Legal Assistant Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ Skills to Get Hired at Top Law Firms
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🚨 Qualified but not getting interviews? Your resume is missing critical keywords.
In 2026, law firms and legal departments use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter hundreds of applications. Even if you have years of experience, if your resume lacks terms like "Legal Document Preparation" or "E-Filing," you will be rejected before a hiring manager sees it.
Why These Keywords Matter in 2026
The legal industry relies heavily on ATS software for initial screening. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 39,300 annual openings for paralegals and legal assistants, with a median salary of $61,010 (BLS, 2024).
Competition is steady in this field. Law firms receive dozens of applications for each position, and they use keyword filters to narrow down candidates quickly.
A resume that says "Helped lawyers with paperwork" gets rejected. A resume that says "Prepared legal documents, managed court filing deadlines, and conducted legal research using Westlaw" gets an interview.
The right keywords signal that you understand legal workflows and can contribute immediately.
Table of Contents
- What Are Legal Assistant Resume Keywords?
- Core Legal Assistant Keywords (The Essentials)
- Legal Software and Technology
- Practice Area Keywords
- Administrative vs. Substantive Legal Keywords
- Certifications and Education
- Action Verbs for Legal Assistants
- Where to Place These Keywords
- Resume Examples: Weak vs. Strong
- Common Legal Assistant Resume Mistakes
- FAQ
What Are Legal Assistant Resume Keywords?
Legal assistant resume keywords are the specific legal terms, software names, and procedural knowledge that prove your competency in a law firm or legal department.
Recruiters and ATS systems scan for:
- Core Skills: Legal Document Preparation, Court Filing, Legal Research
- Software: Clio, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Microsoft Office
- Practice Areas: Litigation, Corporate, Family Law, Real Estate
- Certifications: CLA, ALS, Notary Public
Using precise legal terminology (saying "Drafted Interrogatories" instead of "helped with questions") signals professional experience and helps you pass automated screening.
Core Legal Assistant Keywords (The Essentials)
These keywords apply to nearly all legal assistant positions. Make sure they appear on your resume.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Document Preparation | Legal Document Preparation, Drafting Correspondence, Proofreading, Formatting Legal Documents, Document Assembly, Template Management |
| Filing and Court | Court Filing, E-Filing, Document Filing, Serving Documents, Filing Deadlines, Court Submissions, Case Filing |
| Organization | Calendar Management, Docket Management, Deadline Tracking, Case Organization, File Management, Records Management |
| Communication | Client Communication, Attorney Correspondence, Phone Screening, Client Intake, Scheduling Appointments |
Pro Tip: Always include "Legal Assistant" or "Paralegal" in your resume summary. ATS systems often search for the exact job title.
Legal Software and Technology
Law firms expect proficiency in legal technology. Listing specific software is a major hiring factor.
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Case Management | Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther, Smokeball, CosmoLex, PCLaw, Tabs3 |
| Legal Research | Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase, Bloomberg Law, Google Scholar |
| Document Management | NetDocuments, iManage, Worldox, SharePoint, Document Management Systems (DMS) |
| E-Filing Systems | PACER, CM/ECF, State E-Filing Portals, Odyssey, File & Serve |
| General Software | Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat Pro, DocuSign, Notarize |
👉 Not sure which software to highlight? Scan your resume against the job description to see which specific tools the employer requires.
Practice Area Keywords
Legal assistants often specialize in specific practice areas. Include keywords relevant to your experience.
Litigation Support Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Litigation Support, Discovery, E-Discovery, Document Review, Deposition Preparation, Trial Preparation, Interrogatories, Requests for Production, Subpoenas, Pleadings, Motions, Court Filings, Case Chronologies, Exhibit Preparation |
Corporate Law Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Corporate Governance, Contract Review, Due Diligence, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Entity Formation, Corporate Minutes, Annual Reports, SEC Filings, Shareholder Agreements, Board Resolutions, Compliance |
Family Law Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Family Law, Divorce Proceedings, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Prenuptial Agreements, Adoption, Guardianship, Domestic Relations, Mediation Support |
Real Estate Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Real Estate Transactions, Title Searches, Closing Documents, Purchase Agreements, Lease Agreements, Property Records, Escrow, Title Insurance, Deed Preparation, Mortgage Documents |
Personal Injury Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Personal Injury, Medical Records Review, Demand Letters, Settlement Negotiations, Insurance Claims, Accident Reports, Expert Witness Coordination, Damages Calculation |
Administrative vs. Substantive Legal Keywords
Legal assistants perform both administrative and substantive legal tasks. Include keywords from both categories.
Administrative Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Administrative Support, Scheduling, Travel Arrangements, Expense Reports, Invoice Processing, Time Entry, Billing Support, Reception Duties, Mail Distribution, Supply Ordering |
Substantive Legal Keywords
| Keywords |
|---|
| Legal Research, Case Analysis, Document Drafting, Contract Review, Legal Writing, Citation Checking, Fact Gathering, Witness Interviews, Client Interviews, Legal Memoranda |
Certifications and Education
Certifications demonstrate commitment to the profession and are valuable ATS keywords.
| Certification | Full Name |
|---|---|
| CLA / CP | Certified Legal Assistant / Certified Paralegal (NALA) |
| ALS | Accredited Legal Secretary |
| PLS | Professional Legal Secretary |
| PP | Professional Paralegal (NFPA) |
| Notary Public | State Notary Commission |
| ABA Approved | ABA-Approved Paralegal Program Graduate |
Note: Include your education, especially if you have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies or a related field.
Action Verbs for Legal Assistants
Replace weak verbs with legal-specific action words.
| Action Type | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Document Work | Drafted, Prepared, Proofread, Formatted, Assembled, Filed, Organized |
| Research | Researched, Analyzed, Investigated, Reviewed, Summarized, Compiled |
| Communication | Corresponded, Communicated, Coordinated, Scheduled, Liaised |
| Management | Managed, Maintained, Tracked, Monitored, Calendared, Docketed |
Where to Place These Keywords
1. Professional Summary
State your role and practice area immediately.
Example:
"Legal Assistant with 5 years of experience in litigation support at a mid-size law firm. Skilled in legal document preparation, e-filing, and case management using Clio and Westlaw."
2. Skills Section
Create a dedicated section with categorized keywords.
Example:
Legal Skills: Legal Document Preparation, Court Filing, E-Filing, Legal Research, Docket Management Software: Clio, Westlaw, LexisNexis, PACER, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Pro Certifications: Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), Notary Public
3. Experience Bullets
Weave keywords into achievement statements with metrics.
Example:
"Managed litigation support for 50+ active cases, including discovery, document review, and trial preparation, resulting in 100% on-time court filings."
Resume Examples: Weak vs. Strong
Weak Resume Bullet (Generic)
❌ "Helped lawyers with their cases and paperwork."
Strong Resume Bullet (Keyword-Optimized)
✅ "Prepared and filed legal documents for 30+ litigation matters, managed discovery deadlines using Clio, and conducted legal research via Westlaw to support case strategy."
Weak Resume Bullet (Vague)
❌ "Answered phones and organized files."
Strong Resume Bullet (Specific)
✅ "Conducted client intake for 20+ new matters monthly, maintained case files in NetDocuments, and calendared all court deadlines to ensure zero missed filings."
👉 Want to see how your resume compares? Scan your resume with ResumeAdapter to get instant feedback on missing keywords.
Common Legal Assistant Resume Mistakes
1. Not Including the Job Title
Make sure "Legal Assistant" or "Paralegal" appears in your summary. ATS often searches for exact titles.
2. Being Too Administrative
If you have substantive legal experience (research, drafting), highlight it. Many candidates undersell their skills.
3. Missing Practice Area
"Legal experience" is vague. Specify: "Litigation," "Corporate," "Family Law," "Real Estate."
4. Forgetting Software
Do not just say "computer skills." List specific tools: "Clio," "Westlaw," "PACER," "Adobe Acrobat Pro."
5. Ignoring Confidentiality
"Discretion and Confidentiality" is an important soft skill keyword in legal roles. Include it.
Related Resources
Looking for more legal and administrative resume guides? Check out these related articles:
- Resume Keywords List: The Ultimate Hub - 50+ role-specific keyword guides
- Paralegal Resume Keywords - Advanced paralegal skills
- Administrative Assistant Resume Keywords - Office administration skills
- Executive Assistant Resume Keywords - C-suite support skills
- Compliance Resume Keywords - Regulatory and compliance skills
- Office Manager Resume Keywords - Office management skills
Final CTA
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FAQ
How many keywords should I include on my legal assistant resume?
Use 15-25 highly relevant keywords that match the job description. Focus on your actual skills and experience rather than stuffing keywords you cannot demonstrate in an interview.
What is the difference between a legal assistant and a legal secretary?
Legal secretaries focus primarily on administrative tasks (typing, filing, scheduling). Legal assistants often perform more substantive work (document preparation, basic research). However, titles vary by firm. Use the title that matches the job posting.
Should I include billable hours experience?
Yes. If you have experience with time entry and billing, include keywords like "Time Entry," "Billable Hours," "Client Billing," and specific billing software (TABS3, Bill4Time).
Is a paralegal certificate required?
Not always, but it is increasingly preferred. If you have a certificate from an ABA-approved program, include "ABA-Approved Paralegal Program" as a keyword.
Can I use the same resume for all legal assistant jobs?
No. Different practice areas (litigation vs. corporate vs. family law) require different keywords. Use ResumeAdapter to compare your resume against each job description.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics - Paralegals and Legal Assistants, Resume Worded, NALA