11 Legal Intern Resume Examples for 2025

Legal intern resumes need specific focus to succeed. This article offers proven resume examples and strategic advice for job seekers. Learn how to highlight relevant coursework, internships, and key skills. Understand what hiring managers look for in a legal intern candidate.

  Compiled and approved by Marie-Caroline Pereira
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for legal interns:

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show impact using numbers. Metrics like cases reviewed, hours saved, documents drafted, and errors reduced matter because they show what you achieved.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are legal research, case management, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and document review. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Mock Trial Experience: Mock trial experience stands out. Details like represented clients and argued motions show practical skills. This can set you apart.

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Where to list your education

For legal interns, where you place your education on your resume matters. If you are currently studying or have recently graduated from law school, show this information at the top of your resume. This helps to explain your entry-level status and emphasizes your relevant legal education, which is vital for this role.

Make sure to include details such as the name of the law school, your degree, and any honors or significant accomplishments, such as being on the dean's list or involvement in moot court. Share any coursework related to the kind of legal work you are seeking. If you have taken classes in intellectual property law and are applying to a firm that specializes in that area, make sure to highlight this connection.

Highlight relevant coursework

When applying for a legal internship, ensure you highlight coursework relevant to law. Mention specific classes like 'Civil Procedure' or 'Contract Law' to show your foundational knowledge.

Also, if you have participated in any legal clinics or moot court competitions, include them in your resume. These activities can give you an edge over other candidates by showcasing your practical skills.

Ideal resume length

For a legal intern position, keep your resume concise, fitting onto one page if possible. You'll want to show you can communicate essential information efficiently. Prioritize your most relevant experiences such as internships at law firms, clinics, or legal volunteer work that directly relate to the position. Display your understanding of the legal system and showcase specific projects you've worked on or skills you've acquired.

Ensure your resume's format is clear and uses space wisely. If you have broader experience, focus on the roles and achievements that demonstrate your legal knowledge and analytical skills. Remember, you need to make a strong impression quickly as hiring managers typically review the first page in a few seconds. Craft your resume to ensure everything on the first page counts and mirrors the skills and experiences sought in the job description.

Mention legal writing skills

Employers for legal intern positions highly value strong legal writing skills. Dedicate a section to highlight any legal memos, opinions, or briefs you have written.

Mention any legal research you have done, and don't forget to specify if you used tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis. These details help demonstrate your readiness for real-world legal tasks.

Optimize your resume for ATS

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by employers to sort and rank resumes. As a legal intern applicant, you need to format your resume in a way that these systems can read it easily.

Here are some tips to help you:

  • Use standard section headings like 'education,' 'experience,' and 'skills' so the ATS can find your information.
  • Include keywords from the legal intern job description. Look for skills or tasks mentioned, such as 'legal research' or 'document drafting,' and use these exact phrases in your resume.

Show relevant skills

When you apply for a legal intern position, your resume should show the skills you have that match the job. This means picking out your strongest experiences that fit what the job needs. Keep your words clear and simple.

  • Point out the specific law areas you have studied that relate to the internship. Use phrases like Experience in family law.
  • List any legal research or case management tools you're good at. Say Familiar with Westlaw.
  • If you have helped with any legal cases or projects, even in school, tell about this work. Mention Assisted in civil litigation preparation.

Essential skills for legal interns

When crafting your resume as a legal intern, focus on showcasing specific hard skills that highlight your legal acumen and technical proficiency. These skills should be woven into your resume, demonstrating to hiring managers your readiness for the role. Place them in a dedicated skills section and also mention them in your experience descriptions to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for job-related keywords.

  • Legal research
  • Legal writing
  • Document drafting
  • Case analysis
  • Knowledge of legal software
  • Litigation support
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Intellectual property
  • Contract review
  • Due diligence

For example, if you've worked with specific legal databases or software, such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, make sure to list these. If your experience includes drafting legal documents, like motions or briefs, include these terms as well. Tailor your skills to the job you want; if you're aiming for a position in a corporate law environment, emphasize skills like corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions. For public interest roles, focus on public policy and administrative law.

Remember, you don't need to have all these skills, but include the ones that best match your experience and the job you're applying for. This targeted approach will help your resume stand out and show hiring managers that you're a strong candidate for the role.

Showcase leadership and growth

If you've held positions of responsibility or have been promoted, your resume should reflect this. In the legal field, evidence of leadership can set you apart. Think about any roles where you had to manage others, lead projects, or were given more tasks over time.

  • Included as lead researcher for a high-profile case, coordinating with a team of four.
  • Promoted from legal research assistant to senior intern within one year, due to strong performance and reliability.

Even if you're new to the field, consider times you've guided others or taken initiative. This could be during your studies or in volunteer work.

  • Oversaw a student law clinic group, organizing schedules and case assignments.
  • Initiated a pro bono project that served underrepresented communities, leading a team of volunteers.

Quantify your legal impact

When you're applying for a legal intern position, showing your impact with numbers can make your resume stand out. Numbers help hiring managers see the real effect you've had in past roles or experiences.

Think about your work in terms of:

  • The number of cases you've supported or researched.
  • How you've improved efficiency in a process, perhaps by reducing the time it takes to compile legal research by a certain percentage.
  • The amount of legal documents you've drafted, reviewed, or organized.
  • The number of client interviews you've conducted or assisted with.

For example, if you've helped streamline the document filing process, estimate how much time you've saved. Or, if you've managed a database, quantify how many entries you've added or how you've improved data accuracy by a certain percentage. Even if you're unsure of the exact figures, a reasonable estimate can effectively show your contribution to efficiency and organization.

Remember to also consider any client feedback you've received, such as satisfaction rates, or if you've been involved in a team that won a case, mention the case value or the number of team members you worked with. These details can paint a picture of your experience and capabilities in a legal setting.

Tailor for company size

When you apply for a legal internship, think about the size of the company. A small firm or startup often values a more varied skill set. You might show you are ready to take on different tasks and learn quickly. For a big firm, like Baker McKenzie or Jones Day, focus on how you can fit into a large team and work on big cases. Stress your ability to handle complex tasks with care.

For a small company, your resume might say:

  • 'Adaptable and ready to support various legal tasks'
  • 'Eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment'

For a larger firm, consider phrases like:

  • 'Able to work well in a team on large-scale legal cases'
  • 'Detail-oriented, with a focus on delivering high-quality work in a structured setting'
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