CV Tips for Experienced Solicitors: Positioning Yourself for the Next Move
In today’s competitive legal market, your CV remains one of the most important tools for securing new opportunities — whether you’re pursuing a lateral move, targeting partnership, or considering an in-house transition.
At a senior level, employers and firms look beyond technical competence. They want evidence of commercial awareness, leadership capability, and a proven ability to contribute to business development. Below are practical, strategic tips to help experienced, qualified solicitors refine their CVs for maximum impact.
Refine Your Professional Summary
Your CV should open with a concise, authoritative profile that positions you clearly in the market. Focus on your areas of specialism, sector expertise, and the distinct value you bring.
Example:
“Commercial litigation solicitor with 8 years’ experience representing financial institutions, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals in high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes. Recognised for strategic case management, client relationship development, and commercially focused advice.”
This is your headline pitch — make it count.
Tailor Your CV for Strategic Impact
Generic CVs won’t suffice at this level. Each role or opportunity will have distinct priorities, whether it’s expanding a particular sector focus, growing a department, or addressing regulatory changes.
Key advice:
• Get the job description and where you can get your CV to mirror it. The job description is essentially the perfect candidate wishlist. The more your CV/experience matches it the better chance of securing and interview.
• Prioritise experience and skills that align with their client base, sector exposure, and growth areas.
• Adjust your emphasis based on the opportunity (eg City, international, boutique, regional, or in-house).
Prioritise Key Legal Experience and Transaction Highlights
Structure your CV to showcase your most significant matters or transactions. Provide brief, specific descriptions and quantify outcomes where appropriate.
Example:
“Advised FTSE 250 client on a £500m cross-border refinancing, leading multi-jurisdictional due diligence and negotiation of security documents.”
Focus on:
• Complex, high-value, or strategically significant work
• Cross-border or multi-party matters
• High-profile clients (where confidentiality allows)
• Leadership and supervisory roles on key cases
Demonstrate Commercial Awareness and Client Focus
At senior solicitor or partner level, technical ability is a given. What differentiates candidates is their ability to understand and support their clients’ commercial objectives.
Highlight examples of:
• Managing client relationships and retaining key accounts
• Cross-selling and identifying new opportunities
• Advising beyond black-letter law, offering strategic commercial guidance
• Fee management and profitability contributions
• Any client following/work you believe will move with you
Include Leadership, Team Management, and Operational Experience
Employers increasingly value leadership capability. If you’ve supervised junior lawyers, led teams on complex matters, contributed to training, or handled operational initiatives, make this prominent.
Consider including:
• Number of reports supervised
• Mentoring programmes led
• Contributions to internal committees or operational management
• Support for firm-wide initiatives or working groups
Summarise Qualifications and Professional Development Succinctly
While less focus is needed on academic achievements at this stage, do include:
• Your formal legal qualifications (LPC, SQE, Bar Course, etc.)
• Relevant professional accreditations (e.g. CEDR Accredited Mediator, GDPR Practitioner Certificate)
• Membership of professional bodies or associations (e.g. Law Society, specialist committees)
Mention recent CPD or certifications that demonstrate your ongoing professional development.
Maintain a Polished, Executive Format
Presentation matters in law. Your CV should be:
• Don’t worry about the 2 page maximum rubbish. You are an experienced solicitor and will likely need to go over this. However, try to keep it as concise as you can with the emphasis on most recent and relevant experience. Nobody needs to know what you did on every seat as a trainee.
• Clean, consistent, and professionally formatted
• Free of photos, graphics, or over-designed elements
• Error-free — absolute precision in spelling, grammar, and dates is non-negotiable
Incorporate Business Development and Thought Leadership
Firms increasingly expect solicitors to contribute to growth and visibility. Include examples such as:
• Published articles, client alerts, or industry commentary
• Speaking engagements, webinars, or panel discussions
• Involvement in pitches or tenders
• New client introductions or significant cross-selling achievements
(Optional) Selective Personal Interests
While optional at this stage, a carefully chosen interests section can provide a human touchpoint. Focus on activities that demonstrate commitment, leadership, or teamwork, such as:
“Charity trustee for homelessness initiative” | “Amateur triathlete” | “Mentor with Young Solicitors’ Network.”
Avoid listing generic hobbies unless they add genuine colour or are likely to spark conversation.
Final Thoughts
As an experienced solicitor, your CV should be more than a chronology of roles — it should be a strategically curated business case. Think of it as your personal prospectus, demonstrating how you deliver value to clients, contribute to firm growth, and lead within your practice area.
Invest the time to tailor it carefully, and it could open the door to your next outstanding opportunity.
Need tailored advice for your next move?
Contact our specialist legal recruitment team for a confidential consultation.
