Paralegal Resume Example & Writing Guide

Paralegal Resume Example
Get the best Paralegal resume example & writing guide to boost your chances of landing the job. Learn how to create an impressive Paralegal resume now.
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Paralegal Resume Sample

Professional Summary:

  • Experienced paralegal with 5+ years of experience in various areas of law including contracts, civil litigation, and intellectual property.
  • Dedicated and detail-oriented with excellent research and writing skills.
  • Strong knowledge of legal procedures, terminology, and documentation.
  • Able to work independently or as a team member to meet project deadlines.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, XYZ University
  • Paralegal Certificate Program, ABC College

Professional Experience:

Paralegal - Law Offices of Smith & Jones

  • Assisted attorneys in drafting and reviewing legal documents, including complaints, motions, and subpoenas.
  • Conducted legal research using online resources and maintained up-to-date knowledge of changes in case law, statutes, and regulations.
  • Responded to client inquiries and provided support during discovery and trial phases of litigation matters.
  • Managed attorney calendars, scheduled appointments, and arranged for client meetings and depositions.

Paralegal - Johnson & Associates

  • Prepared and filed legal documents in state and federal courts, including pleadings, discovery requests, and trial exhibits.
  • Assisted attorneys in conducting due diligence for business transactions, including reviewing contracts and conducting background checks.
  • Communicated with clients and opposing counsel to obtain necessary information and documents.
  • Maintained and organized physical and electronic files for multiple cases.

Skills:

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and legal software such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Expert Tip

Use Action Verbs

Start your bullet points with action verbs like 'led', 'managed', 'developed', etc. This helps highlight your skills and abilities in an energetic and straightforward way.

Paralegal Resume Writing Guide

Introduction

A paralegal is a person who works in a law firm or legal department and helps lawyers with research, drafting documents, and general office work. If you're looking to become a paralegal, or you're already one, having a well-written resume is essential.

Key Elements of a Paralegal Resume

There are several key elements that should be included in your paralegal resume. These elements will help you stand out from other candidates, and they'll give your potential employer an idea of what you can bring to the job.

  • Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email address should all be included at the top of your resume.
  • Objective: Your objective should be a brief statement that explains your goals and what you hope to achieve by working as a paralegal.
  • Education: List any relevant education or certifications you've earned, including the name of the institution, degree/certification received, and any relevant coursework or honors.
  • Experience: List any relevant work experience, including job title, company name, job duties, and employment dates.
  • Skills: Include any skills you have that are relevant to the paralegal field, such as research, writing, communication, time management, and organization.

Writing Your Paralegal Resume

Now that you know what elements to include, it's time to start writing your resume.

  • Start with your contact information at the top of the page.
  • Write a brief objective statement that explains your goals and what you hope to achieve as a paralegal.
  • List your education, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, degree/certification received, and any relevant coursework or honors.
  • List your work experience, starting with the most recent. Include the job title, company name, job duties, and employment dates. Use bullet points to make your experience easier to read.
  • List your skills, using bullet points to make them easier to read.
  • Be concise and specific in your wording, and use action verbs to start each bullet point (e.g. researched, drafted, managed).
  • Use a readable font and format your resume so that it's easy to scan quickly.
  • Proofread your resume carefully, and ask someone else to review it as well.

Conclusion

Writing a paralegal resume doesn't have to be a daunting task. By including key elements like contact information, objective statement, education, experience, and skills, you can create a strong resume that will catch the attention of potential employers. Be concise, specific, and proofread carefully, and you'll be on your way to landing your dream paralegal job!

Common Resume Writing Mistake

Using an Objective Statement

Objective statements are considered outdated. Instead, use a resume summary or profile that highlights your skills and accomplishments.

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