Solicitor CV Example & Writing Guide for 2024

Crafting a professional solicitor CV is the first step towards landing your dream role in the competitive field of law. For ambitious solicitors, this article will guide you through the essentials of creating a CV that makes an impact, complete with tips and examples.

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Here’s a solicitor CV example in a text version:

Solicitor CV example

How to write a solicitor CV 

Before you start drafting your solicitor CV, understand the structure and components that make a CV effective. This guide will walk you through each section, ensuring your CV presents you in the best possible light to potential employers.

• Personal statement:

Draft a compelling solicitor CV summary that outlines your experience, case highlights, significant achievements, and career goals. The legal sector in the UK is still growing, so that’s good news for you—however, it might change in the future due to the rise of generative AI. A strong CV personal statement will help you beat any potential competitors.

• Job description:

Tailor your work experience on your CV to showcase your legal expertise, highlighting specific cases and accomplishments. Include between three to seven bullet points under each role, detailing positions held and firms worked at. If you’re self-employed or considering a career transition, explore a skills-based CV.

• Education:

Bolster your solicitor CV with an education section that lists relevant legal qualifications using the format: [Degree Class] [Degree Name] (Year Graduated) at [University Name]. Use bullet points to highlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and specialisms if your practical experience is limited.

• Skills:

Build a skills section for your solicitor CV by listing both soft skills and specific legal software competencies that align with what employers are looking for. This section complements your personal statement and professional experience by demonstrating how you meet the needs of potential employers.

• Additional sections:

Enhance your CV’s depth by adding sections for awards, certifications, or languages, showcasing your breadth of skills and suitability for the role. Avoid including unrelated hobbies or interests, focusing instead on what will make you stand out to recruiters.

• Cover letter:

Pair your CV with a tailored cover letter that highlights why you are the perfect fit for the position, showcasing your unique qualifications and passion for the legal profession. Begin with a compelling introduction, followed by a detailed paragraph outlining your strengths and contributions. Conclude your cover letter with a statement of interest in the firm and a confident call to action.

• Format:

Play around with your solicitor CV format, ensuring it is easy to read by choosing the right font and leaving plenty of white space. Consider file format compatibility with applicant tracking systems, opting for a format that is friendly to these systems unless otherwise specified.

Your ability to stand out as a solicitor begins with a CV that speaks volumes about your expertise, dedication, and suitability for the role.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:

• Legal CV example
• Paralegal CV sample
• Academic CV example
• HR CV example
• Recruitment consultant CV

Thank you for reading through our guide on crafting an effective solicitor CV. We hope you found these tips and examples helpful. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please use the comment section below.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.