Legal Assistant Resume Example & Writing Guide
View a professional legal assistant resume example with proven bullet points, key skills, and expert tips. Copy what works and customize with your own experience.
Professional Summary Examples
Start your resume with a compelling summary. Here are proven examples you can adapt:
Organized legal assistant with 4+ years of experience supporting attorneys in fast-paced law firms handling 100+ active cases. Maintained 99% accuracy in document preparation and court filings while managing complex calendaring across 5 attorneys. Proficient in legal billing software and client communication.
Dedicated legal assistant specializing in personal injury and family law with expertise in client intake, document management, and billing. Processed 50+ new client intakes monthly and reduced administrative backlog by 45% through improved filing workflows and digital organization.
Efficient legal assistant with strong administrative and organizational skills supporting a team of 8 attorneys. Managed scheduling of 200+ appointments and hearings quarterly with zero conflicts. Experienced with TABS3, Clio, and ProLaw for billing, timekeeping, and case management.
Work Experience Bullet Points
Use these achievement-focused bullet points as inspiration. Replace the numbers with your own metrics.
- Prepared and formatted 150+ legal documents monthly including pleadings, motions, and discovery responses with 99% accuracy rate
- Managed complex calendaring for 5 attorneys, scheduling 200+ hearings, depositions, and client meetings quarterly with zero conflicts
- Processed 50+ new client intakes per month, collecting documentation and entering data into case management system within 24 hours
- Reduced administrative backlog by 45% within 3 months by implementing a digital filing system and standardized document templates
- Coordinated with courts, opposing counsel, and clients on 80+ active cases, ensuring timely communication and deadline adherence
- Maintained attorney billing records using TABS3, processing 300+ time entries monthly and achieving 98% billing accuracy
- Drafted routine correspondence and legal documents, saving attorneys an estimated 15 hours per week on administrative tasks
- Organized and maintained physical and digital files for 500+ client matters, improving document retrieval time by 50%
- Assisted with trial preparation including exhibit compilation, witness scheduling, and courtroom logistics for 8 trials annually
- Trained 3 new legal assistants on office procedures, software systems, and court filing protocols, reducing ramp-up time by 40%
Key Skills for Legal Assistant Resume
Include these skills on your resume to pass ATS screening and impress recruiters:
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can strengthen your legal assistant resume:
Tips for Your Legal Assistant Resume
- Quantify your achievements: Use specific numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts to demonstrate impact.
- Use industry keywords: Include terms from the job description to pass ATS screening.
- Lead with action verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like developed, implemented, increased, reduced.
- Keep it concise: Aim for one page unless you have 10+ years of relevant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal resume?
A legal assistant resume emphasizes administrative skills such as calendaring, filing, client intake, billing, and correspondence. A paralegal resume focuses more on substantive legal work like research, document drafting, and case analysis. Tailor your resume to the specific role, but if you perform both functions, highlight the skills most relevant to the job you are applying for.
How should I format my legal assistant resume?
Use a clean, professional format with clear section headings. Lead with a summary highlighting years of experience and key strengths. List technical skills prominently, including specific software (Clio, TABS3, ProLaw). Use reverse chronological order for experience, and include quantified achievements like number of cases managed, filing accuracy rates, or time savings.
Do I need certifications to be a legal assistant?
Certifications are not always required but can significantly boost your resume. The Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) or Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) from NALS demonstrate competence. A Notary Public commission is also valuable. Employers often prefer candidates with certifications, and they can lead to higher starting salaries.
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