Creating a standout CV for a legal internship is crucial to gaining experience in the competitive legal field. A well-structured and compelling CV can help you catch the attention of top law firms, corporate legal departments, and other legal organizations. Below are key tips and a step-by-step guide to help you create an effective CV tailored for legal internships.
1. Structure and Formatting
Your CV should be clear, concise, and well-organized. Stick to a simple layout, and avoid overcomplicating the design. Here’s how to structure your CV:
Header
- Full Name: Use your full name at the top in a large, bold font.
- Contact Information: Include your phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
- Location: Mention your current location, including the city and state.
Professional Summary or Objective (Optional)
A short 2-3 line summary or objective statement that describes your career aspirations and key qualifications. For example:
“A dedicated and detail-oriented law student eager to apply my research, drafting, and legal analysis skills in a challenging legal internship. Passionate about corporate law and committed to contributing to the legal team’s success.”
Education
- Name of the Institution: Include the name of the law school/university where you are currently studying.
- Course: Specify the course you are enrolled in (e.g., Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)).
- Dates: Include the start date and expected graduation date.
- Grade/Percentage: If your GPA or grade is strong, include it here.
- Relevant Coursework: Mention courses that are directly related to the type of legal internship you’re seeking, such as Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, etc.
2. Key Sections for a Legal Internship CV
Skills
This section should list the key skills that are important for a legal internship. Highlight both technical and soft skills. Examples include:
- Legal Research: Ability to conduct detailed research using case law, statutes, and legal databases.
- Writing and Drafting: Proficiency in drafting legal documents like memos, contracts, and notices.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze legal problems and offer solutions.
- Attention to Detail: Precision in reviewing legal documents.
- Time Management: Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Client Interaction: Comfortable interacting with clients and understanding their needs.
Work Experience
If you have any prior work experience related to the law, include it here. Even if it’s a non-legal job, emphasize transferable skills. If you have previously interned in a legal environment, this section will be the most important one.
- Job Title (e.g., Legal Intern, Research Assistant)
- Company/Organization Name
- Dates of Employment
- Responsibilities and Achievements: List key tasks that show your competence. Use bullet points for clarity. Be specific about what you did and how you contributed. Example:
- Assisted senior associates with research on case law and legal precedents in corporate disputes.
- Drafted client correspondence and internal legal memos.
- Organized and reviewed legal documents to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Extracurricular Activities
If you have been involved in extracurricular activities, particularly those that are relevant to law, such as participating in moot courts, debating societies, or legal aid clinics, include them here. These activities demonstrate your interest in law and show that you are an active and engaged student.
- Position (e.g., Member, Moot Court Society)
- Duration
- Achievements or Contributions: Highlight any notable achievements, such as winning a moot court competition or representing your school in a debate tournament.
Legal Research and Publications
If you’ve contributed to legal journals, written research papers, or have published any legal articles, include this section. Even if you haven’t published anything yet, you can mention any academic papers or research projects you’ve completed.
- Title of Paper/Article (if applicable)
- Institution/Journal
- Date Published
- Key Findings (if relevant)
3. Other Sections
Awards and Honors
If you’ve received any academic awards, scholarships, or recognitions, make sure to include them in this section. These awards could be related to your academic performance, participation in competitions, or outstanding contributions to student organizations.
- Award/Scholarship Name
- Institution/Organization
- Date Received
Languages
If you are proficient in multiple languages, mention them here. In the legal field, knowing multiple languages is a strong asset, especially when dealing with international law, clients from different backgrounds, or conducting legal research in other languages.
- Language (e.g., English, Hindi, French)
- Proficiency Level (e.g., Fluent, Conversational, Basic)
4. Formatting Tips
- Length: Keep your CV to one page for internships. Law firms and legal departments typically prefer concise CVs.
- Font: Use professional fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in sizes 10-12.
- Margins: Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Sections: Clearly demarcate each section with bold titles and use bullet points for easy readability.
- Proofread: A legal CV must be flawless. Ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
- Action Verbs: Use strong action verbs such as drafted, researched, assisted, analyzed, etc., to describe your responsibilities.
5. Tailoring Your CV for the Internship
- Research the Firm: Before applying, understand the type of legal work the firm or organization does. Tailor your CV to highlight skills and experiences relevant to their areas of practice.
- Focus on Relevant Skills: If you’re applying for a corporate law internship, emphasize your understanding of business laws, contracts, and legal research. For a criminal law internship, focus on legal analysis, courtroom procedures, and case law.
- Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords from the internship description. Many companies use software to filter CVs, so ensure your CV has these keywords.
6. Example of a Legal Internship CV
Jane Doe
Phone: +91-XXXXXXXXXX | Email: janedoe@example.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe
Objective
Eager law student at XYZ University with a strong foundation in criminal law and legal research seeking an internship opportunity to apply my legal skills, assist in legal research, and gain practical experience in a dynamic legal environment.
Education
XYZ University, Law School
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), 2023 (Expected)
GPA: 8.5/10 | Relevant Coursework: Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure Code, Legal Drafting
Skills
- Legal Research & Writing: Conducting research using Manupatra, LexisNexis, and Westlaw.
- Drafting: Drafting legal memoranda, notices, and client correspondence.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, honed through moot court participation.
- Time Management: Ability to work under tight deadlines, effectively managing multiple assignments.
Work Experience
Legal Intern | ABC Law Firm | June 2022 – August 2022
- Assisted senior associates with legal research on matters related to intellectual property and contract law.
- Drafted legal opinions, agreements, and memoranda for clients.
- Conducted due diligence on contracts and provided support for corporate transactions.
Extracurricular Activities
- Moot Court Society | Member, XYZ University, 2021 – Present
Participated in regional moot court competition, securing the Best Speaker Award. - Debate Society | Active Member, XYZ University, 2020 – Present
Represented the university in various national-level debates.
Languages
- English: Fluent
- Hindi: Fluent
- Spanish: Intermediate
References
Available upon request.
Conclusion
A well-crafted CV is essential for landing a legal internship. By following the tips above, you can create a compelling CV that highlights your strengths, skills, and experiences, making you a standout candidate in the competitive legal internship market. Always remember to customize your CV for each internship application and proofread it carefully to ensure it reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.