Best Legal Assistant Resume Examples for 2024 (Template & Guide)

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Legal Assistant Resume: Choose a Format

Choosing the right resume format is important when creating your legal assistant resume. Your format will determine how your experience and skills are presented to potential employers.

There are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, or combination. Each format presents your qualifications differently, so pick the one that best suits your experience and the job you’re applying for.

Chronological resumes for legal assistants

A chronological resume lists your work experience in reverse order, starting with your most recent position. This format is best if you have steady work experience as a legal assistant, allowing you to showcase your career progression and expertise. Hiring managers often prefer this format because it gives a clear picture of your experience. It is also compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to pre-screen resumes.

However, if you have gaps in your work history or are transitioning from another field, this format might highlight those gaps. In that case, consider a functional or combination format.

Functional resumes for legal assistants

A functional resume focuses on your skills rather than your work history. If you’re new to legal work or have gaps in your employment, this format lets you highlight your skills without tying them to a specific job title or timeline. It’s a good option for emphasizing your abilities over your experience.

However, be cautious — some employers may wonder why you’re not emphasizing your work history. Functional resumes can sometimes appear to hide gaps in employment or limited experience. They are also incompatible with most ATS, which could hurt your chances of getting past the initial screening process.

Combination resumes for legal assistants

A combination resume blends the best of both worlds. It highlights your critical skills while also showcasing your relevant work experience. This format is an excellent choice if you want to emphasize your skills and your work history equally.

By balancing your skills and experience, this format can make you more appealing to potential employers who want to see what you can do and where you’ve done it.

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Choosing a resume format

Choosing a format is the first step in creating a legal assistant resume. When in doubt, a chronological resume is always a safe choice. Employers often prefer this format because it’s easy to follow and highlights work experience. It is also the most ATS-friendly format, which improves your chances of getting your resume noticed.

But what if you’re starting or don’t have direct experience as a legal assistant? You can still make a chronological resume work in your favor by showcasing relevant experiences from internships, volunteer work, or jobs that require similar skills.

Think about the transferable skills that are valuable in a legal assistant role. For example, if you’ve worked in an administrative position, highlight tasks like managing schedules, organizing documents, or communicating with clients or team members.

These transferable skills show your potential to excel in a legal environment. The key is to connect the dots between your previous roles and the legal assistant position you’re aiming for, showing how your skills align with the job’s demands.

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How to Write a Legal Assistant Resume

Creating a legal assistant resume doesn’t have to be complicated. This helpful resume-writing guide shows you how to make the most of each section and write a resume that highlights your strengths and stands out to hiring managers. Start by creating a resume outline that includes these essential sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Work History
• Skills
• Education

Once you cover the essentials, some optional sections can enhance your resume. Don’t worry, we’ll cover those too!

Contact information

Start with a clear and professional contact information section. Include your full name, city and state, phone number, email and, optionally, a LinkedIn profile. This section is straightforward, but you’ll want to ensure it’s accurate and easy to read. Use a standard font and place this section at the top of your resume where it is easy to find.

The contact information section of a legal assistant resume should look something like this:

Jasmine Morris
Tucson, AZ
(555) 123-4567
j.morris@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jasminemorris

Use a professional email address with your name, and ensure your voicemail greeting will make a good impression. Likewise, if you include a LinkedIn profile, it should be up-to-date, and your photo should be current and professional.

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Summary or objective

Next, you will write a brief introduction to your resume and place it beneath your contact information. You’ll make your first impression with a resume summary or an objective statement that provides a snapshot of your skills and what you bring to the role.

A resume summary works well if you have experience as a legal assistant. It is a concise two or three-sentence overview of your skills and knowledge.

For example, a resume summary for a legal assistant resume might say:

Experienced legal assistant with over five years of experience supporting law firms in drafting legal documents, managing case files, and conducting legal research. Adept at working in fast-paced environments and improving office organization.

On the other hand, a resume objective is more appropriate if you’re new to the legal field or transitioning from another career. It focuses on your career goals and how you plan to contribute to the company.

For example, an objective statement for a legal assistant resume might say:

Organized and detail-oriented graduate seeking a legal assistant role in a corporate legal department. Eager to bring strong research and communication skills to support attorneys in handling complex cases and managing legal documentation.

Whatever you choose, always customize it for each job application. Using job-specific keywords and tailoring the statement to the role will help you get noticed by both ATS systems and hiring managers.

Work history

The work history section is your chance to show potential employers exactly how your previous roles have prepared you to excel as a legal assistant. Start each entry with your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Then, beneath these details, include bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role.

Use action verbs that bring your experience to life to make this section stand out. Words like “drafted,” “coordinated,” and “researched” add energy to your resume and create a clearer picture of your contributions.

Quantify your achievements wherever possible to make your resume shine. For instance, instead of stating, “Helped with case files,” you could say, “Managed 100+ case files, ensuring all documentation was accurate and up-to-date.”

Here’s an example of a job entry on a legal assistant resume:

Legal Assistant
Smith & Johnson Law Firm – Phoenix, AZ
June 2020 – June 2024

• Drafted, proofread, and submitted over 50 legal documents each month, ensuring 100% accuracy for court filings.
• Managed and organized case files for 75+ clients, maintaining meticulous records for quick retrieval and case tracking.
• Conducted in-depth legal research for trial preparations, reducing attorney research time by 20%.

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Skills

A dedicated skills section is essential for your legal assistant resume. This section can highlight your hard and soft skills. Hard skills are your legal-specific abilities, like document drafting or proficiency in legal software. Soft skills are your interpersonal skills like communication and organization.

Include a mix of both on your resume to show employers that you have the technical skills to succeed and the people skills to work well with clients and colleagues.

To help you get started, here are the top skills for a legal assistant resume:

Top 5 hard skills for legal assistant resumes

1. Legal research: Legal research involves gathering and analyzing legal information, case law, and statutes to help attorneys build cases. This skill demonstrates your ability to assist with critical aspects of legal proceedings.
2. Document drafting: Strong document drafting skills ensure the materials are clear, accurate, and follow legal standards. Creating professional legal documents is crucial in any legal process.
3. Case management software: Proficiency in case management software shows you can efficiently handle multiple cases simultaneously while keeping everything organized.
4. Filing and record management: Managing legal files and records is fundamental to a legal assistant’s role. This includes organizing physical and digital case files, ensuring that documents are properly stored, and making them easily accessible when needed.
5. Legal Terminology: Understanding legal terminology is crucial for a legal assistant. This knowledge helps you interpret documents, communicate effectively with attorneys, and ensure accuracy when drafting and reviewing materials.

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Top 5 soft skills for legal assistant resumes

1. Attention to detail: As a legal assistant, you’ll be responsible for reviewing documents, tracking deadlines, and managing case files — all requiring meticulous attention to detail.
2. Communication: Whether drafting emails, answering client questions, or communicating complex legal information clearly and concisely, your ability to communicate effectively is essential to the role.
3. Time management: Excellent time management skills ensure you can prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and keep everything running smoothly.
4. Organization: Being organized is critical for legal assistants who manage large volumes of information, files, and documents. Maintaining filing systems and tracking case materials prevents costly mistakes and helps legal teams stay on top of their work.
5. Problem-solving: Legal assistants often encounter unexpected issues, such as last-minute schedule changes or the need to locate missing documents. Thinking on your feet and finding solutions quickly is a highly desirable skill in this role.

A skills section for a legal assistant’s resume might look like this:

Skills

• Legal research
• Document drafting
• Case management software
• Strong communication
• Attention to detail

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Education

Next, you will provide your educational background to show employers you meet their requirements. List your degree, the school you attended, and its location. Career experts recommend leaving off your graduation date to avoid age bias in the hiring process. However, you can include relevant coursework if it applies to the job.

The education section for a legal assistant’s resume will look something like this:

Education

Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
University of Colorado – Denver, CO

Additional sections

Once you have the essentials covered, adding optional sections can make your resume stand out even more. Some additional sections to consider include:

• Certifications
• Languages
• Volunteer Work
• Professional Associations

Sometimes, you can include this information in other sections, but creating a separately labeled section can make your unique qualifications shine.

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Top certifications for legal assistants

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your commitment to professional development and prove your specialized expertise. Here are some top certifications to consider:

1. National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certification: The NALA certification is widely recognized in the legal industry. It demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the legal field, including procedures, ethics and best practices.
2. Certified Paralegal (CP): The CP exam covers critical areas such as legal research, writing, and case management, helping you validate your expertise.
3. Legal Document Assistant (LDA): This certification shows employers you have specialized document drafting and compliance knowledge.
4. Legal Research and Writing Certification: This certification focuses on developing your skills in finding and interpreting legal information, writing legal briefs, and creating accurate, well-researched documents.
5. eDiscovery Specialist Certification: eDiscovery specialists are trained to manage electronic data in legal cases, ensuring that relevant information is preserved and easily accessible.

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10 Tips for Writing a Legal Assistant Resume

1. Tailor your resume to the job description: When applying for a legal assistant position, read the job description carefully and match your resume to the specific requirements listed. For example, if the employer mentions document drafting and legal research, highlight your experience. Tailoring your resume shows the employer you’re qualified and serious about the role.
2. Use action verbs to describe your duties: Action verbs like “drafted,” “managed,” “researched” and “coordinated” bring your resume to life and help you demonstrate your impact. For instance, instead of saying “helped with case files,” say “managed over 50 case files, ensuring all documents were up to date and accurate.” This approach makes your experience more dynamic and specific.
3. Highlight organizational skills: Legal assistants must organize case files, documents, and schedules. Remember to mention your experience with file management systems, calendar scheduling, or maintaining case documents. Use examples demonstrating your ability to handle large volumes of information while keeping everything organized and easy to access.
4. Include legal-specific skills and software: Legal assistants often use specialized software like Clio or LexisNexis to manage case files and research. Including legal-specific software and technical skills on your resume is a must. Mention any software you’re proficient in and explain how you used it to enhance efficiency in managing cases or conducting research.
5. Keep formatting clean and easy to read: Hiring managers often skim resumes, so ensure yours is well-organized and easy to navigate. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a professional font. Avoid cluttering your resume with too much information, and keep everything concise. A well-formatted resume reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a legal assistant.
6. Focus on measurable achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, instead of writing “handled legal documents,” say “prepared over 100 legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and briefs, with 98% accuracy.” Quantifying your accomplishments helps show your value and sets you apart from other candidates.
7. Customize your summary or objective for each job: Your resume summary or objective should be tailored to each job application. For example, if the job emphasizes litigation support, mention your experience preparing trial documents or assisting attorneys during court proceedings. Customizing this section demonstrates that you’ve taken the time to understand the employer’s needs and shows how you can meet them.
8. Prioritize relevant work experience: When listing your work experience, prioritize roles most relevant to legal assistant tasks. Even if your previous experience isn’t directly related to law, highlight duties that align with legal assistant responsibilities, such as document management, client communication, or scheduling. This will help show that your background is transferable to the legal field.
9. Include certifications to stand out: Certifications like a Certified Paralegal (CP) or eDiscovery Specialist can set you apart from other candidates. Include any legal certifications you’ve earned to demonstrate your expertise and dedication to the field.
10. Proofread for accuracy and professionalism: Accuracy is essential in the legal field, so a resume with typos or errors can hurt your chances of landing the job. Carefully proofread your resume to ensure it’s free of mistakes. Double-check dates, job titles and contact information for accuracy. A polished, error-free resume shows attention to detail and professionalism — qualities every legal assistant should have.