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7 Associate CV Templates with Example

By Ria · Last Updated On 16 October 2026
CV example — page 1

This guide shows you how to create an Associate CV that presents your legal work clearly and makes the main points easy to find. You will learn how to organise your evidence and choose a layout suited to this role.

A strong Associate CV makes legal analysis, drafting, matter coordination and client work clear to a reader. Use concise bullets to show your contribution to commercial agreements, corporate transactions and dispute-related matters.

Explore the example presented in 7 layouts, compare their PNG image previews, and open a preferred example in the editor to customise it. The guidance also covers ATS readability, useful CV sections and relevant terms such as due diligence, contract review, risk identification and deadline coordination.

What Makes a Great Associate CV in 2026

A strong CV makes legal work easy to scan. It uses clear headings and focused bullets to show your role in research, drafting, client matters and transactions.

Use relevant terms such as contract review, due diligence, written legal advice and matter coordination. Add measurable results only when you can support them.

Note: CV examples are for educational purposes only. Use only information that accurately reflects your experience and qualifications. References to real organisations do not imply affiliation or endorsement.

#1 Plain Two Column Format CV Example

The Plain Two Column Format separates CV content across two columns, helping readers move between career history and supporting details.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

CV Snapshot

  • Nine years’ experience in legal work
  • Qualified solicitor of England and Wales
  • LLB and Legal Practice Course
  • Commercial, corporate and dispute-related matters

Why This Format Works

  • Separate columns help reviewers distinguish career history from supporting sections at a glance.
  • Clear section breaks make education and credentials easier to locate during a scan.
  • Skills can be found without breaking the sequence of experience entries.

Best For

  • CVs with several sections
  • Readers scanning role dates
  • Career history beside supporting details
  • Skills and education in easy reach
  • Applications needing distinct reading areas

CV Keywords

  • legal associate
  • legal services
  • providing legal services to organisations and individuals
 

#2 Simple One Column Format CV Example

The Simple One Column Format keeps CV content in one vertical column, a practical choice for readers who prefer a direct top-to-bottom sequence.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • A vertical sequence helps reviewers follow career progression from role to role.
  • Single-column text gives longer experience entries room to read clearly.
  • Education and credentials remain part of the same top-to-bottom review path.

Best For

  • Top-to-bottom review preference
  • Detailed experience entries
  • CVs with a clear career sequence
  • Readers who prefer one reading path
  • Sections needing generous line width
 

#3 Clean Two Column Sidebar Format CV Example

The Clean Two Column Sidebar Format uses two columns to keep career history and supporting information distinct for section-by-section review.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • Two columns keep career history distinct from supporting sections during a section-by-section review.
  • Separate areas help reviewers locate education and credentials without scanning every role entry.
  • Experience can remain in sequence while skills and other details stay easy to find.

Best For

  • CVs balancing history with supporting details
  • Section-by-section review
  • Skills and education kept distinct
  • Readers scanning several CV sections
  • Career entries with supporting information
 

#4 Two Column Format CV Example

The Two Column Format gives CV content two reading areas, suiting readers who want work history and supporting sections easy to distinguish.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • Distinct reading areas help reviewers compare experience with the rest of the CV.
  • Career progression stays clear when role entries have a defined reading order.
  • Separate sections make education and professional credentials straightforward to locate.

Best For

  • Readers comparing CV sections
  • Work history with supporting qualifications
  • CVs needing clear content grouping
  • Roles presented in date order
  • A two-column reading preference
 
 

#5 Photo Header Two Column Format CV Example

The Photo Header Two Column Format combines a header photo with two content columns, for readers who value photo presentation and separated sections.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • Two columns separate career history from supporting content while keeping both within one layout.
  • Ordered experience entries remain easy to follow beside other CV sections.
  • Education and credentials retain clear section roles within the document.

Best For

  • CVs where a header photo is wanted
  • Two-column section organisation
  • Career history beside supporting sections
  • Applications with distinct reading areas
  • Experience and education in one document
 

#6 Coloured Two Column Format CV Example

The Coloured Two Column Format adds colour to a two-column CV, for readers who want colour in the page design.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • Colour provides a visual accent while the two columns separate CV content.
  • Distinct content areas help reviewers locate education and credentials without losing career context.
  • Experience entries stay easy to follow alongside the rest of the CV.

Best For

  • Colour in the CV design
  • Two-column section organisation
  • Readers scanning distinct content areas
  • Career history alongside supporting sections
  • CVs with several document sections
 

#7 Stylish Two Column Designer Format CV Example

The Stylish Two Column Designer Format arranges CV content in two columns, a practical choice for readers who want separate areas for career history and supporting details.

 
CV example — page 1   CV example — page 2

Why This Format Works

  • Two columns give career history and supporting details separate places in the reading order.
  • Clear section distinctions help readers find education and credentials without rereading role entries.
  • Experience can be followed in sequence while other CV sections remain accessible.

Best For

  • Two-column CV organisation
  • Separate career and supporting sections
  • Readers who scan by content area
  • Several sections needing clear structure
  • Experience entries alongside other details
 
 

Why Build Your Associate CV with ResumeInMinutes

ResumeInMinutes helps you arrange legal experience, skills and education in a clear CV. Compare PNG image previews, then open an example in the editor to customise its content and layout.

  • Different CV layouts
  • Clear, readable section structure
  • Space for role-specific keywords
  • Organised skills and experience
  • PNG image previews
  • CV customisation in the editor

Choose the format that makes your work easiest to follow. Keep the focus on clear advice, careful drafting, well-managed files and sound judgement.

 

See Also

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Associate CV templates ATS-friendly?

The examples use readable headings and clear sections to support scanning. Include relevant terms naturally, such as legal research, commercial contract drafting, due diligence and matter coordination.

Are these separate CV examples or different layouts of one example?

This page shows one role-focused CV example in different layouts. Compare the PNG image previews, then open an example in the editor to customise it.

What should an Associate CV include?

Include a focused summary, relevant experience, education, skills and professional qualifications. Use your bullets to explain your work on research, agreements, transactions, client advice and matter records.

Which CV layout works well for an Associate?

Choose a layout with clear headings and an easy-to-follow order for experience, skills and education. A simple structure helps recruiters and applicant tracking systems find key details.

How can I show legal achievements on my CV?

Write concise bullets that state the task, your contribution and the result. Include figures only when they are accurate and supported by evidence.

Should I include a photo on my CV?

For UK applications, a photo is usually not needed. Use the space for relevant experience, skills and clear evidence of your work instead.

ATS Score 98%

How we calculate this score

  • Keywords: 60% of the total. AI extracts keywords from your job description. If you do not provide one, a standard job description for the title matching your CV is used. This is not a match to a specific vacancy.
  • Text-based CV: 20%. The text CV assessed here receives 100 for this part.
  • CV quality: 20%. We start at 100 and subtract points for issues found by our CV checks, down to a minimum of zero.
  • Keyword coverage = 100 × (confirmed matches + 0.8 × possible matches) ÷ total keywords, rounded and capped at 100. Possible matches still need checking. Saved generation audits use their saved keyword percentage.
  • Final score = 60% of keyword coverage + 20% of the text score + 20% of the quality score, rounded to a whole number. Without keywords, no overall ATS score is available.

What this score means

Our scores are estimates, not employer ratings. They may contain errors and do not guarantee accurate parsing, a ranking, an interview, or a job. Check your document against the employer’s requirements. You are responsible for relying on this score.

Terms and Conditions

Score weights: Keywords 60% · Text based CV 20% · CV quality 20%

Keywords: 3 matched + 0 possible of 3 (100%) · CV quality: 90%

CV quality 90% · Weight 20% · Issues (1)

Details
  • ✓Name present: Joseph Wilson
  • ✓Email format: joseph.wilson@example.com
  • ✗Phone format: 07700 90XXXX
  • ✓Experience 1: Job title: Associate
  • ✓Experience 1: Company name: Cedarstone Legal
  • ✓Experience 1: Work location: London
  • ✓Experience 1: Employment dates: May 2023 - Present
  • ✓Experience 1: Description or achievements: Present
  • ✓Experience 2: Job title: Associate
  • ✓Experience 2: Company name: Redfern Partners
  • ✓Experience 2: Work location: Bristol
  • ✓Experience 2: Employment dates: Jan. 2021 - Apr. 2023
  • ✓Experience 2: Description or achievements: Present
  • ✓Experience 3: Job title: Solicitor
  • ✓Experience 3: Company name: Wrenford Chambers Legal
  • ✓Experience 3: Work location: Birmingham
  • ✓Experience 3: Employment dates: Sept. 2018 - Dec. 2020
  • ✓Experience 3: Description or achievements: Present
  • ✓Experience 4: Job title: Trainee Solicitor
  • ✓Experience 4: Company name: Marlowe & Finch Solicitors
  • ✓Experience 4: Work location: London
  • ✓Experience 4: Employment dates: Jul. 2017 - Aug. 2018
  • ✓Experience 4: Description or achievements: Present
  • ✓No placeholder fields
  • ✓No repeated achievement bullets
  • ✓No empty bullets

Header: Check the phone number: “07700 90XXXX”. Use 7–15 digits, with an optional country code.

Expand details to review the checks.

Text Based CV 100% · Weight 20%

Parsed text
Joseph Wilson
Associate
07700 90XXXX
josephwilson
joseph.wilson@example.com
London, EC2A 4BX
STRENGTHS
Client communication
Turned complex legal points into clear options for clients, helping them assess risks and decide what information or action was needed next.
Legal analysis
Used focused research and the documents available to prepare practical advice on commercial questions, keeping guidance tied to the facts.
Matter coordination
Kept client instructions, counsel input and internal review moving together so documents and advice progressed against agreed deadlines.
Drafting and negotiation
Refined agreement terms around client priorities and marked material departures clearly, giving reviewers a focused basis for discussion.
File management
Maintained clear matter records, key dates and follow-up actions across concurrent instructions, preserving a reliable audit trail.
SUMMARY
Solicitor and legal associate with nine years’ experience providing legal services to organisations and individuals through research, drafting, matter coordination and practical analysis. Manage commercial and corporate matters, prepare clear advice and coordinate input from clients, counsel and counterparties. Qualified in England and Wales, with an LLB and Legal Practice Course, and experience spanning agreements, transactions and dispute-related matters. Translate complex information into concise options, identify risks and maintain accurate records while balancing competing deadlines and client priorities.
EXPERIENCE
Associate
Cedarstone Legal
May 2023 - Present
London
Manage a varied portfolio of commercial and corporate matters, coordinating client instructions, internal reviews and external counsel input to keep advice and transaction documents moving to agreed deadlines.
Draft and negotiate supply, services and confidentiality agreements, refining terms to reflect client priorities and recording material departures for efficient review.
Prepare concise research notes and advice on contractual and commercial issues, presenting options and key risks in language clients can use in decision-making.
Associate
Redfern Partners
Jan. 2021 - Apr. 2023
Bristol
Ran day-to-day workstreams on corporate transactions, organising due diligence findings and tracking open points so clients and transaction teams could focus on material issues.
Reviewed and revised commercial contracts, clarifying obligations, liability provisions and termination terms through structured mark-ups and negotiation notes.
Prepared client updates and matter records across concurrent instructions, helping maintain clear decisions, follow-up actions and a reliable audit trail.
Solicitor
Wrenford Chambers Legal
Sept. 2018 - Dec. 2020
Birmingham
Advised business clients on routine commercial questions, combining targeted legal research with practical written guidance tailored to the facts and available documents.
Drafted transaction documents and correspondence, checking consistency across definitions, schedules and supporting materials before circulation.
Supported dispute-related matters by organising evidence, preparing chronologies and coordinating procedural deadlines with clients and counsel.
Trainee Solicitor
Marlowe & Finch Solicitors
Jul. 2017 - Aug. 2018
London
Completed supervised work across client matters, preparing first drafts of letters, agreements and research notes for solicitor review.
Organised matter files and document sets, keeping key dates, client instructions and outstanding information visible to the supervising team.
Attended client and internal meetings, recording actions accurately and following up on evidence and instructions needed for the next stage of each matter.
SKILLS
Written advocacy
Contract review and negotiation
Corporate transaction support
Commercial contract drafting
Legal research and analysis
Dispute matter coordination
Transaction documentation
Matter file management
Client communication
Deadline coordination
Counsel coordination
Due diligence review
Written legal advice
Document review
Risk identification
EDUCATION
Legal Practice Course
BPP University
2017
London
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
University of Nottingham
2016
Nottingham
CERTIFICATIONS
Solicitor of England and Wales, Solicitors Regulation Authority
2018
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Legal Research: Legislation review, Case law research, Legal database searches
Commercial Agreements: Supply agreements, Services agreements, Confidentiality agreements
Contract Review: Obligation analysis, Liability clause review, Termination provision review
Corporate Transactions: Due diligence review, Transaction document review, Open point tracking
Dispute Support: Evidence organisation, Chronology preparation, Procedural deadline tracking
Matter Administration: Client instruction records, Matter file management, Audit trail maintenance
LANGUAGES
English
Native
French
Beginner
MY CAREER
9.3Years
Associate at Cedarstone Legal (3.5 Years)
Associate at Redfern Partners (2.3 Years)
Solicitor at Wrenford Chambers Legal (2.3 Years)
Trainee Solicitor at Marlowe & Finch Solicitors (1.2 Years)

Matched keywords (3)

  • legal associate
  • legal services
  • providing legal services to organisations and individualsOriginal keyword in JD: Organisational Legal Support

Missing keywords (0)

No missing keywords.

Possible matches (0)

No possible matches.

Disclaimer: All names, images, contact information, employment histories, achievements, security clearances, military credentials, and other qualifications shown in this content are fictional and used for illustrative purposes only. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

CV and cover letter examples and recommendations in this article reflect general best practices and professional experience and are provided for guidance only. Results may vary based on role, industry, region, and hiring organisation.

Content Accuracy and Verification: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we do not represent or warrant that CV or cover letter guidance, examples, recommendations, or related information are accurate, complete, current, error-free, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for independently reviewing and verifying the information before relying on it.

ATS and Cover Letter Scores: ATS scores are estimates calculated using our own formula, informed by publicly available guidance on CV formatting and keyword matching. They are not scores issued or endorsed by an ATS provider or employer. Cover letter scores are also our own assessments. Parsing, weighting, screening criteria, and results vary between systems, employers, job descriptions, and document formats. No score guarantees successful parsing, a particular ranking, an interview, or employment. Use scores as general guidance and independently check your documents against the employer’s requirements. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we accept no liability for errors in scores or parsing, or losses arising from reliance on these assessments. Nothing in this notice excludes liability or limits consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

Terms and Conditions
 
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