What Does a Legal Assistant Do?
In addition to assisting attorneys in the preparation of various legal documents and correspondence, legal assistants may also schedule appointments for clients, witnesses and court appearances, as well as maintain and organize files, and perform general clerical duties such as answering the phone and filing. A solid background in typing , communications, research and writing skills are also important, as well as attention to detail, the ability to complete necessary paperwork accurately in a timely manner, and computing skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel and online research.
The Components of an Entry-Level Legal Assistant Resume
As with any resume, the entry-level legal assistant version has some basic components. Those include:
Contact Information
This is the most basic section of any resume, but it’s not one to be overlooked. You want to be sure potential employers can get in touch with you, if they so desire. While there is no one right way to do this, you will want to include at least your full name, the name of the street you live on (no need to specify street numbers, as this is a public document, after all) and the city, state and zip code. If you have a personal website or blog, then list the URL as well. Include an email address where you can be reached, but do not attempt to list a second one, as that could make it appear to potential employers that you don’t know how to work email. (Avoid adding unnecessary contact information like social media accounts such as Facebook or LinkedIn unless specifically requested to do so). Make sure, however, that your email address is appropriate – a cutesy moniker like "ladydragz94" is simply not professional.
Summary Statement
Providing employers with a succinct summary statement at the top of your resume helps them quickly determine whether you are a good fit for the position. If your resume is miles long and does not include any direct, qualified experience for the job, then the chances are you are not a good candidate. In that highly competitive environment, hiring managers are not going to have time to sift through three entirely unqualified pages to find the nugget on page two that says how much you love studying the law. Use the summary statement section to explain how your passions and goals relate to the position to which you’re applying.
Education
Your educational history, including your most recent grade in school, is always essential for an entry-level legal assistant resume as well. Rather than simply listing what degrees you hold, you should highlight the skills and abilities you learned in the pursuit of those degrees. If you participated in any relevant programs, such as law-related coursework, collaborative projects, organizational behavior studies or student government, then those are valuable additions to this section of your resume as well.
Relevant Skills and Experience
While this is different than the summary statement, the content will often overlap. Summarizing your skills and experience in the context of the law or the position you are applying for is crucial here. Just remember to be relevant, because the other common item we see here is experiences that have nothing to do with the law, though they may show leadership, sales instincts, customer service ability, attention to detail and the like. These are essentially the jobs you’ve held in any capacity – including volunteer work or internships.
Detailing Education and Certifications
Highlighting your Education and Certifications as an Introduction as an Entry-Level Legal Assistant
Your education is important, even if you haven’t been involved in the workforce yet. An entry-level legal assistant resume should include this information in the first section. Include the name of the school or institution, the date you graduated or expect to graduate, and a description of your degree program (e.g., "Bachelor of Arts in Psychology" or "Associate of Applied Science in Business"). If you graduated with honors, be sure to include that information.
Many entry-level legal assistant candidates possess additional certifications. For example, the National Association of Legal Secretaries provides an exam for certification as a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) and/or the Certified Legal Secretary (CLS). Although this certification is not required, obtaining and maintaining it can put you heads and shoulders above others without certification. Be sure to note on your resume that you are certified or working toward certification. This lets potential employers know that you are committed to additional training and willing to invest in your own education.
Leveraging Transferable Skills
Building the perfect resume that will get you an interview is important, and directly relates to your success in your job search. When writing a resume, you not only want to include all of the responsibilities you have had in previous employment, but also put emphasis on experience you have gained from education or previous employment that are relevant to working as a legal assistant.
So how do you showcase those transferable skills to highlight your progress and capabilities?
One way is to write out each of your past job titles and make a list below each one. List the skills you learned while working in that particular position and what you were responsible for. It is important to include both hard and soft skills that you gained while in those jobs. No matter what type of job you work in, there are always certain skills that you could learn and adapt from that job that are important to the future jobs you are applying for.
Here are some common transferable skills you may have gained in past employment that would relate to a job as a legal assistant:
While it is important to be specific about your past employment, it is also important to include your leadership skills and the ability to effectively work as part of a team.
Working with a team is important in any job, but especially in a legal assistant position. Legal assistants must be able to work not only with other legal assistants, but also with their coworkers in the firm, from lawyers to paralegals, and any other staff that works in their office. Legal assistants must be organized, have the ability to stay focused on the task at hand, and be able to adapt to multiple situations while not losing sight of the bigger picture.
If you are confident that you have developed these skills, it is vital to include them in your resume.
Creating a Summary Statement
Rarely do law firms review resumes in their entirety. They’ll read your summary statement/objective first, and if they don’t find something of interest, the resume will go straight into the "no" pile. This is your chance to create a memorable first impression that will get you an interview! A summary statement is simply a brief paragraph at the top of your resume that gives you the opportunity to grab the reader’s attention to learn about your skills and qualifications, education, interests, etc. The statement should be customized to fit each position you are applying for to create maximum interest. It’s easy to write this statement when you consider what the firm is looking for and what you’d like them to know. Try writing about four sentences as a start. Here are some examples: "Detail-oriented paralegal skilled in organizing and maintaining legal files, drafting cases and pleadings and filing legal documents . Proven ability to assist with the development of trial strategies, processes, and tactics through information gathering, research, and evidence collection." "Energetic administrative assistant with a proactive approach skilled in all aspects of office support. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and accounting software products. Looking forward to bringing excellent organizational skills and dedication to this position." "Enthusiastic and self-motivated legal assistant and paralegal student with strong communication, multi-tasking and customer service skills. Seeking to assist law firm in coordinating busy docket and managing real estate transactions." "Goal-oriented paralegal with strong leadership and administrative skills to facilitate and support legal team in a wide range of transactional and litigation matters."
Matching Your Resume to a Job Posting
When it comes to entry-level legal assistant jobs, there are two equally important factors recruiters look for: the qualifications of the job seeker and the suitability of their resume to the specific position. The days when a "send them all out without customizing them" method worked well are gone. In an age of information overload, when you put any information online you must be prepared for opposing counsel to use it against you. Your resume is no exception. What does that mean? It means that we live in a time when a general "send out a hundred resumes haphazardly" can do more harm than good. Thinking about who is reading your resume and what you are, in essence, saying to them, is vitally important.
The days of marketing your skills indiscriminately have passed. When you send your resume to a law firm for a particular position and it doesn’t reflect what they need, they may just decide not to call you for an interview. Now, if an employment agency gets a hold of a job post, they may submit all of their candidates – which is their job. So what’s the difference? The difference is that the employment or staffing agency reaches out to attorneys who will get contracts from those law firms. If those attorneys don’t get contracts it reflects badly on them, and they get fewer contracts. So they won’t send candidates for positions that don’t match the criteria as they may be looking for a referral fee from the law firm in addition to the salary for the position. When you’re working with an employment agency, they are marketing you.
So how do you apply this to your own resume? First you must read the job posting carefully – all the way to the end. Have you ever submitted a resume for a position only to find that the last line was "do not apply if…" and you wasted your valuable time sending in a resume anyway? That’s just the beginning.
The law firm may be looking for a paralegal with 5 years’ experience, and if that’s what you have, then apply. But do not apply for a position that is clearly not for you. It will only serve to take you off their list the next time.
Take notes on all the stated requirements of the posting and tailor your resume to it. Do NOT copy it verbatim – that’s even worse than not tailoring it at all. Put your accomplishments in order of importance (the important requirements first) in the order in which the job posting lists them. List your work experience in reverse chronological order and only include what is appropriate. Take the job posting and cross out the qualifications you don’t have.
If you don’t have the experience, check out the local schools that offer legal assistant programs and see if they are taking students for internships. Sometimes you can do them for free – and over time you will certainly get call backs from the firms you worked with thinking of you as a possible candidate for a position should one open up. On the other hand, you can get paid to be an intern or extern and receive college credits at the same time.
Be careful not to send your resume to too many firms at once. Try sending it in to one firm at a time and ask for some thoughtful feedback before you start sending them everywhere. Could they see you as a good candidate for a legal assistant position, or suggest any changes that would make you a more appealing candidate for an ideal position? Can they help you get an interview, or mention your resume to someone who specializes in that area?
Job seekers fail to realize that sometimes persistence can be a liability. While being the first to respond to a job posting may set you apart, the 101st applicant can be seen as that annoying person who just kept sending out the same resume to every firm. They may think you just don’t care where you work, only that you work at all. But if you do keep submitting the same resume to all the firms, it may point to the fact that you think it’s a sales tool you can easily just duplicate. It isn’t. Your resume is your personal advertisement and should be customized to each opportunity you are given. So take the time to do it right, and be an individual and not one of a hundred. Your resume needs to reflect as much of your personality as possible, while still demonstrating professionalism and competence.
Common Resume Pitfalls
A common theme for the majority of our entry level legal assistant candidates is that they can be easily overwhelmed with information. In a hurry to make a positive impression on potential employers, applicants of all experience levels often have a knee-jerk reaction to load their resume with excessive verbiage or bury important information in an inconspicuous area. They lose sight of the fact that the best resumes are those that are clean, simple and easy to read at a glance.
The first, and perhaps most common mistake we see is applicants creating lengthy descriptive paragraphs instead of concise bullet points. Often, resume bullet points run over three lines and look clunky and unprofessional. Even though you may be tempted to indicate proficiency in more than one area, your objective should be to clearly convey specific skill sets. Thoughtful bullet point statements that are easy for hiring managers to decipher will resound more positively than an overly-ambitious narrative.
Another common pitfall that we encounter is the jargon-filled legal resume. You may have had experience in several different areas, but should be sure to keep the classic legal phrase "less is more" in mind. Don’t try to include too much information about yourself or your previous experience. A one page resume for entry level candidates is optimal; if it is longer than that it will be hard for hiring managers to determine if you have the qualifications they are looking for. Give them what they want, but don’t overwhelm them.
While I would not suggest that you change your entire resume while applying for entry level legal assistant positions, I do suggest making some specific changes that will create a more favorable impression. Remove the objective statement. Also remove any objective-oriented verbiage. In other words, if your resume states something like, "An entry level position where I can use my administrative skills to assist." then you need to make a change. Objective-oriented language is the single biggest resume killer!
More and more often, we are seeing resumes that are created through an easy online template. The boilerplate resumes tend to be filled with basic legal information that does not necessarily apply to the job the applicant is seeking. Unless you are a paralegal with extensive legal experience, erase all legal jargon. Employers want to see your skills, not the previous employee’s.
Even if a bullet point seems critical to your previous experience, is it necessary to a new employer? Does it add value? Would it really add value to an employer who is trying to fill a position? If not, then get rid of it.
Legal Assistant Resume Samples and Templates
Example Entry-Level Legal Assistant Resumes
Here are a few example resumes, tailored to help get you started as an entry-level legal assistant:
[Template 1]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Objective:
Energetic and detail-oriented recent graduate seeking to leverage a background in legal research and administrative support to contribute to the success of [Company Name] as an entry-level legal assistant.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minor in Legal Studies
[University Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
Relevant Coursework: Legal Research and Writing, Civil Liberties, Public Policy, Business Law
Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat
- Familiarity with legal research databases, including LexisNexis and Westlaw
- Experience in drafting legal documents and correspondence
- Excellent research and communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
Experience:
Intern – [Law Firm Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Assisted in trial preparation by organizing case files and evidence
- Conducted legal research under the direction of senior attorneys
- Drafted pleadings and correspondence to clients and opposing counsel
- Attended and took detailed notes at client meetings and court hearings
Administrative Assistant – [Company Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Provided general administrative support, including managing phone calls and emails
- Scheduled appointments and maintained calendars for legal staff
- Prepared and maintained legal files and documents
- Processed billing and attorney expense reports
[Template 2]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Objective:
Aspiring legal professional with a comprehensive understanding of legal procedures and terminology. Eager to contribute to the team at [Company Name] as an entry-level legal assistant .
Education:
Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
[Community College Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
Skills:
- Knowledgeable in legal research methodologies and tools
- Experience scheduling filings and organizing legal documents
- Skilled in transcription and written communication
- Proficient in the use of case management software
Experience:
Office Assistant – [Law Firm Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Supported attorney with various administrative tasks, including typing and filing
- Accurately double-checked legal documents for errors and inconsistencies
- Updated and maintained client records and files
- Managed law office calendar and scheduled appointments
Mobile Unit Registrar – [Company Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Performed administrative tasks to facilitate the operations of a mobile unit
- Assisted clients with forms and answered questions about the location and impact of Great Lakes
- Maintained accurate and detailed filing systems
- Assisted with outreach programs
[Template 3]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Objective:
Dedicated and knowledgeable recent graduate looking to provide excellent legal support to [Client’s Name] as an entry-level legal assistant.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology
[University Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
Associates Degree in Legal Studies
[College Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
Experience:
Intern – [Law Firm Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Assisted with document retentions and firm archives
- Entered and maintained data in legal management systems
- Edited and reviewed documents drafted by attorneys
- Assisted with and attended client hearings and meetings to take notes.
Receptionist – [Company Name], [City, State]
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Directed all visitors of clients to their desired destinations
- Answered telephone calls, routed calls and provide the assistance to clients as needed
- Scheduled appointments and meetings for the executives of business
- Operated modern office equipment and computer software to manage daily responsibilities