Attorney Resume Sample

Michael Santos

michael@santos.com

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(312) 555-0871

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linkedin.com/in/michael-santos-attorney

Attorney

Attorney with 7+ years representing clients in commercial litigation, contract disputes, and corporate transactions. Successfully litigated 40+ cases achieving 85% favorable outcomes including jury trial victories and pre-trial settlements, negotiated $50M+ in commercial agreements covering M&A, strategic partnerships, and complex contracts, and provided strategic legal counsel to C-suite executives on risk management and compliance. Licensed in Illinois and U.S. District Courts, skilled in trial advocacy, contract negotiation, legal strategy, and client relationship management. Strong track record taking cases from inception through trial or resolution while delivering exceptional client service.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Associate Attorney

Sep 2018 – Present

Johnson Legal Group (Mid-Size Business Law Firm)

Commercial Litigation: Successfully litigated 40+ cases achieving 85% favorable outcomes including 8 first-chair jury trials, 25 settlements, and dismissals, saving clients over $10M in potential liability across contract, employment, and business tort matters
Transactional Practice: Negotiated $50M+ in commercial transactions including M&A deals ($20M+), strategic partnerships, and complex contracts with Fortune 500 companies, conducting due diligence and drafting definitive agreements
Strategic Counsel: Provided proactive legal advice to C-suite executives on risk management, contract strategy, employment law, and business decisions for $100M+ revenue companies
Client Development: Developed $800K book of business serving as primary relationship attorney for 15+ business clients while mentoring 2 junior associates

Junior Associate

Sep 2017 – Aug 2018

Large Regional Law Firm

Litigation Support: Assisted senior attorneys on 20+ commercial litigation matters including legal research, motion drafting, discovery management, and trial preparation
Contract Review: Reviewed and analyzed commercial contracts identifying legal issues and risks for corporate clients in various industries
Research & Writing: Drafted legal memoranda, motions, briefs, and discovery responses demonstrating strong analytical and writing skills

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Attorney - Illinois

Sep 2017

Illinois State Bar Association

U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois

Dec 2017

Federal Court

Trial Advocacy Certification

Jun 2019

National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

2014-2017

University of Chicago Law School

Chicago, Illinois

Commercial Law
Litigation and Trial Advocacy

Tools to build your Attorney resume

Copy and adapt these proven examples to create a resume that stands out.

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Resume Headlines

Use these attention-grabbing headlines to make a strong first impression.

Attorney | 85% Litigation Success Rate | 8 Jury Trial Victories

Commercial Litigation Attorney | $50M+ Transaction Experience

Attorney | Licensed IL & Federal Courts | Trial & Transactional Practice

Business Litigation Attorney | Saving Clients $10M+ Through Favorable Outcomes

Attorney | M&A & Contract Negotiations | C-Suite Legal Counsel

Trial Attorney | 40+ Cases | Strategic Business Advisor

Commercial Attorney | Litigation & Transactions | Fortune 500 Clients

💡 Tip: Choose a headline that reflects your unique value proposition and matches the job requirements.

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Power Bullet Points

Adapt these achievement-focused bullets to showcase your impact.

Commercial Litigation & Trial Practice

• Successfully litigated 40+ commercial cases achieving 85% favorable outcomes including 8 jury trial victories, 25 pre-trial settlements, and dismissals, saving clients over $10M in potential liability

• First-chaired 8 jury trials from voir dire through verdict including breach of contract, business tort, and employment disputes, securing favorable verdicts averaging $500K in damages or defense wins

• Argued 15+ dispositive motions including summary judgment, dismissal, and injunctive relief in state and federal courts, achieving 70% success rate on contested motions

• Took and defended 50+ depositions of fact witnesses, expert witnesses, and corporate representatives, developing key evidence and limiting opposing party claims

Contract Negotiation & Transactional Work

• Negotiated and closed $50M+ in commercial transactions including M&A deals ($20M+), strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and vendor contracts with Fortune 500 companies

• Drafted and negotiated complex commercial contracts including master service agreements, SaaS agreements, distribution contracts, and joint venture agreements protecting client interests while enabling business objectives

• Led due diligence for 3 acquisitions valued at $20M+ including legal, financial, and operational review, identifying risks and negotiating favorable terms and warranties

• Negotiated resolution of 25+ contract disputes through strategic settlement discussions avoiding litigation and preserving business relationships while saving clients $3M+ in potential damages

Strategic Legal Counsel & Risk Management

• Provided proactive legal counsel to C-suite executives and business leaders on contract strategy, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and business decisions for $100M+ revenue company

• Advised clients on employment law matters including hiring/firing decisions, discrimination claims, wage and hour compliance, and employment agreements, reducing legal exposure by implementing compliance programs

• Counseled businesses on corporate governance including board matters, shareholder disputes, fiduciary duties, and entity formation/restructuring

• Conducted legal risk assessments for new business initiatives, product launches, and market expansions, identifying issues early and developing mitigation strategies

Client Development & Professional Leadership

• Developed book of business generating $800K+ in annual revenue through exceptional client service, business development, and referrals from satisfied clients

• Serve as primary relationship attorney for 15+ business clients providing ongoing legal counsel across litigation, contracts, employment, and corporate matters

• Mentor 2 junior associates providing guidance on legal research, motion drafting, trial preparation, and client communication, contributing to firm talent development

• Participate in business development activities including networking events, CLE presentations, and industry publications establishing expertise in commercial law

💡 Tip: Replace generic terms with specific metrics, technologies, and outcomes from your experience.

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Resume Writing Tips for Attorneys

Lead with Win Rates and Case Outcomes

Attorneys are hired to win. Start every litigation bullet with outcomes: success rate (85%), verdicts won (8 trials), settlements achieved (25), money saved ($10M+). Never lead with responsibilities ("responsible for litigation")—always lead with results ("successfully litigated 40+ cases achieving 85% favorable outcomes"). Outcomes demonstrate competence; responsibilities just describe the job.

Quantify Deal Values and Transaction Complexity

For transactional work, include dollar values, deal types, and client sophistication. Use phrases like "$50M+ in transactions negotiated," "M&A deals with Fortune 500 companies," "complex multi-party agreements." Numbers and client names (when appropriate) demonstrate you handle significant, sophisticated matters, not routine work.

Show First-Chair Trial Experience

Trial experience is gold. Explicitly state "first-chaired X trials" or "argued X motions" to show you're not just second chair or support. Include types of trials (jury vs. bench), court levels (state vs. federal), and practice areas (contract, employment, tort). Trial lawyers command premium rates and stand out from transactional or research-focused attorneys.

Demonstrate Business Impact Beyond Legal Work

Modern attorneys must be business advisors, not just legal technicians. Show strategic counsel: "advised C-suite on business strategy," "developed risk mitigation programs saving $3M," "enabled $20M acquisition through efficient due diligence." Clients want attorneys who understand their business and help them succeed, not just spot legal issues.

Highlight Client Sophistication and Book of Business

At mid-level, developing business becomes important. Show client development: "$800K book of business," "15+ retained clients," "Fortune 500 client relationships." This demonstrates you can attract and retain clients, not just service existing relationships. For in-house roles, emphasize internal stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership.

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Essential Skills & Keywords

Include these skills to optimize your resume for ATS systems and recruiter searches.

Litigation & Trial Practice

Commercial Litigation Trial Advocacy and Jury Trials Motion Practice (Summary Judgment, Dismissal) Deposition Taking and Defense Discovery Management Settlement Negotiation

Transactional & Contract Law

Contract Drafting and Negotiation M&A Due Diligence and Transactions Commercial Agreement Review Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategic Partnership Agreements Licensing and Intellectual Property Agreements

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation and Disputes Contract Law and Breach Claims Employment Law and Workplace Issues Business Torts and Fraud Corporate Transactions and M&A Corporate Governance

Professional Skills

Legal Research and Analysis Legal Writing and Briefs Client Counseling and Communication Strategic Legal Planning Business Development Team Leadership and Mentoring

💡 Tip: Naturally integrate 8-12 of these keywords throughout your resume, especially in your summary and experience sections.

Why this resume works

Role-Specific Strengths

Proven litigation success: Achieved 85% favorable outcomes across 40+ commercial litigation matters including 8 jury trial victories, 25 successful settlements, and dismissals, saving clients over $10M in potential liability
Complex transaction experience: Negotiated and closed $50M+ in commercial transactions including M&A deals ($20M+), strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and complex vendor contracts with Fortune 500 companies
Strategic business counseling: Provided proactive legal advice to C-suite executives on risk mitigation, contract strategy, regulatory compliance, and business decisions, serving as trusted advisor beyond traditional legal matters
Trial and courtroom experience: First-chaired 8 jury trials and argued 15+ motions in state and federal courts, demonstrating courtroom presence, persuasive advocacy, and ability to handle high-stakes litigation independently

✓ ATS-Friendly Elements

Practice area keywords: "commercial litigation," "contract law," "corporate transactions," "M&A," "employment law," "business litigation"
Litigation metrics: "85% favorable outcomes," "40+ cases," "8 jury trials," "25 settlements," "$10M+ savings for clients"
Transaction experience: "$50M+ deals negotiated," "M&A transactions," "strategic partnerships," "contract negotiations"
Bar admissions: "Licensed in Illinois," "U.S. District Court," state and federal admissions
Skills keywords: "trial advocacy," "contract negotiation," "legal research," "motion practice," "deposition," "client counseling"
Client types: "Fortune 500 companies," "C-suite executives," "business clients," showing sophistication of practice

✓ Human-Readable Design

Mid-level appropriate metrics: cases handled (40+), win rate (85%), trial experience (8 trials), transaction values ($50M+)
Shows progression from junior associate through mid-level attorney demonstrating increasing responsibility
Balance of litigation (trial skills, motion practice) and transactional work (M&A, contracts, negotiations)
Concrete examples with specific outcomes: jury verdicts, settlements, deals closed, money saved for clients
Demonstrates both technical legal skills and business acumen through strategic counseling
Summary emphasizes track record, client service, and ability to handle matters independently

💡 Key Takeaways

At attorney level, lead with outcomes and win rates, not just responsibilities. Show you win cases and close deals.
Quantify everything: cases litigated (40+), success rate (85%), trials (8), settlements (25), deal values ($50M+), savings for clients ($10M+)
Demonstrate trial experience: first-chair trials, motion arguments, depositions taken. Trial experience is highly valued and shows courtroom capability.
Show business impact: money saved for clients, deals closed, strategic counsel provided. Attorneys must demonstrate they deliver business value, not just legal services.
Highlight sophisticated work: Fortune 500 clients, complex transactions, high-stakes litigation. Show you can handle significant matters for major clients.

📈 Career Progression in Legal

See how Legal roles evolve across career stages, from legal support to general counsel.

📋 Paralegal → ⚖️ Attorney (Current) 🏛️ General Counsel →

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Attorney Resume Example