Legal Intern Resume: Example, Responsibilities & Skills

Having a job-winning legal intern resume is as crucial as having case-winning evidence before the trial. With it by your side, you will achieve success.

Allow me to guide you through all the nuances of resume writing. You’ll read some tips, see a fantastic legal intern resume example, and have your application ready ASAP!

This guide will show you:

• An example of an effective legal intern resume.
• Tips & tricks for preparing an impressive application.
• Information on the best format of your legal internship resume.

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We’ve got some other guides that you might find interesting:

• Associate Attorney Resume
• Attorney Resume
• Criminal Justice Resume
• Entry-Level Resume
• Law School Resume
• Law Student Resume
• Legal Assistant Resume
• Legal Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Student Resume

Let’s start with evidence #1: an ideal Legal Intern Resume Sample.

Legal Intern Resume Example

Now it’s time to learn how to make a legal intern resume to win you an internship.

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Legal Intern Resume

The format of a legal intern's resume is like a well-structured argument. You need clear sections to communicate what you want to say, assertive language to support your claims, and a logical flow to convince the reader. Without further ado, let’s start formatting your document.

Here's how to format your resume:

• Choose a clear, concise resume layout that will highlight your strengths.
• Create resume sections that will make the entire document easy to read.
• Start with a resume header and include your contact information. You want to ensure your future employers can find those details easily.
• Follow a chronological resume layout. It’s usually the best choice, leading with your most recent and relevant achievements, giving the recruiter a clear view of what you’ve been up to lately.
• Use legible fonts for your resume and white space for a clean, professional look.
• Adjust the margins of your resume to an inch on every side of the paper and your line spacing to 1.15 points.

You can choose a different resume format to emphasize your transferable skills. Read more: How to Write a Functional Resume

2. Write an Objective or a Summary for Your Legal Intern Resume

Your introductory statement is like opening arguments in a court of law. It should not only encapsulate your intention but also do it with power. Otherwise, you might lose your reader. Let’s prevent it by creating a remarkable profile for your resume.

Here’s how to write these opening paragraphs to your legal intern resume:

• Write an objective statement if it’s your first legal internship or if you have less than 2 years of relevant experience. Show evidence of being the right fit for the interview by showing your skills, qualifications, and career goals.
• Write a resume summary if you have over 2 years of legal experience. Briefly outline your career accomplishments using numbers and specific examples.

Learn more about defining your personal or professional purpose. Read our guide: What Is a Personal Mission Statement

3. Create the Perfect Legal Intern Job Description for a Resume

Your experience on your resume is the evidence that backs up the claims you’ve made in your legal intern resume objective. You've already stated your achievements, so it's time to confirm them!

Here's how you ace your professional experience section:

• List your most recent role relevant to the legal internship you’re applying for. List your job title, name of the law firm, its location, and dates of your employment.
• Use bullet points on your resume to highlight your key responsibilities and achievements.
• Begin bullet points with action verbs to make your resume more interesting. Boosting its readability is always welcome!
• Quantify yourprofessional accomplishments to showcase your impact in this role. Nothing backs your achievements better than the measurable impact they had.

Pro tip: Even if you’re writing a resume with no experience, you can still showcase your abilities and potential to prospective employers. Focus on highlighting your transferable skills and relevant experiences such as internships, volunteering, or extracurricular activities.

4. Describe Your Education on Your Legal Intern Resume

Did you know that according to the study, between 21.5% and 50% of university students intern while still in school? No wonder your resume education section is crucial when applying for a resume.

Here's how to present your education on your legal intern resume:

• List your most recent education on your resume, including the institution's name, location, major and minors, and dates of attendance.
• Put all relevant internships and extracurricular activities in your education section to showcase practical experience in the legal field.
• Highlight any honors, such as Dean's List and cum laude, as they show you’re ambitious and hard-working.
• Include your expected graduation date if you are currently pursuing a degree.
• Mention any relevant coursework or projects demonstrating your legal system skills and knowledge.

Pro tip: Wondering whether to include GPA on a resume? Do it only if it equals or exceeds 3.5.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Highlight the Right Skills On Your Legal Intern Resume

During your internship, you will acquire new professional skills. However, to impress your future employer enough with your resume to be invited for an interview, you must show that you already have some useful abilities.

Here’s how to highlight skills on your resume:

• Use specific examples of utilizing your skills in previous roles or projects.
• Show your skill levels to demonstrate what you’re great at.
• Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your skills section. Reflecting keywords used in the job description will certainly catch hiring managers’s attention.
• Include hard skills, such as knowledge of legal software and databases, and soft skills, like communication and teamwork, to demonstrate a well-rounded skill set.

Let’s see how to do it right:

Legal Intern Resume Skills

• Legal research and writing
• Case analysis and interpretation
• Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures
• Drafting legal documents such as contracts, motions, and briefs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software programs
• Knowledge of court rules and procedures
• Communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with clients, colleagues, and superiors
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced and constantly evolving legal environment
• Empathy and emotional intelligence for understanding the needs of clients
• Confidence and assertiveness in advocating for clients

Learn the difference between two main types of skills. Read more: What Are Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

6. Add Bonus Sections to Your Legal Intern Resume

It’s an unwritten law that you must add more information to your resume to impress the recruiter. Including additional resume sections can be a great conversation starter and make your resume stand out. Just as long as the information you provide is relevant and impressive.

Here are some sections to consider when creating a legal intern resume:

• Language skillsshowcase your proficiency in other languages, which may prove valuable in a diverse legal firm.
• Certifications on your resumedemonstrate your expertise.

• Volunteer work confirms some valuable soft skills, such as collaboration, leadership, and empathy.
• Hobbies and interests can back up skills relevant to the legal profession, such as time management.

Pro tip: Adding visual elements, like images or logos on your resume, can leave a lasting impression on potential employers. Use images that are relevant to your field or showcase your creativity and skills, such as a logo for a volunteer organization you were involved in.

7. Attach a Cover Letter to Your Legal Intern Resume

Did you know that 83% of recruiters expect you to write a cover letter? Not doing that would be like admitting to be guilty. And the penalty for that crime? Not landing an internship you applied for.

Here’s how to write a cover letter:

• Follow the correct cover letter format, including your contact information, the date, and the law firm information at the top.
• Greet your recipient by name or with a “Dear Hiring Manager” formula. Don’t start with a cliché such as “To whom it may concern.”
• Begin your cover letter with a captivating introduction that demonstrates your knowledge and interest in the legal field.
• Elaborate on your legal skills and achievements. Mention examples from past experiences.
• Conclude your cover letter with a confident call to action, reaffirming your passion for the role and including your contact information for further communication.

Pro tip: Adding a postscript at the end of your cover letter can easily capture the reader's attention. It’s a great opportunity to mention one more highly impressive achievement.

My verdict? You’re ready to ace that legal intern resume, top it with your cover letter, and start an internship at every law firm you choose. Good luck! You got this!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your legal intern resume that you want to address? Share them with us in the comments section below!

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Sources

• https://ccwt.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CCWT_Policy-Brief-2_Unpaid-Internships-and-Inequality-1.pdf
• https://careerlaunchpad.arcadia.edu/blog/2022/06/20/is-a-cover-letter-necessary-in-2022-do-i-need-a-cover-letter/