Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume examples & templates
Copyable Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume examples
The legal landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. According to the 2023 Thomson Reuters Law Firm Financial Index, 83% of law firms are actively restructuring their leadership models — shifting away from traditional hierarchies toward more collaborative, client-focused frameworks. This evolution has dramatically redefined the Managing Partner role. No longer just the highest-billing rainmaker with a corner office, today's MP navigates a complex matrix of business strategy, talent development, and technological integration while maintaining their legal expertise.
For those eyeing the Managing Partner path, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. Client demands for specialized expertise continue to grow, while internal pressure to modernize operations intensifies. The most successful MPs now balance traditional practice management with forward-thinking leadership — building diverse teams, championing innovation, and creating cultures that retain top talent in a fiercely competitive market. The next five years will likely see even greater emphasis on Managing Partners who can blend legal acumen with the business savvy needed to guide firms through industry consolidation, AI integration, and evolving client service models.
Junior Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume Example
REBECCA A. CHEN
New York, NY | (212) 555-7890 | rachen@email.com | linkedin.com/in/rebeccachen
Recent J.D. graduate with specialized focus in corporate law and 1.5 years of legal experience through internships and clerkships. Strong background in contract review, client management, and legal research. Seeking Managing Partner track position at a growing firm where I can leverage my academic excellence, attention to detail, and client relationship skills.
EXPERIENCE
Junior Associate – Wexler & Garrison LLP, New York, NY (June 2023 – Present)
- Support senior partners in managing 14+ client accounts with combined billing of $857,000 annually
- Perform legal research and draft memoranda for corporate litigation cases, reducing partner review time by 27%
- Coordinate with 3 paralegals to ensure efficient case file management and client communication
- Participate in business development meetings and contributed to winning 2 new corporate clients
Summer Associate – Denton & Brooks LLP, New York, NY (May 2022 – August 2022)
- Researched and drafted legal briefs for 6 corporate cases under supervision of senior partners
- Assisted with due diligence for M&A transaction valued at $31M
- Prepared client presentations and attended 11 client meetings to observe negotiation tactics
Legal Intern – NYC Office of Corporation Counsel (Sept 2021 – April 2022)
- Conducted legal research on municipal issues and prepared summary reports for staff attorneys
- Assisted with drafting responses to FOIL requests and basic motions
- Organized case files and maintained confidential documentation for 8 active cases
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor – Columbia Law School, New York, NY (2023)
- GPA: 3.85/4.0
- Columbia Law Review, Associate Editor
- Corporate Law Society, Vice President
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar (all three years)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – University of Pennsylvania (2020)
- GPA: 3.92/4.0, summa cum laude
- Minor: Business Economics
- Dean’s List (all semesters)
BAR ADMISSION
New York State Bar (Admitted December 2023)
SKILLS
- Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- Contract Review & Analysis
- Client Relationship Management
- Legal Writing & Drafting
- Business Development
- Litigation Support
- Case Management Software (TrialWorks, Clio)
- Document Management
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Team Leadership
LANGUAGES
English (Native), Mandarin Chinese (Fluent), Spanish (Conversational)
Mid-level Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume Example
Vanessa R. Middleton
vmiddleton@legalemail.com | (512) 789-4231 | linkedin.com/in/vanessamiddleton | Austin, TX
Dedicated legal professional with 6+ years of progressive experience in corporate law and firm management. Known for strategic business development that expanded client base by 31% while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction rates. Adept at leading high-performing legal teams and implementing efficient operational systems that reduced overhead costs while improving quality of service.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Managing Partner | Middleton & Chen Law Group | Austin, TX | January 2021 – Present
- Co-founded and lead a boutique corporate law firm specializing in startup representation and venture capital transactions, growing annual revenue to $2.7M within 2 years
- Manage a team of 8 attorneys and 6 support staff; implemented performance-based compensation structure that improved associate retention rate by 27%
- Secured 14 new key client relationships through targeted networking and referral program development
- Spearheaded implementation of cloud-based practice management software that cut administrative time by 19.5% and improved client response times
- Negotiated office lease and vendor contracts resulting in $87K annual savings while expanding physical footprint
Senior Associate | Harrington Davis LLP | Austin, TX | July 2018 – December 2020
- Led corporate transactions practice group of 3 associates, handling M&A deals ranging from $5M to $68M in value
- Developed client intake procedures that improved conversion rate of prospects to clients by 32%
- Managed 47 active client relationships with 92% retention rate year-over-year
- Created and delivered CLE-accredited training program on venture financing structures for junior associates
- Recognized as “Rising Star” by Texas Legal Monthly in 2019 and 2020
Associate Attorney | Bennett & Wilcox | Houston, TX | August 2016 – June 2018
- Handled corporate governance matters, contract negotiations, and M&A due diligence for mid-market clients
- Assisted partners with client development initiatives resulting in 5 new corporate clients
- Drafted and revised operating agreements, employment contracts, and commercial leases
- Maintained average billable hours of 2,050 annually while participating in firm’s pro bono program
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor | University of Texas School of Law | Austin, TX | 2016
Texas Law Review, Senior Editor
Moot Court Competition, Semi-Finalist
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Minor in Business | Rice University | Houston, TX | 2013
Magna Cum Laude, 3.8 GPA
CERTIFICATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Texas State Bar Association (License #275493)
Austin Bar Association, Board Member (2019-Present)
Certified Legal Project Manager (CLPM), 2020
American Bar Association, Member
SKILLS
- Practice Management & Business Development
- Team Leadership & Attorney Mentoring
- Law Firm Operations & Financial Management
- Corporate Transactions & M&A
- Client Relationship Management
- Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Legal Technology Implementation
- Strategic Planning & Firm Growth
- Venture Capital & Startup Law
- Legal Research & Analysis
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: Conversational Spanish
Publications: “Navigating Corporate Formation for Tech Startups” – Texas Bar Journal, March 2020
Community: Volunteer Legal Advisor, Austin Entrepreneurs Collective (5-10 hrs/month)
Senior / Experienced Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume Example
ELEANOR J. MONTGOMERY
Boston, MA • (617) 555-8729 • eleanor.montgomery@email.com • linkedin.com/in/eleanorjmontgomery
Seasoned Managing Partner with 12+ years of legal expertise and 8 years in leadership roles. Known for strategic firm management that has grown revenue by 47% while maintaining case success rates above 92%. Skilled in practice area expansion, attorney recruitment, and creating cultures of excellence that balance client advocacy with firm profitability. Built Montgomery & Associates from 7 to 23 attorneys across three practice areas.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MONTGOMERY & ASSOCIATES, LLP — Boston, MA
Managing Partner & Founder (Jan 2016 – Present)
- Founded and scaled boutique litigation firm focused on corporate law, intellectual property, and employment matters, growing from solo practice to 23 attorneys and 14 support staff
- Increased firm revenue from $1.2M to $7.4M through strategic hiring and expansion into high-margin specialty areas
- Implemented cloud-based practice management system that reduced administrative overhead by 31% and improved client response times by 76%
- Developed mentorship program resulting in 83% attorney retention rate compared to industry average of 61%
- Personally manage 17 key client relationships representing $3.2M in annual billings
- Negotiate complex fee arrangements and AFAs that have improved collection rates to 94.7%
ROGERS, KLEIN & HOFFMAN — Boston, MA
Senior Partner, Corporate Litigation (Mar 2012 – Dec 2015)
- Led 8-attorney litigation team handling complex corporate disputes for Fortune 500 clients
- Generated $2.8M in annual billings while maintaining 2,150+ billable hours
- Pioneered fixed-fee arrangement structure that became firm-wide model, increasing predictability for clients and improving cash flow by 28%
- Recruited and mentored 6 associates with 100% pass rate on first bar examination
- Co-chaired firm’s technology committee, leading transition to paperless filing system
BRADLEY THOMPSON LLP — Chicago, IL
Associate Attorney (Sep 2008 – Feb 2012)
- Managed caseload of 27-35 corporate litigation matters with emphasis on shareholder disputes
- Consistently exceeded billing targets by 22% while maintaining client satisfaction scores of 4.8/5
- Authored successful brief in Wexler v. MidContinental that set up new precedent for minority shareholder rights in Illinois
- Selected as one of three associates for firm’s accelerated partnership track
EDUCATION
HARVARD LAW SCHOOL — Cambridge, MA
Juris Doctor, cum laude (2008)
Executive Editor, Harvard Law Review
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, magna cum laude (2005)
Phi Beta Kappa
BAR ADMISSIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
Massachusetts State Bar (2012)
Illinois State Bar (2008)
Certified Legal Project Manager (CLPM) (2017)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (2013)
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Law Firm Management & Growth Strategy
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Attorney Recruitment & Development
- Legal Project Management
- Alternative Fee Arrangements
- Client Relationship Management
- Legal Technology Implementation
- Practice Area Development & Expansion
- Profit-per-Partner Optimization
- Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Bar Association – Law Practice Division
Massachusetts Bar Association, Executive Committee Member
Boston Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees
Legal Marketing Association
How to Write a Managing Partner (Law Firm) Resume
Introduction
Landing a Managing Partner position at a law firm isn't just about your legal expertise—it's about proving you can lead, grow, and sustain a profitable practice. Your resume is often the first impression you'll make, and it needs to show both legal prowess and business acumen. I've helped dozens of attorneys make this transition, and the difference between getting an interview or getting overlooked often comes down to how you position your experience on paper.
Resume Structure and Format
Managing Partner resumes need to be polished yet substantial. You're not entry-level, so don't be afraid of length—but make every word count.
- Stick to 2-3 pages (3 is fine if you have 15+ years of experience)
- Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting
- Break up text with white space and clear section headers
- Choose a readable font (Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond)
- Save as a PDF unless specifically requested otherwise
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should immediately signal that you're Managing Partner material. This isn't the place for modesty—highlight your leadership capabilities alongside your legal expertise.
TIP: Tailor your summary to each firm's specific needs. A boutique firm values different qualities than an AmLaw 100 firm. Research the firm's culture, challenges, and strategic direction before applying.
A strong summary might mention:
- Years of leadership experience (specifically mention P&L responsibility)
- Practice area expertise
- Business development achievements ($X million book of business)
- Firm management experience
- Key client relationships (without breaking confidentiality)
Professional Experience
This section should demonstrate progression toward leadership. Focus on business impact, not just legal work. For each role, include:
- Specific growth metrics (grew department revenue by 37%, increased client retention from 76% to 91%)
- Team leadership (size of team, mentorship initiatives)
- Business development successes (brought in $2.4M in new business last fiscal year)
- Committee leadership and firm management responsibilities
- Major case outcomes (if relevant to demonstrating leadership)
- Strategic initiatives you championed
Frame everything in terms of business impact, not just legal outcomes. Partners care about your ability to grow the firm's bottom line.
Education and Certifications
At this level, education is less important than experience, but still needs to be included. List:
- JD with honors (if applicable)
- Bar admissions and years admitted
- MBA or other advanced degrees (these can be particularly valuable)
- Leadership training programs (Harvard Business School's leadership programs, etc.)
- Board certifications in specialized practice areas
Keywords and ATS Tips
Even at the Managing Partner level, many firms use ATS systems. Include keywords from the job posting without keyword stuffing. Terms to consider:
- Practice management
- Business development
- P&L responsibility
- Partner compensation
- Strategic planning
- Lateral recruitment
- Client relationship management
- Financial forecasting
Industry-specific Terms
Show you speak the language of firm leadership by naturally incorporating terms like:
- Origination credit
- Realization rates
- Leverage model
- Associate-to-partner ratio
- Equity vs. non-equity partnership
- Practice group integration
- Lateral partner integration
Common Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls that I see repeatedly on Managing Partner resumes:
- Focusing too much on legal work, not enough on leadership
- Vague statements about "managing a team" without specifics
- Failing to quantify business development success
- Omitting firm management experience
- Using dense paragraphs instead of scannable bullet points
- Neglecting to mention technology modernization efforts
Before/After Example
Before: "Managed a team of associates and served on management committee."
After: "Led 17-attorney litigation practice that grew from $3.8M to $6.2M in annual billings over 4 years while serving on 5-member executive committee that restructured partner compensation, resulting in 22% decrease in partner attrition."
The difference? Specificity, metrics, and demonstrating both leadership and business impact. Your resume should tell the story of how you've already been acting as a managing partner, even if you haven't had the title yet.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Managing Partner (Law Firm) resume
- Cross-functional team leadership with a focus on building cohesive practice groups despite competing priorities
- Client relationship nurturing – particularly the ability to translate legal complexities for C-suite executives
- Business development savvy balanced with maintaining firm culture (I’ve found this tightrope particularly challenging)
- Conflict resolution between partners with differing practice philosophies and compensation expectations
- Mentorship capabilities that extend beyond technical guidance to career pathing for associates
- Financial literacy specific to law firm operations, including partner draws and capital contributions
Hard skills for your Managing Partner (Law Firm) resume
- Trial preparation and litigation strategy development
- Contract drafting and review using LegalZoom and DocuSign
- Case management through Clio and PracticePanther
- HIPAA compliance and data privacy regulations
- LexisNexis and Westlaw legal research proficiency
- MS Office Suite with advanced Excel financial modeling
- QuickBooks for law firm accounting and P&L management
- E-discovery procedures using Relativity (Level II certified)
- Client intake processes and conflict checks