How to Write a Resume for a Trial Attorney Job

Trial attorneys handle both civil and criminal cases that need to be brought to court to reach a solution. In many cases, the job of a trial attorney is to actually avoid the court system by handling settlements between parties. If the case does go to court, the attorney is then responsible for advising and representing the client in front of the judge and the jury.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Write a Great Trial Attorney Resume

1. Focus on your record. Firms are looking for a trial attorney that has a history of winning most of his cases. Because a trial attorney makes money for his firm by winning a case and then taking a percentage of the money received, it's important that you show the firm you can actually do that for them.
2. Decide if you want to work for a company or a firm. The difference is big. As a trial attorney for a company, you need to write a job resume that showcases you are able to protect your client from frivolous lawsuits. As an attorney for a firm of lawyers, you need to prove that you can win those same cases for the private clients. Adjust your resume so it reflects what the employer expects from you.
3. List your LL.B. or J.D. professional university degree, bar license and bar admission. If you are licensed to perform in more than one state, include that. Also, make note of specializations, professional job associations and other certifications that make you more qualified than the standard attorney.
4. Include examples of settlements you have reached, listing what the options were (and why the settlement helped) and noting how much money you got as a result. This is a big component of your resume as a trial attorney, as many firms emphasize the importance of settling disputes out of court as often as possible.
5. Show that you are capable of handling the required paperwork, including securing protective orders, assisting in collection proceedings, preparing pleadings and presenting oral arguments. If you have published papers on the subject, mention them also in this section.

Tips & Warnings

• Proofread and check your resume carefully after you write it. Trial attorneys are expected to have great attention to detail and even the smallest mistakes can hurt you during your job search. Look also for appropriate wording, clear grammar, clean copy and a logical sequence of details throughout the resume.

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