Solicitor Resume Keywords for ATS
ATS systems screening Solicitor CVs prioritise evidence of qualification status (SRA registration, training contract completion), practice area expertise, and demonstrable legal technical skills. Successful CVs mirror the terminology used in job descriptions—such as specific areas of law, court experience, and client management—while clearly stating qualification year and SRA number where appropriate.
ATS keywords for a Solicitor Resume
Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.
Core skills
Tools & software
Soft skills
Certifications & qualifications
How to get a Solicitor Resume past the ATS
- Include your SRA number and qualification year prominently in your contact details or professional summary section to pass initial screening filters.
- List specific practice areas (e.g., 'Commercial Litigation', 'Employment Law', 'Residential Conveyancing') exactly as they appear in the job description rather than generic terms like 'legal work'.
- Use both acronyms and full terms for qualifications (e.g., 'Legal Practice Course (LPC)' and 'SQE') as different ATS may search for either version.
- Quantify your caseload and matter values where possible (e.g., 'managed portfolio of 40+ commercial property transactions valued at £2m+') to trigger keyword matching for seniority level.
- Include court levels and tribunal experience explicitly (e.g., 'County Court', 'High Court', 'Employment Tribunal') as these are common search filters for contentious roles.
- Mirror the exact terminology for legal processes used in the job advert—for example, 'completion' vs 'settlement', or 'claimant' vs 'plaintiff'—to maximise keyword matches.
Before & after: Solicitor Resume bullets
Before: Handled property matters for clients and ensured transactions completed smoothly.
After: Managed 60+ residential conveyancing transactions annually from instruction to completion, achieving 98% client satisfaction through proactive case management and due diligence.
Before: Provided legal advice to businesses on various employment issues.
After: Delivered legal advisory services on employment law matters including redundancy, discrimination claims, and TUPE transfers for 25+ SME clients, successfully resolving 15 Employment Tribunal disputes.
Before: Drafted contracts and agreements for commercial clients.
After: Drafted and negotiated 100+ commercial contracts including NDAs, service agreements, and supplier terms, reducing client contract risk exposure by 30% through robust compliance review.
Solicitor Resume keywords — FAQ
What keywords should a Solicitor put on their Resume?
A Solicitor Resume should include core skills such as Legal Research, Contract Drafting, Litigation, Client Advocacy, Case Management, Legal Advisory, and name specific tools like LexisNexis, Westlaw, PracticalLaw, Case Management Software, Proclaim. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.
How do I make my Solicitor Resume ATS-friendly?
Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Include your SRA number and qualification year prominently in your contact details or professional summary section to pass initial screening filters.
What skills do employers look for in a Solicitor?
Beyond technical skills, employers screen for Attention to Detail, Client Relationship Management, Time Management, Commercial Awareness. Relevant qualifications include Solicitor of England and Wales, SRA Practising Certificate, Legal Practice Course (LPC).