Updated for 2026

Senior Attorney
Resume Example

A seasoned legal resume for senior attorneys. Demonstrates case leadership, business development, and mentorship.

ATS Score
89
Excellent
Keywords · Impact · Format
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Robert Acheson

New York, NY  |  [email protected]  |  (555) 871-2345  |  linkedin.com/in/robertacheson
Summary

Senior Attorney with 8 years of experience in complex commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement at Am Law 50 firms. First-chaired 6 trials and arbitrations with aggregate stakes exceeding $90M, achieving favorable outcomes in all matters. Recognized for business development, having originated $2.4M in new client revenue.

Technical Skills
Practice Areas: Complex Commercial Litigation, Securities Enforcement, White-Collar Defense, Regulatory Investigations
Legal Skills: Trial Advocacy, Deposition Taking, Expert Witness Management, Brief Writing, Appellate Practice
Business: Client Origination, Team Leadership, Associate Mentoring, CLE Presentations
Experience
Senior Associate - Hargrove, Stein & Partners LLP
  • First-chaired 6 trials and arbitrations with aggregate stakes exceeding $90M, achieving favorable outcomes in all matters including 2 complete defense verdicts
  • Originated $2.4M in new client business through referral relationships and industry conference presentations
  • Supervised and mentored 8 junior associates, conducting 40+ hours of training on deposition technique and brief writing annually
  • Managed a docket of 35+ active matters across commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement, billing 2,300+ hours annually
Associate Attorney - Caldwell & Moore LLP
  • Drafted and argued 30+ motions in federal and state court, achieving a 78% success rate on dispositive motions
  • Conducted 25 depositions of fact and expert witnesses in cases with damages ranging from $2M to $40M
  • Led document review and privilege analysis for an SEC investigation involving 1.2M documents, completing review 2 weeks ahead of deadline
  • Co-authored 4 published articles on securities enforcement trends, enhancing the firm's thought leadership profile
Education
J.D. (magna cum laude) - Columbia Law School
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Why This Resume Works

1
Trial Experience Highlighted

First-chairing 6 trials with $90M in aggregate stakes immediately establishes credibility for senior litigation roles.

2
Business Development Track Record

$2.4M in originated business demonstrates the entrepreneurial capability that firms expect from attorneys approaching partnership.

3
Mentorship and Leadership

Supervising 8 associates and conducting training shows readiness for partner-level responsibilities and team management.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Summary

Lead with trial experience, case stakes, and business development numbers. Senior attorney resumes must show both legal skill and commercial value.

Skills

Include Business Development and Client Origination alongside legal skills. Firms want revenue-generating attorneys at this level.

Experience

Focus on first-chair experience, case outcomes, origination credits, and team leadership. Second-chair work belongs on junior resumes.

Education

Law school prestige matters in legal hiring. Include honors, law review membership, and clerkship experience if applicable.

Key Skills for Senior Attorney Resumes

Based on analysis of thousands of job postings, these are the most frequently required skills:

Commercial Litigation Trial Advocacy Securities Enforcement White-Collar Defense Deposition Taking Brief Writing Appellate Practice Client Origination Business Development Team Leadership Expert Witness Management Regulatory Investigations Westlaw LexisNexis Associate Mentoring Legal Strategy

Common Mistakes on Senior Attorney Resumes

  • No Business Development Metrics - Senior attorneys approaching partnership must show they can bring in clients. Omitting origination numbers is a significant gap.
  • Writing Like a Junior Associate - Bullets about legal research and document review are beneath a senior attorney's resume. Focus on trials, strategy, and outcomes.
  • Missing Trial or Hearing Experience - Courtroom experience is a differentiator. If you have first-chaired matters, make that the centerpiece of your resume.
  • No Mentorship or Leadership Evidence - Firms expect senior attorneys to develop junior talent. Not showing this suggests limited leadership capability.
  • Ignoring Thought Leadership - Published articles, CLE presentations, and conference speaking engagements build credibility. Include them if you have them.

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