Highlight your experience in family law

Hiring managers want to see that you have relevant experience in family law. Make sure to include:

• Types of family law cases you've handled, such as divorce, child custody, and adoption
• Specific skills like mediation, negotiation, and trial advocacy
• Outcomes you achieved, like 'Negotiated settlement agreement in high-conflict divorce, resulting in 50/50 custody and fair division of assets'

Avoid simply listing 'family law' as a practice area without providing details. Instead, give concrete examples that show the depth of your experience, like:

Represented clients in 75+ divorce cases, handling complex issues such as business valuation, spousal support, and parenting plans. Achieved favorable settlements in 90% of cases.

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   Demonstrate your client service skills

Family law attorneys need strong interpersonal skills to effectively counsel clients going through difficult life transitions. Highlight examples of how you've supported clients, such as:

• Guided clients through emotionally charged situations with empathy and professionalism
• Kept clients informed at every stage of their case, promptly responding to questions and concerns
• Collaborated with clients to understand their goals and develop tailored legal strategies

Don't simply state that you have 'excellent client service skills'. Prove it with specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for clients.

   Showcase your knowledge of family law

Employers want to see that you have a deep understanding of family law principles and stay current on developments in the field. You can demonstrate your knowledge by including:

• Relevant coursework, such as Family Law, Community Property, and Mediation
• Advanced training in areas like collaborative divorce or parenting coordination
• Publications, speaking engagements, or CLE presentations on family law topics

Be specific about how you've applied your knowledge to benefit clients. For example:

Drew on deep knowledge of state child support guidelines to secure favorable support order for client, resulting in $2,000/month payment.

   Emphasize your courtroom experience

While many family law cases settle out of court, it's important to show that you're prepared to litigate when necessary. Highlight your courtroom skills by including:

• Number of trials you've conducted in family court
• Success rate in achieving favorable outcomes for clients at trial
• Specific trial skills, such as cross-examination, presenting evidence, and delivering persuasive arguments

Quantify your experience whenever possible. For example:

Served as lead counsel in 15 family law trials, winning 80% of cases. Presented complex financial evidence and expert testimony to secure favorable property division for clients.

If you don't have extensive trial experience, you can still highlight your litigation skills in other contexts, such as:

• Representing clients at hearings and settlement conferences
• Conducting depositions and discovery
• Drafting persuasive motions and briefs

   Show your commitment to professional development

Family law is a constantly evolving field, and employers value attorneys who are committed to staying at the forefront of the profession. Show that you're dedicated to ongoing learning and growth by including:

• Memberships in professional organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Leadership roles on bar association committees or other legal groups
• Pro bono work or volunteer service related to family law

Highlight any special recognition you've received, such as:

Named a Rising Star in Family Law by Super Lawyers, 2020-2022.

By showing that you're actively engaged in the legal community, you demonstrate your passion for family law and commitment to providing top-notch representation to clients.

   Tailor your resume to the specific employer

While it's important to highlight your general family law experience, you should also customize your resume for each employer you apply to. Research the firm and emphasize the skills and experience that align with their specific needs and values. For example:

• If the firm specializes in high-net-worth divorces, highlight your experience with complex financial issues and property division
• If the firm has a strong focus on mediation and collaborative divorce, emphasize your training and experience in alternative dispute resolution
• If the firm values community involvement, include any relevant volunteer work or pro bono experience

By tailoring your resume to the specific employer, you show that you've done your homework and are a strong fit for their team. Avoid sending a generic resume that could apply to any family law position. Instead, take the time to customize your application and demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm.