Skip to main content

Legal

Paralegal Resume Example

A paralegal resume needs to prove case-management volume and specific software fluency like Westlaw, Relativity, and e-filing so ATS systems surface it above generalist admin candidates.

Build My Paralegal ResumeCheck My ATS Score

Paralegal Resume Sample

A complete, recruiter-approved example you can use as a starting point. Open it in the builder to edit every line.

MARCUS OYELARAN

Senior Litigation Paralegal

Los Angeles, CA · m.oyelaran@email.com · (555) 336-9021

Summary

Litigation paralegal with 7 years supporting complex commercial and employment litigation from filing through trial. Manages document review teams of up to 6 and has supported 3 multi-week jury trials.

Experience

Senior Litigation Paralegal · Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2020 - Present

  • Coordinated trial preparation for a 4-week jury trial involving 22,000 exhibits, building the trial database and managing 3 junior paralegals
  • Reviewed and coded 28,000+ documents for privilege and responsiveness using Relativity, cutting attorney review time by 35%
  • Drafted and filed over 200 pleadings and discovery documents across California and federal district courts with zero missed deadlines

Litigation Paralegal · DLA Piper LLP

2017 - 2020

  • Prepared deposition summaries and exhibit binders for 45+ depositions in a class-action wage-and-hour matter
  • Maintained case calendars and docketing for a caseload of 60+ active litigation matters

Education

B.A. Political Science — California State University, Long Beach · 2016

Skills

Relativity, Westlaw, LexisNexis, E-Discovery, Trial Preparation, Deposition Summaries, Case Management, Document Review, E-Filing, Docketing, Bates Numbering, MS Office

Use This Example in the Builder

Must-Have Keywords for Paralegal Resumes

These are the keywords ATS systems and recruiters search for. Include them naturally in your Skills, Summary, and Experience sections.

Case ManagementTrial PreparationE-DiscoveryRelativityWestlawLexisNexisDeposition SummariesLegal FilingRedliningDocument ReviewClient IntakeDocketingBates Numbering

The Right Resume Structure for Paralegal Roles

ATS systems parse your resume top to bottom. The order of your sections matters — here is the order that works best for Paralegal applications:

  1. 1Contact Information
  2. 2Professional Summary
  3. 3Certifications
  4. 4Core Skills
  5. 5Work Experience
  6. 6Notable Cases
  7. 7Education

ATS Optimization Tips for Paralegal Resumes

  • Lead with your practice area specialty (litigation, corporate, IP) — generalist paralegal resumes get lost in ATS keyword matching.
  • Name the e-discovery and case-management platforms you know (Relativity, Concordance, Clio) — these are the top keywords litigation recruiters search.
  • Quantify document volume: "Reviewed and coded 15,000+ documents for privilege" is far stronger than "assisted with document review."
  • Mention trial support directly: exhibit prep, witness binders, courtroom logistics — this separates paralegals from legal assistants in ATS parsing.
  • Include your certification (CP, PACE, or state-specific) prominently near your name or in a certifications line.
  • List notarization or e-filing authority if you have it — many firms filter for this specifically.
  • Show progression: docket clerk to paralegal to senior paralegal reads as trajectory, not just tenure.

Ready to Build Your Paralegal Resume?

Start from this pre-filled Paralegal example — it already has the right keywords, format, and structure. Edit every line in the builder.

Start Building FreeBrowse All Examples

Related Resume Examples

Legal Assistant Resume →Litigation Attorney Resume →Law Clerk Resume →Associate Attorney Resume →View all examples →