It is a hard habit to break. In law school, the “gold standard” resume is academic: Bar admission first, followed by law school honors, then a brief mention of summer associateships. But once you hit the 4–6 year mark—the “sweet spot” for most in-house roles—this format becomes a liability.
Hiring managers at corporations are looking for business partners, not just scholars. When they look at your resume, they are scanning for operational impact. They want to know if you can handle a high-stakes negotiation or manage a complex litigation portfolio without constant hand-holding.
The “Who, What, How” Framework – To show your value, you must move beyond generic bullet points. If you are struggling to quantify your work, use this three-part audit:
Who? Identify the client. If confidentiality is an issue, describe them: “A Fortune 500 multinational retailer” or “A mid-market tech startup.”
What? Be precise about the matter. Don’t just say “contracts.” Say “cross-border SaaS licensing agreements” or “Series B venture capital financing.”
How? This is where most lawyers fail. Don’t list what the firm did; list what you did. Did you lead the due diligence? Were you the primary drafter? Did you argue the motion?
The “One-Page” Myth – One of the biggest hurdles for experienced attorneys is the fear of the second page. While brevity is a virtue, clarity is a necessity. If you have five years of complex deal sheets or trial experience, cramming it into a single page often results in vague descriptions rather than substance. Two pages are perfectly acceptable—provided every line proves you are ready to hit the ground running on day one.
Final Polish – Before you hit send, remove the clutter. Your Bar member number, your undergraduate extracurriculars, and your law school coursework are taking up prime real estate. Replace them with a clear, concise narrative of a professional who has moved past the classroom and into the boardroom.
