Law School Student Resume examples & templates
Copyable Law School Student Resume examples
Law school students face a daunting paradox: they're expected to commit fully to one of the most demanding educational experiences while simultaneously building professional connections and securing legal positions that will launch their careers. This balancing act comes at a time when the legal landscape is evolving faster than curriculum can adapt. With 37% of legal employers now seeking candidates with technology proficiency beyond traditional legal research tools, today's law students need to develop skills their professors may never have needed themselves. The traditional path of OCI (on-campus interviews) leading directly to summer associate positions is narrowing, with many mid-sized firms bypassing this system entirely.
The gap between theoretical classroom knowledge and practical lawyering skills remains stubbornly wide. Yet within this challenge lies opportunity. Students who can bridge academic excellence with practical experience through clinics, externships, and pro bono work find themselves markedly more competitive. As courts and firms embrace digital transformation and alternative legal service models reshape client expectations, tomorrow's lawyers will need to be more adaptable than any generation before them.
Junior Law School Student Resume Example
Olivia Reynolds
Boston, MA • (617) 555-8217 • oreynolds@email.com • linkedin.com/in/oliviareynolds
Second-year law student with practical experience in legal research, writing, and client advocacy. Completed judicial internship focusing on civil procedure and family law matters. Strong research abilities combined with clear communication skills and attention to detail. Looking to leverage my academic foundation and hands-on experience in a summer associate position.
EDUCATION
Boston University School of Law – Juris Doctor
Expected graduation: May 2024
GPA: 3.78/4.0
• Staff Editor, Boston University Law Review
• Member, Intellectual Property Law Society
• Research Assistant for Professor James Harrington, Constitutional Law
University of Massachusetts Amherst – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Minor: Philosophy
Graduated: May 2021
GPA: 3.85/4.0, magna cum laude
• Dean’s List: 7 semesters
• Honor Thesis: “First Amendment Implications of Social Media Regulation”
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Suffolk County Probate and Family Court – Judicial Intern
Boston, MA | May 2023 – August 2023
- Drafted 14 judicial opinions and memoranda for Judge Eleanor Phillips on domestic relations cases
- Researched complex legal issues related to child custody, asset division, and support modifications
- Observed courtroom proceedings and participated in chambers conferences with attorneys
- Organized case files and maintained judicial calendar for 37 active cases
Boston Legal Aid Bureau – Student Attorney
Boston, MA | January 2023 – May 2023
- Provided legal assistance to 9 low-income clients under attorney supervision
- Conducted client interviews and prepared case documentation for housing disputes
- Researched tenant rights issues and drafted demand letters to landlords
- Helped negotiate 3 successful settlements for clients facing eviction
Blackstone & Reed LLP – Legal Assistant (Part-time)
Cambridge, MA | June 2021 – August 2022
- Supported 4 attorneys in corporate and intellectual property practice groups
- Managed document preparation and filing for trademark applications
- Compiled research materials on emerging tech industry regulations
- Maintained client billing records and organized digital case files
SKILLS
- Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law
- Legal Writing: Memoranda, briefs, opinions, client communications
- Document Management: Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office Suite
- Client Interviewing & Counseling
- Case Management Software: Clio, MyCase
- Citation: Bluebook format
- Oral Advocacy
- Spanish (Intermediate proficiency)
ACTIVITIES & MEMBERSHIPS
BU Law Moot Court Competition – Participant
Fall 2022
Student Bar Association – 1L Section Representative
2022-2023 Academic Year
Legal Technology Association – Member
2022-Present
Mid-level Law School Student Resume Example
Elena Maria Rodriguez
Chicago, IL • (312) 555-7891 • elena.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/elenarodriguez
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
3L law student at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law with 5+ years of legal experience spanning immigration advocacy, corporate compliance, and judicial clerkships. Former paralegal who transitioned to law school while maintaining part-time legal roles. Strong research and writing skills demonstrated through publication in the Northwestern Law Review and experience drafting motions that resulted in favorable outcomes for 87% of pro bono clients.
EXPERIENCE
Student Attorney, Northwestern Legal Clinic
Chicago, IL • January 2022 – Present
- Represent low-income clients in immigration and family law matters under attorney supervision, managing 6-8 active cases simultaneously
- Draft motions, petitions, and legal memoranda that helped secure asylum for 3 clients facing persecution
- Conduct client intake interviews, fact investigations, and case strategy development while juggling law school coursework
- Presented oral arguments in Immigration Court, receiving commendation from supervising attorney for “exceptional preparedness”
Summer Associate, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Chicago, IL • May 2021 – August 2021
- Researched complex legal issues for partners in litigation and corporate departments, producing 14 research memoranda
- Drafted sections of briefs for federal court filing in a high-profile antitrust case involving tech companies
- Participated in client meetings and strategy sessions for M&A transactions valued at $50-250 million
- Received offer to return post-graduation with positive evaluations from all 7 supervising attorneys
Judicial Extern, Hon. Maria Valdez
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois • August 2020 – December 2020
- Researched and drafted bench memoranda and orders for pending motions in civil and criminal cases
- Observed courtroom proceedings and participated in chambers discussions about case strategy
- Analyzed complex constitutional issues in a First Amendment case that established new precedent
Immigration Paralegal, Martinez & Wong LLP
San Francisco, CA • June 2018 – August 2020
- Managed caseload of 75+ family-based immigration and asylum cases from initial filing through resolution
- Prepared visa petitions, waivers, and supporting documentation for USCIS and consular processing
- Interviewed clients in both English and Spanish to gather critical case information and evidence
- Developed firm’s case management system that reduced processing time by 23% and improved deadline compliance
EDUCATION
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law • Chicago, IL
Juris Doctor, Expected May 2023
GPA: 3.78/4.0 • Class Rank: Top 15%
- Northwestern Law Review, Associate Editor
- Moot Court Honor Society, Semi-Finalist
- Public Interest Law Group, Vice President
- Dean’s List (all semesters)
University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Spanish, May 2018
GPA: 3.85/4.0 • magna cum laude
SKILLS
- Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law
- Languages: Fluent Spanish (written and oral)
- Software: MS Office Suite, Clio, TrialDirector
- Technical Writing: Motions, Briefs, Memoranda
- Client Advocacy & Interviewing
- Immigration Law & Procedure
- Corporate Compliance
- Oral Advocacy
- Case Management
- Legal Citation (Bluebook)
CERTIFICATIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 License (2022)
- Legal Writing Institute Workshop Certificate (2021)
- Pro Bono Service Award – 200+ hours (2022)
- Volunteer, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (2020-Present)
Senior / Experienced Law School Student Resume Example
Madison J. Reynolds
Boston, MA | (617) 555-8204 | mreynolds@email.com | linkedin.com/in/madisonreynolds
Third-year law student at Boston University School of Law with 8+ years of legal experience. Former paralegal specializing in corporate litigation and contract law. Known for exceptional research abilities and client communication skills. Looking to leverage my practical experience and academic training in a summer associate position with emphasis on corporate law.
EDUCATION
Boston University School of Law – Boston, MA
Juris Doctor, Expected May 2024
GPA: 3.76/4.0
• Senior Editor, Boston University Law Review
• Vice President, Corporate Law Society
• Top Paper Award: Constitutional Law, Legal Writing & Research
University of Massachusetts Amherst – Amherst, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Business Administration, May 2015
GPA: 3.82/4.0, magna cum laude
EXPERIENCE
Legal Intern, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office – Boston, MA
May 2023 – August 2023
- Drafted legal memoranda and briefs for civil rights division cases, including a successful motion for summary judgment
- Researched complex jurisdictional issues for consumer protection matters, leading to 3 successful enforcement actions
- Participated in witness interviews and case strategy meetings for ongoing litigation
Summer Associate, Blackwell & Price LLP – Boston, MA
May 2022 – August 2022
- Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on issues related to securities regulation and corporate governance
- Assisted in due diligence for $47M merger acquisition, identifying several regulatory compliance concerns
- Prepared first drafts of commercial contracts and NDAs for tech startup clients
Senior Paralegal, Cooper & Walsh – Providence, RI
June 2018 – August 2021
- Managed litigation preparation for 35+ corporate clients, coordinating document review and witness preparation
- Supervised team of 4 junior paralegals while handling most complex case assignments
- Created firm-wide document management system that reduced file retrieval time by 63%
- Drafted preliminary legal research memos for attorneys, frequently cited in final court filings
Paralegal, Davidson, Miller & Associates – Boston, MA
August 2015 – May 2018
- Supported 3 senior partners specializing in corporate litigation and contract disputes
- Organized case files and prepared discovery documents for commercial litigation matters
- Conducted initial client intake interviews and maintained client relationships
- Researched case law and prepared legal summaries for attorney review (got pretty good at finding obscure precedents)
SKILLS
- Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, HeinOnline
- Document Management: Relativity, Concordance, iManage
- Drafting: Pleadings, motions, discovery requests, legal memoranda
- Communication: Client counseling, oral advocacy, legal writing
- Languages: Conversational Spanish (studied abroad in Barcelona, Spring 2014)
BAR ADMISSIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Massachusetts Bar Exam – Planned July 2024
Certified Paralegal (CP) – NALA, 2017
Advanced Certification in E-Discovery – Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, 2019
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association (Law Student Division)
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston Bar Association
How to Write a Law School Student Resume
Introduction
Creating a standout resume for law school applications isn't just about listing your achievements—it's about crafting a narrative that shows admissions committees why you'll excel in their program. Your resume serves as your first impression, often reviewed before your personal statement. I've helped hundreds of applicants secure spots at top law schools, and I can tell you that a well-crafted resume can be the difference between the "yes" and "maybe" piles.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your law school resume clean and professional. Unlike other fields, legal resumes tend to be more conservative in design.
- Stick to 1 page (yes, even if you've got tons of experience)
- Use 11-12pt font in Times New Roman, Garamond, or Calibri
- Maintain consistent 0.75-1 inch margins throughout
- Create clear section headings with bold formatting
- Save as a PDF with your name in the file (e.g., "Smith_Jane_Resume.pdf")
Remember: Law schools value substance over style. A simple, well-organized resume with strong content will always outperform a flashy, hard-to-read document with mediocre content.
Education Section
For law school applications, education typically comes first. This section should be thorough but concise.
- List institutions in reverse chronological order
- Include GPA if it's 3.3 or higher (or if specifically requested)
- Highlight relevant coursework like constitutional law, philosophy, or writing-intensive classes
- Mention academic honors, Dean's List appearances (listing exact semesters), and scholarships
- Include LSAT score if it's strong (generally 160+)
Experience Section
Legal experience is valuable but not required. Focus on transferable skills from any experience you have.
- Use the CAR format for bullets: Challenge, Action, Result
- Quantify achievements where possible (managed 37 client cases, reviewed 200+ pages of documentation weekly)
- Emphasize research, writing, analysis, and client interaction
- Include legal internships, paralegal work, or relevant volunteer experience
- Don't overlook non-legal jobs that showcase your work ethic and skills
For example, instead of:
"Worked as a server at a restaurant"
Write:
"Balanced 18-22 tables during peak hours while maintaining 93% customer satisfaction rating and training 4 new hires on restaurant protocols and customer service standards"
Skills and Activities
This section helps round out your application and highlight your fit for law school.
- List language proficiencies with honest assessment levels (fluent, proficient, conversational)
- Include technical skills relevant to legal work (LexisNexis, Westlaw, PACER)
- Mention leadership roles in student organizations
- Add meaningful volunteer work, especially if it demonstrates commitment (2+ years)
- Include mock trial, debate, or moot court experience
Keywords and ATS Tips
While law schools don't typically use ATS systems like employers do, your resume should still include relevant terminology.
- Include terms like "legal research," "case analysis," "brief writing," and "legal memorandum"
- Mention specific legal areas if you have experience (e.g., "family law," "corporate compliance")
- Use action verbs like "analyzed," "researched," "drafted," and "advocated"
- Spell out acronyms at least once before using them consistently
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing high school achievements (unless they're truly exceptional)
- Including political affiliations (unless directly relevant to your experience)
- Using objective statements instead of summary sections
- Going over one page (admissions officers read hundreds of applications!)
- Adding photos, graphics, or colored text that distract from content
Final Thoughts
Your resume should tell a coherent story about why law is your next logical step. After drafting it, ask yourself: "Does this document show I have the skills to succeed in law school?" If you're unsure, have a pre-law advisor or current law student review it. And don't forget—your resume works alongside your personal statement and letters of recommendation. Make sure all components of your application complement each other without repeating the exact same information.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Law School Student resume
- Case briefing and analysis – balancing complex details while extracting core legal principles
- Verbal advocacy with adjustable formality (can shift between casual client explanations and formal court arguments)
- Research stamina – maintaining focus through 6+ hour document review sessions
- Constructive peer critique during moot court and study groups
- Time blocking across competing priorities (clinic work, journal deadlines, class prep)
- Stress management during high-stakes periods (finals, callbacks, judicial clerkship applications)
Hard skills for your Law School Student resume
- Legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis
- Case brief development and analysis
- Bluebook citation and legal writing
- IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) methodology
- E-discovery platform experience (Relativity)
- Statutory interpretation
- Contract drafting and review
- Moot court oral advocacy
- Legal memorandum preparation