Paralegal Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Paralegal Resume examples

Behind every successful legal case stands a paralegal who's meticulously connected the dots. These legal professionals don't just support attorneys—they're the backbone of the modern legal system, handling everything from case research and document preparation to client interviews and trial logistics. In many law firms, paralegals manage up to 75% of case preparation work, allowing attorneys to focus on courtroom strategy and complex legal analysis. This critical role has evolved dramatically over the past decade, with paralegals now taking on specialized work in areas like immigration, intellectual property, and corporate compliance.

The paralegal profession is experiencing significant growth as firms look to improve efficiency and manage costs. With court backlogs reaching historic levels post-pandemic, many jurisdictions are expanding paralegals' authority to handle routine legal matters independently. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14% growth rate through 2031—much faster than average—with approximately 43,800 openings annually. For detail-oriented problem-solvers with strong research skills, the paralegal field offers a unique blend of stability, intellectual challenge, and meaningful work that directly impacts people's lives during their most critical moments.

Junior Paralegal Resume Example

Jenna Morales

jmorales92@email.com | (312) 555-8974 | Chicago, IL 60614
www.linkedin.com/in/jennamorales | Available for hybrid or in-office positions

Recent graduate with Paralegal certification and 18 months of law firm experience providing administrative and legal support. Proficient in legal research, document preparation, and case management systems. Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills that help attorneys work more efficiently. Seeking to grow my career in family law while continuing to build expertise in legal procedures.

EXPERIENCE

Legal Assistant/Paralegal | Bradshaw & Mitchell Law Group | Chicago, IL | March 2022 – Present

  • Support 3 attorneys specializing in family law and civil litigation by managing calendars, organizing files, and preparing legal documents
  • Draft routine correspondence, pleadings, and discovery requests under attorney supervision
  • Perform legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, cutting attorney research time by approximately 6 hours weekly
  • Organize and maintain over 75 active client files while ensuring all documents are properly filed and accessible
  • Assist with client intake process, including initial consultations and information gathering

Legal Administrative Assistant | Cooper & Quinn Associates | Chicago, IL | August 2021 – February 2022

  • Managed front desk operations, greeted clients, and handled incoming communications for busy 5-attorney firm
  • Maintained electronic and physical filing systems for client documents and correspondence
  • Scheduled appointments, depositions, and meetings using Microsoft Outlook
  • Assisted with basic document preparation including formatting legal documents according to court requirements

Legal Intern | Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office | Chicago, IL | May 2021 – July 2021

  • Supported Assistant State’s Attorneys in the Domestic Violence Division through a 10-week internship program
  • Observed court proceedings and assisted with case file organization and document preparation
  • Helped compile witness information and organized evidence for upcoming trials

EDUCATION

Paralegal Certificate | American Bar Association Approved Program
Roosevelt University | Chicago, IL | Completed December 2020

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Business Administration
University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL | Graduated May 2020
GPA: 3.7/4.0 | Dean’s List: 6 semesters

SKILLS

  • Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law
  • Case Management Software: Clio, AbacusLaw
  • E-Filing: Illinois E-file system, federal CM/ECF
  • Document Preparation: Pleadings, motions, discovery, correspondence
  • Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
  • Client Communication & Intake
  • Records Management & Organization
  • Attention to Detail & Deadline Management
  • Bilingual: Fluent in Spanish (written and verbal)

CERTIFICATIONS

Notary Public, State of Illinois (Commission expires August 2025)
Illinois E-Filing Certification (Completed March 2022)

Mid-level Paralegal Resume Example

Monica R. Vasquez

Chicago, IL • mvasquez.legal@gmail.com • (312) 555-8724 • linkedin.com/in/monica-vasquez-paralegal

Detail-oriented paralegal with 5+ years of experience supporting attorneys in civil litigation and corporate law. Known for

meticulous document preparation, efficient case management, and strong client communication skills. Proficient with LexisNexis, Westlaw, and various legal software platforms. Consistently praised for ability to handle sensitive information while managing multiple case priorities in fast-paced environments.

EXPERIENCE

Litigation Paralegal
Goldman & Kessler LLP, Chicago, IL
June 2020 – Present

  • Support team of 4 attorneys in complex civil litigation matters, managing caseload of 35-45 active cases
  • Draft and file pleadings, motions, and discovery documents with 99.7% accuracy rate
  • Created new deposition preparation protocol that reduced attorney prep time by 6.5 hours per case
  • Maintain electronic and physical filing systems for 300+ client matters
  • Coordinate with expert witnesses, court reporters, and outside counsel to schedule depositions and hearings
  • Trained 3 junior paralegals on firm procedures and software systems

Corporate Paralegal
Midwest Legal Partners, Chicago, IL
March 2018 – May 2020

  • Assisted with due diligence for 7 M&A transactions ranging from $5M to $87M in value
  • Organized and maintained corporate records for 125+ business entities
  • Prepared articles of incorporation, bylaws, minutes, and other corporate documents
  • Researched UCC filings, judgments, and liens for pre-transaction reviews
  • Handled routine client communications and managed attorney calendars

Legal Assistant
Benson Family Law, Evanston, IL
August 2017 – February 2018

  • Scheduled client meetings, maintained attorney calendars, and answered phones
  • Prepared basic legal documents under attorney supervision
  • Organized and digitized client files, reducing physical storage needs by 30%
  • Handled sensitive client information with strict confidentiality

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2017 – GPA: 3.8/4.0

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago
Graduated: December 2015

CERTIFICATIONS

Illinois Notary Public (Current)
NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) – June 2019
eDiscovery Certification – ACEDS (2021)

SKILLS

  • Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
  • Litigation Support Software
  • Document Drafting & Review
  • eDiscovery Procedures
  • Case Management Systems
  • Deposition Preparation
  • Court Filing Procedures (Federal & State)
  • Client Communication
  • Legal Billing Software (Clio, TimeSolv)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced)
  • Spanish (Conversational)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Illinois Paralegal Association – Member since 2018
Chicago Bar Association – Paralegal Section – Member since 2019

Senior / Experienced Paralegal Resume Example

SANDRA M. KAPLAN

Boston, MA • (617) 555-0182 • sandrakaplan@email.com • linkedin.com/in/sandrakaplan

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dedicated Senior Paralegal with over 10 years of experience in corporate and litigation settings. Known for managing complex caseloads and leading document review teams while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. Successfully reduced discovery timeline by 27% through implementation of improved document management protocols. Skilled in client communication and case strategy development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SENIOR PARALEGAL
Donovan & Frost LLP, Boston, MA
January 2018 – Present

  • Lead a team of 4 junior paralegals, providing training and workflow oversight for complex litigation matters exceeding $15M in dispute value
  • Manage all aspects of e-discovery for 35+ active cases, processing approximately 25,000 documents monthly
  • Drafted and filed over 120 legal documents including complaints, motions, and discovery requests
  • Developed firm-wide document management system that reduced filing errors by 31% and improved attorney prep time
  • Serve as primary point of contact for 8 major corporate clients, maintaining relationships and coordinating communication
  • Created comprehensive litigation calendars and deadline tracking systems, ensuring 100% compliance with court-mandated timelines

CORPORATE PARALEGAL
Biogen Inc., Cambridge, MA
March 2014 – December 2017

  • Supported 3 in-house attorneys on contract review, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance matters
  • Assisted with due diligence for 2 major acquisitions valued at $87M and $124M respectively
  • Maintained corporate minute books and entity management system for 14 domestic subsidiaries
  • Prepared and filed SEC documents including 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and 8-Ks with minimal attorney revision
  • Developed streamlined contract review process that reduced turnaround time from 6 days to 3.5 days

LITIGATION PARALEGAL
Wheeler & Associates, Boston, MA
June 2012 – February 2014

  • Supported 5 litigation attorneys in personal injury and insurance defense cases
  • Coordinated case files and managed discovery for caseload of 45-60 active matters
  • Conducted factual research and prepared summaries of medical records and police reports
  • Assisted with trial preparation including exhibit organization and witness coordination

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Boston University, 2011

Paralegal Certificate, Boston University Center for Professional Education, 2012

Certified E-Discovery Specialist (CEDS), Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, 2019

Notary Public, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Current

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Relativity, Concordance, LexisNexis, Westlaw
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Practice management software (Clio, ProLaw, Filevine)
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (document redaction, OCR, form creation)
  • Contract management systems (ContractWorks, DocuSign CLM)
  • Entity management platforms (Diligent Entities, CT Corporation)

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

  • Federal and state court filing procedures
  • Legal research and writing
  • Deposition preparation and attendance
  • Team leadership and workflow management
  • Client relationship management
  • Litigation calendaring and deadline tracking

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), Member since 2015
Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Member since 2012

How to Write a Paralegal Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect paralegal job starts with a resume that showcases your legal knowledge, attention to detail, and organizational skills. I've reviewed thousands of paralegal resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well candidates highlight their specific legal experience and technical abilities. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's your chance to demonstrate that you understand the legal world and can hit the ground running.

Resume Structure and Format

Paralegals work in a field where precision matters, so your resume should reflect this attention to detail. Keep these formatting guidelines in mind:

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for juniors, 2 pages for those with 5+ years of experience)
  • Use clean, professional fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt size
  • Include clear section headers that stand out (without going overboard on design)
  • Maintain consistent formatting throughout (dates, bullet points, spacing)
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a Word doc)
Pro tip: Many law firms still prefer conservative resume formats. While creative designs might work in other industries, stick with a traditional layout for legal positions—especially at established firms or government agencies.

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile (sometimes called a summary or objective) should be a tight 3-4 sentences highlighting your legal experience, specialization areas, and standout skills. For example, rather than saying "Dedicated paralegal with excellent research skills," try something like: "Corporate paralegal with 4+ years supporting M&A transactions at a mid-sized firm. Proficient in Westlaw and LexisNexis research, with specialized experience in due diligence for technology sector acquisitions."

Professional Experience

This is where most hiring managers spend their time. For each position:

  • Start with your title, firm name, location, and dates (month/year format)
  • Focus on achievements rather than duties (what did you accomplish?)
  • Quantify wherever possible (managed 73 case files, prepared discovery for $4.2M litigation)
  • Highlight specific legal procedures you've handled (e-filing, deposition prep, Bates stamping)
  • Mention any specialized legal software you've used (TrialDirector, CaseMap, Relativity)

Education and Certifications

Legal credentials matter in this field. Include:

  • Your paralegal certificate or degree (with institution, location, and graduation date)
  • Relevant continuing education courses or specialized training
  • Professional certifications (NALA's CP/ACP, NFPA's CORE/RP, or state-specific credentials)
  • Bar association memberships or other professional affiliations

Recent graduates should place education near the top, while experienced paralegals might position it after work experience.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Law firms and corporate legal departments often use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Include key terms from the job description (litigation support, contract review, etc.)
  • Name specific legal procedures you're familiar with (e-discovery, document review)
  • List software platforms you've used (Clio, PCLaw, Tabs3, etc.)
  • Mention areas of law you've worked in (family law, intellectual property, corporate)

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these terms throughout your resume (where applicable and honest):

  • Legal research tools (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, HeinOnline)
  • Document management systems (iManage, NetDocuments, Worldox)
  • Practice-specific terminology (interrogatories, subpoenas, pleadings, briefs)
  • E-discovery platforms (Relativity, Concordance, Summation)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Typos or grammatical errors (fatal in a field where precision matters)
  • Generic descriptions that don't showcase legal knowledge
  • Omitting technical skills specific to legal work
  • Including irrelevant personal information
  • Using outdated formats (objective statements, references available upon request)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for assisting attorneys with various tasks and filing documents."

After: "Managed discovery process for 17 commercial litigation cases, preparing document productions ranging from 1,500-8,000 pages while maintaining privilege logs and coordinating with opposing counsel on scheduling."

The difference? The second version shows specific legal knowledge, scope of responsibility, and measurable work product—exactly what legal hiring managers want to see.

Soft skills for your Paralegal resume

  • Client empathy and emotional intelligence – particularly when working with distressed clients or witnesses facing difficult legal situations
  • Deadline management under pressure (juggling multiple case priorities with competing court deadlines)
  • Cross-functional communication – translating legal jargon for clients while maintaining technical precision with attorneys
  • Investigative persistence – following document trails and connecting case details others might miss
  • Adaptable learning style – quickly absorbing new legal precedents and firm-specific protocols
  • Tactful assertiveness – especially when requesting documents from opposing counsel or following up with reluctant witnesses

Hard skills for your Paralegal resume

  • Westlaw and LexisNexis legal research proficiency
  • E-discovery management using Relativity and Concordance
  • Drafting of legal documents including pleadings and motions
  • Case management software (TrialWorks, Clio, ProLaw)
  • Legal citation formatting (BlueBook and local court rules)
  • Microsoft Office Suite with advanced Excel litigation support
  • Client billing systems and time tracking (Timeslips, QuickBooks)
  • Records management and legal document indexing
  • Notary Public certification