What skills should I put on a paralegal resume?

Key skills for a paralegal resume include Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis), Document Drafting, Case Management, E-Discovery (Relativity/Concordance), Case Management Software, Microsoft Office Suite, Attention to Detail, Written Communication, Time Management, and more. Prioritize skills mentioned in the job description and demonstrate them through quantified bullet points rather than just listing them.

How many skills should I list on my paralegal resume?

List 8 to 15 skills on your resume. Focus on the most relevant ones for each job application. Include a mix of technical/hard skills and transferable soft skills. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity.

Should I include soft skills on a paralegal resume?

Yes, but demonstrate them through achievements rather than listing them. Instead of writing 'strong communicator,' show it: 'Presented technical findings to 200-person all-hands meetings.' ATS systems also scan for soft skill keywords.

14+ Best Skills for a Paralegal Resume

Paralegal resumes should showcase legal research expertise, document preparation skills, and experience supporting attorneys through all phases of litigation or transactions. Law firms and legal departments value candidates who are detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and familiar with e-discovery tools.

Legal Skills

Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis) Document Drafting Case Management Filing & Court Procedures Contract Review

Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis) in action

“Conducted legal research for 25+ cases simultaneously, drafting memoranda that contributed to favorable outcomes in 80% of motions”

Tools & Compliance

E-Discovery (Relativity/Concordance) Case Management Software Microsoft Office Suite Document Management Systems Notary Public

Case Management Software in action

“Managed a caseload of 75+ active matters in Clio, ensuring zero missed filing deadlines over 3 years”

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail Written Communication Time Management Client Interaction

Skill Priority Guide

Not all skills carry equal weight. Prioritize the ones most commonly requested in paralegal job descriptions.

Skill	Priority
Legal Research (Westlaw/LexisNexis)	Must Have
Document Drafting	Must Have
Case Management	Must Have
Filing & Court Procedures	Must Have
Case Management Software	Must Have
Microsoft Office Suite	Must Have
Attention to Detail	Must Have
Written Communication	Must Have
Contract Review	Nice to Have
E-Discovery (Relativity/Concordance)	Nice to Have
Document Management Systems	Nice to Have
Client Interaction	Nice to Have
Notary Public	Bonus

Tip 1

Specify your practice area (litigation, corporate, real estate, family law, immigration) as paralegals are often hired for area-specific expertise.

Tip 2

Include your paralegal certification (ABA-approved program, NALA CP, NFPA RP) and any state-specific credentials.

Keep Reading

→ Paralegal Resume Example → How to Write Your Skills Section → 200+ Resume Action Verbs That Get Results → The Complete ATS-Friendly Resume Guide

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