ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It scans resumes for keywords and rejects files it cannot read.

You need to optimize your resume for an Assistant Corporation Counsel role so hiring managers see your municipal law fit. ATS looks for terms like "municipal law," "litigation," "ordinance drafting," "zoning," "land use," "contract negotiation," "FOIA," "ethics," "pleadings," "discovery," "ADR," "legal research," "Westlaw," "LexisNexis," "bar admission," and specific statutes or codes.

Best practices:

• Use clear section titles: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Bar Admission," "Certifications."
• Mirror keywords from job postings, such as "municipal litigation" or "ordinance drafting."
• Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs.
• Choose readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Save as PDF or .docx depending on the posting instructions.

Write experience bullets that include measurable outcomes. For example, note the number of cases handled or ordinances drafted.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Using creative synonyms instead of exact keywords. ATS may skip those words.
• Placing critical details in headers or footers. ATS can ignore them.
• Leaving out tools and certifications. If you used Westlaw or hold a municipal law certificate, list them.

Keep formatting simple and keyword-focused. That habit increases the chance your resume reaches a real reader.

Pick a clean, professional template that highlights litigation, advisory, and policy work. Use a reverse-chronological layout so employers see your recent counsel roles first. That layout reads well for hiring managers and parses reliably for ATS.

Keep length to one page if you have under 10-12 years of relevant experience. Use two pages only when you have long trial lists, published opinions, or major municipal projects to show.

Choose an ATS-friendly font like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for headers. Keep line spacing around 1.0–1.15 and maintain consistent margins for white space.

Structure sections clearly with standard headings: Contact, Summary or Profile, Experience, Education, Bar Admissions, Key Matters, and Skills. List employers, job title, city/state, and dates on one line. Use short bullet points that start with strong verbs and quantify outcomes where you can.

Avoid complex columns, heavy graphics, or embedded tables. Those elements often break ATS parsing and hide content. Don’t use unusual fonts or many colors; they can distract from your legal experience.

Common mistakes include inconsistent dates, vague duties without results, and crammed text without white space. Keep phrasing direct and action-focused. Proofread for typos and ensure headings match standard recruiter keywords like "Assistant Corporation Counsel," "municipal law," or "litigation."

Writing a tailored cover letter matters for an Assistant Corporation Counsel role. It shows your legal focus, judgment, and fit with the office. A short letter can complement your resume and show true interest.

Start strong. Say the exact job title you want and where you found the posting. State one credential or case that proves you can handle the work. Use plain language and sound like a colleague, not a courtroom speech.

Key sections to include:

• Header: Put your contact details, the employer's name if you know it, and the date.
• Opening: Name the Assistant Corporation Counsel role, show enthusiasm for public service, and note a top qualification.
• Body: Connect your experience to the job. Cite specific cases, ordinance work, litigation, or transactional matters. Mention skills like legal research, drafting pleadings, motion practice, negotiation, or regulatory review. Quantify impact where you can.
• Closing: Restate interest, ask for an interview, and thank the reader.

In the body, write one to three short paragraphs. Highlight a relevant case, policy project, or client counseling example. Note tools you use, like Westlaw or e-filing systems, but avoid long lists of jargon. Show teamwork, judgment, and calm under pressure.

Keep your tone professional, confident, and direct. Use contractions to sound natural. Tailor each letter to the office. Mirror a few keywords from the job posting so the reader sees fit right away.

End with a clear call to action. Say you look forward to discussing how you can help the office. Thank them for their time. Proofread for grammar, clarity, and length.

When you apply for an Assistant Corporation Counsel role, small resume mistakes can cost you interviews. You need to show legal judgment, municipal experience, and clear writing. Pay attention to detail, evidence of outcomes, and alignment with local government law.

Below are common pitfalls candidates make on their resumes, with short examples and fixes you can use right away.

If you’re applying for an Assistant Corporation Counsel role, this set of FAQs and tips helps you shape your resume. You’ll get focused advice on legal skills, formatting, and how to present cases, compliance work, and certifications.