Paralegal Resume Examples for United States (2026)
A paralegal resume needs to demonstrate precise legal support that holds up under scrutiny — and in United States, it needs to do that in the format local recruiters and ATS software actually expect.
What employers in United States expect in this format
- Length: One page unless 10+ years experience
- Photo: No photo, no age, no marital status
- Quantify every bullet you can
- "Resume" not "CV" — CV means academic in the US
- Reverse chronological, single column
See the full United States resume format guide for the complete breakdown, or the full paralegal writing guide for the bullet-point formula and skills breakdown.
Must-have skills for a Paralegal resume
Lead with these — they're the terms both recruiters and ATS software actually screen for in this role:
- Legal research
- Document drafting
- Case management
- E-filing
- Client communication
Nice-to-have skills
- Westlaw/LexisNexis
- Paralegal certification
- Litigation support software
Sample paralegal resume bullet points
Starting points to adapt with your own real numbers — never copy these onto your own resume as-is.
- 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
Mistakes paralegal candidates make applying in United States
- Writing duty-based bullets ("Responsible for...") instead of outcome-based ones — US recruiters expect a number or result in nearly every line
- Including a photo, age, or marital status, which US employers are legally cautious about and some ATS platforms flag as a compliance risk
Frequently asked questions
How long should a paralegal resume be in United States?
One page unless 10+ years experience is the standard for United States. Keep it focused on the skills and results that best demonstrate precise legal support that holds up under scrutiny.
What skills should a paralegal resume highlight for United States?
Lead with: Legal research, Document drafting, Case management, E-filing. These are the terms recruiters and ATS software actually screen for in this role.
Does a resume for United States need a photo?
No photo, no age, no marital status
What's the biggest mistake paralegal candidates make applying in United States?
Writing duty-based bullets ("Responsible for...") instead of outcome-based ones — US recruiters expect a number or result in nearly every line