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Attorney skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
James Tomaszewski,
James Tomaszewski
Attorney Example Skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical attorney skills. We ranked the top skills for attorneys based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.7% of attorney resumes contained litigation as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an attorney needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 attorney skills for your resume and career

1. Litigation

Here's how attorneys use litigation:
  • Experience with Commercial Litigation, Uniform Commercial Code/Contract disputes, Securities Litigation, Premises Liability, Workers Compensation and shareholder/partner litigation.
  • Litigated personal injury, and general liability matters, worker's compensation, estate planning and litigation, environmental liability litigation.

3. Law Firm

Here's how attorneys use law firm:
  • Solo practitioner law firm primarily offering commercial and residential real estate related legal services - Responsible for all aspects of firm operation
  • Worked closely with other attorneys in a law firm styled environment comprised of 17 full-time student-attorneys and approximately 45 volunteer attorneys.

6. Juris

Here's how attorneys use juris:
  • Work with Word, Microsoft Outlook and JURIS computer programs
  • Earned this position upon achieving a Juris Doctor and successfully sitting for the Bar Exam.

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8. Appeals

Here's how attorneys use appeals:
  • Provided consultation and advice to agency regarding human resource matters and assisted with civil service appeals.
  • Filed administrative appeals before the Kansas Employment Security Board and Missouri Division of Employment Security.

9. Trial Preparation

Trial preparation is the practice of gathering sufficient raw material for a court case. This preparation is done to make the bases of a case stronger by bringing the facts to light in a way that will give the concerned law bodies a better comprehension of the entire scenario. The method for preparing for a case may differ depending upon its nature.

Here's how attorneys use trial preparation:
  • Lead attorney responsible for family, matrimonial and civil litigation; including devising case strategy, trial preparation and tactical decision-making.
  • Evaluated and investigated claims for major international insurance carrier in the field of supplemental insurance; including trial preparation and practice.

10. Real Estate Transactions

Here's how attorneys use real estate transactions:
  • Represented residential clients through all phases of real estate transactions, beginning with contract negotiations continuing through post-closing negotiations.
  • Diversified skill set including Criminal Litigation, Civil Litigation, Real Estate Transactions, Contract Negotiation/Drafting/Review and Bankruptcy.

11. Intellectual Property

Intellectual properties refer to individuals' intangible or non-physical wealth, which results from their imaginations and intellect.

Here's how attorneys use intellectual property:
  • Advised clients about securing their intellectual property, prosecuted trademark applications, registered copyrights, and engaged in copyright infringement litigation.
  • Drafted and negotiated in-bound intellectual property licenses with third-party rights-holders based on world-class motion picture, television, and literary properties.

12. Probate

Here's how attorneys use probate:
  • Managed the death administration department with approximately thirty-five plus estates through trust administration, Medicaid estate recovery or probate.
  • Reviewed documents necessary for completion of transactions including lease agreements, corporate documents, trust documents and probate documents.

13. Arbitration

Here's how attorneys use arbitration:
  • Secured favorable result for corporate client and its majority shareholder in a lengthy arbitration trial involving a corporate divorce gone awry.
  • Assisted in designing and implementing an internal grievance procedure for a non-union employer using an employee/management arbitration panel.

14. Civil Litigation

Civil litigation is a legal process that is followed when a non-criminal legal dispute occurs between two parties. Such a legal process does not involve any criminal charges or penalties. The plaintiffs in such cases only seek compensation for the damages done by the defendants.

Here's how attorneys use civil litigation:
  • Work on several e-discovery projects for large-scale civil litigation in various areas of law including pharmaceutical, medical device and anti-trust regulations
  • Manage administrative and civil litigation cases related to execution, enforcement and breach of contracts, trademarks and copyright infringements.

15. Social Security

Social security is a federal government program that offers benefits to those registered under it when they are retired or can't work because of some sort of disabilities.

Here's how attorneys use social security:
  • Litigate medical and legal malpractice, personal injury, social security disability, unemployment insurance, and wrongful termination cases.
  • Maintain an independent caseload of approximately 50 clients in Workers' Compensation applicant cases with some Social Security Disability matters.
top-skills

What skills help Attorneys find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Attorney resumes?

J

James Tomaszewski

Director of the Center for Professional Development, University of Cincinnati

Demonstrated commitment to a particular practice area, especially experiential learning opportunities such as externships and clinics.

What soft skills should all Attorneys possess?

J

James Tomaszewski

Director of the Center for Professional Development, University of Cincinnati

Engagement, Resilience, Responsiveness, Respectfulness, Integrity.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Attorneys?

J

James Tomaszewski

Director of the Center for Professional Development, University of Cincinnati

Excellent writing skills.

What Attorney skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

H

Hanna Royce

Assistant Dean of Career Services, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law

The key to success is to add new and relevant legal experience to their resume. If graduates are not taking on full-time roles, this could mean completing document review or project work on a contract basis.

List of attorney skills to add to your resume

Attorney Skills

The most important skills for an attorney resume and required skills for an attorney to have include:

  • Litigation
  • Legal Research
  • Law Firm
  • Legal Issues
  • Legal Advice
  • Juris
  • Legal Services
  • Appeals
  • Trial Preparation
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • Intellectual Property
  • Probate
  • Arbitration
  • Civil Litigation
  • Social Security
  • Employment Law
  • Law Practice
  • Insurance Defense
  • Estate Planning
  • Due Diligence
  • Administrative Law
  • Federal Courts
  • Criminal Law
  • Subpoenas
  • Legal Opinions
  • Criminal Defense
  • Court Appearances
  • Legal Briefs
  • Foreclosure
  • Criminal Cases
  • HIPAA
  • Legal Representation
  • Legal Memoranda
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Administrative Hearings
  • Settlement Agreements
  • Child Support
  • Commercial Litigation
  • District Court
  • Product Liability
  • Management System
  • Private Practice
  • Interrogatories
  • Jury Trials
  • State Courts
  • Court Hearings
  • Motion Practice
  • Pro Bono
  • Demand Letters
  • Business Transactions

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.