Paralegal Resume Example
Professional Paralegal resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight legal research, case management, and litigation support skills to advance your paralegal career.
Last Updated: 2026-02-08 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Paralegal Resume Example
Catherine Reeves
catherine.reeves@email.com • (555) 537-8024 • Washington, DC
linkedin.com/in/catherinereeves
Summary
Certified Paralegal with 6+ years of experience in corporate litigation and regulatory compliance at Am Law 100 firms. Managed document review for cases valued at over $50M and coordinated discovery processes across multi-jurisdictional matters. Known for exceptional legal research, deadline management, and attention to detail.
Professional Experience
- ▸Managed discovery and document review for 8 concurrent litigation cases with combined stakes exceeding $120M
- ▸Prepared trial binders, exhibit lists, and witness summaries for 3 federal court proceedings, contributing to favorable outcomes in all cases
- ▸Coordinated e-discovery workflows using Relativity, processing and reviewing 500K+ documents with a 99.2% accuracy rate
- ▸Drafted legal memoranda, motions to compel, and discovery responses for attorney review, reducing revision cycles by 40%
- ▸Conducted legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis on employment law, contract disputes, and regulatory compliance matters
- ▸Filed motions, subpoenas, and court documents across Virginia state and federal courts, maintaining a zero-miss filing deadline record
- ▸Organized and maintained case files for 40+ active matters, implementing a digital filing system that improved retrieval time by 60%
Education
Certifications
- Certified Paralegal (CP) - NALA
- Relativity Certified User (RCU)
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 Paralegal Resume
Professional Summary
Lead with your certification status and years of experience. Specify your practice area (litigation, corporate, IP, real estate). Mention the scale of cases you have supported and your strongest competency such as e-discovery or trial preparation.
Work Experience
Quantify the volume and value of cases managed, documents reviewed, and deadlines met. Highlight specific legal procedures you handled: filings, discovery, depositions, trial prep. Emphasize accuracy and compliance.
Skills Section
Name specific legal research platforms and e-discovery tools. Include court filing experience and practice area expertise. Soft skills like attention to detail and written communication are critical for paralegal roles.
Action Verbs for Paralegals
Paralegal Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Paralegal job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Legal ResearchE-DiscoveryLitigation SupportDocument ReviewCase ManagementTrial PreparationDeposition SummariesCourt FilingsRegulatory ComplianceContract ReviewIndustry Keywords
LegalLitigationCorporate LawEmployment LawIntellectual PropertyReal Estate LawRegulatory AffairsTools & Technologies
WestlawLexisNexisRelativityConcordanceCaseMapAdobe Acrobat ProNetDocumentsiManageMicrosoft OfficePACERCM/ECFCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Not specifying your practice area or type of law
Always state your specialization: litigation, corporate, IP, real estate, etc. Firms hire paralegals with relevant practice area experience, and this helps ATS systems match you to the right openings.
Omitting e-discovery and technology skills
E-discovery is a critical and growing part of paralegal work. List platforms like Relativity, Concordance, or DISCO and describe the volume of documents you have processed and reviewed.
Using vague language like "assisted attorneys with various tasks"
Be specific: "Drafted 15 motions to compel, managed discovery for $50M litigation, and coordinated 12 depositions across 3 jurisdictions." Specificity demonstrates competence.
Paralegal Resume FAQs
Do I need a Paralegal certification to get hired?
While not always required, certifications like the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) or NFPA Registered Paralegal (RP) significantly strengthen your candidacy. Many firms prefer or require certification, and it can increase your salary by 5-10%. Some states also have specific educational requirements for paralegals.
How do I highlight legal research skills on my resume?
Name the specific databases you use (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law) and describe the types of research you conduct: case law analysis, statutory interpretation, regulatory review. Mention any research memoranda you have drafted and how your research contributed to case outcomes.
What is the career path for a Paralegal?
Paralegals can advance to Senior Paralegal, Paralegal Manager, or Litigation Support Manager roles. Some specialize in high-demand areas like e-discovery, intellectual property, or healthcare law. Others use paralegal experience as a foundation for law school. Continuous education and certification support career growth.
Should I include my typing speed or other administrative skills?
Only if relevant to the specific role. For litigation paralegal positions, focus on legal research, e-discovery, and case management skills instead. Administrative skills are more relevant for entry-level or small-firm roles where paralegals handle broader office duties.
How important is e-discovery experience for paralegals?
Very important and increasingly so. E-discovery skills are among the most in-demand paralegal competencies. Proficiency with platforms like Relativity can significantly increase your marketability and earning potential, especially at mid-size and large firms.
Ready to Optimize Your Paralegal Resume?
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Last updated: 2026-02-08 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts