each achievement or responsibility is presented succinctly, allowing the applicant's strengths to shine without overwhelming the reader with excessive information.
- Steady Career Growth and Industry Consistency - Max Wright's career progression is both linear and impressive, reflecting a steady ascent from Assistant Legal Advisor to Legal Consultant, and finally to Commercial Property Legal Associate. This ascendency is accompanied by noteworthy achievements at each position, showcasing a commitment to the commercial property law field with an evident increase in responsibilities and expertise over the years.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV emphasizes Max's contributions that have meaningful business outcomes, such as improving transaction efficiency by 15% or enhancing client satisfaction scores by 20%. These accomplishments are not just numerical but are tied to strategic improvements in processes and client relations, showcasing Max's ability to deliver significant returns and drive organizational goals within the legal framework.
Legal Document Reviewer
- Structured Presentation of Expertise - The CV is efficiently organized, featuring clearly defined sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structured format aids readability and swiftly communicates the applicant’s credentials in wealth management and compliance.
- Consistent Growth in Financial Compliance - Elsie Murray’s career progression from an Associate Compliance Specialist to a Senior Compliance Analyst illustrates a clear path of professional growth. The steady advancement highlights her expanding responsibilities and influence in large, respected institutions such as Lloyds Bank, Barclays, and Schroders.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Results - The CV effectively articulates accomplishments with specific outcomes, such as a 30% improvement in compliance accuracy and a 15% reduction in regulatory breaches, demonstrating her capacity to add value through compliance expertise and process optimization.
Legal Support Specialist
- Effective Content Structuring - This CV excels in its clear and concise presentation. Each section is well-organized, providing a comprehensive view of the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skills. The use of bullet points enhances readability and ensures that key accomplishments and responsibilities are highlighted efficiently, making it easy for hiring managers to identify relevant information quickly.
- Prominent Career Growth and Development - The career trajectory outlined in the CV showcases a steady and notable progression from Administrative Assistant to Specialist Support Administrator. This path reflects not only growth within the administrative field but also highlights the candidate's ability to take on increased responsibilities and lead projects, such as improving administrative systems and processes.
- Impressive Integration of Industry-Specific Skills and Tools - The CV is distinguished by its focus on industry-relevant tools and methodologies such as GDPR compliance, reprographic tasks, and training evaluation systems. This indicates a deep understanding of the requirements in business administration and data management, and the candidate’s proficiency in using these tools to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Legal Clerk
- Clear Content Structuring - Lucas Adams' CV is meticulously structured, presenting each section logically and concisely. His professional journey is outlined effectively with precise dates and locations, making it easy for recruiters to navigate through his experiences. This clarity in presentation underscores his ability to organize complex information, a crucial skill for roles in administrative settings.
- Progressive Career Path in Healthcare - The CV demonstrates a clear career trajectory within the healthcare sector, showing a progression from an Administrative Assistant to a Medico-Legal Administrative Officer. His transition from general administrative tasks to specialized medico-legal roles highlights his commitment to growth and his ability to take on more complex responsibilities in healthcare administration.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - What sets Lucas apart is his deep understanding of GDPR compliance and data protection, critical in medico-legal environments. His experience with NHS IT systems and tools like PAS and Mediviewer reflects his technical proficiency and adaptation to specialized administrative demands within healthcare, ensuring efficient information handling and legal compliance.
Formatting your legal CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional legal CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional legal CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a legal CV
- Contact Information to quickly reach the candidate.
- Professional Summary showcasing legal expertise.
- Education and Qualifications for academic credentials.
- Legal Experience for pertinent work history.
- Key Legal Skills to highlight specific abilities.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise relevant legal experience by detailing your roles in previous positions and showcasing any high-stakes cases or transactions you've worked on to display your expertise and capability within the legal sector.
- Highlight your qualifications, ensuring that you include your degree in law, any legal practice courses or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) that you have completed, as well as your solicitor or barrister accreditation status.
- Showcase your specialisation by mentioning specific areas of law you have experience in, such as commercial, property, or family law, to demonstrate your expertise and niche within the legal industry.
- Include legal-specific skills such as proficiency in legal research platforms, familiarity with case management software, and the ability to draft and review legal documentation, indicating your preparedness for the technical aspects of legal work.
- Provide examples of your ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, as this is crucial in the practice of law and will reassure employers of your professional integrity and trustworthiness.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your legal CV header
Right at the very top of your legal CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for legal:
Barrister-at-Law | Civil Litigation Specialist | LL.M in International Law | 10+ Years at the Bar
Legal Counsel | Corporate Compliance Expert | Corporate Governance & Ethics | Qualified Solicitor | 7 Years Experience
Associate Solicitor | Commercial Property Law Focus | Lease Negotiation Pro | LPC Certified | 5 Years PQE
Senior Legal Advisor | Employment Law Authority | Dispute Resolution | Member of Law Society | 15+ Years Experience
Junior Lawyer | Criminal Defence Enthusiast | BPTC Holder | Motivated by Justice | 2 Years of Practice
Partner - IP Law Practice | Trademark & Patent Strategist | Dual Qualified in UK/US Law | 20 Years Seniority
What's the difference between a legal CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your legal CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a legal job:
- Seasoned barrister with over 15 years of experience in the UK legal system, specialising in commercial litigation. Proven track record of successful case outcomes including a landmark intellectual property dispute victory. Possess extensive knowledge in contract law, strong analytical skills, and a persuasive court presence.
- Dynamic solicitor with a decade's tenure at a top-tier London law firm, adept in financial regulations and compliance. Instrumental in navigating complex mergers, recognised for exceptional negotiation acumen and securing favourable terms in high-stakes transactions. Keen expertise in EU law and bilingual proficiency in English and French.
- Former senior business analyst seeking to leverage 8 years of experience in data-driven strategy and comprehensive market analysis into a fulfilling career in corporate law. Acknowledged for profound analytical capabilities and a meticulous approach to problem-solving, aspiring to apply these talents in legal case preparation and strategic planning.
- Accomplished engineer with 12 years in the aerospace industry turning to public interest law. Seek to support justice and advocacy through my strong background in regulatory compliance, ethical leadership, and technological innovation. Adept at managing complex projects and possess a clear, logical mind with a practical approach to problem-solving.
- A recent law graduate with robust theoretical knowledge in civil and criminal law eager to apply vigorous analytical reasoning and detailed research skills within a legal practice. Committed to continuous learning and seeking opportunities to contribute to case successes while honing litigation and negotiation techniques
- Aspiring legal professional with a strong academic background in international law, aiming to utilise robust research skills and a commitment to uphold justice. Looking to develop practical experience through hands-on involvement in legal proceedings and by contributing positively to the success of client representations.
Narrating the details of your legal CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your legal CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Detail your roles and responsibilities in former legal positions, highlighting specific cases or projects you contributed to and the outcome of those cases.
- Use action verbs to describe your experience, such as "advised," "drafted," "negotiated," to convey your direct involvement in legal tasks.
- Explain any specialised areas of law you have worked in, such as intellectual property or commercial litigation, to showcase your niche expertise.
- Include any high-profile clients or cases you have worked with or on, ensuring confidentiality is maintained as appropriate.
- Mention your involvement in any substantial transactions or deals, specifying your role and the, when possible, the value of the deal.
- Provide examples of complex legal documents you have prepared or contributed to, such as contracts, wills, or patent applications.
- Include any secondments or placements you have completed, particularly those that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Highlight your ability to work collaboratively on legal cases, especially if you have experience working in larger teams or across different departments.
- Stress any legal research you have conducted and how it has impacted the cases you worked on, underlining your attention to detail and analytical skills.
Work Experience
Senior Legal Counsel
Pearson PLC
03/2018-Ongoing
- Spearheaded a compliance project for GDPR, leading an interdepartmental team and achieving 100% compliance across the company's data handling processes.
- Negotiated and drafted over 200 commercial contracts with international partners, improving contractual terms in favour of the company by 30% on average.
- Conducted legal due diligence for a major merger, scrutinising over 1,000 documents to identify potential legal risks and contributed to a successful, dispute-free acquisition.
Work Experience
Legal Compliance Officer
HSBC Holdings plc
06/2015-12/2017
- Implemented a company-wide training program on intellectual property rights, increasing staff compliance with IP laws by 50% within one year.
- Played a pivotal role in litigation cases, curbing potential losses by 40% through diligent evidence gathering and strategy formulation.
- Reviewed and advised on over 100 policy drafts and procedural documents to ensure legal conformity and mitigate risks preemptively.
Work Experience
Commercial Legal Advisor
Savills plc
01/2013-05/2015
- Directed the legal aspects of a high-stakes commercial real estate deal worth £10 million, ensuring smooth transaction and transfer of ownership.
- Reduced operational legal expenditure by 25% through the introduction of streamlined processes and vendor negotiations.
- Advised on employment law matters affecting over 2,000 employees, reducing litigation risk and fostering a compliant workplace environment.
Work Experience
Legal Technology Specialist
BT Group plc
11/2011-12/2012
- Facilitated a partnership with legal software developers to customise a document management system, boosting department productivity by 35%.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments for new business lines, presenting findings to the board which led to informed decision-making processes.
- Oversaw the intellectual property registration for 10 new products, fortifying the company's portfolio and competitive edge in the market.
Work Experience
Corporate Legal Officer
Tesco PLC
04/2009-10/2011
- Led a contract renegotiation initiative that resulted in an annual saving of £500,000 and improved service levels from suppliers.
- Managed the legal aspects of the company's e-commerce platform, ensuring full compliance with online retail regulations, which boosted customer trust.
- Executed effective strategies for debt recovery, recovering debts amounting to over £1 million and improving the company's financial standing.
Work Experience
International Legal Associate
Unilever PLC
08/2016-12/2019
- Coordinated with international legal teams on cross-border transactions, ensuring alignment with diverse legal frameworks and cultural business practices.
- Developed and enforced the company's data protection policies, achieving full adherence to new cybersecurity laws and reducing data breach incidents by 60%.
- Provided regular legal guidance to the marketing team on promotions and adverts, leading to zero legal claims or disputes over misleading content.
Work Experience
Legal Affairs Manager
Sainsbury's PLC
02/2014-07/2018
- Orchestrated the legal groundwork for a start-up acquisition worth £3 million, ensuring due diligence and a seamless integration process.
- Mediated employee disputes and managed arbitration processes, achieving a 90% case resolution rate without escalation to litigation.
- Authored and implemented a corporate policy handbook that was adopted by over 500 employees, promoting legal best practices within the company.
Work Experience
Legal Regulatory Specialist
GlaxoSmithKline plc
05/2012-03/2016
- Crafted and launched a risk management protocol for new product lines, slashing potential legal ramifications by identifying issues early in the development cycle.
- Liaised with the finance department to optimise taxation strategies, resulting in a 20% reduction of the company's tax liabilities.
- Represented the company in regulatory affairs, effectively communicating with agencies and preventing sanctions on several occasions.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your legal CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your legal CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your legal CV:
HARD SKILLS
Legal Research
Legal Writing
Litigation
Contract Drafting
Corporate Law
Compliance Regulations
Intellectual Property
Legal Document Review
Negotiation
Client Counselling
SOFT SKILLS
Analytical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Communication
Ethical Judgement
Teamwork
Time Management
Resilience
Adaptability
Leadership
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your legal CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your legal CV:
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your legal CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
