How to Write a Legal Resume That Gets Interviews

In today’s legal job market, your resume needs to work for both human reviewers and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Whether you’re targeting in-house counsel roles, compliance positions, or opportunities at law firms or regulatory agencies, a strong resume is key to moving forward.

Here’s how to write a resume that highlights your legal expertise and maximizes your chances of securing interviews.

Why your legal resume matters

Legal hiring teams receive hundreds of applications per role and rely on ATS tools to identify qualified candidates before resumes are reviewed by a person. If your resume isn’t optimized for those systems, it may never make it to a decision-maker.

Resumes that clearly show legal specialization, industry knowledge, and measurable impact are far more likely to be shortlisted.

Choose the right format

Legal resumes should be structured, straightforward, and easy to scan. Common formats include:

• Reverse-chronological which is best for professionals with steady career progression in law or regulatory roles.
• Skills-based is useful for career changers, compliance professionals, or those transitioning from government.
• Hybrid combines skills and work history, and is ideal for most attorneys, compliance officers, and legal operations professionals.

Avoid heavy formatting, tables, or non-standard fonts, which can confuse ATS systems.

Essential sections to include

Contact information

List your name, phone number, email, city/state, LinkedIn profile, and bar admission(s).

Example: Admitted to the New York and California Bars.

Professional summary 

Summarize your legal experience and areas of focus in 2–4 concise lines.

Example:
In-house counsel with 10 years’ experience advising on data privacy, commercial contracts, and regulatory compliance in the life sciences sector. Skilled in managing cross-functional risk and reducing outside counsel costs.

Use keywords like “anti-corruption,” “healthcare compliance,” or “employment law” based on the roles you’re targeting.

Core competencies & skills 

Group your skills by category for easier scanning by hiring managers and AI systems.

Examples:

• Regulatory Areas: SEC, DOJ, HHS, OFAC, EPA, FCPA, HIPAA, CCPA
• Legal Expertise: Corporate Governance, M&A, Data Privacy, Labor Law, Litigation
• Tools: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Relativity, ContractExpress
• Languages: Spanish (fluent), Mandarin (business proficient)

Tip: Use terms from the job description. For instance, if a role lists “anti-money laundering,” use that phrase explicitly.

Experience

List roles in reverse-chronological order, including job title, employer, location, and dates. Focus on legal accomplishments and outcomes.

Use this structure: Action + Legal Task + Result

Example:
Developed and implemented anti-bribery policy across 15 markets, reducing regulatory audit findings by 60% within two years.

Quantify where possible: number of cases managed, settlements negotiated, compliance improvements, cost reductions, etc.

Education & credentials 

Include your degrees, law school, and any legal certifications.

Examples:

• J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
• B.A., Political Science, University of California, Berkeley
• Admitted to the New York and Texas Bars
• Certified Information Privacy Professional – US (CIPP/US)
• Certifications from recognized bodies like NYSBA, ABA, IAPP, ACAMS, SHRM, or PMI add credibility.

Optional but strategic sections

These can set you apart, especially for more senior or specialized roles:

• Publications or Legal Articles
• Speaking Engagements or CLEs
• Pro Bono or Community Involvement
• Professional Associations (e.g., ABA, ACC, NAMWOLF)
• Awards or Industry Recognition

Stick to standard section names and avoid overly creative headings that may not be parsed by AI tools.

Take the next step in your legal career

Whether you're a junior attorney, compliance officer, regulatory advisor, or general counsel, a strong resume helps you stand out.

At Larson Maddox, we partner with legal and regulatory professionals across the country, placing talent in private practice, in-house, and across government-aligned roles. We understand the hiring nuances in financial services, life sciences, energy, tech, and more.

Upload your resume today to speak with a specialist who can help you navigate your next career move with confidence.