The Featured section is one of LinkedIn’s most underused tools, especially by law students and young lawyers. It lets you pin your best work, writing or achievements near the top of your profile, where anyone can see it without digging. Think of it as a small, curated portfolio right on your profile. Let me show you how to use it well, even if you feel you do not have much to feature yet.
Quick answer
The LinkedIn Featured section lets you pin selected items (like posts, articles, links or documents) near the top of your profile so visitors see your best work first. As a lawyer or law student, use it to showcase things like your legal writing or publications, a strong post you have written, a project, moot or research you are proud of, or a link to your work or portfolio. Choose a few high-quality, relevant items rather than everything, keep them current, and make sure each reflects well on you. Used well, it turns your profile from a static list into a proof-backed showcase. The principle is simple: put your best, most relevant proof where people will actually see it.
Why the Featured section is worth using
Most profiles ask the reader to take your claims on trust. The Featured section lets you show, not just tell. If your profile says you are interested in legal writing, a featured article or post proves it. If you say you research competition law, a featured piece on the subject backs it up. Because it sits high on your profile and is visual, it draws the eye and gives a strong, quick impression of substance. And because so few students use it, doing so makes you look more serious and prepared.
What lawyers and law students can feature
- Your writing or publications: a blog post, article, paper, or any legal writing you have published or can link to.
- A strong LinkedIn post: if you have written a thoughtful post (for example, reflections on an internship or an area of law), you can feature it.
- A project, moot or research: a link, document or write-up of something substantial you worked on.
- A portfolio or sample of work: a link to a portfolio, or a document showcasing your best work (being mindful of confidentiality).
- An achievement or recognition: something noteworthy and relevant you would want a visitor to see first.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Pick two or three of your best, most relevant items (a piece of writing, a project or moot, a strong post, or a portfolio link) and add them to your Featured section today. Choose quality over quantity, and make sure each one reflects the direction you want to be seen in. If you have nothing yet, make a note to create one featurable piece (like a short article) in the coming weeks.
If this is you
- If you feel you have nothing to feature: this is common and fixable. Writing one thoughtful post or short article, or writing up a project or moot, gives you something to feature and is a good exercise in itself. Featuring even one strong item is better than leaving the section empty.
- If you are worried about confidentiality: be careful never to feature confidential or sensitive material from internships or work. Feature your own writing, public work, or suitably general reflections instead. When in doubt, leave it out.
- If you are a young lawyer: feature your best professional writing, thought-leadership posts, or notable work (again, mindful of confidentiality) to reinforce your expertise and focus.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t feature confidential, sensitive or client-related material from your internships or job. It is a serious professional misstep. And please don’t clutter the section with weak or irrelevant links just to fill it. A couple of strong, relevant items make a far better impression than a long list of mediocre ones.
Keep it curated
Treat your ‘Featured’ section like a small gallery: a few carefully chosen pieces, kept current, each reflecting well on you and pointing in the direction you want to grow. Swap items in as you produce better work. (LinkedIn’s features and layout can change over time, so focus on the principle rather than the exact clicks: showcase your best, most relevant proof where people will see it.)
FAQs
- What is the LinkedIn Featured section? A section near the top of your profile where you can pin selected items (posts, articles, links, and documents) so visitors see your best work first.
- What should a law student feature? Your best writing or publications, a strong post, a project, moot or research, or a portfolio link, choose a few high-quality, relevant items.
- What if I have nothing to feature? Create one featurable piece, like a short article or a write-up of a project or moot. Even one strong item beats an empty section.
- Can I feature work from my internship? Only if it is not confidential or sensitive. Never feature client or confidential material. Prefer your own writing or public work.
- How many items should I feature? A few well-chosen ones. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.
Thank you for reading!
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