Resume example
Paralegal and legal assistant resume example
A one-page paralegal resume featuring federal and state court filings, Relativity e-discovery reviews, and litigation trial preparation.
This example suits litigation paralegals and legal assistants with two to seven years of experience supporting civil litigation, corporate law, or trial practice. Swap in your own projects and numbers. Keep the structure: summary, experience, skills, education.
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What makes this legal assistant resume work
Highlight paralegal certifications (CP/ACP)
Professional credentials like the Certified Paralegal (CP) from NALA or an ABA-approved paralegal certificate prove your formal knowledge of civil procedure and legal ethics.
Quantify active caseload and attorney support ratios
Law firms look for assistants who handle heavy workloads. State how many attorneys you support (e.g., '4 litigation partners') and the number of active cases on your docket (e.g., '70+ civil matters').
Showcase e-discovery and document review platforms
Modern litigation revolves around electronic discovery. Explicitly mention tools like Relativity, Logikcull, or Everlaw, and state the volume of records reviewed.
Detail electronic court filing (CM/ECF) proficiency
Court filing errors carry serious legal risks. Mention your familiarity with federal CM/ECF and state court electronic filing portals, emphasizing your flawless on-time filing record.
Highlight legal research and citation skills
Show your ability to draft preliminary research memos and cite-check briefs using Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase, and The Bluebook.
Emphasize trial prep and courtroom support
Detail your hands-on trial experience: compiling exhibit binders, organizing trial witness files, and operating trial presentation software during hearings.
Questions
Is there a difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal on a resume?
Historically, legal assistants handled more clerical and administrative tasks, while paralegals performed substantive legal work under attorney supervision. Today, the terms often overlap, but highlighting substantive tasks like drafting motions and legal research elevates your resume.
What software is most important for a litigation paralegal resume?
Relativity (e-discovery), federal CM/ECF (filings), Westlaw or LexisNexis (research), and practice management tools like Clio, ProLaw, or MyCase are the top platforms.
Do I need to list my Notary Public commission?
Yes! Having an active Notary Public commission is a major practical asset for law firms that routinely execute client affidavits, verifications, and settlement agreements.