Legal Assistant Resume Example

Common Responsibilities Listed on Legal Assistant Resumes:

  • Drafting and reviewing legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and motions
  • Preparing and filing legal documents with courts, agencies, and other entities
  • Researching legal issues and preparing memoranda on findings
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings
  • Maintaining and organizing legal files
  • Scheduling appointments, depositions, and other meetings
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for depositions and other proceedings
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for client meetings
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for court appearances
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for settlement negotiations
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing for trial
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing closing arguments

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A strong Legal Assistant resume should emphasize exceptional organizational skills, as demonstrated by managing high-volume caseloads and maintaining accurate legal files. Highlight your ability to collaborate with attorneys in drafting and reviewing legal documents, as well as conducting thorough legal research. Showcase your contributions to successful case outcomes, client satisfaction, and increased productivity through administrative support and preparation for various legal proceedings.
Spencer Sheridan
spencer@sheridan.com
(100) 156-5376
linkedin.com/in/spencer-sheridan
@spencer.sheridan
Legal Assistant
Highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Assistant with 4 years of experience managing a high-volume caseload and collaborating with attorneys to draft and review legal documents. Recognized for exceptional research and negotiation skills, resulting in successful outcomes in 80% of cases and a 20% increase in successful settlements. Proven track record in optimizing attorney schedules, reducing file retrieval time by 40%, and increasing client satisfaction scores by 10%.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Legal Assistant
03/2022 – Present
LegalWorks Inc.
  • Managed and organized a high-volume caseload of 50+ cases, resulting in a 20% increase in successful case resolutions and a 15% decrease in case processing time.
  • Collaborated with attorneys to draft and review legal documents, including contracts and pleadings, resulting in a 25% reduction in errors and an increase in client satisfaction scores by 10%.
  • Conducted legal research and prepared memoranda on findings, leading to successful outcomes in 80% of cases and recognition from senior attorneys for exceptional research skills.
Legal Administrative Assistant
03/2020 – 03/2022
LawPro Solutions Inc.
  • Provided administrative support to attorneys in preparing for hearings, trials, and other legal proceedings, resulting in a 30% increase in successful case outcomes and a 20% increase in client retention rates.
  • Managed and maintained legal files, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all documents and reducing file retrieval time by 40%.
  • Scheduled appointments, depositions, and other meetings, optimizing attorney schedules and increasing productivity by 25%.
Junior Legal Assistant
03/2019 – 03/2020
LegalEase Solutions Inc.
  • Assisted attorneys in preparing for depositions and other proceedings, resulting in a 35% increase in successful depositions and a 15% increase in client satisfaction scores.
  • Managed and organized trial preparation materials, including exhibits and witness lists, leading to a 25% increase in successful trial outcomes.
  • Assisted attorneys in preparing for settlement negotiations, resulting in a 20% increase in successful settlements and recognition from senior attorneys for exceptional negotiation skills.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
  • Case management
  • Legal document drafting and review
  • Legal research
  • Memorandum preparation
  • Administrative support
  • Legal file maintenance
  • Scheduling and calendar management
  • Trial preparation
  • Deposition assistance
  • Settlement negotiation support
  • Client communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management
  • Team collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Confidentiality and discretion
  • Proficiency in legal software and technology
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Strong written and verbal communication
COURSES / CERTIFICATIONS
Accredited Legal Professional (ALP)
05/2023
National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS)
Certified Paralegal (CP)
05/2022
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
05/2021
National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Education
Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
2016 - 2020
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
Paralegal Studies
Criminal Justice

Hard Skills

  • Legal Research and Analysis
  • Drafting Legal Documents
  • Case Management and Organization
  • Contract Review and Analysis
  • E-Filing and Court Procedures
  • Discovery and Deposition Preparation
  • Document Management and Organization
  • Trial Preparation and Support
  • Client Communication and Management
  • Time and Billing Management
  • Knowledge of Legal Terminology and Procedures
  • Conflict Checking and Resolution

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Organizational Skills
  • Time Management and Prioritization
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Empathy and Customer Service Orientation
  • Research and Analytical Skills
  • Confidentiality and Discretion
  • Multitasking and Efficiency
  • Professionalism and Ethics
  • Researched
  • Drafted
  • Analyzed
  • Filed
  • Liaised
  • Assisted
  • Reviewed
  • Organized
  • Coordinated
  • Prepared
  • Communicated
  • Monitored
  • Compiled
  • Summarized
  • Scheduled
  • Facilitated
  • Proofread
  • Updated

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Resume FAQs for Legal Assistants:

The ideal length for a Legal Assistant resume typically depends on the individual's experience and career stage. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure your resume is concise and effectively communicates your skills and accomplishments. One to two pages: As a general rule, your resume should be no more than one to two pages long. For entry-level or early-career Legal Assistants, one page is usually sufficient. Experienced Legal Assistants with extensive accomplishments and a longer work history may require two pages, but it's essential to ensure that every piece of information is relevant and valuable. Prioritize content: When determining what to include on your resume, prioritize the most relevant and recent experience, skills, and achievements. Focus on the accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise in legal support and your ability to drive results. Be selective and avoid including outdated or irrelevant information. Use concise language: To maximize space on your resume, use concise language and bullet points to describe your experience and achievements. Avoid long paragraphs or unnecessary details, and be sure to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible (e.g., assisted in the successful resolution of 50+ legal cases). Tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job application, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific Legal Assistant role you're applying for. This will help you present a targeted and impactful resume, while also ensuring you stay within the one to two-page limit.
The best way to format a Legal Assistant resume is to create a clear, concise, and visually appealing document that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and achievements. Here are some tips and recommendations for formatting a Legal Assistant resume: Consistent formatting: Ensure consistency in formatting throughout your resume, including font size, typeface, and spacing. Using a consistent format helps make your resume easy to read and navigate, making it more likely that hiring managers will review your entire document. Clear section headings: Clearly label each section of your resume (e.g., "Summary," "Experience," "Skills," "Education") with bold or underlined headings. This helps guide the reader's eye and makes it easier for them to find the information they're looking for. Use bullet points: Use bullet points to present your experience and achievements in a concise and easy-to-read format. This helps break up large blocks of text and enables hiring managers to quickly scan your resume for relevant information. Reverse chronological order: Present your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position and working backward. This format is preferred by most hiring managers, as it allows them to easily review your career progression and most recent accomplishments. Highlight legal skills: As a Legal Assistant, it's important to highlight your legal skills and knowledge. Make sure to include any relevant legal terminology, software, or procedures that you are familiar with. Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with specific numbers or percentages. This helps demonstrate the impact you've had in previous roles and can make your resume stand out from others. Proofread: Finally, make sure to proofread your resume carefully for any errors or typos. A well-written and error-free resume can make a great first impression on hiring managers.

Which keywords are important to highlight in a Legal Assistant resume?

As a Legal Assistant, it's important to highlight keywords and action verbs that showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments in the legal field. These keywords will help your resume stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your value as a candidate. Here are some suggestions for keywords and action verbs to consider incorporating into your resume: 1. Legal Research: Emphasize your ability to conduct thorough and accurate legal research using various tools and resources, such as LexisNexis or Westlaw. 2. Document Preparation: Highlight your experience in drafting, editing, and formatting legal documents, such as pleadings, contracts, and correspondence. 3. Case Management: Showcase your skills in organizing and managing case files, tracking deadlines, and coordinating with attorneys and clients. 4. Client Relations: Mention your ability to communicate effectively with clients, maintain confidentiality, and provide excellent customer service. 5. Legal Terminology: Demon

How should I write my resume if I have no experience as a Legal Assistant?

Writing a resume with little to no experience as a Legal Assistant can be challenging, but there are ways to make your resume stand out to hiring managers and recruiters. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective resume: Emphasize transferable skills: Even if you don't have direct legal assistant experience, you likely have transferable skills that are valuable in the field. These can include organization, attention to detail, communication, research, and problem-solving. Make sure to highlight these skills throughout your resume. Showcase relevant projects: If you've worked on any projects, either in school or as part of your previous roles, that are related to legal assistance, make sure to include them on your resume. This can include research, writing, or administrative tasks. Explain your role in these projects and the impact your contributions had on the final outcome. Highlight education and certifications: If you have a degree in a relevant field, such as paralegal studies or legal studies, be sure to mention it. Additionally, include any legal assistant certifications or courses you've completed, such as the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or courses from platforms like Coursera or Udemy. Demonstrate your passion for the legal field: If you're passionate about the legal field, make sure to convey that in your resume. This can include any volunteer work or extracurricular activities related to the legal field, such as working with a legal aid organization or participating in a mock trial team. Overall, focus on highlighting your transferable skills, relevant projects, education, and passion for the legal field to make your resume stand out to potential employers.

Compare Your Legal Assistant Resume to a Job Description:

See how your Legal Assistant resume compares to the job description of the role you're applying for.

Our new Resume to Job Description Comparison tool will analyze and score your resume based on how well it aligns with the position. Here's how you can use the comparison tool to improve your Legal Assistant resume, and increase your chances of landing the interview:

  • Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Legal Assistant job
  • Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
  • Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

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