Legal Assistant Resume Example
Professional Legal Assistant resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase administrative expertise, legal knowledge, and organizational skills to secure your next legal support role.
Last Updated: 2026-02-08 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Legal Assistant Resume Example
Priya Desai
priya.desai@email.com • (555) 921-4467 • Boston, MA
linkedin.com/in/priyadesai-legal
Summary
Organized Legal Assistant with 3+ years of experience supporting attorneys in family law and estate planning practices. Managed calendars for 6 attorneys, coordinated 200+ client meetings annually, and maintained meticulous case files. Recognized for exceptional client communication and ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.
Professional Experience
- ▸Provide administrative and legal support to 6 attorneys specializing in family law, estate planning, and probate matters
- ▸Draft correspondence, pleadings, and estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for attorney review
- ▸Manage complex calendaring system tracking court dates, filing deadlines, and statute of limitations across 80+ active cases
- ▸Serve as primary client liaison, handling 30+ client calls daily and ensuring timely communication on case developments
- ▸Supported in-house legal team of 4 attorneys with document preparation, filing, and records management for insurance defense cases
- ▸Processed and tracked 150+ subpoenas and records requests quarterly, maintaining 100% compliance with response deadlines
- ▸Created and maintained electronic filing system for 500+ case files, reducing document retrieval time by 50%
Education
Certifications
- Notary Public - Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Legal Secretary Certificate - NALS
Core Competencies
Why This Resume Works:
- Quantified achievements with specific metrics
- Keywords match common job descriptions
- Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
- Strong action verbs throughout
How to Write a Legal Assistant Resume
Professional Summary
State the number of attorneys you support and the practice areas you work in. Mention volume of cases or clients managed and highlight organizational and communication strengths. For entry-level candidates, emphasize relevant education and transferable skills.
Work Experience
Quantify your workload: attorneys supported, cases managed, documents prepared, client interactions handled. Demonstrate reliability by mentioning deadline compliance rates and accuracy. Show you can handle both administrative and substantive legal tasks.
Skills Section
List specific legal software (Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther) and court e-filing systems. Include document preparation skills and any notary or certification credentials. Soft skills like discretion and client communication are highly valued.
Action Verbs for Legal Assistants
Legal Assistant Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Legal Assistant job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Legal AdministrationCase ManagementDocument PreparationCourt FilingLegal CorrespondenceClient IntakeCalendaringRecords ManagementSubpoena ProcessingEstate Planning DocumentsIndustry Keywords
Legal SupportLaw Firm AdministrationFamily LawEstate PlanningCorporate LawInsurance DefenseProbateTools & Technologies
ClioMyCasePracticePantherMicrosoft OfficeAdobe Acrobat ProNetDocumentsiManageOdyssey E-FilingGoogle WorkspaceZoomCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Treating the role as purely secretarial on the resume
Highlight substantive legal tasks you perform: drafting documents, legal research, client communication, and case management. Show that you contribute directly to case outcomes, not just administrative workflow.
Not mentioning the practice area or type of law
Specify whether you support family law, corporate, litigation, real estate, or other practice areas. This helps firms match you with the right team and demonstrates specialized knowledge.
Overlooking client-facing responsibilities
Legal assistants often serve as the primary point of contact for clients. Quantify client interactions and highlight your communication skills, empathy, and ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
Legal Assistant Resume FAQs
What is the difference between a Legal Assistant and a Paralegal?
Legal Assistants typically focus more on administrative and organizational tasks such as filing, scheduling, and client communication, while Paralegals perform more substantive legal work like research, drafting motions, and managing discovery. However, the distinction varies by firm and jurisdiction. Some roles overlap significantly.
Do I need a degree to become a Legal Assistant?
A degree is not always required, but an associate degree in legal studies or a legal secretary certificate significantly improves your chances. Many employers value relevant experience and strong organizational skills. Certifications from NALS or other professional organizations also strengthen your candidacy.
How can I advance from Legal Assistant to Paralegal?
Pursue a paralegal certificate or associate degree if you do not already have one. Take on more substantive legal tasks at your current firm, such as legal research and document drafting. Earn the NALA Certified Paralegal credential and communicate your career goals to your supervising attorneys.
What software should a Legal Assistant know?
Practice management software like Clio or MyCase is essential. You should also be proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Word and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDF management, and your jurisdiction's court e-filing system. Document management systems like NetDocuments or iManage are common at larger firms.
Should I get a Notary Public commission?
Yes, becoming a Notary Public is a valuable credential for legal assistants. Many law firms need notarization services regularly for affidavits, real estate documents, and estate planning instruments. It is an inexpensive certification that adds immediate practical value to your role.
Ready to Optimize Your Legal Assistant Resume?
Our AI-powered resume analyzer will score your resume against ATS systems, find missing keywords for Legal Assistant roles, and give you specific improvement suggestions.
Related Resume Examples
Executive Assistant Resume Example
Professional Executive Assistant resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase your organizational expertise, C-suite support, and administrative leadership skills.
Office Manager Resume Example
Professional Office Manager resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase your office administration, team coordination, and operational efficiency skills.
Human Resources Manager Resume Example
Professional Human Resources Manager resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight HR leadership, employee relations, and talent strategy to land top HR management roles.
Last updated: 2026-02-08 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts