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In the legal world, your CV does far more than list your qualifications. It acts as your introduction, first argument and your opportunity to persuade a recruiter that you deserve a place at the table. Before a law firm reads your cover letter or invites you to interview, your CV has already been judged. That’s why getting it right is essential.

Law is competitive – most applicants have similar academic backgrounds, comparable grades, as well as a genuine interest in the profession. A strong law CV can’t simply rely on buzzwords or overstatement. Instead, it should present your experience clearly, demonstrate motivation and show that you understand the professional standards expected of a future lawyer.

This guide walks through how to build a law CV that not only looks professional, but actually helps you secure interviews.

Think strategically before you write

One of the biggest mistakes law applicants make is treating their CV as a fixed document. In reality, your CV should be flexible. Before you begin writing, consider the employer you’re applying to. Is it a commercial law firm, a high-street practice, a set of chambers or a public sector organisation?

Each employer will value slightly different skills. Some prioritise commercial awareness, while others value client-facing experience or advocacy potential – your CV should reflect this. Even small changes, reordering sections or emphasising particular experiences can make a big difference.

Your goal isn’t to include everything you’ve ever done, but to show how your experience aligns with what the recruiter is looking for.

Keep it short, structured and easy to read

Recruiters review hundreds of CVs. If yours is cluttered, dense or difficult to follow, it won’t hold their attention.

As a general rule, your law CV should be no more than two pages. Use a clear, professional font such as Calibri or Arial (around size 11) and keep formatting consistent throughout.

Make use of:

• clear section headings;
• bullet points instead of long paragraphs; and
• white space to avoid a cramped layout.

Avoid decorative fonts, images or bright colours. A law CV should look clean, polished and professional. This shows respect for the role and an understanding of legal workplace standards.

Contact details

Your name should appear at the top of the page, followed by your contact details. This typically includes:

• a professional email address;
• a phone number; and
• your location (city or region is sufficient).

There’s no need to include personal information such as your age, date of birth or a photograph. These details aren’t required and can distract from what really matters, your skills and experience.

Personal statement – use it wisely

A short personal statement at the top of your CV can help set the tone, particularly if you’re a student or recent graduate. This section should be brief and focused.

A strong personal statement summarises:

• who you are academically or professionally;
• your key strengths; and
• the type of legal role you’re seeking.

Avoid generic phrases like “highly motivated” or “hard-working” unless you back them up elsewhere in your CV. Think of this as a snapshot of your profile rather than a full biography.

Education – highlight your academic strengths

For many aspiring lawyers, education is a key selling point. List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification.

This should include:

• the qualification title;
• institution name;
• dates attended; and
• grades or predicted grades.

You may also want to briefly mention relevant modules, areas of law studied or your dissertation topic – especially if they relate to the role you’re applying for.

If you’re early in your career, it’s perfectly acceptable, and often advisable, to place the education section before work experience.

Work experience – focus on skills and impact

Work experience is one of the most important sections of a law CV. This doesn’t mean you need extensive legal experience. What matters is how you present what you’ve done.

For each role, include:

• your job title;
• the organisation name;
• dates; and
• key responsibilities and achievements.

Rather than listing duties, focus on the impact you made. Did you deal with clients, manage competing deadlines or work as part of a team under pressure? These are all skills legal employers value highly.

If you’ve completed legal work experience, highlight what you learned about the profession and how it confirmed your interest in law. If your experience is non-legal, show how the skills you developed transfer to a legal environment.

Skills – be selective and honest

A skills section can be effective if it’s targeted. Focus on skills that are relevant to legal work, such as:

• legal research and writing;
• IT and software proficiency;
• languages; and
• analytical and organisational skills.

Avoid listing obvious or vague skills without context. It’s better to include fewer skills and support them with evidence elsewhere in your CV.

Accuracy is crucial, any exaggeration or false information can seriously damage your credibility.

Interests and activities – make them count

Including interests is optional, however when done well this section can help differentiate you from other candidates – the key is relevance.

Consider including:

• leadership roles in societies or clubs;
• team sports or competitive activities;
• volunteering or pro bono work; and
• positions of responsibility outside academia.

These activities can demonstrate teamwork, leadership, time management and commitment – all qualities law firms value.

Avoid listing hobbies that don’t add insight into your skills or character.

References – leave them until later

You don’t need to include referees on your CV. Employers usually request references at a later stage. A simple statement such as ‘references available on request’ is sufficient.

Proofread like your career depends on it

Attention to detail is a core skill for any legal professional. Spelling or grammatical errors on your CV can quickly lead to rejection.

Before submitting your CV:

• proofread it multiple times;
• check formatting consistency; and
• ask someone else to review it.

An extra set of eyes can catch mistakes you might miss and help ensure your CV is as strong as possible.

Final thoughts

A law CV that gets interviews isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity, relevance and professionalism. By tailoring your CV to each role, presenting your experience honestly and paying close attention to detail, you give yourself the best possible chance of standing out in a crowded field.

Your CV is your first opportunity to think and act like a lawyer – make it count.

Head to LCN's work experience page for advice and tips on how to get relevant hands on experience, and check out our vacation scheme and training contract deadlines pages to keep on track!