As a Legal Intern, your CV is a testament to your understanding of the law, your analytical abilities, and your commitment to the legal profession. It should reflect your knowledge, skills, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for legal internships. Your CV should highlight your academic achievements, legal research skills, and any relevant work experience.
Whether you're aiming for an internship in corporate law, criminal law, or public interest law, these guidelines will help ensure your CV stands out to employers.
Highlight Your Legal Education: Mention your law school, the degree you're pursuing, and your expected graduation date. Include your GPA if it's strong, and any law-related courses or projects that you've completed.
Detail Your Legal Skills: Highlight skills such as legal research, writing, negotiation, and client interaction. If you have experience with legal software like Westlaw or LexisNexis, include that too.
Include Relevant Experience: List any internships, externships, or clerkships you've completed. Describe your responsibilities and achievements in these roles, emphasizing any significant legal research or cases you've worked on.
Emphasize Your Professional Affiliations: If you're a member of any law-related organizations or societies, include them. This shows your commitment to the legal profession.
Showcase Your Awards and Honors: If you've received any academic or professional awards, be sure to include them. This can set you apart from other candidates.
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Dedicated Legal Intern with proven experience in enhancing efficiency and strategic litigation in a fast-paced legal environment. Successfully contributed to a 30% increase in departmental efficiency and a 20% reduction in external legal consultation costs through comprehensive legal research and document management. With a track record of assisting in the successful resolution of over 30 cases, I am eager to leverage my practical experience and analytical skills to contribute to my next legal team.
CAREER Experience
Legal Intern• 01/2024 – Present
Quantum Nexus Solutions
Assisted in drafting and reviewing legal documents, contributing to a 30% increase in efficiency in the legal department.
Conducted comprehensive legal research on relevant laws and regulations, which led to a 20% reduction in external legal consultation costs.
Participated in client meetings and court proceedings, gaining valuable practical experience and contributing to the successful resolution of 10+ cases.
Legal Assistant• 03/2023 – 12/2023
LegacyLink Solutions
Managed and organized over 500 legal documents and files, improving the department's document retrieval time by 40%.
Supported the preparation of legal briefs and memorandums, aiding in the successful defense of 5 major cases.
Collaborated with a team of legal professionals in preparing for trials, contributing to a 15% increase in case win rate.
Paralegal• 11/2021 – 03/2023
MeridianHealthcare Group
Conducted legal analysis for 3 high-profile cases, providing valuable insights that influenced the litigation strategy.
Assisted in the preparation of legal opinions and advice, contributing to the successful resolution of 20+ legal inquiries.
Performed administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and maintaining legal databases, improving departmental efficiency by 25%.
SKILLS
Legal document drafting and review
Comprehensive legal research
Client communication and court proceedings
Legal document management
Preparation of legal briefs and memorandums
Team collaboration and trial preparation
Legal analysis and litigation strategy
Preparation of legal opinions and advice
Administrative duties and scheduling
Legal database management
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
University of Richmond School of Law
2020-2024
Richmond, VA
CERTIFICATIONS
Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE)
04/2024
National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
[email protected] • (XXX) XXX-XXXX • linkedin.com/in/your-name • City, State
2.) Personal Statement
Dedicated Legal Intern with [number of years] of academic and practical experience in [specific areas of law, e.g., corporate law, intellectual property]. Seeking to leverage my knowledge in [specific legal skills, e.g., legal research, drafting legal documents] to contribute to [Company Name]'s legal team. Committed to applying my [additional skills, e.g., analytical thinking, attention to detail] to support the firm's objectives and uphold its reputation for excellence.
3.) CV Experience
Current or Most Recent Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Assisted [teams/departments] with [legal task, e.g., contract reviews, legal research], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., teamwork, attention to detail].
Managed [legal function, e.g., case files, legal documents], improving [process or task, e.g., document organization, case tracking] to enhance [operational outcome, e.g., efficiency, case management].
Contributed to [legal project or initiative, e.g., case preparation, policy drafting], resulting in [quantifiable benefit, e.g., successful case outcome, improved legal compliance].
Previous Job Title
Job Title • State Date • End Date
Company Name
Participated in [legal activity, e.g., client meetings, court proceedings], which led to [measurable impact, e.g., client satisfaction, successful legal outcomes].
Conducted [type of research or analysis, e.g., legal research, case analysis], using [research tools/methods] to support [decision-making/action, e.g., case strategy, legal advice].
Key contributor to [legal task or responsibility, e.g., drafting legal documents, preparing legal briefs], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., accuracy, legal compliance] across all legal work.
4.) CV Skills
Legal document drafting and review
Comprehensive legal research
Client communication and court proceedings
Legal document management
Preparation of legal briefs and memorandums
Team collaboration and trial preparation
Legal analysis and litigation strategy
Preparation of legal opinions and advice
Administrative duties and scheduling
Legal database management
5.) Education
Official Degree Name
University Name
City, State • State Date • End Date
Major: Name of Major
Minor: Name of Minor
6.) Certifications
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
Official Certification Name
Certification Provider • State Date • End Date
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In the legal field, the formatting of your CV as a Legal Intern can significantly influence your chances of landing an interview. A well-structured CV not only demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail—both crucial attributes for legal professionals—but also makes your CV easier to read and more appealing to potential employers.
Start with a Clear Objective
Your CV should begin with a clear, concise objective that aligns with the legal internship you're applying for. This should succinctly state your career goals and how you plan to contribute to the prospective firm. Highlighting your passion for the law and your readiness to learn within the legal environment sets a positive tone for the rest of your CV.
Highlight Legal Education and Achievements
For legal intern positions, your legal education and any relevant achievements take precedence. Format this section to list your law degree, any law-related courses, and achievements at the top, as they are your primary qualifications. This layout helps hiring managers quickly verify your legal fundamentals and theoretical knowledge.
Detail Relevant Experience and Internships
Even if your direct legal experience is limited, detailing internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work where you utilized legal skills is vital. Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements, focusing on tasks that demonstrate your analytical skills, proficiency with legal research, and any experience with drafting legal documents.
Emphasize Soft Skills and Legal Proficiencies
Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are as crucial as legal proficiencies. Include a section that balances both, highlighting your proficiency in legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis) and your ability to work well in a team. This shows you’re not only capable of handling the legal work but also of contributing positively to the firm's culture.
Include References
Unlike other fields, references play a significant role in legal internships. If you have permission, include references from professors or previous employers who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and potential as a legal professional. This can give you an edge over other candidates and show potential employers that you are a trusted and respected individual.
Personal Statements for Legal Interns
Legal Intern Personal Statement Examples
Strong Statement
"Highly motivated and detail-oriented Law student with a strong academic background in corporate law, intellectual property, and litigation. Proven ability to conduct thorough legal research and draft comprehensive legal memos. Passionate about applying my legal knowledge and analytical skills to real-world situations. Seeking to leverage my expertise in a challenging Legal Intern role to contribute to a dynamic legal team."
Weak Statement
"Proactive and diligent Law student specializing in contract law, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. Demonstrated proficiency in drafting contracts, preparing case briefs, and conducting client interviews. Committed to providing exceptional legal support and eager to contribute to a progressive law firm by offering my legal acumen and strong interpersonal skills."
Strong Statement
"Proactive and diligent Law student specializing in contract law, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. Demonstrated proficiency in drafting contracts, preparing case briefs, and conducting client interviews. Committed to providing exceptional legal support and eager to contribute to a progressive law firm by offering my legal acumen and strong interpersonal skills."
Weak Statement
"Law student with experience in contract law and mergers. I have drafted some contracts and prepared case briefs. Looking for a role where I can use my legal knowledge and improve my skills."
What Makes a Strong Personal Statement?
A strong personal statement for a Legal Intern CV effectively combines academic achievements with specific legal skills, clearly showcasing the candidate's potential through demonstrated competencies. It stands out by being highly tailored to the legal profession, emphasizing expertise in areas like corporate law, contract drafting, and legal research, directly addressing how these skills meet the needs of the prospective law firm.
Compare Your CV to a Job Description
Use Matching Mode to analyze and compare your CV content to a specific job, before you apply.
The ideal length for a Legal Intern's CV is 1-2 pages. This allows sufficient room to showcase your legal knowledge, skills, and any relevant experience. Prioritize clarity and relevance, emphasizing your most notable legal accomplishments or experiences that align with the internship you're pursuing. Avoid unnecessary details to maintain a concise, impactful CV.
What's the best format for an Legal Intern CV?
The best format for a Legal Intern CV is the reverse-chronological format. This layout emphasizes your most recent legal experiences and education, showcasing your knowledge and skills in the field. It allows potential employers to quickly assess your legal competencies and how they align with their needs. Ensure each section highlights your legal skills, academic achievements, and any relevant internships or extracurricular activities, tailored to the specific legal role you're applying for.
How does a Legal Intern CV differ from a resume?
To make your Legal Intern CV stand out, emphasize your legal research skills, case studies you've worked on, and any relevant legal software proficiency. Highlight your understanding of legal terminologies and any specialized areas of law you're familiar with. Include any law-related extracurricular activities or moot court experiences. Tailor your CV to the specific role, using keywords from the job description to resonate with hiring managers.
