With the guide below, you can write a resume that helps you get interviews for a job as legal assistant.

Key Takeaways

  • Brainstorm your career highlights on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. This free-form thinking will help you remember work details that speak to the role of legal assistant.
  • In the experience section, describe positive work outcomes (with numbers when possible) to illustrate your impact in each past position. Focus on your organizational skills and background with legal documents or office procedures.
  • Include relevant skills and keywords from the job posting to ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and reaches hiring managers.

Why this litigation legal assistant resume example is strong:

This resume highlights Jackson’s specialized litigation experience, showing his ability to manage deadlines and coordinate discovery. It presents a clear career path within civil litigation and lists job-specific tools like Clio.

Key Tip:

Tailor your resume to the job. Jackson’s bullet points are tailored for a litigation support role. For more ideas, check out: How To Build a Resume.


Why this family law legal assistant resume example is strong:

White’s resume showcases empathy, organization, and confidentiality — key traits in family law. It highlights her experience supporting clients in emotional legal matters.

Key Tip:

Don’t forget certifications. White includes a respected credential, which helps set her apart. Learn how to showcase yours here: How To Include Licenses and Certifications on Your Resume.


Why this corporate legal assistant resume example is strong:

Harris highlights relevant experience in corporate governance and regulatory support. This is valuable for employers seeking legal support in fast-paced corporate environments.

Key Tip:

Use terminology from the job description. Harris matches corporate language like “compliance filings” and “entity management.” Read more here: How To Build a Resume.


Why this real estate legal assistant resume example is strong:

Martin shows deep familiarity with property law processes and terminology. Her role in real estate closings is clearly defined and well-organized.

Key Tip:

Specialize your resume. Martin’s focused real estate experience makes her ideal for property law firms. For more tips, visit: Resume Objective Examples.


Why this immigration legal assistant resume example is strong:

Lewis demonstrates familiarity with immigration-specific processes and USCIS forms. Her bilingual abilities and experience in high-volume case management stand out.

Key Tip:

Customize your skills to the legal field. Immigration law requires very specific knowledge—Lewis’s resume reflects that clearly. For resume skill tips, visit: Resume Objective Examples.


Why this personal injury legal assistant resume example is strong:

Hall’s experience in claims prep and demand letters is key in PI law. The bullet points show direct impact on case outcomes.

Key Tip:

List the specific documents you work on — “demand letters,” “IME scheduling,” and “discovery responses” show relevance. Explore more: How To List Your Education on a Resume.


Why this IP legal assistant resume example is strong:

Young’s resume is tailored to the intellectual property field, with technical tools and clear metrics that show her ability to manage hundreds of filings.

Key Tip:

Highlight niche experience. IP law is specialized, and Devon’s use of industry terms helps her stand out. For more tips, visit: How To Write a Resume With No Experience.


Why this criminal defense legal assistant resume example is strong:

Allen’s resume outlines a clear and consistent background in defense law. His work in both private and public defense builds credibility.

Key Tip:

Focus on the environment you’ve worked in. Allen’s experience with public and private defense adds value. Learn how to frame this well: Resume Length: Should Your Resume Be One Page?


Why this bankruptcy legal assistant resume example is strong:

King uses numbers to showcase volume, efficiency, and accuracy, helping employers understand his workload and capabilities.

Key Tip:

Use simple metrics to show efficiency and reliability. Filing accuracy and volume tell a clear story. Learn how to add this to your resume: How To Build a Resume.


Why this employment law legal assistant resume example is strong:

Wright ties his skills to results, like improving accuracy and speeding up client processes, which shows initiative.

Key Tip:

Even administrative improvements matter. Small process improvements show you’re a problem solver. See more ideas here: Best Resume Formats.


Why this probate legal assistant resume example is strong:

Jackson uses dollar amounts and timelines to quantify his role in estate administration. The resume also shows depth in both filing and client-facing work.

Key Tip:

Use financial metrics if relevant—net worths, asset amounts, or case values are strong proof of responsibility. Learn how to include them effectively: AI Resume Builder.


Why this environmental law legal assistant resume example is strong:

White blends legal support with environmental policy, clearly showing crossover skills that suit specialized law firms.

Key Tip:

Research-heavy roles benefit from showing case volume. “75 cases” gives context to workload. Learn to quantify your role here: How To List Promotions on a Resume.


Why this medical malpractice legal assistant resume example is strong:

Harris uses clear case volumes and efficiency improvements to demonstrate capacity and accuracy in a demanding legal environment.

Key Tip:

Use client and case volume to give employers a clear sense of your workload. Get more tips here: How To Write a Resume With No Experience.


Why this workers’ comp legal assistant resume example is strong:

Martin uses numbers to emphasize responsibility and organization, especially around hearing schedules and case prep.

Key Tip:

If you work with agencies like WCAB or EEOC, name them. It shows you understand industry processes. Learn more here: How To List Your Education on a Resume.


Why this entertainment legal assistant resume example is strong:

Lewis connects legal processes to the fast-paced entertainment industry and quantifies document handling and turnaround speed.

Key Tip:

Tailor your resume to your field’s workflow. “Version tracking” and “royalty spreadsheets” give hiring managers industry context. Get more structure ideas here: Resume Length: Should Your Resume Be One Page?


Why this foreclosure legal assistant resume example is strong:

Hall’s resume proves his ability to manage high volumes while maintaining compliance — critical in foreclosure law.

Key Tip:

Show precision. Percentages like “99% first-filing acceptance” help build trust. For more on building credibility with numbers: How To Build a Resume.


Why this patent legal assistant resume example is strong:

Young’s resume is rich with metrics and uses terminology that IP firms will instantly recognize, from jurisdiction counts to application volumes.

Key Tip:

If you’ve worked with international processes, say how many countries or clients — it adds valuable scale. Learn how here: AI Resume Builder.


Why this tax law legal assistant resume example is strong:

Allen aligns legal knowledge with tax processes. The monetary ranges and filing improvements strengthen the narrative.

Key Tip:

Numbers = impact. Be specific with money, time saved, or document volume. For more quantification strategies: How To Build a Resume.


Why this education law legal assistant resume example is strong:

King shows specialized legal experience in an often-overlooked field. His quantified accomplishments build credibility.

Key Tip:

Even niche legal areas deserve tailored resumes. Match your bullet points to the audience. See how to focus here: Best Resume Formats.


Why this insurance defense legal assistant resume example is strong:

Wright’s long-term experience and ability to manage large volumes across multiple jurisdictions stand out.

Key Tip:

Show scale and range. Multi-state work and large client files make your resume stand out in defense law. Learn more here: How To List Promotions on a Resume.


  • Litigation Legal Assistant
  • Family Law Legal Assistant
  • Corporate Legal Assistant
  • Real Estate Legal Assistant
  • Immigration Legal Assistant
  • Personal Injury Legal Assistant
  • Intellectual Property Legal Assistant
  • Criminal Defense Legal Assistant
  • Bankruptcy Legal Assistant
  • Employment Law Legal Assistant
  • Probate Legal Assistant
  • Environmental Law Legal Assistant
  • Medical Malpractice Legal Assistant
  • Workers' Compensation Legal Assistant
  • Entertainment Law Legal Assistant
  • Foreclosure Legal Assistant
  • Patent Legal Assistant
  • Tax Law Legal Assistant
  • Education Law Legal Assistant
  • Insurance Defense Legal Assistant

Chris Jackson
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST | LinkedIn

Litigation Legal Assistant supporting trial preparation and complex case management
Over eight years of experience supporting attorneys in civil litigation. Skilled in legal drafting, court filings, discovery coordination, and trial preparation. Adept at managing tight deadlines and communicating with clients and court staff to ensure all case materials are accurate and submitted on time.

Key Skills

  • Case file management
  • Court filing procedures
  • Deadline tracking
  • Discovery preparation
  • Legal research
  • Litigation support
  • Scheduling and calendar management
  • Trial binder preparation

Professional Experience

Litigation Legal Assistant
Baxter & Cohen LLP, Atlanta, GA | July 2020 – present

  • Coordinate document production, schedule depositions, and manage discovery requests for a team of three attorneys
  • Maintain trial calendars and prepare exhibits and witness files
  • File motions and pleadings electronically through state and federal court systems

Legal Assistant – Civil Litigation
Taylor, White & Moore, Atlanta, GA | May 2016 – July 2020

  • Drafted legal correspondence, subpoenas, and discovery responses
  • Handled case file organization for over 120 active litigation cases
  • Monitored and tracked court deadlines using Clio

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, Georgia State University | 2015

1. Choose the right resume format for a legal assistant

Like most vocations, legal assistants should use the combination (or hybrid) resume format. (All resume examples on this page follow this format.) A combination resume has two main parts:

  • An introduction highlighting your top skills and qualifications for your target job. The resume intro usually consists of a brief summary paragraph and a skills list.
  • Recent career overview with examples of your success. This part of your resume often centers on sections for your work experience and education.

The following are tips and examples to help you create each standard section of your legal assistant resume.

2. Craft a strong summary highlighting your legal assistant expertise

Your resume summary is likely the first section an employer will read, so make it count. This brief paragraph should highlight your most relevant achievements and experiences, conveying what you bring to the role. A strong summary is concise, specific, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Use it to set the tone for the rest of your resume.

(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write this section last.)

Strong summary example for a legal assistant

Legal Assistant with six years of experience supporting litigation and family law practices. Adept at maintaining confidentiality, coordinating attorney schedules, and ensuring deadlines are met. Bring a proactive approach and specialized knowledge to deliver seamless legal support that enhances team efficiency and client service.

Weak summary example for a legal assistant

I am a hardworking legal assistant with several years of experience. I help lawyers with various administrative tasks and communicate well with clients.

As the above examples indicate, you should avoid using “I” statements in your summary. Or if you do use them, just remove the “I” phrase from the beginning of each sentence. For instance, change “I am a legal assistant with six years…” to “Legal assistant with six years…”

3. Detail your core skills related to the legal assistant position

Include a skills list under your summary to show the different ways you can contribute as a legal assistant. With this section, you can give your document the right keywords to perform well on ATS screenings or AI assessments.

Common key skills for legal assistant resumes
Case file management Client intake coordination
Court filings Deadline tracking
Document preparation Drafting legal correspondence
E-filing systems Legal billing software
Legal calendar management Legal compliance support
Legal document formatting Legal research
LexisNexis Microsoft Office
Notarization procedures Proofreading legal documents
Records organization Scheduling and coordination
Trial preparation support Westlaw

4. Write a career history that highlights your key accomplishments

Now that you’ve listed your legal assistant skills, use the experience section to show them in action.

For each recent job you’ve held, take some time to brainstorm and jot down your duties and achievements separately. As job search expert Richard N. Bolles pointed out, “the act of simply writing things down is a powerful tool, whether you’re scribbling them on paper or typing in a notes app or a blank document. If you can, consider writing with pen and paper, retro as that may seem.” Try to spell out your impact on the law firm or organization, and quantify in terms of a percentage or other hard data.

When you’re done brainstorming, review each detail through the lens of your target legal assistant job. Choose the most relevant duties or highlights to present as bullet points in your experience section. This approach helps give your resume the right focus and detail.

Strong experience example for a legal assistant

Legal Assistant, Becker & Morgan Law Firm, Dallas, TX | March 2019 to October 2025

  • Drafted and proofread legal documents, including subpoenas, contracts, and pleadings, for a team of four attorneys
  • Coordinated case deadlines and managed calendars, reducing scheduling conflicts by 10%
  • Managed intake for around 20 new cases per month, streamlining documentation and reducing file processing time by 15%
  • Assisted with legal research to support motions and trial preparation

Weak experience example for a legal assistant

Legal Assistant, Becker & Morgan Law Firm, Dallas, TX | March 2019 to October 2025

  • Helped with legal paperwork and filed documents
  • Answered phones and talked to clients
  • Scheduled meetings for the attorneys
  • Typed letters and emails when needed

5. Add education and relevant certifications to your legal assistant resume

This information helps show you’re committed to the field and have the knowledge required to excel. When adding your education, include the degree you earned, the school you attended, and, optionally, the year you graduated. Follow a similar format for any paralegal certificates, listing your title, the organization, and optionally the completion date.

Example:

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies, Austin Community College, Austin, TX

Certification

Certified Paralegal (CP), National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) | 2023

The resume templates above can all help you organize and display your legal assistant qualifications. When choosing from these or other approved templates, trust your instinct. Often, the design you’re naturally most drawn to will best reflect your professional style and be the one you’re most confident sending to employers.

Build Your Resume
Build Your Resume

Resume.org offers free, HR-approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes.

Build Your Resume
What are common action verbs for legal assistant resumes?

Common action verbs for legal assistant resumes include:

Action verbs
Assisted Compiled
Coordinated Created
Cross-referenced Drafted
Earned Enhanced
Facilitated Filed
Improved Maintained
Managed Organized
Prepared Proofread
Reduced Researched
Scheduled Streamlined
Supported Tracked
Updated Verified
Wrote
How should I describe an unrelated recent job in my experience section?

Briefly, keep that description short (maybe one or two lines) so you can focus on jobs you’ve held in the legal field. This approach helps hiring managers get a clear view of your background in relation to their firm’s administrative needs.

How can AI help me write my legal assistant resume?

New artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT or DeepL Write, can help you get started on your resume by quickly creating a first draft. AI can also offer new ideas and suggest better ways to describe your experience and skills.

But while AI is a great tool for getting started, it can’t do everything. You still need to think about your key achievements, pick the most relevant information for each section, and make sure all the details on your final resume are accurate.

What is the best design for a legal assistant's resume?

With resume design, less is more. The less visual information you add, the more attention you’ll call to your relevant skills and achievements. Keep your format simple and polished. Avoid visual flourishes like elaborate borders, colorful logos, or unusual fonts and bullet symbols, which usually just distract the hiring manager.

More Resume Examples

Kara Dennison

Head of Career Advising

Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC is an Executive Career and Leadership Coach, Organizational Strategy Consultant, and CEO of Optimized Career Solutions. With certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and Encouragement Consultant (EC), Kara brings a unique blend of strategic insight, behavioral science, and personal development to her work. Her career began in corporate recruiting and HR leadership, where she partnered with C-suite executives to hire top performers and reviewed more than 500,000 resumes. That experience ignited her passion for helping high-achieving professionals clarify their path, tell their story with impact, and advance into roles they love.

Today, Kara coaches executives and consults with organizations on culture, communication, and leadership development. She’s been named a Top 101 Global Employee Engagement Influencer by Inspiring Workplaces for 2023, 2024, and 2025, and contributes regularly to Forbes on topics like career growth, leadership trends, and the evolving workplace. Her work has appeared in Fast Company, LifeHacker, Thrive Global, and other leading outlets. Through one-on-one coaching, brand strategy, and organizational consulting, Kara’s mission is simple: empower professionals and leaders to live impactful lives, showing up with clarity and confidence so they and their teams can thrive.

Written by professional resume writers and loved by hiring managers

Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.