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How do I tailor my resume so that I can pursue legal jobs, boost my law school applications, and prepare myself to attend law school?

Veteran

David Douglas Austin, TX

As an Infantry Officer for 8 years on Active Duty and as a current officer in the Texas Army National Guard, I have had very little experience working within the legal realm. In the past as the Deputy Chief of Human Performance at Fort Benning, I did write some documents such as Position Descriptions (PDs), Performance Work Statements (PWS), Scopes of Work (SOW), and various memoranda that required an understanding of legal requirements. I've also worked on contracts and other acquisition related tasks that give me a bit more knowledge than some on how to construct those kinds of documents. However, I'm not sure this will be enough, nor is it adequately reflected in my resume.

Does anyone have recommendations on how to change the verbiage to target a legal job/law school application with a weak LSAT score (149)?

Resume is below (sorry about the formatting issues created when pasting in this dialogue box):

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Active Secret Clearance • Trusted Portfolio Manager at strategic level • Promoting strategic initiatives using multi-media formats • Passion for performance excellence
• Confident and effective under pressure• Training large groups of employees • Analyzing data and conducting research to find solutions • Extensive Program/Project Management background • Experienced in Army Contracting • Inspecting and maintaining supplies and equipment • Impeccable organizational skills • Adapts quickly to new challenges
• Self-starter • Developing effective processes, procedures, and presentations • Skilled in negotiating with multiple competing agencies • Georgia Tech’s VET2 Lean Six Sigma Black Belt education

EXPERIENCE

KaiHonua, LLC, Contract Supporting Army Futures Command, Austin, TX
Business Operations Analyst November 2019 – Present

Headquarters, Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE), Fort Benning, GA, US Army
Deputy Chief & Operations Officer of the Human Performance Office (HPO) December 2016 – October 2019
• Program Manager for the entirety of the HPO’s project portfolio which was directly responsible for achieving the Commanding General’s (CG) Lines of Effort (LOEs) and other strategic initiatives within the human dimension.

o Projects within the HPO portfolio included (but not limited to) the following:
 -Chairperson of the Physical Performance Working Group of the Community Health Promotion Council which developed strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of Soldiers, Army Employees, Family Members, and Veterans in and around Fort Benning (over 100,000 directly impacted);
 -Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid Bound Omega-3’s (RRIPP-3) research conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC); studies and projects conducted by the Army Research Institute at Fort Benning to include surveys designed to develop the best learning pedagogies for individual Soldiers, Social Acuity performance modules for Officer Training Courses, and other research projects.
 -Developing Human Dimension Training which educated all Soldiers and Civilians who worked and/or trained at Fort Benning on the Maneuver Performance Triad (MP3) strategic initiative
 -Creating and resourcing of the Character Development Instructor Course (CDIC),
 -Building the Strength Training Program to integrate into the Chief of Staff of the Army’s initiative to expand Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT).
 -Providing resources and training to fully implement the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) across all 23 Fort Benning Training Battalions.

• Lead Project Manager for the Tactical Athlete Performance Center (TAP-C), a multi-million dollar project that created the first facility of its kind anywhere in the world. The project involved synchronizing work from 7 different departments on Fort Benning, including the Department of Public Works, Mission Installation Contracting Command, Installation Budget Office, and others.

o Created an effective supply contract to fully equip the facility with a budget of $570,000.
o Supervised renovations for 2 separate facilities, coordinated logistical transfer of equipment for the US Army Combatives School, and led meetings and events to track progress throughout the project.
o Planned and executed the Grand Opening of the facility by creating promotional fliers and information briefs, as well as utilizing contacts and meetings with the Fort Benning Public Affairs Office.
o Completed this priority project as scheduled and over $100,000 under budget. Due to the facility’s successes, the Army plans to create more TAP-C Facilities at multiple bases including Joint Base Lewis-McCord (WA), Fort Shafter (HI), and Fort Carson (CO).

• Appointed to assume duties as the Chief of HPO as required during high level and strategic meetings, including during meetings with visiting NATO Allied Forces, community leaders, and other VIPs including the Superintendent of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst (UK), Commandant of the US Army Infantry School, as well as the Commandants of the Canadian and German Infantry Schools.

Bravo Company, 3-81 Armor Battalion, 199th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, GA, US Army
MCCC Student/Assistant Operations Officer December 2015 - December 2016

1st Squadron (Tiger), 3d Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX, US Army
Ready Detachment Officer-in-Charge (OIC)/Assistant Operations Officer February 2014 – December 2015

• Responsible for the readiness, health, welfare, morale, safety, and discipline of a 132-man Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT) and accountable for over $65 million worth of equipment while the squadron was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Trusted to perform a multitude of additional duties for the Squadron, including: Environmental Compliance Officer, Family Readiness Liaison, Adopt-A-School Program Coordinator, Social Media Director, HAZMAT Officer, and Anti-Terrorism Officer.

Squadron Maintenance Officer May 2013 – January 2014
• Supervisor for the maintenance and support of a 665-Soldier Stryker Cavalry Squadron with 77 Stryker Vehicles and other wheeled assets worth in excess of $120 million. Directed Tiger Squadron’s transition to a Stryker-based unit with limited funding.
• Recognized with a Secretary of Defense Maintenance Excellence Award based on success of the maintenance program and outstanding performance of the unit maintenance team. Coordinated VIP visits to the Squadron motor pool by both a Congressional Staff Delegation and the Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division.
• Reported directly to the Squadron Commander and Senior Staff on of the operational readiness status of materiel and auxiliary equipment.
• Updated and refined the maintenance annex to the squadron Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), which increased the efficiency of the unit’s maintenance system.

Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron (Tiger), 3d Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX, US Army
Infantry Stryker Platoon Leader June 2012 – May 2013
• Leader of a 42-Soldier Stryker Platoon, responsible for health, welfare, morale, safety, and discipline of all Soldiers. Accountable for the maintenance of four Infantry Carrier Variant Stryker Vehicles and all platoon equipment valued in excess of $12 million.
• Planned and supervised individual and collective training to ensure ability to deploy, fight, and win decisively. Responsible for the professional development of 15 Non-Commissioned Officers and 27 Soldiers.

EDUCATION
United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Bachelor of Science, International History May 2011

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt August 2019

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (IBOLC, 2011), Stryker Leader Course Graduate (2011)
Safety Officer Course (2013), Contracting Officer Representative Course (2013)
Hazardous Material Officer Course (2014), Army Anti-Terrorism Officer Course (2015)

SKILLS
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Power Point, Word, Outlook),
Airborne Qualified, Army Combative Level I and II Qualified,
Conversational in French

21 January 2020 5 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. San Diego, CA

I went to Law School late in life, (34 years old), and attended the Evening Program. My job at the time was as Manager of Contracts. I had a demanding wife, 3 kids, two dogs, a big house payment and a job that required travel. You can do it if you really want to "Mount up". I am on the Board at the University of San Diego School of Law. Let me know I can help.

Note: Federal Procurement Law (written by the King, for the King, is a world apart from common law of contracts and the UCC.

Francis J. Tepedino, Esq.
condorgrup@aol.com

Advisor

Tim Gaughran Gulfport, MS

David,

I think that the two ingredients that helped me get into a solid law school were my recommendations and LSAT score. I had two recommendations from experienced lawyers in the area, one of which was an alumnus from the school that I attended. I also took a prep course to aid in scoring high on the LSAT. I scored in the highest 5%.

Now, don't be dismayed. Before I took the prep course I would take practice exams for the LSAT and actually scored very poorly. I kept at it, took the prep course and ended up doing well.

Like everything else, perseverance is so critical. In fact, I might add that in my opinion, two keys to being successful in Law School are time management and persistence.

I also had very little legal experience previous to entering Law School, only having worked on a formal Article 32 investigation and some experience testifying at courts-martial.

Best of luck my friend.

Advisor

Susana Moraga Hayward, CA

David,
Yes, you need to re-take the LSAT.
Next having strong recommendations and a strong personal statement will help in the application process.
If you visit the State Bar Association website in the state you are planning to take the bar in there should be good basic information to assist you moving forward.
Resumes for law school are not necessarily a key factor in the application process.
The more you understand the rigors of law school and what your eventual career goals are the easier it will be to create a resume.
Good luck and thank you for your service,

Advisor

Jacinda Chan Sacramento, CA

Hi David,

I've applied to law school and got accepted to American University and University of Minnesota straight out of graduating with a double BA from UC Berkeley without any legal experience, only journalism experience.

I can help you through the whole application process, including how to ace the LSAT because you will need to retake it. I have all the practice materials to study for the LAST. I can even show you how to logic games in your head.

Email me your resume jacinda@cal.berkeley.edu, and we can start from there.

Thanks,

Jacinda

Advisor

Morgan Lerette Glendale, AZ

You may be better served by retaking the LSAT. I recommend reaching out to other ring knockers who are lawyers to get their opinions on how they transitioned to law school.

I’ve been there. Had to take the GRE twice. It’s terrible but the score is a filter and you don’t want it to filter you out.

Look at law schools where you want to live as your degree holds the most weight in the area of the school. You will also meet lawyers and possible internships in the area.

Morgan

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