Legal Services Resume Examples

Paralegal Resume Example & Writing Guide

Build a professional paralegal resume. Expert examples with legal research skills, case management, and litigation support experience.

ATS-Optimized Expert-Written Updated 2026

Paralegal Resume Example

Here's a professional paralegal resume example that you can use as a reference. This example highlights the key sections and content that hiring managers look for.

Alex Johnson

Paralegal

New York, NY | alex.johnson@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented Paralegal with 5+ years of experience in corporate law and litigation support. Expert in legal research (Westlaw, LexisNexis), document review, and case management. Supported attorneys on 50+ cases with a track record of thorough research and precise document preparation.

Work Experience

Senior Paralegal

2022 – Present

ABC Corporation, New York, NY

  • Conducted legal research and analysis for 50+ cases across corporate law, employment law, and litigation matters
  • Managed e-discovery process for complex litigation involving 500,000+ documents, using Relativity
  • Drafted and reviewed 200+ contracts, agreements, and legal correspondence with 99% accuracy

Paralegal

2019 – 2022

XYZ Company, Chicago, IL

  • Coordinated filing schedules across federal and state courts, meeting all deadlines with zero missed filings
  • Organized and maintained case files for 30+ active matters, improving attorney access time by 40%

Skills

Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis) • Document Review • Case Management • E-Discovery • Filing (Federal/State) • Contract Drafting • Client Communication • Litigation Support • Legal Writing • Deposition Preparation • Court Filing Systems • Microsoft Office • Clio/MyCase • HIPAA/Confidentiality • Calendar Management

Education

B.A. in Political Science/Pre-Law

Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approved)

Paralegal Resume Summary Examples

Your resume summary is the first thing hiring managers read. Here's a strong example for aparalegal with 5+ years of experience:

Good Example

Detail-oriented Paralegal with 5+ years of experience in corporate law and litigation support. Expert in legal research (Westlaw, LexisNexis), document review, and case management. Supported attorneys on 50+ cases with a track record of thorough research and precise document preparation.

Avoid This

“Hardworking paralegal looking for a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.”

Why the first example works: It includes specific years of experience, quantified achievements, technical skills, and certifications — all things ATS systems and hiring managers look for.

Work Experience Bullet Points

Here are powerful, metrics-driven bullet points for a paralegal resume. Notice how each one starts with an action verb and includes specific numbers:

  • Conducted legal research and analysis for 50+ cases across corporate law, employment law, and litigation matters
  • Managed e-discovery process for complex litigation involving 500,000+ documents, using Relativity
  • Drafted and reviewed 200+ contracts, agreements, and legal correspondence with 99% accuracy
  • Coordinated filing schedules across federal and state courts, meeting all deadlines with zero missed filings
  • Organized and maintained case files for 30+ active matters, improving attorney access time by 40%

Pro Tip: Use the formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantified Result. For example: “Managed” + “team of 12 engineers” + “delivering project 20% under budget.”

Key Skills for a Paralegal Resume

Include these skills on your paralegal resume to pass ATS screening and impress hiring managers:

Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
Document Review
Case Management
E-Discovery
Filing (Federal/State)
Contract Drafting
Client Communication
Litigation Support
Legal Writing
Deposition Preparation
Court Filing Systems
Microsoft Office
Clio/MyCase
HIPAA/Confidentiality
Calendar Management

ATS Keywords for Paralegal Resume

These are the most important keywords that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for in paralegal resumes. Include them naturally throughout your resume:

paralegallegal researchWestlawLexisNexisdocument reviewcase managemente-discoverylitigationcontract draftingcourt filinglegal writing

Important: Don't stuff keywords. Use them naturally in your summary, experience, and skills sections. ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing and may flag your resume.

Education & Certifications

Education

  • B.A. in Political Science/Pre-Law
  • Paralegal Certificate (ABA-approved)

Certifications

  • Certified Paralegal (CP)
  • Notary Public
  • eDiscovery Specialist

Expert Tips for Your Paralegal Resume

1

Include CP certification and any ABA-approved program credentials

2

List specific legal research databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase)

3

Mention practice areas you have experience in

4

Quantify caseloads, documents reviewed, and contracts drafted

5

Show proficiency with legal management software (Clio, MyCase)

Paralegal Salary & Job Outlook

Entry Level

$40K

Median Salary

$59K

Experienced

$72K

Job Outlook

4% growth (2022-2032), about 34,800 openings per year

Source: BLS 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a paralegal resume include?

Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, legal research database proficiency, practice area experience, case management skills, and document preparation accuracy.

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Quick Stats

Median Salary$59K
Experience Shown5+ years
Key Skills15
ATS Keywords11

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