What do you include in a resume? Before that question can be answered, you must understand why you are writing one. The answer is very simple. You potential employer wants to be assured of your value to the firm. Of the thousands of hopeful applicants, why should you be interviewed? Why should you be hired? What is it about your resume that indicates you're an excellent risk?
It is not enough to list your past responsibilities in your resume. After all, there is a finite number of different responsibilities in law firms, and every law firm has, roughly, the same ones. Therefore, listing only your responsibilities does not distinguish you from others. The golden word is accomplishments. Accomplishments demonstrate how well you have fulfilled your current responsibilities. They reveal if you're diligent and creative, if you've gone the extra mile in your work, if you've made—or saved—money for your employer.
Attorney Resume's writers have helped attorneys and law students include on their resumes many accomplishments that they have may have neglected to include:
Some examples are:
Secured a $362,500 settlement for a construction laborer who sustained injuries to his back after falling off scaffold, not having been provided with proper safety equipment. (Settled during jury selection.)
Manage caseload of 50 and handle approximately 20 cases a day in NYC housing court, including negotiated settlements and stipulations, arguing motions, and trial.
Filed more than 25 motions for summary judgments on behalf of clients and won 75% of them.
Counseled the company's employees with respect to understanding and maximizing the IP benefits from operations.
Assisted the EEOC mediator with 12 mediations and individually conducted five mediations, including taking notes and drafting all settlements.
Managed caseload of more than 40 clients, with extensive latitude in assessment and strategic decision-making.
Prevented transfer of a client's domain name by researching procedures under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy and contributing to drafting and editing a response.
Managed caseload of 85-100 clients autonomously, trying five cases at the state level, resulting in defense verdicts or verdicts well below the award sought by plaintiff.
Wrote proposal that secured $500,000 grant to establish project and manage program for low-income refugees.
As you will note, often an accomplishment can be quantified: number of cases argued, increases in billable hours during a certain time period, dollars saved the client by negotiation, or dollars won for the litigant.
Naturally, if you earned your J.D. recently, you won't have much in the way of career accomplishments. However, you will have your internship accomplishments, activities related to law school or undergraduate organizations, and volunteer work you may have done. A final note: We at Attorney Resume are often asked why we do not include hobbies or undergraduate sports participation in resumes. These are, in a sense, parallel to career responsibilities: A lot of people claim these same activities. However, IF you made an Olympic team or IF you raised $500,000 for Katrina victims, then you've got a solid accomplishment; and we would be inclined to include that.
So keep notes on what you've accomplished, write your resume before it gets too late, and proofread repeatedly to ensure accuracy. And just remember, it still beats going to the dentist.
See 6 Things Attorneys and Law Students Need to Remove from Their Resumes ASAP If They Want to Get Jobs with the Most Prestigious Law Firms for more information.
