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Paralegal Resume Example
Updated: March 2026
Build your CVParalegal Resume - Entry Level
Jane Doe
jane.doe@email.com | +1 555 412 7836 | Boston, Massachusetts
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented paralegal graduate with an ABA-aligned certificate in paralegal studies and hands-on internship experience in civil litigation support. Proficient in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Clio. Skilled in drafting legal correspondence, managing case files, and conducting statutory research. Eager to contribute to a fast-paced litigation team.
Education
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Sep 2024 – Dec 2025Boston University
Program: ABA-aligned Paralegal Studies Certificate Program
Relevant Courses: Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, Contract Law, Ethics for Paralegals
B.A. in Political Science
Sep 2020 – May 2024University of Massachusetts Boston
GPA: 3.6 / 4.0
Work Experience
Paralegal Intern
Sep 2025 – Dec 2025Ropes & Gray LLP
- • Assisted litigation team with discovery management on 3 active commercial disputes, organizing over 1,200 documents in iManage
- • Conducted LexisNexis and Westlaw research on 8 motions, summarizing case law findings in memos reviewed by supervising attorneys
- • Drafted 15+ routine legal correspondence pieces including demand letters and discovery requests under attorney supervision
Skills & Languages
LexisNexis & Westlaw ●●●●
Legal Document Drafting ●●●●
Clio Case Management ●●●●
Microsoft Office Suite ●●●●
Court Filing (CM/ECF) ●●●●
English– Native
French– Intermediate
Certifications
Certified Paralegal (CP) – NALA, 2026
Notary Public – Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2026
Adobe Acrobat Pro Certified – Adobe, 2025
Paralegal Resume - Senior Professional
John Doe
Professional Summary
NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) with 9+ years of experience in complex commercial litigation and corporate law. Proven track record managing high-volume discovery, coordinating multi-party trial preparation, and supervising junior paralegal staff. Expert in RelativityOne, LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Clio. Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) in Litigation.
Work Experience
Senior Litigation Paralegal
Feb 2021 – PresentKing & Spalding LLP
- • Managed discovery and case files for 12+ concurrent commercial litigation matters valued at over $500M in dispute
- • Led a 3-person paralegal team through a 9-month federal trial, organizing 40,000+ documents in RelativityOne for attorney review
- • Reduced document review turnaround by 25% by implementing standardized tagging protocols in Everlaw across the litigation support group
Litigation Paralegal
Jun 2017 – Jan 2021Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
- • Supported 4 trial attorneys on 20+ active matters simultaneously, managing all CM/ECF federal court filings with 100% on-time compliance
- • Drafted and proofread 50+ pleadings, motions, and discovery responses per quarter under attorney supervision
- • Coordinated deposition logistics for 35 witnesses across 4 states, managing scheduling, travel, and exhibit preparation
Education
B.Sc. in Paralegal Studies
Sep 2013 – May 2017Georgia State University
Program: ABA-approved Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Skills & Languages
eDiscovery (RelativityOne) ●●●●
LexisNexis & Westlaw ●●●●
Litigation Management ●●●●
Clio & iManage ●●●●
English– Native
Mandarin– Intermediate
Certifications
Certified Paralegal (CP) – NALA, 2018
Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) - Litigation – NALA, 2021
Relativity Certified Reviewer – Relativity, 2022
How to Write a Paralegal Resume
Law firms and corporate legal departments scan paralegal resumes for credentials, software, and quantifiable case-support metrics. An ABA-approved program is the gold standard; voluntary certifications - NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP), NFPA's Certified Registered Paralegal (CRP), NALS' Professional Paralegal (PP) - boost hiring odds at every level.
Entry-level candidates highlight ABA-aligned coursework (legal research, civil procedure, legal writing) and internship metrics: cases supported, documents organized, filings completed. Experienced paralegals lead with outcomes - cases managed simultaneously, discovery documents processed, cost savings, trial support delivered - and specify a practice area: litigation, corporate, IP, immigration, real estate, or family law. Name your platforms: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Clio, RelativityOne, iManage, Everlaw, Adobe Acrobat, CM/ECF.
Certification is voluntary in most states, but California BPC section 6450 mandates specific credentials to use the title 'paralegal.' Median salary: $61,010/year (BLS, May 2024); IP paralegals average ~$68,448. Both templates below are free to download.
Entry-level candidates highlight ABA-aligned coursework (legal research, civil procedure, legal writing) and internship metrics: cases supported, documents organized, filings completed. Experienced paralegals lead with outcomes - cases managed simultaneously, discovery documents processed, cost savings, trial support delivered - and specify a practice area: litigation, corporate, IP, immigration, real estate, or family law. Name your platforms: LexisNexis, Westlaw, Clio, RelativityOne, iManage, Everlaw, Adobe Acrobat, CM/ECF.
Certification is voluntary in most states, but California BPC section 6450 mandates specific credentials to use the title 'paralegal.' Median salary: $61,010/year (BLS, May 2024); IP paralegals average ~$68,448. Both templates below are free to download.
The information on this page is general career guidance and does not replace official regulatory advice. Verify current requirements with the relevant professional body.
FAQ
Is paralegal certification required to work in the United States?
No US state requires mandatory licensure for paralegals under attorney supervision. However, California Business and Professions Code section 6450 requires specific credentials - such as an ABA-approved certificate or associate degree in paralegal studies - to use the title 'paralegal.' Voluntary certifications like NALA's CP, NFPA's CRP, or NALS' PP are not legally required but are highly valued by employers and boost salary and hiring prospects. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov ↗
What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
Paralegals perform substantive legal work under attorney supervision: legal research, drafting pleadings and contracts, managing discovery, and preparing trial exhibits. They typically hold formal paralegal credentials. Legal assistants focus more on administrative support - scheduling, correspondence, client intake, and file management. Though many employers use the titles interchangeably, paralegal roles command higher salaries and require deeper legal knowledge. Both the ABA and NALA define paralegals as performing substantive legal tasks. nala.org ↗
What software should I list on a paralegal resume?
List LexisNexis and Westlaw by name - both appear in most paralegal job postings. For case management, Clio leads, followed by MyCase and PracticePanther. For eDiscovery, specify RelativityOne, Everlaw, or Logikcull - highly sought for litigation roles. iManage and NetDocuments are standard document management systems at larger firms. Round out with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and CM/ECF for federal court e-filings.
What is the median salary for paralegals in the United States?
Per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for paralegals was $61,010 as of May 2024. IP paralegals average ~$68,448 due to specialized knowledge. Top-paying states include California, New York, and Texas, with Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Boston offering peak compensation. Holding NALA's CP or ACP credential typically correlates with above-median salaries. www.bls.gov ↗
How do I advance my career as a paralegal?
The most common path is specialization in litigation, corporate law, IP, or immigration, which opens senior paralegal roles. NALA's Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) in a specialty is a recognized expertise marker. After 5-10 years, senior paralegals can advance to paralegal manager or legal operations manager. Others pursue law school or transition into compliance or contract management. CLE - required by NALA, NFPA, and NALS for certification maintenance - keeps skills current.