Lawyer CV Example
A professional CV for qualified lawyers seeking roles in private practice, in-house teams, or public sector legal departments. Presents your practice area expertise, case portfolio, and career progression.
Recommended template: ElegantPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Organise your experience by practice area to make it easy for employers to assess your relevant expertise.
- Include significant transactions, cases, or matters with values and outcomes where confidentiality permits.
- Highlight supervisory experience and any mentoring of trainees or junior lawyers.
- Demonstrate your business development contributions through client origination or cross-selling achievements.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Lawyer CV
A lawyer CV must present your qualifications, practice area expertise, and career progression in a format that demonstrates both your technical legal ability and your commercial value. Whether you are applying to a law firm, an in-house team, or a public sector legal department, employers want to see the quality of work you handle, the outcomes you achieve, and your potential for continued growth. Your CV is your professional calling card and should be as well-drafted as the legal documents you produce.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with your qualification details and PQE level stated near the top. Include a concise profile, your career history organised by firm and role, your education and qualifications, and a skills section. Each role should describe your practice area, the types of matters handled, and notable outcomes. Keep your CV to two pages for most career stages, extending to three only for very senior practitioners.
CV Format
Choose an elegant, professional template that reflects the standards of the legal profession. Use consistent formatting for dates, headings, and bullet points. The quality of your CV reflects the quality of your written work, so it must be impeccable. Save as a PDF to maintain formatting consistency.
CV Profile Examples
Mid-Level Lawyer
Qualified solicitor with six years of post-qualification experience in corporate and commercial law at a Top 50 firm, handling M&A transactions, shareholder agreements, and corporate restructurings with values ranging from £1M to £80M. Experienced in managing multi-party transactions, coordinating due diligence workstreams, and advising boards on corporate governance. Building a business development profile through client relationship management and sector-focused networking.
Senior Litigation Lawyer
Dispute resolution solicitor with ten years of PQE and a strong track record in commercial litigation, professional negligence, and insurance disputes. Managed cases from pre-action through to trial and appeal, with experience in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and international arbitration. Supervised a team of three associates and two paralegals, contributing fee income of £520,000 annually and originating £150,000 in new client instructions.
Public Sector Lawyer
Qualified solicitor with seven years of PQE in local government law, advising on planning, procurement, governance, and property matters within a metropolitan council's legal services department. Experienced in attending committee meetings, advising elected members, and managing external counsel on high-value litigation. Committed to providing high-quality legal advice that supports effective public service delivery.
State your PQE level, primary practice areas, the type and size of firm or organisation you work in, and your key achievements. Mention any legal directory rankings, client origination figures, or notable matters. Keep it to three or four sentences that convey your value proposition as a lawyer.
Key Skills for Your Lawyer CV
Legal Practice
Applying legal knowledge and professional skills to advise clients, manage cases, and complete transactions across one or more practice areas.
Client Relationship Management
Building and maintaining strong client relationships through responsive service, proactive communication, and commercial understanding.
Legal Strategy
Developing legal strategies that align with client objectives, assessing risks and options to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Negotiation
Negotiating settlements, contract terms, and transaction agreements to protect client interests and achieve commercial objectives.
Due Diligence
Conducting thorough legal due diligence on transactions, identifying risks, liabilities, and issues that may affect the deal structure or valuation.
Litigation Management
Managing disputes from pre-action through to trial and enforcement, coordinating with counsel and experts as required.
Team Supervision
Supervising and developing junior lawyers, trainees, and paralegals, reviewing work product and supporting professional growth.
Business Development
Contributing to firm growth through client origination, cross-selling, networking, and thought leadership activities.
Continuing Legal Education
Maintaining and developing legal knowledge through CPD activities, professional training, and engagement with legal developments.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the firm, your practice area, and the types of matters you handled with values and outcomes where confidentiality permits. Include supervisory responsibilities, business development contributions, and any promotions or recognition received. Quantify your commercial contribution with fee income, origination figures, and efficiency improvements.
Associate — Corporate & Commercial
Thornton & Hughes LLP
Advised corporate clients on M&A transactions, joint ventures, and commercial agreements within a national law firm's corporate department.
Responsibilities
- Led and coordinated due diligence workstreams for acquisitions and disposals with transaction values from £2M to £80M.
- Drafted and negotiated share purchase agreements, shareholders' agreements, and joint venture documentation.
- Advised boards of directors on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and Companies Act compliance.
- Managed client relationships and coordinated with tax, employment, and property colleagues to deliver multi-disciplinary advisory services.
- Supervised two trainee solicitors and a paralegal, reviewing their work and supporting their development through the training contract.
Achievements
- Led the legal workstream on a £45M management buyout, coordinating a team of eight lawyers across four practice areas and completing within the client's accelerated timetable.
- Originated £120,000 in new client fees through business development activities including conference speaking, newsletter contributions, and referral network development.
- Achieved promotion to senior associate within four years, one year ahead of the firm's standard career pathway.
Trainee Solicitor
Walker & Pryce Solicitors
Completed a two-year training contract with seats in commercial litigation, residential conveyancing, family law, and corporate/commercial departments.
Responsibilities
- Conducted legal research, drafted client correspondence, and prepared court bundles across all four training seats.
- Attended client meetings, counsel conferences, and court hearings under the supervision of qualified solicitors.
- Managed a personal caseload of lower-value conveyancing matters during the property seat, handling transactions from instruction to completion.
- Completed the Professional Skills Course and all required competency assessments during the training contract.
Achievements
- Received a distinction in the Professional Skills Course and was offered a newly qualified position in the firm's corporate department.
- Drafted a client advisory note on consumer protection law that was published in the firm's quarterly newsletter.
Education & Qualifications
List your route to qualification first — LPC/SQE, law degree or GDL — with classifications and institutions. Include your SRA ID and practising certificate status. Note any specialist courses, professional qualifications, or continuing professional development activities relevant to your practice area.
Solicitor (Admitted)
Admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, holding a current practising certificate issued by the SRA.
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The vocational training course required for solicitor qualification, covering legal practice, procedure, and professional conduct.
LLB / GDL
The academic qualification providing the legal knowledge foundations required for entry to the solicitor or barrister qualification pathway.
Law Society Accreditation
Specialist accreditations from the Law Society recognising expertise in specific practice areas such as criminal litigation, family law, or immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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