how to write a lawyer bio

by Mr. Deion Maggio Sr. 8 min read

How to write a professional attorney bio people will actually want to read

  1. Include your full name, title and a professional headshot.
  2. Tell people what you do, without legalese and overused buzzwords.
  3. Tell them why you do it. What motivates you? What got you into law school?
  4. Explain how your experience helps clients.
  5. Provide relevant examples.

The 7 Most Important Items to Include in Your Lawyer Bio
  1. Your name and title right up front. ...
  2. A professional headshot. ...
  3. A summary of what you do for your clients. ...
  4. An explanation of why you do what you do. ...
  5. Highlights of relevant accomplishments or civic engagements. ...
  6. A few bits of personal information.

Full Answer

How to write a professional bio?

If you can lay the groundwork for the kind of bio you want to write before you start, it’ll be easier to write the right bio right away. Brainstorming. This should be the first thing you do once you’ve completed your research and planning phases. In this step, you should write out everything that could potentially fit within the bio. This includes items and ideas you aren’t 100% sure about.

What should be included in an attorney bio?

Jun 30, 2020 · To differentiate, identify the specific variety (a couple of bullets work well here), and then show how you advised on or solved your clients’ complex matters. 2. Begin your bio by answering a burning question. Think about the most frequently asked question within your law practice. What does a client seeking your services most need or want?

Should you write a lawyer bio in first-person or third-person?

Apr 15, 2020 · A nice way to gain the advantages of both first- and third-person voice is to write a bio in third-person but then include a first-person quotation from the attorney: Indeterminate dates (when possible) — another tip is to avoid very specific dates or numbers if these will require updating too often in order to remain accurate .

Do potential clients see your attorney biography?

Nov 02, 2021 · The first step in writing a short bio is deciding on a voice. For our purposes, choosing a voice involves deciding whether you are writing in the first or third person. Writing in the first person means using the words "I" and "me", …

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What should be included in an attorney bio?

While your bio is not the place to write your memoir, including personal details — like your hometown — it is a great way to connect with your audience. Many lawyers use this space to tell clients what kind of person and lawyer they are by using descriptions like: Results-driven. Award-winning.Mar 12, 2021

What is an attorney bio?

Attorney biographies are a great way for potential clients to gather information about the people that might be representing them. A well-designed biography sets the stage for a client to really get a chance to learn about the attorneys at a particular firm.Jun 10, 2021

How do you write a good biology attorney?

5 Tips for Writing an Attorney BioBe Genuine. Clients want to learn about the attorney they're hiring and what to expect—especially if they'll be interacting with you often. ... Show Your Passion. ... Talk about Your Success. ... Be Succinct. ... Keep it Up to Date.Sep 1, 2021

How do you write a law school bio?

Your attorney bio page is important. In fact, it is probably one of the most important pages on your law firm's website....Here are seven things you can do to brighten your bio.Talk to the individual. ... Lead with a lede. ... Go off-script. ... Ditch the list. ... Explain your case(s). ... Incorporate non-work details.More items...•May 14, 2016

What is an example of a biography?

The definition of biography is a story written about someone's life. An example of biography is a book about the story of President Obama's life. A person's life story, especially one published. There are many biographies of Benjamin Franklin.

How do you write an attorney bio for a website?

Here are 10 tips for writing an attorney bio – one that is engaging, credible, and personable.Know Your Audience. ... The Intro is Important. ... Use First Person (but wisely) ... Talk About the Client “Problems” You Solve. ... Be Clear About Your Industry and Practice Area(s) ... Include Accolades. ... Demonstrate vs. ... Avoid Legalese.More items...•Mar 28, 2022

What is a law in biology?

A biological rule or biological law is a generalized law, principle, or rule of thumb formulated to describe patterns observed in living organisms.

What is an attorney called?

A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters. Today's lawyer can be young or old, male or female.Sep 10, 2019

What is an attorney in the UK?

Lawyer is a general term referring to anyone who is qualified to give legal advice as a licensed legal practitioner. This includes solicitors and barristers. Solicitors provide legal support, advice and services to clients, who can be individuals, private companies, public sector organisations or other groups.

What is the full form of LLB?

LLB Full Form - The full form of LLB is Legum Baccalaureus popularly known as Bachelor of Law. LLB is a three-year law degree course pursued after completion of graduation. LLB course is offered by many prominent law colleges as per the guidelines prescribed by the Bar Council of India (BCI).Mar 15, 2022

How do you introduce yourself in a biography?

Introduce yourself. Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. ... State your company or brand name. ... Explain your professional role. ... Include professional achievements. ... Discuss your passions and values. ... Mention your personal interests.Jul 20, 2020

How do you write an engaging bio?

9 Smart Tips on How You Can Write a Memorable BioFollow the rules. Most publishers, including websites, have guidelines for bio writing. ... Customize it. ... Start strong. ... Keep it concise. ... Choose carefully between first or third person voice. ... Establish credibility. ... Make sure your words complement your picture. ... Advertise.More items...•Jun 7, 2018

Who was the first female solicitor general?

At an early age, Kagan began to develop a strong passion for law. She became the first female Solicitor General of the United States. She achieved it under the Obama’s administration. Through her biography, people can get a general idea of her background, career path and the awards and achievements she has won.

Who is Amal Clooney?

Some of the most famous lawyers with great biographies include the ones below. Amal Clooney is an attorney specialized in human rights and international law. Clooney can practice as a lawyer in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She is famous for tackling social injustices and fighting for human rights in international courts. ...

Who is Gloria Allred?

Gloria Allred is an inspirational lawyer that has been fighting for women and minorities rights for 40 years. Besides being an attorney, Allred is the president of the Women’s Equal Right Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Due to her activist work, she has received several awards.

Your Bio is Not Your CV

A CV, even when done well, is still a laundry list of past employment positions and accomplishments. A list tells people nothing about you as a practicing attorney (and they are, honestly, quite dull). The last result you want from your About page is to lull your readers to sleep.

The 7 Most Important Items to Include in Your Lawyer Bio

Now that you know what your bio is not, it is time to learn what to include to make you stand out from the crowd.

A Note on Length

If you include everything in the above list, you could end up with a bio that is either two paragraphs or ten paragraphs long. Length does not matter. It is all about presentation:

Personality, Please

The best thing you can do for your bio is to bring your personality to the forefront. If you are laid back and casual, then your bio should express that. If you use humor in all you do, make sure it comes through in your bio. As long as you are genuine, whatever you care to share will hit the mark.

The Great Debate

I find they spend more time than they need to necessary on this question: “Should my bio be in first or third person?” You should determine the answer by asking two questions:

Still Stuck?

Writer’s block is a bear to break through. If you find you are still stuck when it comes to getting started on your bio, try starting with one of these options:

Keep It Current

The last thing you want to do is create a great bio that becomes stale with age. To avoid this, schedule calendar reminders to revisit your bio every three-to-six months. Review your photos, practice areas, years of experience, and any other time-sensitive items to ensure you do not lose prospects.

What is a professional biography?

This gives each of your biographies a unique content score with the search engines which improves your overall search results rankings. It also means that potential clients see unique pieces of content that have not been cut-and-pasted to save time.

What is a biography in real estate?

The biography is a vehicle for selling legal services so even if it is in a third person voice, it should be about connecting your experience with the legal problems you solve. The first paragraph of your biography is important real estate for starting a conversation with the person you are trying to connect with.

How to write a bio for an attorney?

1. Meet with the attorney. Although many attorneys will write their own bios, you may be hired to do it for them. It is important to have a thorough understanding of their practice before beginning the bio. Before meeting with the attorney, do preparatory research, such as looking at the attorney’s website, as well as performing web searches.

What is an attorney bio?

An attorney bio generally includes information about the lawyer's credentials, including schooling and experience. A well-written bio will help draw clients to your practice. Follow these steps for writing a compelling attorney bio. Steps.

How to prepare for a lawyer meeting?

Before meeting with the attorney, do preparatory research, such as looking at the attorney’s website, as well as performing web searches. Busy lawyers sometimes will forget past accomplishments or cases they have handled. With research, you can help draw this to their attention.

How long does it take to become a certified attorney?

Consider acquiring certification for any specialties and including those in your bio. Certifications typically require several years of expertise, professional recommendations from judges or fellow attorneys, and completion of additional education or tests.

How long should an attorney's bio be?

An attorney bio is not a memoir. A reader should be able to scan it without being overwhelmed by information. A good length is under six paragraphs. Extensive bios can be broken up using hyperlinks. For example, the main page may highlight a few client testimonials and representative matters.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

How to write a good attorney bio?

Seven Steps to a Better Attorney Bio 1 “His/her/their practice focuses on ….” We ran a Google search and this phrase appears 174,000 and 92,000 times respectively. 2 “He/she is uniquely qualified.” That’s right, you and a couple hundred thousand other lawyers out there are “uniquely qualified.” 3 “Handles a variety of complex ….” This phrase appears 40,000 times in mostly lawyer-related pages. To differentiate, identify the specific variety (a couple of bullets work well here), and then show how you advised on or solved your clients’ complex matters.

Who is Nancy Slome?

Originally published June 30, 2020. Last updated April 17, 2021. Nancy Slome. Nancy Slome heads up Lawyers Biography Service and is a seasoned legal marketing consultant with more than a decade of experience advising attorneys on strategic marketing initiatives and creating compelling content for law firm websites.

What is the most clicked on page of a lawyer's website?

The data is clear: the attorney biographies on a law firm's website are the most clicked on pages of the site (after the home page). Yet many lawyers put tons of work into their practice area pages to the exclusion of the biographies.

Why should I list my service on boards?

Listing your service on boards for non-profits, offices in local community groups, and fundraising or volunteering with charities has many advantages. Not only does it speak to your character and abilities, but it displays connection to your community, which can have both personal and professional advantages.

What is behind every service?

Behind every service is a person. And that person makes all the difference when it comes to rapport (whether with clients, opponents, judges or juries) and, ultimately, whether the attorney-client relationship yields the best results possible.

Do attorneys have state bars?

Most attorneys also include state bars to which they are admitted along with relevant federal or specialty courts. The most common exception is for locally-based consumer-oriented practitioners who are simply admitted in the single state where they practice.

What is a V card?

V-card: we do recommend that you include a v-card, which is like a downloadable, digital rolodex entry. Some potential clients love them. Those who don't use them can easily ignore them. That said, if you have a primarily consumer practice you might be right that very few of your prospects would make use of a v-card.

What is a website profile?

A website profile is meant to catch the eye, spark interest, and confirm some central features of your background and current work. C.v.s can be important — and you certainly can link to your c.v. from your web profile. But the two items serve different purposes.

Do I need a photo for my attorney biography?

YES you need to have a photo on your biography. NO you do not need to look like a fashion model or lose 20 pounds first. And YES, the photo needs to be professionally — or at least semi-professionally — taken. Herewith, our specific advice on attorney profile photos:

How to write a bio for a job?

Your short bio is often the first (and perhaps only) thing a potential employer, client or contact will read before deciding to contact you, so it is important that your bio be accurate, informative and memorable. It’s a good idea to include: 1 Your name 2 Your current job title 3 Your company name or personal brand statement 4 Your hometown 5 Your alma mater 6 Your personal and professional goals 7 A relevant achievement or accomplishment 8 Your hobbies 9 Your skills and areas of expertise

How to write a short bio?

Here are some steps you can follow to help you write a successful short bio: Choose a voice. State your job title. State your philosophy. Share your accomplishments. 1. Choose a voice. The first step in writing a short bio is deciding on a voice .

Why do we need a short bio?

Short bios are typically used to provide a summary of an individual's accomplishments, an overview of their career history and a description of their professional goals. Your short bio is often the first (and perhaps only) thing a potential employer, client or contact will read before deciding to contact you, so it is important ...

What is a short bio?

A relevant achievement or accomplishment. Your hobbies. Your skills and areas of expertise. Short bios are brief by definition so it is important to determine which of these topics is most important to make the best impression on your readers.

What does it mean to write in the first person?

Writing in the first person means using the words "I" and "me", while writing in the third person means using your name. For instance, if you are writing a slightly informal bio for your Twitter profile, first-person would probably be the best fit.

How long should a bio be?

Be concise. Most short bios are between four and eight sentences long, so you will only have room to discuss a limited amount of personal information. To help you determine which facts are the most relevant, you will need to consider your audience and your primary purpose.

Who is Mary Jones?

“Mary Jones is an Administrative Assistant with eight years of experience working alongside the executive team of a Fortune 500 company. Mary specializes in administrative technology and is responsible for educating other employees on using progressive systems and applications, including accounting software, mass communication procedures and organizational apps. Mary is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Mary is inspired daily by her husband and their two daughters. In her free time, Mary likes to hike, crochet and play video games with her grandson."

How to write a bio?

Start by choosing the appropriate name and professional title. Writing a professional bio starts by choosing the right name and professional titles to use. Different names and titles can change depending on the purpose and audience of the bio. For example, some people choose to use a different first name in their bio instead of their given name. ...

What to list in a bio while employed?

If you’re creating a bio while currently employed, list your current position or job role, such as “Senior Associate” or “Editor.” If you are unemployed and creating a bio as part of an online profile, you can list your previous role or your current expertise. For example, you could list “Web Developer” or “Professional Nanny.”

What are some examples of personal information?

Examples of popular personal details in bios: 1 Hobbies 2 Favorite TV shows, movies, or books 3 Information about family life 4 Funny details about habits or interests 5 Unique personal history

Do you have to share your bio?

In most cases, you do not have to share personal details in your bio. However, it might be helpful in some situations to help people understand you better as a well-rounded individual.

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Examples of The Best Biographies

  • One of the best ways to learn the skills required to write a top profile to display proudly on your law firm’s website is to take a look at a successful lawyer bio sample. Learning by example is one of the best modalities for getting to grips with new skills and reading through a lawyer bio sample or two is no different. Run through a list of lawyers who have really made it big through their eng…
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How to Write The Biography of A Lawyer

  • You’ll quickly see from the most popular lawyer bio example texts that length is not your primary consideration, unlike when writing a resume or other such document. The most useful lawyer bio example for you is anyone to which you feel a personal connection, and it should be noted that your clients feel the same way. Learn from the positive aspects of attorney and lawyer profiles y…
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Looking For A Rockstar Team?

  • We work with a professional team of expert creative writers to deliver a high-quality service. Thanks to their expertise, we can guarantee you will receive an original bio based on your personal story and resume. To get a glimpse of our work, you can read our new attorney bio sample and our lawyer bio sample. Both have been written by our skilled creative writers. Our team is special…
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Your Bio Is Not Your Cv

Image
A CV,even when done well, is still a laundry list of past employment positionsand accomplishments. A list tells people nothing about you as apracticing attorney (and they are, honestly, quite dull). The last result youwant from your About page is to lull your readers to sleep. Unfortunately,most lawyer bios are CVs written out in pa…
See more on customcontentllc.com

The 7 Most Important itemSTO Include in Your Lawyer Bio

  • Nowthat you know what your bio is not, it is time to learn what to include to makeyou stand out from the crowd. 1. Your name and title right up front.Do not make folks work hard to find your full name and the role you play. Hiding this information is irritating for prospects; it will cause them to navigate away from your bio or your website altogether. 2. A professional headshot.Prospective …
See more on customcontentllc.com

A Note on Length

  • If youinclude everything in the above list, you could end up with a bio that iseither two paragraphs or ten paragraphs long. Length does not matter. It is allabout presentation: 1. Format your bio for onlinereaders.YourAbout page exists on your website, so you should format it like you do allother pages. Use short, succinct sentences and paragraphs. Use bulleted listswhere proper. Use head…
See more on customcontentllc.com

Personality, Please

  • Thebest thing you can do for your bio is to bring your personality to theforefront. If you are laid back and casual, then your bio should express that.If you use humor in all you do, make sure it comes through in your bio. As longas you are genuine, whatever you care to share will hit the mark. Focusingon personality achieves these goals: 1. Writing in your own voice and sharingthin…
See more on customcontentllc.com

The Great Debate

  • I findthey spend more time than they need to necessary on this question: “Should mybio be in first or third person?” You should determine the answer by asking twoquestions: 1. Am I a solo attorney?If yes, stop thinking about it andjust write your bio (and all your website copy, for that matter) in firstperson. If no, move to the second question. 2. Who is my audience?If you are writi…
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Still Stuck?

  • Writer’sblock is a bear to break through. If you find you are still stuck when it comesto getting started on your bio, try starting with one of these options: 1. Fill out a short questionnaire.I have created a short professional bio questionnaire for my clients to use when tackling their own bios. There’s nothing fancy here, but it does help get those brain juices flowing. 2. Write a haiku.You c…
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Keep It Current

  • The last thing you want to do is create a great bio that becomes stale with age. To avoid this, schedule calendar reminders to revisit your bio every three-to-six months. Review your photos, practice areas, years of experience, and any other time-sensitive items to ensure you do not lose prospects. This post originally on Lawyerist.com.
See more on customcontentllc.com

Open with A Strong Statement

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The biography is a vehicle for selling legal services so even if it is in a third person voice, it should be about connecting your experience with the legal problems you solve. The first paragraph of your biography is important real estate for starting a conversation with the person you are trying to connect with. You can also increas…
See more on natlawreview.com

Cover The Basics

  • Make sure to include all the nuts and bolts that people will want to follow up on to ensure that you are who you say you are. Specifically, you should cover: 1. Contact Information:Location, phone number, social media links, email address. 2. Education:Undergraduate and law school credentials, as well as any post-graduate degrees. 3. Work History: This is not always necessary …
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Cover The Extras

  • Next, you will want to make sure that you include anything extracurricular that will make you stand out in a crowd. Leadership positions (even outside of a legal industry), community service, and board memberships are great additions to this section. This is also the right place to include a personal line or two about your interests, hobbies, or family to inspire further connection with yo…
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Have A Relevant, Professional Photo

  • Here is an area where many lawyers fall short. Remember, this may be the only time your prospective new client sees you before deciding to request your help. Give your best possible first impression by investing in professional headshots that reflect your best qualities and your personal brand. Take professional headshots regularly to keep your online image current.
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Create Several Biographies For The Best Web Engagement

  • The professional biography that you have on your website should be different than the one you have on sites like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell. This gives each of your biographies a unique content score with the search engines which improves your overall search results rankings. It also means that potential clients see unique pieces of content that have not been cut-and-pasted to s…
See more on natlawreview.com

Avoid The Biography Pitfalls

  • There are a couple of issues that I see often when I review clients’ online and offline biographies. Some of the worst offenders when creating a biography include: 1. Informal photos:Stay away from using an old repurposed image of you at your brother’s wedding. And, unless you have an MFA in graphic design, stay away from photoshopping yourself into a different setting. 2. Being t…
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Try Creative, Interactive Elements

  • You can make your biography page stand out even more by incorporating engaging elements like vcards, printable versions, or introductory videos - as long as they are professionally produced. Another wise choice is to include a disclaimer if you list your email address stating that sending an email to you does not indicate a legal attorney-client relationship unless an engagement lette…
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Conclusion

  • Writing the perfect lawyer biography does not have to be a difficult exercise. Like any other marketing exercise, start with your potential client and work backward. Your biography is a great opportunity to connect with people before you meet them. Create text that is search-friendly, concise, and filled with the highlights of your career. This will allow potential clients and colleag…
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