Paralegal guide · 2026

Free Paralegal Resume Templates and Examples

A paralegal resume needs to showcase your legal knowledge, document preparation skills, and attention to detail. Use our free templates and writing guide to build a resume that stands out to law firms.

Paralegal reviewing legal documents and case files in a modern law office with bookshelves of legal reference materials

01 · Resume example

Complete Paralegal Resume Example (Full Template)

A complete, ready-to-use paralegal resume written from real job requirements. Tailor the details to your own experience.

Resume Example · Classic

Jennifer Adams

Paralegal

jennifer.adams@email.com | (555) 012-3456 | Philadelphia, PA

Profile

Certified Paralegal with 5+ years of experience supporting attorneys in litigation, corporate law, and real estate. Skilled in legal research, document preparation, case management, and e-discovery. Managed caseloads of 50+ active matters.

Work Experience

2019 - Present · Paralegal, Wilson & Associates Law, Philadelphia

  • Supported 3 attorneys in litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases and ensuring all deadlines were met
  • Prepared legal documents including pleadings, discovery requests, contracts, and correspondence with 100% accuracy
  • Conducted legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, producing memoranda that informed case strategy and settlement decisions
  • Managed e-discovery process for 5 major cases, reviewing 100K+ documents and coordinating with vendor teams

2017 - 2019 · Junior Paralegal, LegalHelp Corp, Cherry Hill

  • Assisted in preparing discovery responses, document production, and deposition summaries for litigation cases
  • Organized and maintained case files, pleadings, and correspondence in electronic document management system
  • Coordinated scheduling for depositions, hearings, and meetings with clients and opposing counsel
  • Performed cite-checking and Bluebook formatting for legal briefs and memoranda
Education

2015 - 2017, Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Community College of Philadelphia; 2017, Certified Paralegal (CP)

Skills

Hard skills: Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis), Document Preparation, E-Discovery, Case Management, Pleadings, Discovery, Contracts, Legal Writing, Bluebook, Trial Preparation, Document Management Systems, Microsoft Office

Soft skills: Attention to Detail, Organizational Skills, Communication, Confidentiality, Time Management, Analytical Thinking, Teamwork

Resume Example · Sidebar

Profile

Certified Paralegal with 5+ years of experience supporting attorneys in litigation, corporate law, and real estate. Skilled in legal research, document preparation, case management, and e-discovery. Managed caseloads of 50+ active matters.

Work Experience

2019 - Present · Paralegal, Wilson & Associates Law, Philadelphia

  • Supported 3 attorneys in litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases and ensuring all deadlines were met
  • Prepared legal documents including pleadings, discovery requests, contracts, and correspondence with 100% accuracy
  • Conducted legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, producing memoranda that informed case strategy and settlement decisions
  • Managed e-discovery process for 5 major cases, reviewing 100K+ documents and coordinating with vendor teams

2017 - 2019 · Junior Paralegal, LegalHelp Corp, Cherry Hill

  • Assisted in preparing discovery responses, document production, and deposition summaries for litigation cases
  • Organized and maintained case files, pleadings, and correspondence in electronic document management system
  • Coordinated scheduling for depositions, hearings, and meetings with clients and opposing counsel
  • Performed cite-checking and Bluebook formatting for legal briefs and memoranda

Resume Example · Minimal

Jennifer Adams

Paralegal

jennifer.adams@email.com | (555) 012-3456 | Philadelphia, PA

Professional Summary

Certified Paralegal with 5+ years of experience supporting attorneys in litigation, corporate law, and real estate. Skilled in legal research, document preparation, case management, and e-discovery. Managed caseloads of 50+ active matters.

Work Experience

2019 - Present · Paralegal, Wilson & Associates Law, Philadelphia

  • Supported 3 attorneys in litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases and ensuring all deadlines were met
  • Prepared legal documents including pleadings, discovery requests, contracts, and correspondence with 100% accuracy
  • Conducted legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, producing memoranda that informed case strategy and settlement decisions
  • Managed e-discovery process for 5 major cases, reviewing 100K+ documents and coordinating with vendor teams

2017 - 2019 · Junior Paralegal, LegalHelp Corp, Cherry Hill

  • Assisted in preparing discovery responses, document production, and deposition summaries for litigation cases
  • Organized and maintained case files, pleadings, and correspondence in electronic document management system
  • Coordinated scheduling for depositions, hearings, and meetings with clients and opposing counsel
  • Performed cite-checking and Bluebook formatting for legal briefs and memoranda
Education

2015 - 2017, Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Community College of Philadelphia; 2017, Certified Paralegal (CP)

Skills

Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis), Document Preparation, E-Discovery, Case Management, Pleadings, Discovery, Contracts, Legal Writing, Bluebook, Trial Preparation, Document Management Systems, Microsoft Office · Attention to Detail, Organizational Skills, Communication, Confidentiality, Time Management, Analytical Thinking, Teamwork

02 · Free templates

Free Paralegal Resume Templates (12 to Choose From)

Every template below is free, fully editable in WPS Writer, and formatted to pass ATS screening.

Browse all free paralegal resume templates →

03 · Copy-paste resume

Copy-Paste Resume Content for Paralegals

A ready-to-use resume that matches what hiring managers and ATS screeners actually look for.

Professional Summary

Certified Paralegal with 5+ years supporting attorneys in litigation and corporate law. Managed 50+ active cases, prepared legal documents with 100% accuracy, and conducted e-discovery for 100K+ documents.

Key Skills

Hard skills: Legal Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis) · Document Preparation · E-Discovery · Case Management · Pleadings · Discovery · Contracts · Legal Writing · Bluebook · Trial Preparation · Document Management Systems
Soft skills: Attention to Detail · Organizational Skills · Communication · Confidentiality · Time Management · Analytical Thinking

Work Experience (use action + result)

• Supported 3 attorneys in litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases.
• Prepared legal documents including pleadings, discovery requests, and contracts with 100% accuracy.
• Conducted legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, producing memoranda informing case strategy.
• Managed e-discovery for 5 major cases, reviewing 100K+ documents.
• Organized case files and coordinated scheduling for depositions, hearings, and meetings.

Education & Certifications

• Associate degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies from an ABA-approved program
• Certification: Certified Paralegal (CP) or Registered Paralegal (RP) — highly recommended
• Tip: include your specific practice areas (litigation, corporate, real estate, family law) and any specialized certifications.

These bullets are based on real paralegal job requirements — the duties, skills, and what employers actually screen for. Paste them into a free WPS ATS-friendly resume template, then adjust the numbers to match your own results.

04 · How to write

How to Write a Paralegal Resume

Paralegal hiring managers screen for proof you can deliver results.

1

Write a certification-focused professional summary

Open with your certification, years of experience, and practice areas. Example: Certified Paralegal (CP) with 5+ years supporting attorneys in litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases.

2

List legal skills by practice area

Organize into: Research (Westlaw, LexisNexis, legal writing), Document Preparation (pleadings, discovery, contracts, briefs), Technology (e-discovery, document management systems, case management), Practice Areas (litigation, corporate, real estate).

3

Quantify legal work volume

For each role: Managed 50+ active cases, prepared documents with 100% accuracy, reviewed 100K+ documents in e-discovery, supported 3 attorneys, coordinated scheduling for multiple depositions and hearings.

4

Add certifications and continuing education

List CP or RP certification prominently. Include paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program. Mention CLE courses and specialized training in specific practice areas.

Keep it to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience. A clean, ATS-friendly layout in a free WPS template makes every section easy to scan.

05 · Common mistakes

Common Paralegal Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Most paralegal candidates make the same avoidable resume mistakes.

Not listing paralegal certification

Certification (CP, RP) is often preferred or required by employers. If your certification isn't prominently displayed, your application may be overlooked. Include certification number and date.

Listing legal tasks without context

Don't just list legal research, document preparation, case management. Add context: Conducted legal research using Westlaw that informed case strategy, prepared pleadings and discovery requests with 100% accuracy.

Omitting specific practice areas

Employers want to know your experience in specific practice areas (litigation, corporate, real estate, family law). If your resume doesn't mention practice areas, it's harder for hiring managers to assess fit.

Not mentioning technology and e-discovery skills

Modern paralegals need technology skills. If your resume doesn't mention e-discovery platforms, document management systems, or legal software, it signals a gap in technology proficiency.

Writing a generic objective instead of a paralegal summary

Replace Seeking a paralegal position with a professional summary: Certified Paralegal with 5+ years supporting litigation and corporate law, managing 50+ active cases with 100% document accuracy.

Ignoring soft skills and client interaction

Paralegals interact with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel. If your resume doesn't mention communication, client interaction, or professional conduct, it misses an important aspect of the role.

06 · Why WPS

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Algirdas Jasaitis

Algirdas Jasaitis

WPS User

07 · Solution

How WPS Office Helps You Write a Better Resume

From a ready-made template to a polished PDF, WPS Office covers the whole resume-writing process.

1

Start with a Free ATS-Friendly Template

Choose from 1,000+ professionally designed resume templates for every industry.

Resume template preview
2

Edit Freely in WPS Writer

Easily change text, fonts, and colors in a lightweight, fully-featured Word editor.

Resume template preview
3

Polish with Built-in Tools

Use the built-in spell and grammar checker to catch typos and keep your resume professional.

Resume template preview
4

Export to PDF with One Click

Convert your finished resume to PDF with zero formatting shifts.

Resume template preview

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08 · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers for aspiring paralegals and career changers evaluating the role.

Start Your Paralegal Job Search

Get the complete WPS job-search kit: an ATS-friendly resume template, a skill checklist, and an interview tracker.

Build a resume that gets interviews, close your skill gaps, and walk into every round prepared.

Free to download · Cross-platform · ATS-friendly