Legal Assistant Resume Template for MS Word

The summary statement section is the first thing hiring managers will see when they look at your resume, so it is especially important that it is eye catching. This is your chance to show employers just how good of a fit you are for the job, so be sure to include the most relevant information that aligns with the job description. Use the legal assistant resume template for Word to create your personalized statement.

In this section, you can use three sentences or three bullet points to briefly describe why you are a suitable candidate. Use skills and keywords relevant to the posting for optimal results. Ensure you include the following:

• Your best two to three skills relevant to the job

• Your title and experience

• Job-specific expertise or accomplishments

Here are some summary statement examples:

Example 1

Legal assistant with 10 years of professional experience assisting lawyers. Expertise in drafting legal documents and gathering case facts. Highly organized with the ability to multitask.

Example 2

Professional legal assistant working in law firms for seven years. Exceptional phone skills with the ability to handle and organize large volumes of documents. Solid communication, computer and research skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Example 3

Legal Assistant:

• 10 years of experience

• Filing, organization, research, drafting and report-writing expertise

• Excellent communication skills

Example 4

Legal assistant with five years of experience. Well-versed in Microsoft Office, drafting legal documents and communicating with diverse clients. Solid organization, speaking and writing skills with willingness to learn.

In this section, you will provide a list of your best skills relevant to the position for which you are applying. This shows hiring managers that you are able to succeed in the position. Look at the job posting to find keywords and phrases, and add them to your skills section. Using bullet points to form a neat list makes this section easy to read. The legal assistant resume template for Word includes the skills section right after the summary statement, making it easy to locate. Here are some skills writing tips:

• List the most important and relevant skills first

• Use words and phrases to keep it succinct

• Include six to eight skills

Here are some skills typically required of legal assistants that you may want to include in your own skills section:

• Excellent research and organizational skills

• Written and oral communication abilities

• Filing

• Strong typing skills – 60 wpm

• Time management

• Proficient in Microsoft Office

The work history resume section is where you will showcase what you are capable of and your relevant experience. Here, you will provide hiring managers with information that backs up what you have stated in the previous two sections. For help, use the legal assistant resume template for Word and these helpful tips when writing:

• Include anywhere from five to eight bullet points per job

• After each title, include the company name, location and employment dates

• Add metrics and accomplishments when you can

• Begin each point with a strong action verb

• Utilize keywords and phrases from the description

Here are some job description example points for a legal assistant work history section:

• Reorganized the documentation system in a new database, shorting the retrieval time by 30 percent

• Investigated and gathered case facts and information for lawyers

• Prepared affidavits and legal correspondence and organized all documents in an electronic filing system

• Prepared legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, wills, contracts, appeals and real estate closing statements

Often, job postings will include a required education level. The legal assistant resume template for Word includes an education section made for listing degrees, certificates, diplomas and academic achievements. Here are some education section tips to follow:

• Education should be listed in chronological order, beginning with the most recent level

• Everything from short courses and certificates to volunteer work and seminars can be listed

• A GPA is not necessary unless you graduated recently

Here are some excellent education section examples for legal assistants:

Example 1:

Associate of Arts in Business Law – 2010

Delaware County Community College – Media, PA

Example 2:

Bachelor of Science in Law – 2015

Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL

Certificate in Legal Studies – 2010

Florida Keys Community College – Key West, FL