Paralegal Resume Sample

Why This Resume Works

1.Every bullet carries a number

Review time down 30%, 50,000+ documents, 99% filing accuracy, 6 trials.

2.Skills match what employers search for

Legal research, discovery management, e-discovery, document review, case management.

3.Most recent job comes first, with the biggest results

Paralegal at Lakeview Law Group, Chicago, IL, 2021–Present, leads with 15 cases, before the earlier Junior Paralegal role, 2018–2021.

4.Summary states years, speciality and scale

6 years, litigation support speciality, 25 clients supported.

How Hiring Teams Evaluate Resumes

1.The first seven seconds

In the first seven seconds they check headline, summary, and current role.

Example: Paralegal, 6 years, Lakeview Law Group, 2021–Present.

2.Quantified legal support impact

They look for quantified legal support impact.

Example: Review time down 30%, filing accuracy at 99%, 6 trials, zero missed deadlines.

3.Keyword match

They scan for keyword match.

Example: E-discovery, document review, discovery management, Westlaw, case management.

4.Progression

They check progression.

Example: Junior Paralegal in Chicago, 2018–2021, to Paralegal in Chicago, 2021–Present, coordinating trial preparation for 6 trials.

Step-by-Step Writing Guide

1.Lead with years, speciality, and one measurable result

Start with 6 years as a paralegal, your litigation support speciality, and one measurable result — review time down 30%.

2.Put your current job first, with 3 bullets, each with a number

Put your current job first, with 3 bullets, each with a number — review time, filing accuracy, or trials.

3.Describe your previous job with earlier, non-overlapping dates and different numbers

Describe your previous job with earlier, non-overlapping dates and different numbers — 25 clients, retrieval time down 45%, turnaround from 5 to 2 days.

4.List 8–10 skills employers search for

List 8–10 skills employers search for — legal research, discovery management, e-discovery, Westlaw.

5.Place education and certifications briefly

Place education and certifications briefly — A.A.S. Paralegal Studies, City Colleges of Chicago, 2018, CP 2019, ACP 2021.

6.Tailor skills and summary to each job post, keeping the resume to one to two pages

Tailor skills and summary to each job post, keeping the resume to one to two pages.

Key Takeaways

Quantify every role — review time, filing accuracy, trials, and deadlines.

Lead with accuracy and efficiency — 99% filing accuracy and review time down 30%.

Match skills to the job post keywords.

Show scale clearly — 15 cases, 50,000+ documents, 30 depositions.

Salary Insights

Average base pay

62000/yr

How much does a Paralegal make in the United States?

Typical pay for a Paralegal in the United States is about $52,000 to $78,000 per year, with a median around $62,000. Pay in Chicago, IL is broadly similar to the national range. Experience, CP certification, and e-discovery skills move pay toward the upper end. Use this range as a guide only. Source: Typical US range, 2025-2026.

FAQs

How long should a paralegal resume be?

One to two pages. This sample fits two roles, education, certifications, and 10 skills in that length.

What skills should I list?

Legal research, discovery management, e-discovery, document review, and Westlaw.

Should I include certifications?

Yes. This sample lists Certified Paralegal (CP) and Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) in Discovery.

How do I show impact without revenue numbers?

Use review time, filing accuracy, trials, and deadlines — for example, review time down 30% and 99% filing accuracy.

Do I need a professional summary?

Yes. Write 3-4 sentences with years, speciality, and one measurable result.

What skills help Paralegal find jobs?

Legal Research
Document Review
Discovery Management
Case Management
Drafting
Deposition Preparation
E-Discovery
Trial Preparation
Client Communication
Westlaw

Resume Tips

Use Job-Specific Keywords

Pull the skills, tools and qualifications named in the job post and use the same words throughout your resume.

Keep One Format

Write job titles, dates and keywords the same way in your Summary, Skills and Experience sections.

Use Professional Terms

Plain, precise language from your field reads better than fancy vocabulary.

Focus on Relevant Experience

Give the most space to work that matches the role, and less (or none) to work that does not.

Show Measurable Results

Add numbers to your experience: time saved, revenue, error rates, team size, budgets.

Highlight Key Experience

Group the most relevant jobs under a 'Relevant Experience' heading so reviewers find them first.