Using Strong Verbs in Your Attorney Resume

Active versus Passive Voice



So you have taken a writing class or two. As an attorney, you write all the time to a specific audience using an accepted format. Depending on your practice, you may use passive voice more frequently despite having been taught to use active verbs in school, but rightly so. The following are two examples of the differences between passive and active voice:

Passive: "The matter will be given careful consideration."
Active: "The firm will consider the matter carefully."

Passive: "RFP responses were evaluated in seven categories."
Active: "Staff evaluated RFP responses in seven categories."

Passive voice deflects the subject of the sentence in order to focus more on the object or action. This format is very appropriate for business documents, particularly for large firms or companies. However, when writing your resume, you are talking about the actions of one person — you — and
about how you are qualified and experienced for a position for which you are applying. The first step in exerting yourself into the limelight is through the use of active verbs in the structured phrases in your experience section.

We have already established that the subject of your resume is you. However, in order to avoid repetitive language and cut out unneeded verbiage, the subject is not mentioned in the structured phrases. The following is a sample list of bullets on a resume:

• Advised and represented banking, financial, and insurance institutions in creditor rights, insurance subrogation, and commercial disputes
• Served as lead attorney for firm's insurance subrogation practice, performed and managed all phases of civil litigation from initiating suit to resolution
• Drafted pleadings and motions, interviewed witnesses, conducted depositions, and negotiated and prepared settlement agreements
• Prepared and argued contested motions before federal bankruptcy and state courts
• Second-chaired jury trial
• Litigated more than 60 bench trials and arbitrations in cases involving consumer contracts, secured and unsecured claims, and insurance subrogation matters
• Reviewed legal documents for compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Created a standard operating procedure for the legal side of firm's insurance subrogation practice

Notice that these structured phrases are not complete sentences, but if they were, the subject would be "I" in every case. Use present tense for describing the job functions of a job you are at presently and past tense for previous job functions at former employers, of course. Be varied in the verbs that you choose — don't use the same ones over and over again. The following is a list of active verbs to keep in your toolbox.


 

Achieve	File
Advise	Format
Aid	Handle
Analyze	Help
Appeal	Instruct
Arbitrate	Interface
Arrange	Interpret
Assess	Lead
Assist	Litigate
Clarify	Manage
Coach	Mediate
Collaborate	Negotiate
Collect	Organize
Combine	Oversee
Compile	Perform
Compose	Plan
Conduct	Prepare
Connect	Produce
Consult	Proofread
Coordinate	Provide
Counsel	Represent
Craft	Research
Create	Resolve
Defend	Review
Demonstrate	Serve
Design	Summarize
Develop	Supervise
Diagnose	Survey
Direct	Teach
Distinguish	Transcribe
Draft	Tutor
Edit	Write
Evaluate

This list is just a place to start. Your specific work experience may call for more specific verbiage. Use words like "assist" and "aid" sparingly. You want to show potential employers that you were into a project up to your elbows, and don't be afraid to take responsibility for things that you have implemented, organized, and participated in. You have worked hard to be where you are right now.

Some people are amazed at what they have accomplished in their careers when they put everything side by side. Your resume should be designed to get you a first interview, but it may also serve to empower you. Often in a work environment we use the subject "we" in describing accomplishments, and that is because we (there's that word again) have become so team oriented and focused on the success of the overall companies for which we work. But remember: a resume is all about your professional accomplishments and your work experience. Potential employers want to know about the transferable skills you have gained through your previous work experience that can be applied to their organizations, and through the use of strong, active verbs, you will proclaim your qualifications with confidence.

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.