Legal Work Portfolios: What Law Graduates Should Include for Clerkships and Graduate Roles

A legal work portfolio is a small, carefully selected set of documents that shows how you think, write and solve practical legal problems. It is not required for every clerkship or graduate application, and you should never send one unless the application permits it. Used well, however, it can give an employer concrete evidence of skills that a CV can only describe.

The best legal portfolios are short, relevant and safe to share. They use fictional, university or Practical Legal Training work wherever possible. They do not expose client information, privileged communications, confidential firm material or assessment content that you are not allowed to publish.

Law graduate reviewing a professional legal work portfolio on a tablet

Do you need a legal work portfolio?

Start with the employer’s application instructions. If the firm asks for a CV, cover letter and transcript, submit those documents. Do not add a large portfolio or send unsolicited attachments.

A short work sample can be useful when an employer requests one, allows supporting material or asks you to discuss your drafting and research at interview. Choose evidence that is relevant to the role.

What should a law graduate include?

Two or three strong samples are usually easier to review than a collection of every assignment you have completed. Consider the following options, using fictional facts or material you have express permission to share.

• A short research note. Set out the question, relevant jurisdiction, sources checked, key findings and practical conclusion. Include the date of the research so the reader understands its scope.

• A client advice letter. Use a fictional problem to show how you explain an issue, present options and recommend a clear next step in plain English.

• A drafting sample. Include a short example relevant to the role, such as a clause, letter of demand or procedural document. Explain the task and the assumptions you were given.

• A file note or case summary. Show that you can identify important facts, distinguish instructions from advice and record the next actions accurately.

You do not need every type of sample. For a litigation role, a research note and clear procedural drafting may be more relevant than a commercial agreement. Match the selection to the work described in the advertisement.

Explain your contribution

Add a brief introduction to each sample. A recruiter should be able to understand the task without reconstructing the entire matter.

• Context: Was this an independent exercise, university task or approved PLT sample?

• Task: What question or drafting problem were you asked to address?

• Your contribution: What did you personally research, draft or revise?

• Limits: What assumptions, word limits or instructions shaped the work?

Be accurate about supervision and group work. Do not present another person’s drafting as your own or invent a client outcome, result or achievement.

Protect confidentiality and assessment integrity

The simplest option is often a new sample written from fictional facts. Never include client documents, privileged communications, internal firm material or real matter details without the necessary express permission.

Removing names is not enough on its own. Dates, amounts, events and other details may still identify a person or matter. If there is any doubt about whether material can be shared, leave it out and create a fictional example instead.

University and PLT work can also be subject to assessment, copyright and sharing rules. Check those rules and obtain any required permission before using it. Do not publish assessment questions, model answers or restricted course material.

Keep the format simple

A clearly organised PDF is usually sufficient when the application allows a work sample. You do not need a personal website or an elaborate presentation.

• Use a short contents page if you include more than one sample.

• Give each sample a clear title and a brief context note.

• Use readable headings, consistent spacing and page numbers.

• Remove comments, tracked changes, hidden personal information and unrelated attachments.

• Use the employer’s requested file type, file size and naming format.

• Check that any permitted links work without requiring access to a private account.

Proofread the final file carefully. Check names, dates, citations, spelling and cross-references. If a sample is older, identify when it was prepared rather than presenting it as current advice.

Be ready to discuss the work at interview

Practise explaining why you chose each sample, how you approached the task and what you would improve. You should be able to explain the reasoning behind the document, not just describe what it contains.

A useful portfolio demonstrates clear writing, careful research and sound judgement about what is appropriate to share. Keep it short, follow the application instructions and let a few relevant examples support your CV.