Searching for a cv template for law internship applications usually means you want to stop worrying about layout and start writing. That is a sensible instinct. Law internship CVs have conventions, and a good template handles the structure so you can focus on the substance: your research, your writing, and the legal experience you already have. This guide walks through how to choose a template, what each section should contain, how to keep the file readable by software, and when a template is not the right tool.
Choosing the right cv template for law internship
Legal employers tend to value clarity over decoration. A template with two columns, coloured sidebars, or graphics may look modern, but it can also confuse applicant tracking systems and distract a recruiter who is scanning for your education, legal experience, and research skills. For a law internship, the safest choice is a single-column template with standard headings, a clean serif or sans-serif font, and generous white space.
Look for a template that includes these sections in roughly this order: contact details, professional summary, education, legal experience, skills, and additional information. Some templates also include a publications or presentations section, which is useful if you have written for a law review or presented at a student conference. If a template forces you to bury your education below unrelated work history, keep looking.
Tip: If the template's example text is about marketing or software, you can still use the layout — just rebuild every section around legal research, writing, and client-facing experience.
You can compare layouts and pick one that suits your experience level by browsing the resume templates collection. The goal is a file that reads like a law CV, not a generic business resume with legal words added.
Section-by-section layout guidance
Contact details
Keep this simple: your name, phone number, email address, and a professional link if you have one, such as a LinkedIn profile or a portfolio of writing samples. Avoid full mailing addresses unless the employer specifically asks for one. Use an email address that includes your name rather than a nickname.
Professional summary
A short summary at the top helps a recruiter understand your focus in a few seconds. It should name your current stage, your areas of interest, and the most relevant experience you have. Here is an illustrative example, not a script to copy:
Second-year law student with a focus on commercial litigation and legal research. Drafted memoranda for a university legal clinic, supported case-file preparation for a moot court competition, and completed a legal research module on contract remedies. Seeking a summer internship to build practical experience in a commercial law firm.
Notice that the example does not claim a job title or results the writer does not have. Your summary should do the same: describe your real stage and interests honestly.
Education
List your law degree or current programme first, with the institution, dates, and expected graduation. If you have completed relevant modules, you can add a short line naming two or three that match the practice areas you are targeting, such as contract law, criminal procedure, or commercial law. Include grades only if they are strong and the employer asks for them or they are conventional in your jurisdiction.
Legal experience
This is the section that matters most. It can include internships, clinic work, moot court, pro bono projects, paralegal work, or research assistantships. For each entry, write bullets that describe what you did and what skill it demonstrates. Avoid listing duties without context. For more on turning responsibilities into convincing statements, see the guide to writing resume responsibilities.
Here are illustrative bullet examples you can adapt to your own experience:
- Researched case law on limitation periods for a university legal clinic, producing a short memorandum that the supervising solicitor used to prepare client advice.
- Drafted a 1,500-word moot court memorial on contractual misrepresentation, cited in OSCOLA style with a table of authorities.
- Reviewed and indexed 40+ documents for a mock litigation exercise, flagging inconsistencies in witness statements for the team to discuss.
- Observed three client intake meetings at a legal advice centre and wrote structured attendance notes used in case handover.
- Coordinated a four-person study group preparing for a legal drafting assessment, assigning sections and consolidating feedback.
If you have numbers that genuinely reflect your work, such as the number of documents reviewed or the length of a memorandum, include them. The guide to using metrics on your resume explains how to do that without overstating your role.
Skills
A focused skills list helps a recruiter match you to the internship. For law internships, relevant skills often include legal research, legal writing and citation, case file organisation, client communication, and time management. You can also list language skills or software you genuinely use, such as a case management system or a research database. Keep the list specific and honest.
Additional information
Use this section for publications, presentations, volunteer roles, or professional memberships that do not fit elsewhere. If you have nothing to add, leave it out rather than filling space.
Formatting rules that keep the file parseable
Many law firms and legal recruiters use software to collect and search applications. You cannot control which system an employer uses, but you can make your CV easier to read by both software and people. These formatting rules help:
- Use a single-column layout with standard headings such as Education, Experience, and Skills.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, headers, and footers for important information.
- Save and submit as a PDF unless the employer asks for another format.
- Use a common font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10–12pt.
- Do not put your name or contact details inside an image or graphic.
- Keep bullet points to one or two lines so they scan quickly.
If you want a file that is built with these rules in mind, an ATS-friendly resume builder can help you avoid accidental formatting problems. The goal is not to trick any system; it is to make sure your real experience is easy to find.
What to change before using the template
A template is a starting point, not a finished CV. Before you send it, make these changes:
- Replace every example line with your own experience, education, and skills.
- Adjust the professional summary to name your actual interests and stage.
- Rename or remove sections that do not apply to you.
- Check that the skills list matches the practice areas you are targeting.
- Proofread for spelling, citation style, and consistent date formats.
- Ask a tutor, careers adviser, or trusted peer to review it for clarity.
One common mistake is leaving template placeholders or generic phrases in place. Another is listing every module you have ever taken instead of selecting the ones relevant to the internship. A third is using a decorative layout that looks distinctive but hides your education below the fold. Reviewing your CV against a simple checklist can catch these issues before you apply.
When this template is the wrong choice
A standard law internship template works for most students and recent graduates, but it is not right for every situation. If you are applying for a specialist role in an area such as intellectual property or international arbitration, you may need to foreground different sections, such as publications or language skills. If you are a mature student with a substantial prior career, a chronological template may undersell your transferable experience; a hybrid or skills-based layout could serve you better. If the employer asks for a specific format, such as a firm application form or a CV in a particular structure, follow their instructions rather than any template.
If you are applying to many firms and want to track applications and tailor each CV efficiently, an AI job application assistant can help you stay organised. But the decision about layout and content should always be yours, based on the role and your real experience.
When you are ready to choose a layout, browse the resume templates and pick one that keeps your legal experience front and centre. Then make it yours — line by line.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a one-page or two-page CV for a law internship?
For most law internship applications, one page is enough if you are a student or recent graduate with limited legal experience. If you have several relevant placements, publications, or a substantial clinical or moot court record, two pages can be acceptable. The key is relevance: keep the most legally relevant material on the first page, and avoid padding with unrelated jobs or school achievements.
Do law firms really use ATS to screen internship CVs?
Some larger firms and legal recruiters use applicant tracking systems to collect and search applications, while smaller firms may read CVs manually. You cannot know which system a given employer uses, so the safest approach is a clean, single-column layout with standard headings and no text inside images. That keeps your CV readable both to software and to a person.
Can I include non-legal work experience on a law internship CV?
Yes, but frame it for the role. A retail or hospitality job can show reliability, client-facing communication, and handling pressure. Keep it brief and focus on transferable skills rather than listing every duty. If you have legal clinic, moot court, or research experience, that should come first.
How do I list a law internship CV template without looking generic?
Use the template for structure, not for content. Replace every example line with your own experience, adjust the skills list to match the practice areas you are targeting, and write a summary that names your specific interests. A template should save you formatting time, not supply your story.
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