7 Legal Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

Embarking on a career path as a legal assistant requires a resume that reflects both your administrative skills and legal knowledge. This article provides examples of strong legal assistant resumes, each paired with strategic advice to help you land the job. Learn the essentials of showcasing your experience in law practices, from case preparation to document management, in a way that speaks to hiring professionals in the legal field.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in standout legal assistant resumes.

  • Quantifying Your Impact: Top resumes show real results with numbers. These could be decreased document turnaround time, increased case handling efficiency, reduced case preparation hours, or improved client satisfaction scores. Numbers help you clearly show how you've helped.

  • Relevant Skills Are Key: Include skills on your resume that you have and are listed in the job description. Add skills such as legal research, case management software, document drafting, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. These show you are equipped for the tasks.

  • Understanding Technology Trends: Being up-to-date with the latest software is important. Show you're current by including phrases like familiar with e-filing or proficient in Pacer.

Where to list education

On your resume, place your education section near the top if you are new to the workforce or a recent graduate. This will show you've been focused on learning. For those who have been a legal assistant for a while, put your work experience first. Your hands-on experience is what most employers look at first.

Include any specific legal courses or training you have. This shows that you have the background needed to support legal work. Certifications like Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Paralegal Certificate can be highlighted here too.

Showcase legal tasks

In your work history, focus on tasks that are special to legal work. Mention if you have prepared legal documents, such as briefs or wills, and if you have helped with research for cases. Attention to detail and the ability to handle complex tasks are key in this field.

Mentioning any experience with legal software or court filing systems can set you apart from others. Employers value candidates who can jump in with little training on these tools.

Ideal resume length

Keep your resume to one page if you can. This is useful if you have under 10 years of work as a legal assistant. It makes sure that your most important information is easy to find.

If you have more than 10 years of experience, two pages are okay. Make sure every word adds value and relates to the job you want. Make it simple for the reader by using clear and brief descriptions.

Emphasize confidentiality

It is important in legal work to keep sensitive information safe. You should include any experience you have managing confidential records or information.

Also, if you have worked in environments that required discretion, such as law offices or in support of legal proceedings, make this clear. Highlight your ability to follow protocols and preserve the integrity of legal processes.

Optimize for applicant tracking systems

When you apply for a job as a legal assistant, remember your resume might be read by a computer first. To get it in front of human eyes, you need to make it through the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many firms use. Here are some ways to help your resume stand out.

  • Use keywords from the job description, such as 'document management' or 'legal research.' This shows you're a good match for the job.
  • Include specific software skills like proficiency in Westlaw or LexisNexis, as these are often searched for by the ATS.

Make sure your job titles and skills are easy to find and read by the ATS. You want the system to see you are a fit for the role of a legal assistant. Keep the formatting simple, use a standard font, and avoid tables or images that can confuse the ATS.

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