Paralegal Resume Examples & Samples
A paralegal resume has to prove precise legal support that holds up under scrutiny. Below is a sample summary, sample bullet points and the skills to list. Then pick your country, because resume format expectations differ by market. For a longer walk-through, read the full paralegal writing guide.
Sample paralegal resume summary
Paralegal with hands-on experience in Legal research, Document drafting, Case management. [Years in the role and where you worked.] [One result you are proud of, with a number if you have one.] Looking to bring accurate, reliable work to [employer or type of employer].
Replace the brackets with your own details. Keep it to three sentences and use real numbers only.
Sample paralegal resume bullet points
- Drafted and filed pleadings, discovery requests, and motions for a caseload of 25+ active litigation matters
- Conducted legal research supporting 3 successful summary judgment motions over one year
- Managed document review and production for a multi-party case involving over 10,000 documents
Each one names what you did, the scale and the result. Use these as a shape and swap in your own figures. Need more? Generate bullet points from your own work.
Skills to list on a paralegal resume
Must-have: Legal research, Document drafting, Case management, E-filing, Client communication.
Worth adding if you have them: Westlaw/LexisNexis, Paralegal certification, Litigation support software.
Pick your country for the right format
Frequently asked questions
What should a paralegal resume include?
A short summary, your work history with results, and a skills section that covers Legal research, Document drafting, Case management, E-filing. The resume needs to prove precise legal support that holds up under scrutiny.
How long should a paralegal resume be?
One page if you have under ten years of experience, two pages at most for longer careers. Put the most relevant roles and results first.
What skills should I list on a paralegal resume?
Lead with the must-haves from the job posting: Legal research, Document drafting, Case management, E-filing, Client communication. Add Westlaw/LexisNexis, Paralegal certification, Litigation support software if you genuinely have them.
Does a paralegal resume look different in other countries?
Yes. Photo, date of birth and page length are normal in some countries and unwelcome in others. Pick your country below to see the format employers there expect.