Litigation attorneys represent clients in civil and criminal disputes, managing cases from initial investigation through trial and appeal. They draft pleadings, conduct depositions, argue motions, and present cases before judges and juries. Their work spans a wide range of practice areas including commercial litigation, employment disputes, personal injury, and intellectual property.
Employers and law firms seek litigation attorneys who combine sharp analytical skills with persuasive advocacy, strong writing ability, and deep procedural knowledge. Demonstrating a track record of favorable outcomes—whether through trial verdicts, settlements, or successful motions—is essential for standing out.
Your litigation attorney resume must convey courtroom confidence and legal acumen while passing ATS screening at firms and corporate legal departments. Quantifying your caseload, win rates, and settlement values gives hiring partners the concrete evidence they need to evaluate your capabilities.
Key Skills
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
Recommended Certifications
- State Bar Admission (required)
- Federal Court Admission
- Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate (NBTA)
- Certified Mediator
Best Resume Format for Litigation Attorneys
Reverse-Chronological Format
Reverse-chronological format is ideal for litigation attorneys because it highlights your career trajectory and progressively complex case work, which is exactly what hiring partners and legal recruiters evaluate first.
Resume Sections (In Order)
- 1Contact Information
- 2Professional Summary
- 3Bar Admissions
- 4Work Experience
- 5Education
- 6Notable Cases / Trial Experience
- 7Publications and Presentations
- 8Professional Affiliations
Formatting Tips
- Lead with your bar admissions and court admissions prominently
- Quantify your caseload, settlement values, and trial outcomes whenever possible
- Highlight specific practice areas and types of cases handled
- Include notable wins, published opinions, or landmark case involvement
- Demonstrate progression from junior to lead counsel responsibilities
- Reference any pro bono work or bar association leadership roles
Litigation Attorney Resume Summary Examples
“Litigation attorney with 6 years of experience managing a caseload of 30+ active matters in employment and commercial litigation. Successfully tried 4 cases to verdict with a 75% favorable outcome rate and negotiated settlements totaling over $10M. Skilled in e-discovery platforms, federal court practice, and client relationship management.”
Action Verbs for Your Litigation Attorney Resume
Use these powerful action verbs to make your bullet points stand out and pass ATS screening.
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Listing case responsibilities without outcomes
Include results such as "Obtained defense verdict in $5M breach of contract trial" or "Negotiated $1.2M settlement pre-trial"
Omitting bar admissions and court admissions
Create a dedicated Bar Admissions section near the top of your resume listing all state and federal court admissions with dates
Using generic descriptions that could apply to any attorney
Specify your practice areas, types of clients, case complexity, and courtroom experience to differentiate yourself
Failing to demonstrate progression in responsibility
Show how you moved from supporting roles to first-chair trial work and client management over time
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a litigation attorney format their resume?
Use a reverse-chronological format with a professional summary, bar admissions, work experience with quantified achievements, education (including law school ranking if notable), and professional affiliations. Keep it to 1-2 pages depending on experience level.
What should a litigation attorney put in their summary?
Include your years of experience, practice areas, caseload size, notable outcomes (verdicts, settlements), and any specializations. Mention bar admissions and leadership roles briefly.
How do I showcase trial experience on my resume?
Create a separate Notable Cases or Trial Experience section listing case types, your role (lead or second chair), and outcomes. Quantify with dollar amounts, verdict results, or successful motions.
Should I include my law school GPA on my resume?
Include your GPA if it was 3.3 or above, or if you graduated with honors. After 5+ years of practice, your professional track record matters more than academic performance.
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Related Resume Examples
Corporate Attorney
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Paralegal
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Mediator
$55,000 - $120,000
E-Discovery Specialist
$65,000 - $120,000
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