If you’re a second-year law student (2L) looking to land a summer internship, clerkship, or associate position, you already know how competitive the legal job market can be. A well-written resume can make the difference between getting an interview and being passed over. That’s why we’ve put together this in-depth guide—complete with a realistic, custom-written sample 2L resume—to help you stand out.
Whether you’re applying to a federal clerkship, boutique firm, or large law firm’s summer associate program, your resume needs to reflect your developing legal expertise, commitment to the profession, and professionalism.
Here’s everything you need to create a compelling 2L resume that recruiters and hiring partners want to read.
REALISTIC SAMPLE 2L RESUME (FOR A LEGAL INTERNSHIP ROLE)
JORDAN M. CARTER
jordan.m.carter@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | Chicago, IL
EDUCATION
University of Chicago Law School — J.D. Candidate
Expected May 2026
GPA: 3.6/4.0 | Dean’s List (2024–2025)
Activities: Law Review (Associate Editor), Moot Court Honor Board
Coursework: Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, Criminal Procedure, Civil Rights Litigation
University of Michigan — B.A. in Political Science
Graduated May 2023
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Honors College | Phi Beta Kappa
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Cook County Public Defender’s Office – Chicago, IL
Legal Intern | Summer 2024
Drafted motions to suppress and memoranda in support of constitutional arguments in felony cases
Conducted client interviews and attended court hearings alongside supervising attorneys
Researched case law on Fourth and Fifth Amendment issues
ACLU of Illinois – Chicago, IL
Legal Volunteer | Fall 2024
Assisted in preparing briefing materials for civil rights litigation
Summarized depositions and reviewed discovery documents for relevance and privilege
LEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT
Black Law Students Association – 2L Representative
Public Interest Law Society – Treasurer
Street Law Program – Volunteer Educator
SKILLS & INTERESTS
Legal Research Tools: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law
Languages: Spanish (Conversational)
Interests: Community organizing, constitutional theory, urban history
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WRITING A STRONG 2L RESUME
Tailor Every Line: Focus on legal-specific skills and achievements. If you’ve done pro bono work, journal writing, or clerked for a judge, include specific outcomes or contributions.
Quantify When Possible: Mention how many memos you drafted or the number of cases you assisted on. Numbers create impact.
Stay Professional: Stick to a clean, easy-to-read format. Avoid flashy templates or excessive fonts. Your content should speak louder than design.
Include Only Relevant Experience: At this stage, employers want to see your legal development. Cut out unrelated undergrad part-time jobs unless highly transferable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT 2L RESUMES
1. Should a 2L include their GPA and class rank?
Yes, if your GPA is above a 3.3, it’s typically recommended to include it. Class rank is optional unless you’re in the top 10–20%.
2. How important are extracurriculars like Law Review or Moot Court?
Extremely. These are signals of your writing and advocacy skills. They’re especially valued by judges and large firms.
3. Can I include non-legal work from undergrad?
Only if it shows leadership, communication, or transferable skills. Otherwise, focus on legal experience or law school activities.
4. What length should a 2L resume be?
Stick to one page unless you have significant legal experience (e.g., paralegal work before law school). Keep it concise and relevant.
A compelling 2L resume tells a clear story: you’re a developing legal professional ready to take on real-world responsibilities. Use the sample and tips above to craft a resume that helps you get noticed—and hired.