Entry-level Corporate Lawyer CV in 2025
Writing an entry-level corporate lawyer CV means showing relevant experience, academic strengths, and practical skills that match transactional and compliance roles in the UK market. This guide helps you present vacation schemes, university clinics, and course-based experience so your CV reads like real-world legal preparation.
Building a Corporate Lawyer resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
CV Summary or Objective for an entry-level corporate lawyer CV
Start with a one to two sentence profile that frames your experience and target. Focus on the type of corporate work you want, for example transactional support, mergers and acquisitions, or contract drafting.
Use precise language that shows you can contribute from day one while remaining concise.
Contact Information and Header
Place your full name at the top in a larger font and follow with your mobile number, professional email address, town or city (and postcode if you wish), and a link to your LinkedIn profile or public writing sample. Do not include home address unless requested and avoid informal or non-professional email handles.
If you have a short portfolio of transactional work or published notes, add a link. Include a brief note on your right-to-work status in the UK if relevant.
Education and Professional Qualifications
List your UK degree(s) and professional qualification route. For UK-bound applicants, include university, degree (e.g.
LLB or LLB with honours), graduation date (DD/MM/YYYY if possible) and honours. Add relevant modules such as Company Law, Corporate Finance, Securities Regulation, and Contract Law.
If you have completed the SQE or other qualifying routes, include exam dates and status; if not, mention expected timelines and route. Reference UK education stages where helpful, for example GCSEs and A-levels if you are early in your career, UCAS, and memberships of law societies or journals.
If you studied at a Russell Group university, you may highlight it.
Relevant Experience for an entry-level corporate lawyer CV
Group internships (vacation schemes), university clinics, and part-time roles under a single heading such as Legal Experience to emphasise transferable tasks. For each role include employer name, location, dates (DD/MM/YYYY to DD/MM/YYYY or Present), your title, and two to four achievement‑focused bullets that demonstrate results and responsibilities.
Focus on transactional tasks such as drafting client agreements, conducting due diligence, supporting regulatory filings, or assisting with deal closings. Where possible, reference work that aligns with UK corporate law and regulatory requirements.
How to Describe Clinical Work and Projects
Treat clinic or pro bono projects like client work by describing the client type (startups, SMEs, or established groups), your specific contribution, and the outcome. Use measurable details where possible (e.g. number of contracts reviewed, clients advised, or matters closed), and avoid vague phrases.
Describe tools and processes you used, such as contract management systems or legal research platforms (Westlaw UK, LexisNexis, Practical Law) so readers see your readiness for firm or in-house workflows.
Skills and Keywords for an entry-level corporate lawyer CV
Create a concise skills section that blends legal competencies and practical tools, for example contract drafting, due diligence, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, entity formation, mergers and acquisitions support, commercial agreements, and legal research. Include Microsoft Office and practice-specific software where relevant (e.g. contract management systems, e-signature tools).
Tailor the keywords to the job description and use UK spelling.