Zen CV
CV Template · Paralegal
Paralegal CV template.
A paralegal CV needs to show that you can keep cases organised, deadlines visible, and legal teams prepared. Employers will look for evidence of drafting, research, filings, client contact, and familiarity with the practice areas you support.
Writing a strong Paralegal CV
Hiring managers reviewing a paralegal CV want to see the type of legal work you have handled, not just broad administrative duties. Specify whether your background is in litigation, corporate law, family law, immigration, real estate, personal injury, or criminal defence. Include tools such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, Clio, Relativity, iManage, ProLaw, or Microsoft 365, plus experience with bundles, disclosure, e-filing, discovery, deposition preparation, contracts, or trial notebooks. If you hold a paralegal certificate, legal studies degree, notary commission, or jurisdiction-specific training, place it where it is easy to find.
Three things that matter most
- Show the case lifecycle you support, such as intake, pleadings, discovery, exhibits, filings, hearing preparation, settlement packs, or post-judgment work. This helps employers understand how independently you can operate.
- Name the legal databases, case management systems, and court filing platforms you use. For litigation roles, include experience with e-discovery, document review protocols, privilege logs, and exhibit preparation.
- Separate legal drafting from general office administration. List specific documents such as witness statements, subpoenas, affidavits, demand letters, closing binders, board minutes, or immigration petitions.
Skills hiring managers look for
Frequently asked
How do I write a paralegal CV with no legal office experience?
Build the CV around transferable legal tasks from coursework, internships, clinics, volunteer work, or mock trial projects. Include legal research memos, case briefs, document review exercises, client interviewing practice, and any exposure to Westlaw, LexisNexis, or court procedures. If you have administrative experience, connect it to deadline tracking, confidential records, document preparation, and client communication.
What practice area details should I include on a paralegal CV?
State the practice areas you have supported and the documents or workflows tied to each one. A litigation paralegal might list pleadings, discovery, deposition summaries, and trial exhibits, while a corporate paralegal might mention entity formations, board consents, due diligence, and closing binders. This makes your CV more useful to firms hiring for a specific team.
Should a paralegal CV include billable hours or caseload numbers?
Yes, if they reflect your role accurately and you are allowed to share them. You can mention the number of active matters supported, average monthly filings, discovery volumes, or billable-hour targets without disclosing confidential case details. These figures help firms understand your capacity and pace in a legal environment.
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