Litigation attorney Resume: Free Example (2026)

Start by reading the sample resume to learn the overall structure and tone. Then replace sample items with your own facts, focusing on measurable outcomes, procedural responsibilities, and the legal skills that match the job posting.

Target each application by swapping in keywords from the job description and by moving the most relevant cases and motion practice higher on the page. Keep your resume to one page if you have under 10 years of practice and two pages if you have extensive trial or complex litigation experience.

Header: include your name, city and state, phone, email, and a LinkedIn URL or professional website. Use a clear font and place contact details in a single line so they are easy to scan.

Professional Summary: two to three lines that summarize your litigation focus, years of experience, and core strengths. Example: Litigation attorney with seven years of federal and state court experience, focused on commercial disputes, class action defense, and dispositive motion practice.

Use 4 to 6 bullets per role that open with a strong action verb and end with a result when possible. Quantify outcomes such as motions granted, percentage reductions in exposure, settlements obtained, or number of trials covered.

Sample bullets you can adapt: Led discovery for a complex $25M commercial dispute, coordinating document review and deposition strategy across three firms. Drafted and argued dispositive motions, securing dismissal of two claims before trial and reducing client exposure.

Managed trial preparation for six bench trials, preparing witness outlines and direct examination plans. Negotiated confidential settlements that preserved client business relationships while avoiding protracted litigation.

Organize bullets by task type so hiring managers can find your relevant strengths quickly. Use one or two bullets for each major skill area such as discovery, motion practice, trial work, appeals, and client counseling.

Discovery example: Supervised e-discovery protocol, worked with vendor for document preservation and reduced review time by improving tagging guidelines. Motion practice example: Researched and drafted motions in limine and summary judgment motions, highlighting legal and factual bases with cited authority.

List law school, degree, graduation year, and honors if recent or notable. Add bar admission information with state and year so employers can confirm eligibility quickly.

Include litigation-relevant courses, clerkships, or fellowship details when early in your career. Add certifications such as mediation credentials, trial advocacy programs, or CLE leader roles where they support your litigation profile.

Include a short skills section with 6 to 10 keywords that match the job posting and reflect your practice. Use phrases like civil litigation, motion practice, trial preparation, deposition strategy, e-discovery, and appellate briefs as applicable.

Avoid stuffing keywords without context by pairing them with examples in your experience bullets. For instance, do not list e-discovery alone; show how you used it by adding a bullet about protocol, vendor coordination, or technology platforms.

Use consistent margins, a readable serif or sans serif font, and 10 to 12 point body text. Bold section headers and job titles to guide the reader but avoid heavy graphics that confuse applicant tracking systems.

Keep dates right-aligned to help quick scanning and list roles in reverse chronological order. Save and submit your resume as a PDF unless the employer requests a Word file.

Trim weak verbs and replace passive voice with active phrasing so your impact reads clearly. Verify all court names, case citations, and dates for accuracy and consistency across your resume and cover letter.

Ask a colleague or mentor to proofread for legal accuracy and tone, and run your final version through a readability check. Finally, tailor the top third of the resume to highlight the elements most relevant to each job posting.