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Paralegal Resume Example with Skills (+ Tips for 2024)

Applying for a job is like pleading a case. Your paralegal resume must win the jury over—and this guide can help achieve that. Check our paralegal resume example and start writing.

Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Career Writer at ResumeLab
Paralegal Resume Example with Skills (+ Tips for 2024)

Being a paralegal is not like Law and Order. It’s better. The top paralegals make almost $80K a year. The job market will grow at 12% in the next 10 years. In other words? You picked a great career.

The problem?

The best paralegal jobs draw hundreds of applicants. But don’t sweat it. We’ll show you how to make a paralegal resume that gets a hired verdict.

In this guide:

  • A paralegal resume example better than most.
  • How to write a resume for paralegal jobs that stands out.
  • How to draft a paralegal job description for resumes.
  • Which paralegal skills for resumes are in-demand now.

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Coming into law from another job? Try this guide: Resume for a Career Change

Need a different resume guide? Check these out:

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Professional Resume Examples.

Paralegal Resume Example

Holly Ulberg

Paralegal

Personal Info

Phone: 267-255-9595

E-mail: hollyzulberg@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/hollyzulberg

twitter.com/hollyzulberg

Summary

Licensed paralegal with 5+ years of experience. Seeking to increase efficiency and accuracy at Litman & Takacz. At Hudson & Wolff, helped create new legal database that cut time to draft contracts by 35%. Wrote 7+ reports per month and trained 5 junior paralegals. Member of NALA. Skilled in scheduling, investigation, and ERP systems.

Certifications

  • Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP)
  • Certified Paralegal (CP)

Experience

Litigation Paralegal

Hudson & Wolff

2014–2019

  • Conducted legal research, investigated case facts, wrote and proofread legal briefs and reports to prepare for trials.
  • Assisted with implementation of new legal database that slashed contract drafting time by 35%.
  • Wrote 7+ legal reports per month with 95% partner satisfaction.
  • Mentored and trained 5 junior paralegals in research.
  • Investigated facts for 40+ cases that went to trial.

Junior Paralegal

Hudson & Wolff

2013–2014

  • Prepared and proofread 20+ communications per week.
  • Conducted 40+ trademark searches.
  • Helped cut administrative costs 20% by sourcing better IT vendors.
  • Scheduled 800+ appointments.

Education

AA Paralegal Studies, Harrisburg Community College

2009–2013

  • Excelled in legal research classes.
  • Conducted 2-credit project in settlement techniques.

Additional Activities

  • Member, NALA.
  • Mentor 20+ professional paralegals.
  • Lead weekly spin classes with 15+ members.

Conferences

  • 2019 - NALA Conference - Spoke on panel about research.
  • 2017 - NFPA Annual Conference

Hard Skills: Legal research, writing briefs, billing software, investigation, ERP systems

Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills, communication, efficiency

Here’s how to write a paralegal resume that convinces:

1. Choose a Professional Paralegal Resume Format

Can you handle the truth?

They’ll judge you by your resume format.

So—

Start with the reverse-chronological layout. It puts the right facts before their eyes.

Paralegal Resume Format

Expert Hint: Paralegals make from $40K to $73K per year. To almost double your salary, write a paralegal resume that’s tailored to the job requirements.

2. Write a Paralegal Resume Objective or Summary

Danger. You have little time before they file your resume.

Make your resume summary or resume objective count.

Include:

  1. “Licensed paralegal”
  2. Years of experience (2+, 4+)
  3. How/who you will help (increase efficiency at Litman & Takacz)
  4. Best paralegal moments (cut time to draft contracts by 35%...)
  5. A couple job skills (investigation, scheduling...)

Save brain cells by writing it last.

These litigation paralegal resume examples give the brief:

Paralegal Resume Example: Summary

Good Example
Licensed litigation paralegal with 5+ years of experience. Seeking to increase efficiency and accuracy at Litman & Takacz. At Hudson & Wolff, helped create new legal database that cut time to draft contracts by 35%. Wrote 7+ reports per month and trained 5 junior paralegals. Member of NALA. Skilled in scheduling, investigation, and ERP systems.
Bad Example
Experienced paralegal, skilled in legal research, investigation, training, and Clio billing software. Have built a solid reputation as a hard worker and team player. Excels at using ERP systems and writing briefs. Can start next week.

I rest my case.

Both paralegal duties resume samples talk writing and training skills. But the first adds evidence like 35%, 7+, and 5.

Are you making an entry-level resume for paralegals?

See this entry-level paralegal resume sample:

Entry-Level Paralegal Resume Objective

Good Example
Energetic paralegal with skills in legal research and investigation. Seeking to cut the workload at Hudson & Wolff. As legal intern at Litman & Takacz, proofread and prepared 15+ communications per week. Scheduled 200+ appointments.
Bad Example
Junior paralegal. No full-time paralegal experience to data. Worked as paralegal intern for 3 months. Highly skilled in legal research, writing reports, investigation, and using billing software. Positive attitude and a good communicator.

Objection:

They won’t buy the second of those paralegal resume examples. What does “good communicator” mean without proof?

Expert Hint: There are plenty of law firm rankings, but you should learn how to assess each company by yourself.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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3. Enhance Your Paralegal Job Description and Skills

What skills do you need in a paralegal resume?

Here’s a list:

Paralegal Skills for a Resume

But there’s a rider.

Don’t list them all. You’ll look silly. Maybe even dishonest.

To write a paralegal job description for resumes:

  1. Pick the right resume skills in the job posting.
  2. Put them in your resume as keywords.
  3. Show the results you got from using them.

Copycat the first of these paralegal resume samples:

Say the job ad wants these paralegal skills: IT, writing legal reports, training, investigation.

Paralegal Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Good Example

Experience

Litigation Paralegal

Hudson & Wolff

2014–2019

  • Conducted legal research, investigated case facts, wrote and proofread legal briefs and reports to prepare for trials.
  • Used IT skills to assist with implementation of new legal database that slashed contract drafting time by 35%.
  • Wrote 7+ legal reports per month with 95% partner satisfaction.
  • Mentored and trained 5 junior paralegals in research.
  • Investigated facts for 40+ cases that went to trial.
Bad Example
  • Conducted legal research, investigated case facts, wrote and proofread legal briefs and reports to prepare for trials.
  • Proofread reports for attorneys to help prepare for trials.
  • Drafted correspondences and other documents.
  • Performed key administrative tasks and scheduled appointments.

So close.

The second of those paralegal resume examples skips IT skills, writing reports, training, and investigation. It also lacks numbers like 35% and 40+.

Does that work in an entry-level resume? Yep. Say the job wants these paralegal skills: proofreading, trademark searches, sourcing vendors, scheduling, teamwork.

See this entry-level paralegal resume example with no experience:

Entry-Level Paralegal Resume Job Description [Sample]

Good Example

Legal Assistant

Hudson & Wolff

2018–2019

  • Prepared and proofread 20+ communications per week.
  • Conducted 40+ trademark searches.
  • Helped cut administrative costs 20% by sourcing better IT vendors.
  • Scheduled 800+ appointments.

Team Member

Buffalo Wild Wings

2014–2018

  • Commended by shift supervisors 3x for teamwork.
Bad Example

Legal Assistant

Hudson & Wolff

2018–2019

  • Prepared communications for lawyers and staff.
  • Tasked with cutting administrative expenses.

Team Member

Buffalo Wild Wings

2014–2018

  • Served food and drinks to customers.
  • Vacuumed and mopped.

That’s eye-opening.

The first paralegal resume example shows proofreading, and scheduling. Then it says how much you did of each. It also cites teamwork from another job.

Expert Hint: Paralegal duties resumes need computer skills. Does the job ad want Excel, Clio, or LexisNexis? What about MyCase? Check the ad, then put proof in your resume.

4. List Education on a Paralegal Resume

They already know you have an education. But you can also wow them with it.

How?

Put a couple coveted skills in your education section.

This personal injury paralegal resume sample shows how:

Paralegal Resume Example—Education

Good Example

Education

AA Paralegal Studies, Harrisburg Community College

2009–2013

  • Excelled in legal research classes.
  • Conducted 2-credit project in settlement techniques.

Nice.

That paralegal education resume example proves research and settlement techniques.

5. Add More to Your Paralegal Resume

“Wow, look at that.”

If they say that about your paralegal resume, they’ll call. Put a couple “added” sections in your resume with key accomplishments.

Try a few of these:

This sample paralegal resume crushes it:

Paralegal Resume—Extra Sections

Good Example

Certifications

  • Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP)
  • Certified Paralegal (CP)

Additional Activities

  • Member, NALA.
  • Mentor 20+ professional paralegals.
  • Lead weekly spin classes with 15+ members.

Conferences

  • 2019 - NALA Conference - Spoke on panel about research.
  • 2017 - NFPA Annual Conference
Bad Example

Additional Activities

  • Member, NALA.
  • Cycling.

No contest.

The first of those paralegal resume examples shows you’re certified. Then it proves mentorship, leadership, and research skills.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter for a job. Your paralegal duties resume will sink without it. Yes, many hiring teams don’t care about them. But don’t insult the 45% that do. Check out this paralegal cover letter example for reference. 

Haven't written your cover letter yet? See these related guides:

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a paralegal resume:

  • Use the paralegal resume template up top. Build your case with skills mentioned in the online job ad.
  • Don’t just list paralegal skills on a resume. Researching and investigation are great. But to get hired, show how they helped the partners.
  • Your education section needs evidence. Salt in skills like training or computer use.
  • Include resume sections that show NALA memberships, certifications, or athletic activities.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for paralegal jobs? Not sure how to put paralegal on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

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Tom Gerencer, CPRW
Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

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