What makes a lawyer's CV different
A legal CV is judged on precision, credibility, and judgement. Hiring partners and legal recruiters skim fast and look for specifics: where you qualified, your practice area, the matters you handled, and the value you delivered. Vague language is fatal here. Your CV should read as carefully as a well-drafted clause.
Lead with your qualification and practice area
A recruiter needs to place you in seconds. Put your jurisdiction, year of qualification, and practice area near the top.
- "Solicitor qualified in England and Wales (2019), specialising in commercial real estate."
- "Attorney admitted in New York (2017), corporate M&A."
If you are dual-qualified or admitted in more than one jurisdiction, say so clearly. It is a real differentiator.
Describe matters, not just duties
The heart of a legal CV is the work itself. Recruiters want to know the type, size, and complexity of the matters you handled, within the bounds of confidentiality.
- "Advised on a 40 million pound asset acquisition, leading due diligence across three jurisdictions."
- "Managed a caseload of 25 immigration matters, achieving a 90 percent approval rate."
Name the deal size, the client type, and your specific role. "Drafted contracts" is weak; "drafted and negotiated supply agreements for a FTSE 250 client" is strong.
Show progression and responsibility
Legal careers are read through seniority. Make clear when you moved from supporting to leading: running your own matters, supervising junior associates or paralegals, or owning client relationships. These signals matter as much as the law itself.
Include the credentials that count
Keep an education and credentials section that lists your law degree, your professional qualification (LPC, bar exam, training contract), and any relevant certifications. Bar admissions and practising certificates belong here. List languages too, as cross-border work prizes them.
Keep the format conservative and clean
Legal hiring is traditional. Use a clean, single-column layout, a standard font, and no graphics. Two pages are acceptable for experienced lawyers. Proofread ruthlessly: a typo on a lawyer's CV undermines the one quality the job demands most, attention to detail.
Quick checklist
- Jurisdiction, qualification year, and practice area are near the top.
- Matters are described with size, type, and your role.
- Progression from supporting to leading is visible.
- Admissions, qualifications, and languages are listed.
- The layout is conservative and the document is flawless.
A strong legal CV proves three things at a glance: you are properly qualified, you have handled real and relevant work, and you have the precision the profession runs on.