5 Amazing paralegal Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

After spending years working as a paralegal with different employers, you feel ready to elevate your career. You can summarize deposition transcripts, act as a liaison, manage and organize documents, research factual issues, and prepare statistics. For all your ambition and skills, employers must still see a powerful paralegal resume before they agree to interview you. Companies that use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes want to identify applicants who know how to make every syllable of their document sing. For your submission to make it onto a recruiter's desk, you must show that you know which industry skills belong on your resume, that you can cultivate a solid professional summary, and that you understand which former responsibilities resonate with a job post. If you sometimes feel discouraged about your understanding of what makes a great submission, paralegals of various backgrounds and experience levels share this frustration. To help, we have assembled a resume example, writing tips, and a template. Our professional resume writers show you what today's hiring managers need to see before meeting with candidates.

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paralegal: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Senior Paralegal, Nixon Peabody Rochester, New York

January 2017 – Present

Interviewing witnesses and clients
Drafting and filing legal documents
Analyzing legal documents

Associate Paralegal, Hogan Lovells Atlanta, Georgia

August 2015 – December 2016

Drafting and filing legal documents
Summarizing depositions and other legal documents
Interviewing witnesses and clients

Entry Level Paralegal, Baker McKenzie Chicago, Illinois

January 2015 – July 2015

Investigating facts
Summarizing depositions and other legal documents
Assisting with legal research

Education

University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas

Doctor of Philosophy in Law, November, 2014

University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas

Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, November, 2010

Skills

Reliability

Presentation

Networking

Organization

Contract Drafting

Deposition Preparation

Case Management

Document Review

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Employment history

Chief Paralegal, Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, California

March 2023 – Present

Preparing for hearings and trials
Investigating facts
Assisting attorneys with trial preparation

Paralegal, Baker McKenzie Chicago, Illinois

September 2021 – February 2023

Investigating facts
Providing assistance in court proceedings
Analyzing legal documents

Entry Level Paralegal, WilmerHale Boston, Massachusetts

September 2020 – August 2021

Preparing for hearings and trials
Providing assistance in court proceedings
Summarizing depositions and other legal documents

Education

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Master of Science in Paralegal Studies, August, 2020

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Administration, August, 2016

Skills

Quality Assurance

Coaching

Negotiation

Project Management

Legal Writing

Legal Compliance

Legal Research

Legal Document Preparation

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Employment history

Lead Paralegal, Morrison & Foerster San Francisco, California

December 2021 – Present

Maintaining calendars and deadlines
Researching legal precedent
Analyzing legal documents

Paralegal, Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, California

December 2020 – November 2021

Assisting with discovery process
Maintaining calendars and deadlines
Preparing for hearings and trials

Jr. Paralegal, Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, California

June 2020 – November 2020

Assisting with discovery process
Analyzing legal documents
Summarizing depositions and other legal documents

Education

Stanford Law School, Stanford, California

Doctor of Law and Policy, April, 2020

Stanford Law School, Stanford, California

Bachelor of Science in Legal Administration, April, 2016

Skills

Research

Risk Management

Communication

Documentation

Legal Research

Case Management

Legal Compliance

Deposition Preparation

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Professional Summary

Experienced Paralegal with a deep understanding of legal principles and procedures. Skilled in providing comprehensive legal support to attorneys and clients.

Employment history

Chief Paralegal, Skadden-Arps-Slate Meagher & Flom New York City, New York

September 2012 – Present

Preparing legal correspondence
Investigating facts
Preparing for hearings and trials

Associate Paralegal, Latham & Watkins Los Angeles, California

April 2011 – August 2012

Assisting with discovery process
Investigating facts
Preparing legal correspondence

Junior Paralegal, Nixon Peabody Rochester, New York

October 2009 – March 2011

Providing assistance in court proceedings
Assisting with legal research
Preparing legal correspondence

Education

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Doctor of Laws, August, 2009

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, August, 2005

Skills

Documentation

Adaptability

Teamwork

Adaptability

Deposition Preparation

Legal Document Preparation

File Management

Knowledge of Law

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Professional Summary

Highly motivated and detail-oriented Paralegal with a proven track record of success in the legal field. Experienced in providing comprehensive legal support to attorneys, clients, and court personnel.

Employment history

Lead Paralegal, K&L Gates Seattle, Washington

January 2015 – Present

Interviewing witnesses and clients
Maintaining client files
Assisting attorneys with trial preparation

Associate Paralegal, K&L Gates Seattle, Washington

July 2013 – December 2014

Assisting with discovery process
Preparing legal correspondence
Preparing for hearings and trials

Junior Paralegal, WilmerHale Boston, Massachusetts

February 2012 – June 2013

Maintaining calendars and deadlines
Preparing legal correspondence
Preparing for hearings and trials

Education

University of California, Berkeley, California

Legal Research Certificate, December, 2011

Skills

Relationship Management.

Presentation

Reporting

Financial Management

Knowledge of Law

Legal Compliance

Client Communication

Litigation Support

Use This paralegal Resume Template

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paralegal Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an paralegal position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

paralegal/lawyer

Legal Research: Preparing brief of evidence, preparing chronologies, analyse evidentiary issues, outline likely defences and consider maximum penalty and potential reduced sentence for criminal offences. Extensive legal research and assisting in drafting submissions.
Advocacy: Attending court with solicitors and barristers, assisting in drafting bail conditions, submissions and sentencing materials. Independently representing clients in mentions at the Local Court before magistrates and court officers.
Negotiations: Prepare representations to the Police on behalf of a client, including written negotiations for the purposes of obtaining a lesser sentence or a dismissal of charges against a client.
Administrative Tasks: File management (LEAP Software) court filing, diary management, client care letters, court listing advice, booking legal visits and telephone conferences. Booking rehabilitation programs such as juvenile justice.
Communication: Liaise with prosecutors to obtain criminal history and various files needed. Liaising with legal aid grants division regarding client’s matters and their approval. Listing a matter for bail variation and filing in court registry.
Prepare a letter of instructions to a psychologist outlining the agreed facts and criminal history of a client. Lodging a Notice of Intention to Appeal a decision made in court regarding a client’s sentence.

paralegal

Schedule and confirm appointments for clients and attorneys. Create spreadsheets for exhibits, financial forms.
Coordinate conferences, meetings, depositions, travel reservations for office personnel
Electronically file pleadings with circuit courts, federal courts and court of appeals.
Work with clients in completing discovery to prepare cases for attorney review
Transcribe dictation.
Compile, sort and verify the accuracy of data before presenting to attorney
Open, read, scan and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.

paralegal

Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
Call upon witnesses to testify at hearing.

paralegal

Prepare and process legal documents, including motions, pleadings, complaints, orders, deeds, trademarks and probate estates .
Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper and electronic filing system.
File pleadings electronically with court clerk.
Schedule and make appointments.
Assist attorney in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
Attend legal meetings, such as client interviews, hearings, or depositions, and take notes.
Proof read briefs and other legal documents

paralegal

Draft visas application and check all documents required by the Immigration Department.
Assist migration agent with day-to-day operations of files/client management.
Legal research of Migration Law.
Maintain database and files, answer phones and perform other office administrative tasks.
Provide legal support to the immigration law firm in a fast paced environment.

1 2 3 … 18

paralegal/lawyer Job Skills

For an paralegal/lawyer position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Legal Research
Legal Writing
Legal Analysis
Knowledge of Law
Legal Compliance
Litigation Support
Legal Document Preparation
Case Management
Document Review
Court Procedures
Legal Terminology
Legal Documentation
Client Management
Legal Support
Contract Drafting
Client Communication
Legal Research Analysis
File Management
Deposition Preparation
Case Filing.

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your paralegal/lawyer Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Lead Paralegal, Nixon Peabody Rochester, New York

February 2018 – Present

interviewing witness's and client's
Assisting attornies with trial preperation.
Assisting with legal reseach.

Paralegal, Baker McKenzie Chicago, Illinois

September 2016 – January 2018

Mainteining client files.
interviewing witnesss and clientss
Preparing legal correspondance,

Junior Paralegal, Nixon Peabody Rochester, New York

March 2015 – August 2016

Drating anf filing legal documents.
Prepairing leagal correspondence.
Prepearing for hearings and trialls.

Education

Stanford Law School, Stanford, California

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Administration, February, 2015

Skills

Professionalism

Research

Supervisory

Interpersonal

Legal Research

Legal Research Analysis

Deposition Preparation

Legal Analysis

Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Include your Contact Information

Missing contact information prevents recruiters from understanding you're the best fit for the position.

Key Insights

Make sure you're not missing contact information on your resume. That should include your full name, telephone number and email address.
Make sure to use a professional email address as part of your contact information.
Highlight your contact information and double check that everything is accurate to help recruiters get in touch with you.

How to Optimize Your paralegal/lawyer Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Paralegal, Hogan Lovells Atlanta, Georgia

March 2010 – May 2022

Analyzing legal documents
Summarizing depositions and other legal documents
Interviewing witnesses and clients

Paralegal, Hogan Lovells Atlanta, Georgia

October 2008 – February 2010

Assisting with discovery process
Providing assistance in court proceedings
Preparing for hearings and trials

Jr. Paralegal, K&L Gates Seattle, Washington

October 2007 – September 2008

Education

Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, August, 2007

Skills

Mentoring

Written Communication

Technical

Financial Management

Litigation Support

Legal Analysis

Legal Support

Case Management

Unexplained Year Gaps and Missing Job Experiences are a No-no

Gaps in your resume can prevent recruiters from hiring you if you don't explain them.

Key Insights

It's okay to have gaps in your work experience but always offer a valid explanation instead of just hiding it.
Use the gap to talk about positive attributes or additional skills you've learned.
Be honest and straightforward about the gap and explain it using a professional summary.

paralegal/lawyer Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an paralegal/lawyer position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Senior Paralegal
Nixon Peabody
Rochester, New York

Nixon Peabody Recruitment Team

I am a passionate Paralegal with 8 years of experience in the Legal field. I am excited to submit my application for the Senior Paralegal position at Nixon Peabody, where I believe my skills and expertise would be a great asset to your team.

As someone who has always been committed to making a positive impact on the world, I have pursued opportunities to contribute to my community through my work wherever I may be. My experience in this field has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed throughout my life and I am confident that they will help me to bring my passion and expertise to your organization and help drive your success.

I appreciate the time and consideration you have given my application. I am confident that if we work together we could achieve great things and so I look forward to the opportunity to join your team.

With gratitude,
Carl Jackson
722-631-1555
[email protected]

Carl Jackson

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