Overview
Training contract applications are among the most competitive in any profession. Law firms receive thousands of applications for a handful of places, and your resume needs to do more than list your LLB modules. Firms want evidence that you have engaged with real legal work, understand how a practice operates, and can communicate with precision.
This resume belongs to Thomas Ashworth, a law graduate from the University of Bristol who completed the SQE route. He did a vacation scheme at a regional firm, volunteered at a legal advice clinic, and was an active member of the university mooting society. His resume works because it connects academic credentials to practical legal experience in a way that feels thorough and specific.
What Makes This Resume Work
The vacation scheme is described in operational detail. Thomas does not just say he spent two weeks at a law firm. He states that he drafted three client attendance notes, assisted with disclosure review on a commercial dispute involving over 2,000 documents, and sat in on four client meetings across the commercial property and employment teams. This tells a partner exactly what level of work he is comfortable with.
Pro bono work demonstrates client facing skills. He volunteered at the university's free legal advice clinic for two terms, advising members of the public on housing and employment issues during fortnightly sessions. He saw 30 clients over that period and prepared written summaries for each case. Pro bono work is taken seriously by law firms because it shows genuine commitment to the profession, not just a career choice.
Mooting achievements are included with specifics. He reached the semi finals of the university mooting competition and was named best speaker in two preliminary rounds. These details show advocacy skills, which are relevant even for solicitor roles where oral arguments arise during hearings.
SQE results and degree classification are clear. His 2:1 LLB and SQE1 pass are listed prominently. He also mentions key modules: Contract Law, Land Law, Equity and Trusts, and Commercial Law. Law firms will look for specific subject knowledge, and listing these modules saves the recruiter from guessing.
Key Takeaways
Describe your vacation scheme or work experience with the same precision you would use in a legal document. Name the practice areas, describe the tasks, and mention volumes where possible. "Reviewed documents" is vague. "Assisted with disclosure review on a dispute involving 2,000+ documents" is specific.
Pro bono and clinic work is genuinely valued. If you advised real clients, state how many, how often, and what areas of law you covered. This experience often matters more than academic prizes.
Include mooting, negotiation competitions, or law society roles. These demonstrate skills that cannot be tested on a written exam: confidence, structured thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure.
