Graduate Legal Researcher CV Template Example
Starting your career in the legal profession is one of the most exciting yet challenging journeys you can take. Among the first crucial steps is creating an interview-winning Graduate Legal Researcher CV. As a career coaching professional with over 25 years of experience helping thousands of professionals secure their dream roles, I know the difference a strong CV can make.
The role of a Graduate Legal Researcher is integral in supporting law firms, chambers, corporate legal departments, and public sector organisations. Typically, your responsibilities will include conducting detailed legal research, preparing case summaries, drafting briefs, supporting litigation teams, and ensuring that legal information is accurate, up to date, and relevant to ongoing cases. Many firms also expect legal researchers to provide analysis of statutes, case law, and regulations that help shape legal arguments and strategies.
In the UK, the average starting salary for a Graduate Legal Researcher ranges between £22,000 to £28,000 per year, depending on location, type of firm, and additional skills you bring to the table. In larger London-based firms or within prestigious chambers, salaries can be slightly higher, often exceeding £30,000 as you build more expertise. Beyond the starting point, this role can serve as a launchpad for careers as solicitors, barristers, or specialised legal analysts.
Creating a Graduate Legal Researcher CV template example that stands out requires more than listing your education. It’s about showcasing your analytical abilities, attention to detail, writing clarity, and your passion for law. Let’s break down exactly how you can achieve this.
Why a Graduate Legal Researcher CV Matters More Than You Think
When applying for your first role in law, competition is fierce. Employers often receive hundreds of applications for just one opening. A well-structured CV can mean the difference between getting an interview or being overlooked. Many graduates believe that simply having a law degree is enough, but employers want to see evidence of research skills, ability to handle complex legal materials, and examples of teamwork and initiative.
Your CV is not just a record of education and work—it is your marketing document. It demonstrates your unique value proposition to potential employers. A strong Graduate Legal Researcher CV template example provides clarity, confidence, and credibility.
Key Sections for Your Graduate Legal Researcher CV
To maximise your chances, structure your CV with the following core sections:
Contact Details – Make sure your name, phone number, professional email, and LinkedIn profile are clearly displayed. Avoid unprofessional email addresses.
Personal Profile / CV Summary – A short, compelling introduction (4–5 lines) that highlights your degree, skills, passion for research, and career goals.
Education – List your law degree, institution, grades, and any modules or dissertations relevant to legal research.
Legal Research Experience – Include internships, work placements, university law clinics, or research assistant roles. Emphasise what you researched, the methods used, and how your findings supported legal outcomes.
Work Experience – Even part-time jobs can demonstrate transferable skills such as communication, organisation, and attention to detail.
Key Skills – Bullet point skills such as legal research software, Westlaw, LexisNexis, critical analysis, report writing, and drafting.
Achievements – Highlight relevant awards, published research, mooting competitions, or pro bono work.
Interests – Select interests that show discipline, intellectual curiosity, or involvement in law-related societies.
Writing Your Personal Profile as a Graduate Legal Researcher
The personal profile (or CV summary) is often the first section a recruiter will read. You need to grab attention immediately. A winning example could be:
“A highly motivated Graduate Legal Researcher with an LLB from the University of Manchester, specialising in public law and human rights. Skilled in using Westlaw, LexisNexis, and case law analysis to provide detailed, accurate research to legal teams. Passionate about supporting litigation with evidence-based findings and contributing to high-quality legal work.”
This gives employers a snapshot of your academic foundation, technical skills, and enthusiasm for the role.
Showcasing Your Legal Research Experience
Employers want evidence of hands-on research ability. Even if you haven’t had paid legal work, you can use examples from university or internships. For example:
Conducted detailed research into European Court of Human Rights cases for dissertation on freedom of expression.
Assisted in a university law clinic by preparing case briefs for solicitors and supporting clients with initial legal queries.
Completed an internship with XYZ Law Firm, analysing contract law cases and producing weekly legal updates for the litigation department.
Make sure every point shows not only what you did but also the impact it had.
Highlighting Transferable Skills
Don’t underestimate the value of non-legal work. If you’ve worked in retail, hospitality, or customer service, you can highlight transferable skills such as:
Time management and organisation
Handling confidential information
Client-facing communication
Problem-solving under pressure
Team collaboration
Recruiters in law firms know that graduates may not yet have years of legal work, so they look for well-rounded individuals with strong work ethic and adaptability.
Advice for Graduates Applying for Legal Research Roles
As a graduate, your biggest assets are your education, willingness to learn, and motivation to grow within the legal field. Here are some tips specifically for graduates:
Tailor your CV for each application by referencing the firm’s practice areas.
Highlight academic achievements beyond your degree—think dissertations, case studies, or legal journals.
Join professional bodies like The Law Society Junior Lawyers Division to show engagement with the profession.
Build a strong LinkedIn profile and connect with legal recruiters.
Advice for Middle-Level Legal Researchers
If you already have one to three years of experience, your CV should reflect progression. Employers want to see more than research tasks—they want to see added value. For instance:
Supervising junior interns in legal research tasks.
Taking the lead in summarising case law for internal knowledge databases.
Developing expertise in a specific area of law, e.g. employment or corporate law.
This is the stage where you can show career trajectory and leadership potential.
Advice for Senior-Level Legal Researchers
At senior level, your CV should demonstrate not only expertise but also influence within your firm. Focus on:
Leading research teams.
Training and mentoring junior researchers.
Contributing to major litigation successes by providing pivotal legal analysis.
Publishing articles, reports, or contributing to industry conferences.
Employers at this level want to see credibility, leadership, and thought leadership.
The Do’s and Don’ts of a Graduate Legal Researcher CV
Do’s:
Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages.
Use clear formatting with consistent fonts and headings.
Quantify achievements where possible.
Proofread carefully – spelling errors can be fatal in the legal profession.
Tailor your CV to the specific firm or organisation.
Don’ts:
Never include irrelevant personal details such as age, marital status, or a photo (UK-specific).
Avoid clichés like “hard-working” without evidence.
Don’t submit a generic CV to multiple employers.
Don’t exaggerate qualifications or experience.
Avoid overly technical jargon that recruiters outside of law may not understand.
General Tips for Structuring Your CV
Use reverse chronological order, starting with most recent experience.
Keep bullet points short, sharp, and focused on achievements.
Use strong action verbs such as “analysed,” “drafted,” “supported,” and “developed.”
Leave plenty of white space – a cluttered CV is harder to read.
Always save your CV as a PDF before sending to preserve formatting.
Final CV Template Example Layout for Graduate Legal Researcher
Name & Contact Details
Personal Profile
3–4 lines about your background, skills, and career aspirations.
Education
University of Bristol, LLB Law (2:1)
Dissertation: The impact of Brexit on UK Contract Law
Legal Research Experience
Research Assistant, XYZ Law Firm (dates)
University Law Clinic Volunteer (dates)
Work Experience
Part-Time Customer Service Advisor, ABC Retail (dates)
Key Skills
Westlaw, LexisNexis, Microsoft Office Suite
Case law analysis
Legal writing and drafting
Achievements
Moot Court finalist
Legal Journal contributor
Interests
Member of University Law Society
Writing blogs on human rights law
Conclusion
Creating an interview-winning Graduate Legal Researcher CV is all about presenting your academic foundation, research skills, and professional potential in the most compelling way possible. Whether you are a fresh graduate, a middle-level researcher, or an experienced senior, structuring your CV correctly, highlighting achievements, and avoiding common pitfalls will make all the difference in securing that interview.
If you’d like personalised, one-to-one support with your CV and LinkedIn profile to maximise your chances of success, I’d be delighted to help. With over 25 years of career coaching experience, I specialise in transforming legal professionals’ applications into interview-winning documents.
👉 Book an appointment here to have your CV and LinkedIn improved
