Build Your Legal Portfolio

1 What this path is

A legal portfolio is a collection of your best work that shows what you can actually do. Marks show how you did in exams. A portfolio shows how you will work in the job.

2 Who this path may suit

Every law student, from the first year onwards.

3 The roadmap, step by step

1. Start collecting.
   Learn: to save everything you write and draft in one folder.
   Practise: by setting up the folder today, with subfolders for writing, drafting, research and internships.
2. Build beginner pieces.
   Learn: what early portfolio pieces look like.
   Practise: by creating case briefs, case summaries, basic legal drafts and research notes.
3. Build intermediate pieces.
   Learn: what shows real skill to employers.
   Practise: by creating research papers, legal articles, a moot memorial, advanced drafts and case analyses.
4. Build advanced pieces.
   Learn: what shows specialisation.
   Practise: by creating specialised research, a policy brief, a contract review sample, a due diligence exercise, a legal compliance project or another project linked to your field.
5. Build your professional portfolio.
   Learn: to select and present your best work.
   Practise: by preparing your CV, writing samples, drafting samples, research portfolio, publication record, a summary of internship experience and your professional profile.
6. Protect confidentiality.
   Learn: that confidential internship documents and client information must never be included without permission, and even then must be fully anonymised.
   Practise: by checking every piece before you share it.

4 Your levels and checkpoints

Beginner

• Folder created with case briefs and starter drafts

Intermediate

• At least one research paper, one memorial or article and advanced drafts

Advanced

• At least one specialised project in your chosen field

Professional

• A curated set of five to eight strong pieces with a CV and profile

These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.

5 Build these projects

1. A curated portfolio PDF with a short note on each piece
2. A simple personal website or well organised professional profile

6 Internship direction

Use each internship to add one permitted, anonymised sample or a project inspired by what you learned.

7 Portfolio evidence

The portfolio itself, updated every few months.

8 Common mistakes

• Collecting certificates instead of work
• Building a CV without work samples
• Including confidential material

9 Go deeper

Internship Guidebook · Legal Drafting Guidebook

All 76 skill roadmaps · Interactive roadmap explorer

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