Lawyer Resume Samples and Templates for 2025

Lawyer Resume Guide for India

A well-crafted lawyer resume is essential for success in India’s competitive legal industry. Whether you’re a fresher starting your career after completing LLB or an experienced professional seeking growth at top law firms like AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co, or corporate legal departments, this guide provides everything you need to create a standout resume that impresses Indian employers and passes ATS screening on portals like Naukri and LinkedIn.

This comprehensive guide includes:

• Resume format recommendations for India
• Key skills Indian legal employers look for
• Complete resume example with Indian context
• Top lawyer employers in India
• Salary insights in INR by experience level
• Bar Council and certification guidance
• ATS optimization tips for Indian job portals

Why Your Lawyer Resume Matters in India

India’s legal industry is expanding rapidly, with companies like AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co, Trilegal, and JSA Law actively hiring skilled lawyers. A strong resume helps you:

• Stand out from thousands of applicants on legal job portals
• Pass ATS screening used by top-tier law firms and corporates
• Showcase skills that Indian employers value, including legal research and litigation experience
• Demonstrate your expertise in Indian law and regulatory frameworks

Indian legal recruiters value strong academic credentials, practical experience, and specialized expertise. Your lawyer resume must immediately communicate your legal knowledge, case handling experience, and professional accomplishments. With India’s growing legal services sector, a well-optimized resume is your ticket to landing interviews at top establishments.

Lawyer Resume Format for India

Indian legal employers prefer clean, professional resume formats. Here’s what works best:

Recommended Format

• Length: 1-2 pages (freshers: 1 page, experienced: 2 pages max)
• Layout: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
• Font: Clean fonts like Calibri or Arial (11-12pt)
• Sections: Contact, Summary, Education, Bar Enrollment, Experience, Skills, Publications

Professional Presentation

Your resume should reflect the precision and attention to detail expected in legal practice. Keep it polished, well-organized, and error-free.

Personal Details for Indian Lawyer Resumes

Indian resumes typically include:

• Full name
• Phone number with country code (+91)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile URL
• City, State (full address not required)

What to Avoid

• Complex formatting or decorative elements
• Personal information like religion, caste, or father’s name (outdated practice)
• Salary expectations (discuss during interview)
• References (provide when requested)

Key Skills for Lawyers in India

Indian legal employers look for a combination of legal expertise, research abilities, and client management skills.

Core Legal Skills

• Legal Research: Case law research, legal databases
• Drafting: Contracts, pleadings, legal opinions
• Litigation: Court appearances, case management
• Client Advisory: Legal counsel, risk assessment
• Due Diligence: M&A, corporate transactions
• Regulatory Compliance: SEBI, RBI, FEMA regulations
• Negotiation: Settlement, contract negotiation

Practice Area Expertise

• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Banking and Finance
• Real Estate and Property Law
• Intellectual Property
• Labour and Employment Law
• Tax Law (Direct and Indirect)
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Technical Skills

• Legal research databases (SCC Online, Manupatra, AIR)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Case management software
• E-filing systems
• Contract management tools
• Legal billing software

Soft Skills Valued in Indian Law Firms

• Analytical Thinking: Case analysis and strategy
• Communication: Written and oral advocacy
• Attention to Detail: Document accuracy
• Time Management: Meeting deadlines
• Client Relations: Professional interaction

How to Present Skills

List practice areas and specializations prominently. Use exact keywords from job postings to improve ATS matching. Mention specific courts and tribunals where you have appeared.

Lawyer Resume Example for India

Here’s a complete resume example tailored for Indian employers:

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Advocate Priya Sharma

Mumbai, Maharashtra | +91-98XXX-XXXXX | priya.sharma@email.com | linkedin.com/in/priyasharma

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Professional Summary

Corporate lawyer with 8+ years of experience in M&A, private equity, and general corporate advisory. Enrolled with Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa since 2016. Expertise in SEBI regulations, FEMA compliance, and cross-border transactions. Successfully handled transactions worth ₹5,000 crore+ including landmark M&A deals. Known for delivering practical legal solutions and building strong client relationships.

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Bar Enrollment

Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa | Enrollment No. MAH/XXXX/2016

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Key Skills

Corporate Law | M&A | Private Equity | Due Diligence | SEBI Regulations | FEMA Compliance | Contract Drafting | Legal Research | Client Advisory | Transaction Management

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Professional Experience

Senior Associate | AZB & Partners | Mumbai | April 2020 – Present

• Lead associate for private equity and M&A transactions worth ₹3,000 crore+
• Advise Fortune 500 clients on SEBI compliance and corporate restructuring
• Draft and negotiate share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, and joint venture documents
• Manage due diligence for cross-border investments involving FEMA regulations
• Mentor team of 4 associates and coordinate with partners on strategy
• Published article on SEBI takeover regulations in Economic Times

Associate | Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Mumbai | June 2017 – March 2020

• Handled corporate advisory for listed and unlisted companies
• Prepared legal opinions on Companies Act, 2013 matters
• Assisted in IPO documentation and regulatory filings with SEBI
• Drafted commercial contracts and licensing agreements
• Conducted legal due diligence for acquisition transactions
• Received “Rising Star” recognition in 2019

Junior Associate | Khaitan & Co | Mumbai | July 2016 – May 2017

• Started career in corporate and commercial practice
• Assisted senior partners in M&A and PE transactions
• Researched case law and prepared legal memoranda
• Drafted board resolutions and corporate filings

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Education

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) | Government Law College, Mumbai | 2016

• 5-year integrated program
• Specialization: Corporate Law
• First Class with Distinction

Higher Secondary (12th) | CBSE | 2011

• Commerce stream

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Certifications & Training

• Certificate in Securities Law | NLSIU Bangalore | 2020
• FEMA Practitioner Course | ICSI | 2019
• Advanced Contract Drafting | Indian Law Society | 2018
• Arbitration and Mediation Training | MCIA | 2018

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Notable Transactions

• ₹2,500 crore acquisition of technology company by PE fund
• IPO documentation for ₹1,500 crore public issue
• Cross-border joint venture involving Fortune 500 company
• NCLT approval for merger of financial services entities

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Publications & Speaking

• “SEBI Takeover Regulations: Recent Amendments” – Economic Times, 2023
• Speaker at CII Corporate Law Summit 2022
• “FEMA Compliance for Startups” – Bar Council Journal, 2021

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Court & Tribunal Appearances

• Bombay High Court (Company matters)
• National Company Law Tribunal (Mumbai Bench)
• Securities Appellate Tribunal
• NCLT (Insolvency matters)

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Languages

Hindi (Native) | English (Fluent) | Marathi (Native)

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Declaration

I hereby declare that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge.

Advocate Priya Sharma Mumbai, December 2024

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Note: Declaration statements are common in Indian resumes.

Top Lawyer Employers in India

India’s legal industry offers excellent opportunities. Here are the top employers:

Tier 1 Law Firms

• AZB & Partners: Full-service law firm
• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas: Largest law firm in India
• Khaitan & Co: Corporate and litigation practice
• Trilegal: Corporate and disputes
• JSA (J Sagar Associates): Full-service firm

Tier 2 Law Firms

• Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas: Corporate practice
• Luthra & Luthra: Multi-practice firm
• L&L Partners (Luthra): Disputes and corporate
• Nishith Desai Associates: Tax and international
• Argus Partners: Disputes specialist

Corporate Legal Departments

• Reliance Industries: In-house legal team
• Tata Group: Multiple company legal teams
• Infosys/TCS: IT sector legal
• HDFC Bank/ICICI Bank: Banking legal
• Hindustan Unilever: FMCG legal

Government & PSUs

• Law Commission of India: Policy research
• Attorney General’s Office: Litigation
• Legal departments of PSUs: Oil, banking, telecom

How to Apply

• Apply through law firm career pages
• Use legal recruitment agencies (Vahura, Legal League)
• Network at bar association events
• Apply through Naukri and LinkedIn
• Campus placements for freshers

Lawyer Salary in India

Salaries vary based on experience, firm tier, and practice area.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience	Annual Salary (INR)
Fresher (0-2 years)	₹8 - ₹25 LPA
Associate (3-5 years)	₹20 - ₹50 LPA
Senior Associate (6-10 years)	₹50 - ₹1.2 Cr
Partner	₹1 Cr - ₹10 Cr+

Note: Tier 1 law firms pay significantly higher; in-house roles offer work-life balance with competitive pay.

Salary by City

City	Salary Range (5+ years)
Mumbai	₹40 - ₹80 LPA
Delhi NCR	₹35 - ₹75 LPA
Bangalore	₹30 - ₹60 LPA
Chennai	₹25 - ₹50 LPA
Hyderabad	₹25 - ₹50 LPA
Kolkata	₹20 - ₹40 LPA

Practice Area Premiums

• M&A/PE: Highest paying practice
• Capital Markets: Premium compensation
• Disputes: Varies by court level
• IP/Tech: Growing demand and pay
• Tax: Specialized premium

Factors Affecting Salary

• Firm Tier: Tier 1 pays 3-5x of smaller firms
• Practice Area: Transactional work pays more
• NLU Degree: Premium for top law schools
• Specialization: Niche expertise valued

Salary data based on Glassdoor India, legal industry surveys, and recruitment reports.

Bar Council Enrollment & Certifications

Professional credentials are essential in the legal field.

Bar Council Enrollment

• Mandatory: Must be enrolled with State Bar Council to practice
• AIBE: All India Bar Examination clearance required
• Renewal: Annual license renewal required

Top Law Schools in India

• NLSIU Bangalore: India’s premier law school
• NALSAR Hyderabad: Top NLU
• NUJS Kolkata: National Law University
• NLU Delhi: Capital’s NLU
• ILS Pune: Premier private law college
• Government Law College, Mumbai: Historic institution

Professional Certifications

• CS (Company Secretary): Corporate practice
• LLM: Master’s specialization
• Diploma in Cyber Law: Emerging field
• Arbitration training: ADR certification
• FEMA/SEBI courses: Regulatory specialization

Continuing Legal Education

• Bar Council of India seminars
• Law firm internal training
• NLSIU/NUJS executive programs
• Industry-specific certifications

How to List Credentials

Include Bar Council enrollment number with year. List law school with specialization. Mention any additional certifications prominently.

ATS Tips for Your Lawyer Resume

Law firms increasingly use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Optimize yours:

For Naukri.com

• Use keywords from job description (corporate lawyer, M&A, litigation)
• Keep formatting simple—ATS can’t read complex layouts
• Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
• Upload in .docx or .pdf format

For LinkedIn Applications

• Match your resume to your LinkedIn profile
• Use industry-standard job titles (Associate, Senior Associate)
• Include Bar enrollment details prominently
• Get endorsements from colleagues and clients

General ATS Tips

• DO: Use clean fonts, clear headings, bullet points
• DO: Include exact keywords (SEBI, FEMA, M&A, due diligence)
• DO: List specific practice areas and courts
• DON’T: Use headers/footers, text boxes, or graphics
• DON’T: Use creative section titles

Keyword Strategy for Indian Legal Roles

Review 5-10 job postings. Common keywords include:

• Corporate lawyer, litigation, dispute resolution
• M&A, private equity, due diligence
• SEBI, RBI, FEMA, Companies Act
• Contract drafting, legal research
• High Court, Supreme Court, NCLT

Final Tips for Your Lawyer Resume

✅ Show bar enrollment: Include enrollment number and year

✅ Highlight transactions: Mention deal values and notable matters

✅ Include court appearances: List courts and tribunals

✅ Show specialization: Specific practice areas valued

✅ Publications matter: Academic writing shows expertise

✅ Law school matters: NLU pedigree is valued

Quick Checklist

• Contact information with +91 phone number and LinkedIn
• Professional summary highlights practice areas
• Bar Council enrollment with number
• Education includes law school details
• Experience shows notable transactions
• Skills include specific legal areas
• Publications/speaking engagements listed
• Formatting is clean and professional
• Length is appropriate (1-2 pages)

Ready to create your professional lawyer resume? Use our resume builder to get started with expert-designed templates optimized for Indian job portals and ATS systems.

Looking for more guidance? Check out our resume format guide for additional tips on structuring your legal resume for the Indian job market.