Resume Writing Tips for Legal Intern

Introduction

For aspiring legal interns, the resume is more than a mere list of experiences—it is your professional narrative, your pitch to legal employers who seek candidates with analytical rigor, attention to detail, and a passion for law. With legal internships often serving as a gateway to full-time legal careers, an impactful resume that resonates with the industry’s expectations can unlock invaluable opportunities.

1. Resume Summary

The resume summary is your elevator pitch—concise, powerful, and targeted. For legal interns, it should emphasize your current academic standing, relevant legal interests, key soft skills like research and communication, and your eagerness to contribute effectively.

Example: “Detail-oriented second-year law student with proven research and drafting skills, strong analytical capabilities, and practical experience in legal clinics seeking a legal intern position to support litigation and compliance teams.”

2. Key Skills

Your key skills section should highlight both your legal acumen and essential complementary skills. Use bullet points to improve scanning and ATS readability. Ensure you include industry-relevant keywords to pass applicant tracking systems.

• Legal Research
• Case Analysis
• Legal Writing & Drafting
• Document Review
• Contract Analysis
• Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge
• Critical Thinking
• Oral & Written Communication
• Time Management
• Team Collaboration

3. Achievements

Distinguish between mere responsibilities and real achievements. Adopting a results-driven approach by quantifying your impact makes your resume more compelling. For instance, highlight how your research contributed to a successful case or how you improved document processing efficiency.

Example: “Streamlined legal document review processes by implementing a tracking system, reducing review time by 25%.”

4. Tailor to Job

Every legal internship position may prioritize different competencies and knowledge areas. Customize your resume for each application by aligning your skills and experiences with the requirements and keywords mentioned in the job description. This not only impresses the ATS but also hiring managers scanning for specific traits.

5. Tools

• Westlaw
• LexisNexis
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Acrobat
• Legal research databases
• Case Management Software (e.g., Clio, MyCase)
• Document Management Systems
• Time Tracking Tools (e.g., Toggl)
• Google Workspace
• Grammarly

6. Metrics

• Reduced case research time by 30% through efficient use of LexisNexis and Westlaw.
• Assisted in drafting 15+ legal documents that contributed to client case wins.
• Conducted comprehensive review of 200+ case files ensuring 100curacy.
• Managed scheduling for 10+ legal consultations per week, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Improved compliance audit documentation leading to 20% quicker client approvals.

7. Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) Candidate, [Law School Name], Expected [Graduation Year]
• Relevant Coursework: Contract Law, Civil Procedure, Legal Writing, Intellectual Property Law

8. Format

• Use clear, professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt size.
• Keep consistent margins and spacing for easy readability and professional appearance.

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages maximum. Prioritize relevant legal and academic experiences. Use bullet points to communicate clearly and avoid verbose descriptions. Be precise with language to ensure every word adds value.

10. Bonus

• Include involvement in law-related extracurriculars like moot court, law review, or volunteer legal clinics to show initiative and passion.
• Add keywords naturally and avoid jargon overload to balance ATS compatibility and human readability.

Examples

• “Conducted legal research on federal regulations resulting in a 15-page memorandum that aided the legal team’s regulatory compliance strategies.”
• “Collaborated with senior attorneys to draft contracts that reduced client risk exposure by 10%, demonstrating attention to detail and understanding of contract law.”

Conclusion

In summary, writing an effective resume for a legal intern position hinges on clearly showcasing your impact through measurable achievements, your potential for leadership, and your analytical aptitude. A polished, tailored resume that highlights these qualities not only makes you memorable but also speaks directly to what legal employers seek in their future interns. Take the time to refine your resume—it is your most powerful tool in launching a successful legal career.