Paralegal Resume Example

Attorneys and legal recruiters read paralegal resumes closely and for errors, because precision is the job. They look for your practice area, the kinds of matters you support, the tasks you own end to end (drafting, discovery, filings, trial preparation) and the software you use. A single typo can end the review, so proofread as if the resume were a court filing.

The Sample resume below is for a certified paralegal with six years in litigation at a mid-size firm and a corporate legal department. It describes matters by type and volume, names e-discovery and case management tools, and shows results attorneys value, like deadlines never missed and discovery organized well enough to save hours at trial.

Tailor it to the practice area. Litigation roles want discovery, motions and trial support; corporate roles want entity management, contracts and closings; real estate wants title and closing documents; immigration wants forms and case tracking. Match the software named in the posting. If you are an administrative assistant moving into legal work, the administrative assistant example shows the skills to carry over.

Updated . The person and employers in this Sample resume are fictional.

Paralegal sample resume

Victoria Hale

Litigation Paralegal, NALA Certified

St. Louis, MOvictoria.hale@example.com(314) 555-0132

Summary

Certified paralegal with six years of experience in commercial litigation and corporate legal work, supporting four attorneys on 30 to 40 active matters. Managed discovery of 400,000 documents for a two-week jury trial and built the trial exhibit system the team still uses. Organized, discreet and precise with deadlines and filings.

Experience

Litigation Paralegal, Gateway Arch Legal Group LLP

– Present

St. Louis, MO

  • Support four litigation attorneys on 30 to 40 active commercial and employment matters, tracking every deadline in the firm's docketing system.
  • Managed discovery of about 400,000 documents in Relativity for a two-week jury trial, including coding, privilege logs and productions.
  • Built the exhibit and witness binder system for trial that the team now uses on every case going to trial.
  • Draft discovery requests and responses, subpoenas and routine motions for attorney review, and file in state and federal courts.
Corporate Paralegal, Mississippi River Foods, Legal Department

–

St. Louis, MO

  • Maintained records for 28 subsidiaries, including annual reports and good standing certificates in eleven states.
  • Managed the contract database and flagged renewals to business owners 90 days in advance.
  • Prepared closing binders for two acquisitions with outside counsel.

Education

Paralegal Studies Certificate (ABA-approved)

Meramec Valley College, St. Louis, MO

B.A. in Political Science

Missouri Heartland University, Columbia, MO

Skills

  • Litigation support
  • Discovery and e-discovery
  • Relativity
  • Legal research (Westlaw)
  • Drafting pleadings and discovery
  • Court e-filing
  • Docketing and calendaring
  • Trial preparation
  • Entity management
  • Contract management

Certifications

  • Certified Paralegal (CP), NALA,

Start yours from this example

Bring your own resume or start blank, then tailor it to each posting in about two minutes.

Use this example

Templates for the paralegal resume

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How the resume changes with experience

The same paralegal resume, written at three levels: a summary and three bullets for each.

Entry level

Zero to two years, or a first role in the title

Paralegal studies graduate with an internship at a family law firm, skilled in research, organization and drafting routine documents.

  • Drafted client letters and simple pleadings for attorney review during an internship.
  • Organized client files and scanned records into the firm's case management system.
  • Completed legal research assignments in Westlaw for coursework and the internship.

Mid level

Three to seven years, owns a process or a workload

Paralegal with four years of experience in real estate law, handling closings, title review and document preparation.

  • Prepare closing documents for 15 to 20 commercial and residential transactions a month.
  • Review title commitments and surveys and flag issues to attorneys.
  • Coordinate with lenders, title companies and clients to close on time.

Senior

Eight years or more, leads people, budgets or programs

Senior paralegal and litigation support manager with fourteen years of experience leading paralegal teams on complex litigation.

  • Manage a team of six paralegals supporting the litigation department.
  • Oversee e-discovery vendors and budgets for large matters.
  • Train paralegals and attorneys on discovery tools and procedures.

Skills to put on the paralegal resume

Hard skills

Practice area knowledge
Firms hire paralegals for a specific area, and naming yours matches you to the right roles.
Discovery and e-discovery tools
Litigation depends on well-managed discovery, and platforms such as Relativity are often required.
Legal research
Research in Westlaw or Lexis supports attorneys' arguments and saves their time.
Drafting
Paralegals who draft reliable first versions free attorneys for higher-value work.
Docketing and filing
Missed deadlines are serious, and a flawless record is a strong selling point.
Case management software
Firms use specific systems, and experience with them shortens training.

Soft skills

Attention to detail
Errors in legal documents have real consequences.
Discretion
Paralegals handle confidential client information.
Working under deadlines
Court deadlines are fixed, and calm organization keeps the team on track.

Mistakes that cost paralegal interviews

  1. Typos

    Precision is the core of the job. A single error can end your application, so proofread carefully and have someone else read it too.

  2. No practice area

    Say which areas you have worked in and the kinds of matters. A litigation paralegal and a corporate paralegal are hired differently.

  3. Listing tasks without scale

    Give the number of attorneys and matters you support and the size of discovery you managed.

  4. Leaving out software

    Legal postings often name specific tools. List the research, discovery and case management software you use.

  5. Revealing client details

    Do not name clients or confidential matters. Describe them by type and size instead.

Questions about the paralegal resume

What should a paralegal resume include?

Practice area, types of matters, tasks you own, software, certifications and education, and results such as trials supported or deadlines managed.

Is a paralegal certification necessary?

Not always, but many employers prefer an ABA-approved certificate or a national certification. List what you have with the year.

How do I write a paralegal resume with no experience?

Lead with your paralegal program, internships and any legal or administrative work. Show research, writing and organization skills with specific examples.

Should I include law school on a paralegal resume?

Yes, if you attended, but frame your goal clearly so employers understand you want a paralegal role.

How long should a paralegal resume be?

One page for most paralegals, and two for senior paralegals with long careers.

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