Lawyer Resume Samples and Templates for 2026

Lawyer Resume Examples and Templates: A Complete Guide

A professional lawyer resume is essential for standing out in India’s competitive legal profession. Whether you’re applying for positions at top-tier law firms like AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, or Khaitan & Co., corporate legal departments at Reliance or Tata, litigation chambers at District or High Courts, or in-house counsel roles, your resume should highlight your legal expertise, advocacy skills, and track record of successful client representation.

This guide walks you through lawyer resume examples and templates, formatting tips, and keywords to help you write a resume that stands out to recruiters at leading law firms and legal departments in India.

---

Understanding the Lawyer Role in India

Lawyers in India serve as advocates, legal advisors, and counsellors who represent clients in courts, draft legal documents, and provide strategic legal advice. From arguing cases before the Supreme Court to advising corporates on mergers and acquisitions, lawyers play a crucial role in upholding justice and enabling business transactions across India’s legal system.

Key responsibilities include:

• Representing clients in courts and tribunals
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents and contracts
• Conducting legal research and case analysis
• Providing legal opinions and advisory services
• Negotiating settlements and agreements
• Appearing before regulatory authorities
• Managing client relationships and case portfolios
• Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations

India’s growing economy, increasing litigation, and expanding corporate sector create strong demand for skilled lawyers across litigation, corporate, and specialised practice areas.

---

Preparing to Write Your Lawyer Resume

Before drafting your resume, gather all relevant information:

Professional details to compile:

• Complete employment history in legal roles
• Bar Council enrollment and practice details
• Types of matters handled (civil, criminal, corporate)
• Courts and forums practiced in
• Notable cases argued and outcomes
• Practice areas and specialisations
• Clients served (maintaining confidentiality)
• Publications and legal writings

Research target employers:

• Review requirements from Tier 1 law firms (AZB, CAM, Khaitan)
• Understand expectations at corporate legal departments
• Note specific practice areas and experience mentioned in job descriptions

---

Choosing the Best Resume Format

Select a format that best presents your legal experience:

Chronological Format

Best for lawyers with steady career progression through law firms or corporate roles. Highlights your work at organisations in reverse chronological order.

Functional Format

Suitable for lawyers transitioning between practice areas or returning to practice after a break who want to emphasise skills and expertise over chronological history.

Combination Format

Ideal for lawyers with diverse experience across litigation and corporate practice or those combining private practice with in-house experience.

Format recommendations by experience: | Experience Level | Recommended Format | Resume Length | |-----------------|-------------------|---------------| | Junior (0-3 years) | Chronological | 1-2 pages | | Mid-level (3-8 years) | Combination | 2 pages | | Senior (8+ years) | Chronological | 2-3 pages |

---

Professional Summary Examples

Your professional summary should immediately communicate your legal expertise:

Junior Lawyer

LLB graduate from National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore seeking associate position at corporate law firm. Enrolled with Bar Council of Karnataka since 2022. Completed internships at AZB & Partners and Khaitan & Co. working on M&A and private equity transactions. Strong research and drafting skills with expertise in corporate and commercial law. Published article in NLSIU Law Review. Eager to contribute to complex transactions while developing expertise in M&A practice.

Litigation Advocate

Results-driven litigation advocate with 6+ years of experience in civil and commercial litigation at Delhi High Court and District Courts. Enrolled with Bar Council of Delhi since 2017. Argued 200+ matters including writ petitions, arbitration, and commercial disputes. Expertise in CPC, Arbitration Act, and Commercial Courts Act. Won landmark case establishing precedent on contract interpretation. Strong court craft and client management skills. BA LLB from Faculty of Law, Delhi University.

Corporate Lawyer

Strategic corporate lawyer with 10+ years of experience in M&A, private equity, and capital markets at Tier 1 law firms. Currently Senior Associate at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas Mumbai handling complex cross-border transactions. Led legal due diligence and documentation for ₹10,000 crore M&A deal. Expertise in SEBI regulations, Companies Act, and FEMA. LLB from NLSIU with LLM from London School of Economics. Recognised for deal execution excellence and client service.

General Counsel

Accomplished legal leader with 18+ years of experience managing corporate legal functions. Currently General Counsel at Mahindra Group handling legal affairs for ₹1 lakh crore conglomerate. Expertise in corporate governance, M&A, regulatory compliance, and litigation management. Built legal team of 25 lawyers across business units. LLB from Government Law College Mumbai with LLM from Harvard Law School. Board advisor on legal risk and compliance matters.

---

Showcasing Your Work Experience

Present your legal experience with specific achievements and outcomes:

General Counsel

Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | Mumbai April 2018 – Present

• Head legal function for ₹1 lakh crore diversified conglomerate
• Manage team of 25 lawyers across automotive, IT, and financial services verticals
• Led legal structuring for ₹5,000 crore joint venture with international partner
• Advise board and management committee on legal risk and governance
• Oversee litigation portfolio of 500+ matters across India
• Implemented contract management system reducing turnaround by 40%
• Manage external counsel panel and ₹50 crore annual legal spend
• Achieved 30% reduction in legal costs through process optimisation
• Received “Business Partner of the Year” recognition from CEO

Senior Associate

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | Mumbai June 2014 – March 2018

• Practised in M&A and private equity team handling complex transactions
• Led legal due diligence for 20+ transactions worth ₹25,000 crore
• Drafted and negotiated share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements
• Advised on SEBI takeover regulations, FEMA compliance, and CCI filings
• Managed teams of 5 associates on transaction execution
• Worked on landmark private equity exits and strategic acquisitions
• Achieved highest billable hours in team for 3 consecutive years
• Promoted from Associate to Senior Associate within 3 years

Associate

AZB & Partners | Delhi July 2011 – May 2014

• Practised in corporate and commercial team at top-tier law firm
• Drafted commercial contracts, joint venture agreements, and MOUs
• Conducted due diligence for M&A and investment transactions
• Researched and prepared legal opinions on corporate law matters
• Assisted on IPO and capital markets transactions
• Appeared before Company Law Board (now NCLT) on company matters
• Completed training in M&A, PE, and capital markets practice

---

Essential Skills for Lawyers

Legal Skills

• Legal research and analysis
• Drafting and documentation
• Contract negotiation
• Litigation and advocacy
• Legal opinions and advisory
• Due diligence
• Regulatory compliance
• Case management
• Client counselling
• Dispute resolution

Practice Area Expertise

• Corporate and M&A
• Private equity and venture capital
• Litigation and arbitration
• Real estate and infrastructure
• Banking and finance
• Intellectual property
• Employment and labour law
• Tax law
• Competition law
• Regulatory and compliance

Soft Skills

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Communication (oral and written)
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Client relationship management
• Negotiation skills
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork and leadership
• Commercial awareness
• Professional ethics

---

Qualifications for Lawyers

Educational Qualifications

Qualification	Institution Type	Relevance
BA LLB / BBA LLB (5 year)	NLUs, top law schools	Premier qualification
LLB (3 year)	Universities	After graduation
LLM	Indian/foreign universities	Specialisation
Company Secretary (CS)	ICSI	Corporate practice
Chartered Accountant (CA)	ICAI	Tax and finance
PhD in Law	Universities	Academic distinction

Professional Requirements

• Bar Council Enrollment (mandatory)
• State Bar Council membership
• Certificate of Practice
• Advocate-on-Record (for Supreme Court)
• Senior Advocate designation

Additional Certifications

• Mediation and arbitration training
• Intellectual property certification
• Competition law certification
• SEBI regulations training
• FEMA and RBI regulations courses
• Legal tech and e-discovery training

---

Tips by Experience Level

Junior Lawyers (0-3 years)

• Highlight NLU/top law school education
• Include internships at reputed law firms
• Emphasise research and drafting skills
• Showcase moot court and publications
• Include Bar Council enrollment details

Target employers: Tier 1-2 law firms, corporate legal departments

Mid-Level Lawyers (3-8 years)

• Quantify matters handled and outcomes
• Highlight practice area specialisation
• Showcase notable transactions or cases
• Demonstrate client management skills
• Include team leadership experience

Target positions: Senior Associate, Principal Associate, Counsel

Senior Lawyers (8+ years)

• Emphasise business development and client origination
• Highlight landmark matters and transactions
• Showcase team and practice building
• Demonstrate industry recognition
• Include speaking engagements and publications

Target positions: Partner, General Counsel, Legal Director

---

ATS Optimisation for Lawyer Resumes

Ensure your resume passes Applicant Tracking Systems:

Essential keywords to include:

• Advocate, lawyer, attorney, counsel
• Bar Council, enrolled advocate
• Litigation, corporate, M&A
• Due diligence, drafting, negotiation
• High Court, Supreme Court, NCLT
• Companies Act, SEBI, FEMA
• Contract, agreement, documentation
• LLB, LLM, NLU
• Legal research, legal opinion
• Dispute resolution, arbitration

ATS-friendly formatting:

• Use standard section headings (Summary, Experience, Skills, Education)
• List Bar Council enrollment and courts clearly
• Avoid tables, graphics, and complex formatting
• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Include transaction values and matter counts as numbers

---

---

Conclusion

A professional lawyer resume is essential for success in India’s competitive legal market. Whether you’re targeting positions at Tier 1 law firms like AZB, CAM, and Khaitan, corporate legal departments at leading companies, or building your litigation practice, your resume must demonstrate your legal expertise, track record, and commercial approach.

Focus on quantifying your achievements—matters handled, transaction values, and outcomes delivered. Highlight your qualifications from top law schools and Bar Council enrollment that establish your credentials. With India’s growing economy and increasing legal complexity, skilled lawyers have excellent career opportunities across private practice and corporate roles.

Use our resume builder to create an ATS-optimised lawyer resume, or explore our professional templates designed specifically for legal professionals in India.