Paralegal Resume Keywords (2026): 60+ ATS Skills to Land Interviews
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🚨 Not getting paralegal interviews? Your resume is missing critical legal keywords.
In 2026, over 97% of law firms use ATS to filter paralegal resumes. Missing terms like "Legal Research," "Westlaw," or "Discovery" can instantly disqualify you—even with years of legal experience.
This guide gives you 60+ ATS-approved paralegal keywords, organized by category, with real examples.
Why Paralegal Resume Keywords Matter in 2026
The brutal truth: Law firms and legal departments are highly keyword-dependent when screening paralegals.
Recruiters and ATS systems scan your resume for:
- ✅ Legal research skills (Legal Research, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Case Law)
- ✅ Practice area expertise (Litigation, Corporate, Real Estate, Intellectual Property)
- ✅ Legal software (Clio, MyCase, iManage, NetDocuments)
- ✅ Document skills (Document Review, Drafting, E-Discovery, Bates Numbering)
- ✅ Administrative skills (Calendar Management, Filing, Court Filings, Docketing)
- ✅ Certifications (Certified Paralegal, NALA, ABA Approved)
If your resume doesn't match the job's legal vocabulary, it gets filtered out.
According to LinkedIn's 2024 Legal Industry Trends report, paralegal positions receive an average of 150+ applications per posting. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) confirms that legal research and technology skills are primary screening criteria.
Table of Contents
- What Are Paralegal Resume Keywords?
- Legal Research & Technology
- Practice Area Keywords
- Legal Software & Tools
- Document Management
- Administrative & Court Skills
- Role-Specific Keywords
- How to Integrate Keywords
- FAQ
- Related Articles
What Are Paralegal Resume Keywords?
Paralegal resume keywords are the specific legal skills, tools, and terminology that ATS systems and recruiters search for when screening resumes for paralegal and legal assistant positions. These keywords typically include:
- Legal research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Legal Research, Case Law, Statutes
- Practice areas: Litigation, Corporate, Real Estate, Family Law, Intellectual Property
- Software: Clio, MyCase, iManage, NetDocuments, Relativity
- Documents: Document Review, Legal Drafting, E-Discovery, Filing
When your resume includes these keywords naturally and in context, ATS systems rank it higher.
60+ Essential Paralegal Resume Keywords (2026)
📚 Legal Research & Technology
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Research Platforms | Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase, Bloomberg Law, Casetext, PACER |
| Research Skills | Legal Research, Case Law Research, Statutory Research, Legislative History |
| Analysis | Legal Analysis, Case Analysis, Legal Writing, Legal Memoranda |
| Citation | Bluebook Citation, Legal Citations, Cite Checking, Shepardizing |
⚖️ Practice Area Keywords
| Practice Area | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Litigation | Litigation Support, Civil Litigation, Trial Preparation, Discovery, Depositions |
| Corporate | Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence, Entity Formation, Corporate Governance |
| Real Estate | Real Estate Law, Title Search, Closing Documents, Property Transactions, Escrow |
| Family Law | Family Law, Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Prenuptial Agreements |
| Intellectual Property | IP Law, Trademark, Patent, Copyright, Trade Secrets |
| Personal Injury | Personal Injury, Insurance Claims, Medical Records, Damages Calculation |
| Estate Planning | Estate Planning, Probate, Wills, Trusts, Estate Administration |
| Criminal Law | Criminal Defense, Criminal Procedure, Arraignment, Plea Agreements |
| Immigration | Immigration Law, Visa Applications, I-9 Compliance, USCIS |
| Employment Law | Employment Law, EEOC, Discrimination, Harassment, Labor Law |
💻 Legal Software & Tools
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Case Management | Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther, CosmoLex, Smokeball |
| Document Management | iManage, NetDocuments, Worldox, SharePoint, Legal Files |
| E-Discovery | Relativity, Concordance, Logikcull, Everlaw, DISCO |
| Billing | Legal Billing, Timekeeping, LEDES, Billable Hours, Invoicing |
| Office Software | Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro |
📁 Document Management
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Document Skills | Document Review, Document Drafting, Legal Drafting, Proofreading |
| Discovery | E-Discovery, Document Production, Bates Numbering, Privilege Review |
| Preparation | Trial Preparation, Exhibit Preparation, Document Organization |
| Filing | Court Filing, Electronic Filing, E-Filing, Case Filing |
🏛️ Administrative & Court Skills
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Court | Court Filings, Court Procedures, Motion Practice, Subpoenas, Summons |
| Calendar | Calendar Management, Docketing, Deadline Management, Scheduling |
| Communication | Client Communication, Attorney Support, Legal Correspondence |
| Organization | File Management, Case Organization, Records Management |
🎓 Certifications & Education
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Certifications | Certified Paralegal (CP), Certified Legal Assistant (CLA), NALA Certified |
| Credentials | ABA Approved, National Association of Legal Assistants, State Bar Association |
| Education | Paralegal Certificate, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Legal Studies |
| Continuing Ed | CLE Credits, Continuing Legal Education, Professional Development |
👉 Want to check your missing keywords? Try the ResumeAdapter free ATS scan.
Role-Specific Keywords
Entry-Level Paralegal Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Core Skills | Legal Research, Document Preparation, Filing, Client Intake |
| Tools | Westlaw, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Legal Databases |
| Soft Skills | Attention to Detail, Organization, Written Communication, Time Management |
Senior Paralegal / Litigation Paralegal Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Advanced Skills | Litigation Support, Trial Preparation, Deposition Summaries, Discovery Management |
| Leadership | Team Coordination, Paralegal Supervision, Project Management, Training |
| Specialized | Complex Litigation, Class Action, Multi-District Litigation, Expert Witness Coordination |
Corporate Paralegal Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Corporate | Corporate Governance, Entity Formation, Annual Reports, Corporate Minutes |
| Transactions | Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence, SEC Filings, Contract Review |
| Compliance | Regulatory Compliance, Corporate Compliance, Board Resolutions |
Intellectual Property Paralegal Keywords
| Category | Keywords |
|---|---|
| IP Skills | Trademark Prosecution, Patent Applications, IP Portfolio Management |
| Tools | USPTO, TESS, Patent Databases, IP Docketing Systems |
| Tasks | Office Actions, Renewals, Infringement Research, Licensing Agreements |
How to Integrate Keywords
✅ Strong Example: Keyword-Optimized Paralegal Resume
Experience Section:
Senior Paralegal | Smith & Associates Law Firm | 2021 - Present
- Conducted comprehensive legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis, preparing memoranda on 50+ litigation matters annually
- Managed e-discovery process using Relativity, reviewing 100,000+ documents and coordinating document production for complex civil cases
- Drafted motions, discovery requests, and legal correspondence for litigation team, supporting 15+ active cases
- Coordinated trial preparation including exhibit preparation, witness coordination, and subpoena service
- Maintained case management system (Clio) with 100% deadline compliance through accurate docketing and calendar management
- Prepared court filings using e-filing systems for state and federal courts, ensuring compliance with local rules
Skills Section:
Legal Research: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase, PACER, Case Law Research, Statutory Research
Practice Areas: Litigation, Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, Real Estate, Personal Injury
Software: Clio, Relativity, iManage, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro
Document Management: Document Review, E-Discovery, Legal Drafting, Bates Numbering, Privilege Review
Court Skills: Court Filings, E-Filing, Motion Practice, Subpoenas, Docketing
Certifications: Certified Paralegal (CP), NALA Certified, ABA Approved Program
❌ Weak Example: Missing Keywords
Paralegal | Law Firm | 2021 - Present
- Did research for attorneys
- Prepared documents for cases
- Filed papers with the court
- Organized files and managed calendar
Why it fails:
- ❌ No specific research tools (Westlaw, LexisNexis)
- ❌ Missing practice area keywords (Litigation, Corporate)
- ❌ No legal software mentioned (Clio, Relativity)
- ❌ Vague descriptions that don't match ATS searches
FAQ
How many paralegal keywords should I use?
Use 20-30 keywords that match the job description, focusing on legal research tools, practice areas, and software mentioned in the posting.
Should I include certifications?
Absolutely — certifications like Certified Paralegal (CP), NALA, and ABA Approved credentials significantly increase ATS relevance.
What's the difference between paralegal and legal secretary?
Paralegals perform substantive legal work (research, drafting) while legal secretaries focus on administrative tasks. Tailor keywords accordingly.
Should I customize keywords for each job?
100% yes — each law firm has different practice areas and tools. Use our free ATS scanner to identify missing keywords for each application.
Related Articles
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- Executive Assistant Resume Keywords (2026) - Executive support keywords
- How to Pass ATS in 2026 - Complete ATS compatibility guide
- Free ATS Resume Scanner - Test your resume compatibility instantly
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