How to Write a Law School Resume That Actually Gets You Interviews

Whether you're applying for summer associate positions, internships, clerkships, or on-campus interviews (OCI), your law school resume plays a critical role in getting your foot in the door. In a competitive legal job market, it's not enough to simply list your education and work experience. You need to craft a resume that is clear, concise, and strategically designed to catch the eye of legal employers.

This guide breaks down how to write a law school resume that actually gets you interviews—one that highlights your legal potential, shows professionalism, and aligns with what hiring partners and recruiters want to see.
 

Why Your Law School Resume Matters

Your resume is often the first impression you make on legal employers, and in a profession where precision and clarity are everything, it speaks louder than you might think. Recruiters and hiring partners review hundreds of resumes quickly, often in under 30 seconds.

A well-crafted law school resume can do more than just list your credentials—it can demonstrate your writing skills, showcase your judgment in what you choose to highlight, and convey your readiness for legal work. It shows that you understand what legal employers value and that you’ve taken the time to present yourself thoughtfully and professionally.

Whether you’re applying through OCI, seeking a clerkship, or targeting a public interest role, a polished, strategic resume can open doors—and get you the interview. To complement these tips, see Expert Strategies to Build an Outstanding Law Student Resume: Your Ultimate Guide to Landing Legal Opportunities for a full breakdown of resume strategies designed to maximize interview invitations.
 

1. Keep It to One Page—No Exceptions

As a law student or recent graduate, your resume should never exceed one page. This isn’t just a guideline—it’s a firm expectation in the legal industry. Hiring partners and recruiters often have limited time and hundreds of resumes to review.

They expect you to be able to prioritize information, present it concisely, and communicate efficiently.
A one-page resume shows:

• That you understand legal professional norms
• That you can distill complex information into what matters most
• That you respect the time and attention of the person reviewing it

“If a student can’t trim their resume to one page, I question whether they’ll be able to write a clear, concise legal brief.”
— BigLaw recruiting coordinator

Even if you have prior work experience, study abroad, or multiple internships, you still need to edit and organize strategically. Employers aren’t looking for volume—they’re looking for relevance.

What to Cut (and Keep)
Focus on:

• Education
• Legal experience
• Key transferable skills
• Activities and leadership roles
• Awards and honors

Cut or condense:

• High school achievements
• Excessive detail on non-legal jobs
• Unnecessary descriptions or outdated positions

You’ll have plenty of time later in your career to expand your resume or build a CV. For now, tight and targeted wins the interview. Keep it to one page—no exceptions.
 

2. Use a Clean, Professional Format

In legal hiring, presentation matters just as much as content. A cluttered, inconsistent, or overly stylized resume can distract from your qualifications, and worse, make you look unprofessional. That’s why it’s essential to use a clean, simple, and professional format that prioritizes clarity and readability.

Legal recruiters review hundreds of resumes each cycle. If yours is hard to scan, filled with unusual fonts, or visually chaotic, it’s likely to be dismissed—even if you have strong credentials.

What a Clean Format Looks Like

• Consistent font: Stick to a classic, readable font like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial—size 10–12 for body text.
• Clear section headings: Use bold or small caps to distinguish sections, such as Education, Experience, and Leadership.
• Uniform formatting: Dates, locations, and titles should all follow the same structure throughout the document.
• White space: Use spacing strategically so your resume doesn’t look crammed. It should be visually appealing and easy on the eyes.

Avoid:

• Colorful text or graphics
• Columns, tables, or unusual layout tricks
• Logos, headshots, or icons
• Overuse of italics or underlining

“Legal employers are not looking for creativity in design—they’re looking for clarity and professionalism.”
— Career Services Director, Top 20 Law School

Why It Matters

A clean format shows that you:

• Understand the conventions of the legal profession
• Pay attention to detail
• Can present complex information in an organized manner
• Take your application—and your career—seriously

Think of your resume as your first legal writing sample. Keep it professional, precise, and easy to navigate. Substance matters most, but great presentation ensures your substance actually gets read.
 

3. Lead with Education (and Include Relevant Details)

As a law student or recent graduate, your education is your strongest credential, and it should always come first on your resume. Legal employers expect to see your academic background prominently featured because it provides them with immediate context about your training, capabilities, and competitiveness.

This section is more than just listing where you went to school. When done well, it can highlight honors, leadership, and distinctions that set you apart—even before they get to your experience section.

What to Include in the Education Section

• Law School Name and Graduation Date

Example: J.D., ABC Law School, Expected May 2026

• GPA and Class Rank (If Strong)
  
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  Include if it’s above a 3.3 or places you in the top 25%. If your GPA is lower, it’s fine to leave it out—employers will ask if they need to know.
• Honors and Distinctions
  Include Law Review, moot court, scholarships, academic awards, or Dean’s List. If you were admitted to Law Review through a write-on process or were selected for a competitive clinic, please note this briefly.

Example: GPA: 3.74 (Top 15%) | Law Review, Staff Editor | Dean’s Scholar Award

• Relevant Activities or Leadership Roles
  List involvement in student organizations, affinity groups, or journals—especially if you held a leadership position or the activity relates to your career goals.
• Undergraduate Institution and Degree
  Include your college name, degree, major, honors, and graduation year. GPA is optional—include only if it’s strong (typically 3.5 or higher).

Example: B.A., Political Science, XYZ University, cum laude, May 2022

• Additional Education (if relevant)
  Dual degrees, certifications, or graduate programs should also appear here, but only if they add value.

Why It Matters
This section tells employers:

• Where did you receive your legal training
• Whether your academic performance meets their hiring standards
• What legal writing, leadership, and research experience have you gained
• How engaged are you in the legal community at your school

“Education is the first section we scan. It tells us at a glance whether you meet the academic bar for interviews—and what else you’ve accomplished during law school.”
— Recruiting Manager, Vault 100 Law Firm
 
Your education is more than your GPA—it’s a showcase of your early accomplishments, work ethic, and initiative. Lead with it, present it cleanly, and use it as a springboard to show why you’re ready to contribute in a professional legal environment.
 

4. Focus on Legal Experience First

Once you’ve listed your education, the next most important section is Legal Experience—even if you’re still early in your law school journey. Legal employers want to know that you’ve been exposed to real-world legal work, even if it’s limited to internships, research assistant roles, or pro bono projects.

This section should come before unrelated work experience, even if that other experience is impressive. Why? Because it directly reflects your ability to handle the types of tasks you’ll face as a future attorney.

What Counts as Legal Experience?

• Summer associate or law clerk positions
• Judicial internships
• Legal internships at firms, nonprofits, or government agencies
• Research assistantships with law professors
• Legal clinics and externships
• Volunteer or pro bono legal work

Even if your role was unpaid or part-time, it still shows initiative, legal skill development, and a clear commitment to the profession.

How to Format Your Legal Experience

For each entry, include:

• Job Title (e.g., Legal Intern, Research Assistant)
• Organization Name
• City, State
• Dates of Employment (Month/Year – Month/Year)
• Bullet Points Detailing Your Work

Each bullet point should:

• Start with a strong action verb (e.g., drafted, researched, analyzed, assisted)
• Be concise and results-oriented
• Focus on legal skills and tasks, not just administrative work
• Mention subject areas or practice groups when relevant (e.g., employment law, securities litigation)

Example:
Legal Intern, Equal Justice Foundation – Washington, DC
May 2024 – August 2024

– Drafted memoranda on federal housing discrimination claims under the Fair Housing Act
– Researched statutory interpretation issues related to Section 1983 litigation
– Participated in client intake interviews and prepared case summaries for senior attorneys

Why This Section Matters

Legal employers want to see that you:

• Can write, research, and analyze legal problems effectively
• Have exposure to law firm or courtroom environments
• Understand the responsibilities and expectations of real legal practice
• Are building experience that’s relevant to their area of work

“When I look at resumes, I want to see whether a student has touched real legal problems—how they applied the law, wrote about it, and thought critically.”
— Hiring Partner, Regional Litigation Firm

Even limited legal experience can go a long way—it’s about how you present it. Show that you’re building a foundation in legal research, writing, and client service. Use this section to demonstrate not just where you’ve worked, but how your legal thinking is developing. That’s what gets you interviews.
 

5. Don't Undervalue Non-Legal Experience

If you’re early in law school or transitioning from another career, it’s completely normal to have limited legal experience. But that doesn’t mean the work you’ve done outside the legal field is irrelevant. In fact, non-legal experience can be a powerful asset—if you frame it correctly. For law students looking to make an immediate impact, our Legal Resume Refresh: 2025 Best Practices That Land Interviews article outlines modern résumé techniques that resonate with employers.

Employers know you’re still building your legal foundation. What they want to see is that you bring transferable skills, maturity, professionalism, and a strong work ethic—qualities that show you’re ready to thrive in a legal environment, even if you haven’t spent years in one yet.

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What Counts as Relevant Non-Legal Experience?

• Customer service roles that demonstrate communication and conflict resolution
• Teaching, tutoring, or coaching that shows leadership and clarity
• Sales or administrative positions that reflect organization and time management
• Journalism or writing experience that signals strong communication skills
• Management roles that involve supervising teams or projects
• Any job where you’ve worked under pressure, solved problems, or interacted with diverse stakeholders

How to Frame Non-Legal Roles Strategically

Use bullet points to highlight what you did, how you did it, and why it matters—not just a list of duties.
Focus on:

• Problem-solving
• Client or customer interactions
• Managing deadlines
• Written and verbal communication
• Taking initiative or leading teams

Example:
Client Services Associate, MarketLine Consulting – Chicago, IL
June 2022 – August 2023

– Handled high-volume client inquiries with a focus on professionalism and conflict resolution
– Developed procedural manual to streamline onboarding, reducing response times by 25%
– Coordinated with senior analysts to deliver client presentations and custom research

This framing shows competence, initiative, and maturity—qualities law firms and judges highly value, especially in early-stage candidates.

Don’t be afraid to include your restaurant job, military service, or customer service role—what matters is how you present it. Emphasize the transferable skills, the professionalism you developed, and the unique perspective you bring to the table. Your non-legal experience might be exactly what sets you apart.
 

6. Proofread Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)

In the legal profession, attention to detail is non-negotiable. Your resume is often your first legal writing sample, and it will be judged accordingly. A typo, inconsistent formatting, or grammatical error can signal to employers that you may not have the precision or professionalism required for legal work.

That’s why proofreading your law school resume isn’t just a final step—it’s a crucial part of the application process. Your career genuinely depends on getting it right.

Why Employers Care So Much

Lawyers are expected to produce error-free work. Whether drafting contracts, briefs, or memos, even small mistakes can carry serious consequences. Legal employers see your resume as a reflection of how you’ll perform under pressure—and whether they can trust you to represent their brand.

A careless error can make the difference between landing an interview and getting screened out.
“If a student’s resume has a typo, it goes in the reject pile. Period. If they miss something on their resume, how can I trust them with a court filing?”
— Recruiting Coordinator, National Law Firm

What to Look For When Proofreading

• Spelling and grammar errors (e.g., “pubic interest” instead of “public interest”)
• Inconsistent formatting (e.g., date alignments, spacing, bolding)
• Punctuation and capitalization
• Tense consistency (past jobs in past tense, current jobs in present tense)
• Uniform bullet point style
• Accurate information (names of employers, dates of employment, etc.)

Proofreading Tips That Actually Work

• Print it out: Errors often become more noticeable on paper than on a screen.
• Read it aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and repetitive structure.
• Use spelling and grammar tools—but don’t rely on them entirely.
• Check your formatting line by line: Consistency is key.
• Ask someone else to review it: Ideally, a mentor, career advisor, or fellow law student with a keen eye for detail.

In law, credibility starts with the details. Your resume must be spotless—not “good enough.” If you don’t take the time to carefully review the one document that represents you to employers, they’ll assume you won’t take the time with their clients either. Proofread it like your future depends on it—because it absolutely does.
 

7. Tailor When Possible

One of the most overlooked strategies for turning a good law school resume into a great one is tailoring it to the role or employer you’re applying to. While it’s tempting to use the same generic resume for every application, taking the time to make thoughtful adjustments can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed—and ultimately getting interviews.
Legal employers want to see that you’ve paid attention, that you understand what they do, and that your interests and experience align with their needs. Tailoring your resume shows intentionality—and that you’re not just mass applying.

Why Tailoring Works

When hiring teams look at resumes, they’re asking:

• Does this candidate fit the role we’re hiring for?
• Have they done similar work before, or shown an interest in our practice area?
• Have they demonstrated that they care about our organization, not just any job?

Even small adjustments can help answer “yes” to those questions and move your application to the top of the pile.

“I always notice when a student’s resume reflects our specific practice areas or pro bono initiatives. It shows me they’ve done their homework—and that they actually want to work here.”
— Hiring Partner, Midsize Law Firm

What You Can Tailor (Even Subtly)

1. Bullet Points in Experience Sections
Emphasize tasks or projects that relate to the job at hand. For example, if you’re applying to a litigation-focused firm, highlight research, writing, or court-related tasks over general administrative work.

2. Activity and Leadership Sections
If you’re applying to a firm known for its diversity initiatives, public interest programs, or business law focus, spotlight your related experiences in student orgs, clinics, or volunteer roles.

3. Practice Area Alignment
Use language that reflects the employer’s focus. If you’re applying to a firm with a strong corporate group, highlight contracts, compliance, or deal experience, even from internships or classes.

4. Interests Section
Tailor this subtly. If you know someone at the firm shares an interest in international law, technology, or running marathons, including a related hobby, it can spark a connection.

When You Should Tailor

• When applying to a specific firm or organization you admire
• For clerkships, government roles, or public interest positions where values and mission alignment are key
• During OCI, when you know you’ll be interviewing with a variety of firms and can subtly adjust to match their profiles

You don’t need to rewrite your resume from scratch every time, but a few strategic changes can go a long way. Tailoring shows that you’re thoughtful, detail-oriented, and genuinely interested in the employer, not just desperate for any job. That’s exactly the kind of candidate firms want to interview—and hire.
 

8. Name Your File Professionally

It may seem like a small detail, but how you name your resume file can have a surprisingly big impact on how legal employers perceive you. In the fast-paced world of recruiting—especially during OCI or mass submissions—a poorly named file can make you look careless or unprofessional, even before anyone opens it.

Hiring coordinators often download and sort hundreds of resumes simultaneously. If yours is named something generic or confusing—like Resume2025FINALfinalVERSION.pdf or LawResumeNEW.docx—it could be misfiled, overlooked, or worse, reflect negatively on your attention to detail.

The Right Way to Name Your Resume File

Use a clean, clear, and consistent format that includes your first and last name, followed by the word Resume:

FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
Example:
Emily_Jordan_Resume.pdf

This file name is simple, direct, and professional. It makes it easy for hiring teams to find your resume again later, especially when they’re sorting through submissions, organizing interview lists, or reviewing candidates after the interview.

Why It Matters

• Makes you easier to identify in large applicant pools
• Demonstrates professionalism and organizational awareness
• Reduces the chance your file is lost or misattributed
• Shows that you care about the small details, just like legal employers do

“When I get a resume with a vague or sloppy file name, I assume that’s how the applicant handles work, too. The best candidates label things clearly and make life easier for others.”
— Recruiting Assistant, Am Law 100 firm

Bonus Tip

• Always use PDF format unless instructed otherwise. It preserves your formatting across devices and systems.
• Avoid symbols or special characters in the file name (e.g., &, %, #) as they can cause uploading issues.
• Double-check the file before submitting to ensure you’re sending the right version.

Your resume file name might seem like a minor administrative detail, but in legal hiring, small details signal big things about how you’ll perform as a professional. Take a few extra seconds to name your resume clearly and consistently—it’s one of the easiest ways to stand out for the right reasons. For a focused guide specifically on legal intern resumes, check out Mastering the Legal Intern Resume: 10 Essential Strategies to Land Your Dream Internship, which breaks down actionable strategies for standing out in internship applications.

 

See Related Articles The Attorney’s Guide to Crafting a Winning Legal Resume: Secrets for Standing Out Expert Strategies to Build an Outstanding Law Student Resume 20 Resume Dos and Don’ts for Law Students and Attorneys

 

Final Thought: Make Every Line Count

Your law school resume isn’t just a formality—it’s a strategic marketing tool. When done well, it tells a compelling story about who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and why you’re ready to thrive in a legal role.
Be concise, be thoughtful, and above all—be intentional. Every line on your resume should earn its place.