Legal Assistant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Legal Assistant Resume examples
Legal assistants save attorneys an average of 13.7 hours per week—that's nearly two full workdays reclaimed for higher-level case strategy and client relationships. Behind this striking efficiency lies the backbone of modern legal practice. The role has evolved dramatically since the days of simple filing and dictation, with today's legal assistants mastering complex e-discovery platforms, case management software, and specialized legal research tools that didn't exist a decade ago.
The field is experiencing a quiet revolution as firms adapt to remote work models. Nearly 40% of law firms now employ virtual legal assistants in some capacity, a trend accelerated by pandemic-era workflows that never fully reversed. For those with the right mix of organizational prowess, technology skills, and legal knowledge, opportunities continue expanding beyond traditional law firm settings into corporate legal departments, government agencies, and legal tech companies. As AI and automation reshape routine documentation tasks, tomorrow's most valued legal assistants will be those who combine technical fluency with the irreplaceable human elements of client communication and judgment.
Junior Legal Assistant Resume Example
Olivia Parker
(212) 555-8976 • olivia.parker@gmail.com • Brooklyn, NY 11201
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviaparker • Available for remote or hybrid positions
Recent paralegal studies graduate with 1+ year of combined internship and entry-level experience in law office environments. Quick learner with strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Proficient in legal document preparation, client communication, and case management software. Looking to grow my career at a firm where I can contribute while developing advanced legal skills.
Experience
Legal Assistant – Goldstein & Matthews Law Firm, Brooklyn, NY
January 2023 – Present
- Support 3 attorneys specializing in real estate law by maintaining case files, drafting routine correspondence, and scheduling appointments
- Process and file legal documents with courts and government agencies, meeting all deadlines 100% of the time
- Created new digital filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 47%
- Perform conflict checks for new client intake and prepare engagement letters
- Take detailed phone messages and route client inquiries to appropriate staff members
Legal Administrative Intern – Brooklyn Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn, NY
May 2022 – December 2022
- Assisted paralegals with document preparation and filing for housing cases
- Organized client files and updated case management database
- Answered phones, greeted clients, and scheduled appointments
- Helped prepare materials for tenant rights workshops (copied handouts, set up meeting space)
Office Assistant (Part-time) – Jacobson Dental Practice, Queens, NY
September 2020 – April 2022
- Managed patient scheduling, insurance verification, and basic billing procedures
- Maintained confidential patient records and ensured HIPAA compliance
- Handled multi-line phone system and coordinated with insurance companies
Education
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, NY
Graduated: May 2022 – GPA: 3.78
Certification
Notary Public – New York State, Commissioned October 2022
Skills
- Legal document preparation and filing
- Case management software (Clio, LexisNexis)
- Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Fast and accurate typing (85 WPM)
- Client intake and communication
- Records management and organization
- Legal research basics
- Time tracking/billing software
- Conflict checking procedures
- Written and verbal communication
Additional Information
Volunteer experience: Pro Bono NYC Housing Clinic (4 Saturdays in Fall 2022)
Languages: Conversational Spanish
Mid-level Legal Assistant Resume Example
Melissa A. Patel
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8276 | mapatel@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissapatel
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 5+ years supporting attorneys in civil litigation and family law. Known for efficiently managing heavy caseloads while maintaining meticulous documentation standards. Skilled at coordinating with clients, court personnel, and opposing counsel while protecting confidential information. Looking to leverage my litigation support experience in a more specialized role.
Professional Experience
Senior Legal Assistant – Wilcox & Abernathy LLP, Philadelphia, PA
March 2021 – Present
- Support 3 senior associates and 1 partner in family law practice, managing 45-55 active cases at any given time
- Draft and file legal documents including complaints, motions, and discovery requests with 99% accuracy rate
- Implemented new digital filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 37% and virtually eliminated misfiling incidents
- Coordinate complex calendaring for 4 attorneys, ensuring zero missed deadlines or court appearances
- Train and mentor 2 junior legal assistants on firm procedures and legal document preparation
Legal Assistant – Goldstein & Chen Legal Group, Philadelphia, PA
June 2019 – February 2021
- Assisted 2 litigation attorneys with case preparation, legal research, and client communication
- Prepared and filed court documents for civil cases, including complaints, answers, and motions
- Maintained attorney calendars and coordinated travel arrangements for out-of-state depositions
- Transcribed dictation and meeting notes, often under tight deadlines (once completed 43 pages overnight)
Legal Administrative Assistant – Blackwell & Associates, Camden, NJ
August 2018 – May 2019
- Managed front desk operations for busy 5-attorney practice, greeting clients and handling phone inquiries
- Organized and maintained physical and electronic client files for easy retrieval
- Scheduled client appointments and maintained office calendar
- Processed incoming and outgoing mail, including certified documents and court filings
Education
Associate of Science, Paralegal Studies
Community College of Philadelphia – 2018
Certification in Legal Office Management
Philadelphia Legal Professionals Association – 2020
Skills
- Legal document preparation & filing
- Westlaw & LexisNexis research
- E-filing systems (state & federal)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Expert)
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Client intake & communication
- Court procedure knowledge
- Legal billing software (Clio, TimeSolv)
- Calendaring & deadline tracking
- Confidentiality & ethics compliance
Additional Information
Member, National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Notary Public, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Commission expires 2025)
Volunteer, Philadelphia VIP Legal Clinic (4hrs monthly)
Senior / Experienced Legal Assistant Resume Example
Patricia A. Moreno
Seattle, WA 98101 • (206) 555-7219 • patricia.moreno@email.com • linkedin.com/in/patriciamoreno
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 9+ years of experience supporting attorneys in corporate and litigation settings. Known for exceptional document management, case preparation, and client communication skills. Recognized for improving office efficiency by streamlining filing systems that reduced document retrieval time by 37%. Excel at managing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy under tight deadlines.
Professional Experience
Senior Legal Assistant – Westlake Partners LLP, Seattle, WA (03/2019 – Present)
- Provide comprehensive support to 3 litigation partners handling complex commercial cases with multimillion-dollar stakes
- Manage case files for 35+ active matters, including organizing evidence, preparing exhibits, and maintaining electronic databases
- Draft routine legal correspondence, pleadings, and discovery responses under attorney supervision
- Coordinate depositions, hearings, and trial preparations, including witness scheduling and document preparation
- Implemented new digital filing system that cut document retrieval time from 12 minutes to 4.5 minutes on average
- Train and mentor 2 junior legal assistants on office procedures and document management protocols
Legal Assistant – Baxter & Reid, Seattle, WA (06/2016 – 02/2019)
- Supported 2 partners and 3 associates in a mid-size corporate law practice
- Prepared and filed incorporation documents, annual reports, and other business filings
- Maintained attorney calendars, scheduled meetings, and managed travel arrangements
- Assembled closing binders for corporate transactions ranging from $500K to $7.2M
- Created client billing records and assisted with monthly invoicing processes
Legal Secretary – McNeil Family Law Group, Bellevue, WA (01/2014 – 05/2016)
- Greeted clients and managed front desk operations for busy family law practice
- Scheduled consultations and maintained attorney calendars for 4 lawyers
- Prepared and filed legal documents with King County Superior Court
- Transcribed dictation and drafted correspondence for attorney review
- Developed reputation for calm, compassionate client interactions during emotionally charged situations
Education
Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies
Seattle Community College, Seattle, WA – 2013
Certifications
- Certified Paralegal (CP) – NALA, 2017 (renewed 2022)
- Advanced Certification in E-Discovery – NBI, 2020
Technical Skills
- Case Management: Clio, ProLaw, LexisNexis CaseMap
- E-Discovery: Relativity, Concordance
- Document Management: iManage, NetDocuments
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel, Word, Outlook)
- Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis
Professional Skills
- Legal document preparation and filing
- Client intake and communication
- Litigation support and trial preparation
- Deposition and hearing coordination
- Court filing procedures (state and federal)
- Billing and trust account maintenance
Professional Memberships
- National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- Washington State Paralegal Association
How to Write a Legal Assistant Resume
Introduction
Landing a job as a legal assistant isn't just about having the right skills—it's about showcasing them effectively on paper. Your resume is often your first impression with law firms and legal departments, and in this competitive field, you've got about 7 seconds to grab a hiring manager's attention. I've reviewed thousands of legal assistant resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to specificity, organization, and attention to detail (qualities that, not coincidentally, are crucial for the job itself).
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your legal assistant resume clean and professional—just like the
documents you'd prepare for an attorney. A cluttered resume suggests disorganization, which is a red flag in legal work.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for those with under 5 years of experience)
- Use a conservative font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt size
- Include plenty of white space—dense text blocks are hard to scan
- Create clear section headings that stand out
- Save and send as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
Pro Tip: Name your file professionally. "Jane_Smith_Legal_Assistant_Resume.pdf" is much better than "Resume_Final_Version3.pdf" and helps keep your document identifiable in a hiring manager's downloads folder.
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief, targeted summary that positions you as the solution to the employer's needs. For a legal assistant role, focus on your organizational prowess, attention to detail, and specific legal knowledge.
Example: "Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 4+ years supporting attorneys in family law. Proficient in case management software including AbacusLaw and Clio. Known for maintaining meticulous records and drafting error-free legal correspondence while managing multiple deadlines."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll win or lose interviews. Legal employers want to see specifics about your capabilities and contributions.
- Front-load each bullet point with action verbs (drafted, prepared, managed, organized)
- Include metrics where possible (e.g., "Maintained calendars for 3 attorneys, reducing scheduling conflicts by 37%")
- Highlight software proficiency with specific programs (Westlaw, LexisNexis, ProLaw, etc.)
- Showcase document preparation experience with exact document types you've handled
- Mention client interaction experience (if applicable)
Education and Certifications
Legal assistants often have specialized training that should be highlighted. List formal education first, followed by relevant certifications.
- Include paralegal certificates, notary credentials, or specialized legal training
- List continuing education courses relevant to legal work
- Mention specific legal areas you've studied (real estate law, intellectual property, etc.)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most mid-sized and large firms use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. To pass this digital gatekeeper:
- Review the job posting carefully and mirror key terms
- Include specific skills mentioned in the posting (e.g., "deposition preparation," "e-filing," "legal research")
- Use full software names rather than abbreviations (e.g., "Microsoft Word" not "MS Word")
- Incorporate industry-standard terminology without going overboard
Industry-specific Terms
Pepper your resume with legal terminology that shows you speak the language of law firms. Consider including terms like:
- E-discovery
- Legal correspondence
- Court filings
- Litigation support
- Case management
- Discovery documents
- Client intake
- Legal research
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As someone who's reviewed countless legal assistant resumes, these errors make me cringe:
- Typos or grammatical errors (fatal in a profession requiring precision)
- Vague descriptions like "assisted attorneys" without specifics
- Including irrelevant personal information
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Focusing only on duties rather than accomplishments
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped attorneys with paperwork and answered phones."
After: "Drafted and filed motions, pleadings, and discovery documents for 4 litigation attorneys while managing 75+ client calls weekly, maintaining a 98% first-call resolution rate."
See the difference? The second example shows exactly what you did, how much you handled, and how well you performed—giving hiring managers confidence in your capabilities.
Remember that your resume should feel like a perfect fit for the specific position you're applying for. Tailoring it for each application takes extra time, but in the competitive legal field, this attention to detail can make all the difference.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Legal Assistant resume
- Client rapport building – skilled at putting anxious clients at ease while gathering sensitive case information
- Discretion with confidential information, particularly during high-profile cases and divorce proceedings
- Deadline management across multiple attorneys’ competing priorities (often juggling 15+ active cases)
- Cross-functional communication between attorneys, clients, court personnel, and opposing counsel
- Conflict resolution when managing different personalities under tight courtroom deadlines
- Adaptability to different attorney work styles and preferences (some extremely detail-oriented, others big-picture focused)
Hard skills for your Legal Assistant resume
- Westlaw and LexisNexis legal research platforms
- E-discovery software (Relativity, Concordance)
- Case management systems (Clio, ProLaw)
- Court filing procedures and electronic filing systems
- Legal document drafting (pleadings, motions, discovery requests)
- Paralegal certification (NALA or NFPA)
- Advanced MS Office proficiency (Word formatting for legal documents)
- Legal transcription (75+ WPM typing speed)
- Digital litigation organization and exhibit management