Legal Assistant Resume Example (Free Guide)

Are you looking for a job as a legal assistant? If so, you'll need a resume that accurately reflects your skills and experience. Our legal assistant resume example and accompanying writing tips can help you create a document that will grab the attention of potential employers. With the right resume, you can be sure that your talents and qualifications stand out from the crowd.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Legal Assistant do?

A legal assistant is a professional who provides support to lawyers by researching legal documents, conducting investigations, preparing legal documents, and generally helping lawyers with tasks related to their practice. They may also provide administrative support, such as filing documents, scheduling appointments, and handling correspondence. Additionally, they may also provide paralegal services, such as interviewing witnesses and researching legal precedents.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Legal Assistant related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Legal Assistant?

Conducting legal research
Drafting legal documents and correspondence
Filing pleadings and other documents with the court
Organizing and maintaining client files
Assisting with legal investigations
Keeping track of deadlines and court dates
Preparing trial briefs and assisting in trial preparation
Managing schedules and calendars
Answering phones and responding to emails
Scheduling and attending meetings
Maintaining contact lists
Preparing and filing expense reports

Sample Legal Assistant Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details:
Name: Jane Doe
Address: 123 Any Street, Anytown, Anystate 12345
Phone Number: (123) 456-7890
Email Address: janedoe@yahoo.com

Summary:
Jane Doe is a highly organized and detail-oriented professional with over 7 years experience as a Legal Assistant. She is a motivated self-starter capable of multitasking, prioritizing and managing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Jane has a proven track record of providing excellent customer service, maintaining professionalism and working well with colleagues in a team setting.

Work Experience:

XYZ Law Firm, Anytown, Anystate (2015-Present)

Provide support to attorneys and staff in all areas of litigation and transactional practice including legal research and document preparation
Conduct legal research, review of documents and assistance with preparation of legal materials
Maintain client files and records, including hardcopy and electronic documents
Assist attorneys with court filings, depositions, hearings and trial preparation

ABC Law Firm, Anytown, Anystate (2010-2015)

Provided administrative support to attorneys, staff and clients
Managed and coordinated legal document preparation, filing and organization of legal documents
Conducted legal research and analysis of relevant information
Prepared and maintained legal forms and documents

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, Anytown University, Anystate (2009)

Skills:

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Strong organizational and time management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once
Ability to work independently and manage own workload

Certifications:
Certified Paralegal, Anystate Bar Association (2010)

Languages:
English (fluent), Spanish (conversational)

Resume tips for Legal Assistant

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Legal Assistant resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Legal Assistant - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your relevant experience and skills in the summary section.
Include accomplishments and quantifiable results to show your value.
Include keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
Focus on your legal experience, highlighting any specializations.
Include any certifications, memberships, or awards that are relevant to the position.

Legal Assistant Resume Summary Examples

A Legal Assistant Resume Summary or Resume Objective is a great way to highlight your key skills, qualifications, and accomplishments in a concise, yet powerful statement. It is a valuable addition to your resume because it gives employers a good insight into who you are as a professional, and what kind of value you can bring to their organization. A well-crafted summary or objective will make you stand out from the competition, and is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the legal profession.

For Example:

Highly organized Legal Assistant with 3+ years of experience in providing support to attorneys. Adept in conducting legal research, drafting documents, and providing administrative support.
Professional Legal Assistant with excellent communication and organizational skills. Experienced in court filings, data entry, and managing case files.
Experienced Legal Assistant with 3+ years of experience in providing administrative and legal support. Skilled in legal document preparation and client relations.
Dynamic Legal Assistant with 5+ years of experience in providing administrative and legal support. Adept in preparing legal documents, conducting research, and client relations.
Detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 4+ years of experience in providing administrative and legal support. Proficient in preparing legal documents, managing case files, and conducting research.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Legal Assistant Resume

Building a strong experience section for a legal assistant resume is important to demonstrate your expertise and qualifications for the role. This section is your opportunity to highlight your most relevant work experience and demonstrate that you are a qualified and competent legal assistant. By including details on your job duties, accomplishments, and the results of your work, you can showcase your skills and show potential employers that you are the best candidate for the job. Additionally, this section can demonstrate your knowledge of legal principles, processes, and concepts and can help to show potential employers that you are the right person for the role.

For Example:

Provided administrative support to multiple attorneys, including document organization and legal research.
Drafted and proofread legal documents, correspondence, and pleadings.
Prepared legal documents such as summons, complaints, motions and subpoenas.
Assisted attorneys with document management, including filing and retrieving documents.
Reviewed and organized legal documents for accuracy and completeness.
Conducted research and compiled data for legal cases.
Calendared deadlines and managed attorneys’ court and client schedules.
Coordinated travel arrangements and managed expense reports.
Answered and directed incoming calls, managed emails and other correspondence.
Provided support to attorneys at client meetings and court hearings.

Legal Assistant resume education example

A legal assistant typically needs at least a two-year associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school. Paralegal studies programs include courses in legal research, legal writing, contracts, civil procedure, constitutional law, torts, criminal law, and legal ethics. Some legal assistants may also benefit from additional coursework in business, finance, and accounting.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Legal Assistant resume:

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and History, University of Nevada
Certificate in Legal Assistant Studies, XYZ College

Legal Assistant Skills for a Resume

It is important to add skills to a legal assistant resume because they demonstrate to potential employers that the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to be successful in the role. Skills demonstrate knowledge and competencies in areas such as legal research and analysis, document drafting, client relations, organization and time management, communication, and other areas that are essential to the job. By including specific skills, employers are able to quickly see that a candidate is a good fit for the position.

Soft Skills:

Communication
Organizational
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Multi-tasking
Time Management
Problem Solving
Interpersonal
Computer Literacy

Hard Skills:

Legal Research
Contract Drafting
Document Review
Case Management
Court Proceedings
Legal Analysis
Billing & Accounting
Written Correspondence
Document Filing
Time Management

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Legal Assistant Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Legal Assistant resume

Highlight relevant skills and experience as a Legal Assistant
Include certifications and relevant coursework
Mention any specialized software programs used
List any paralegal or legal research activities
Include any legal writing, drafting, or editing experience
Highlight any administrative or organizational tasks
Emphasize any knowledge of legal terminology, procedures and regulations

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next job with the help of Resumaker.ai.