CV Template
Paralegal CV Template & Examples (ATS-Optimized)
A Paralegal CV must prove substantive legal support, not just clerical help: your practice area, the litigation and transactional work you handle, the case-management and e-discovery tools you use, and your accuracy. This template shows what law firms and legal departments screen for so your application demonstrates real legal competence and clears the ATS.
Written & reviewed by the CVWon Editorial Team · Updated June 2026
Build Your CV NowTo write a strong Paralegal CV, lead with Practice Area & Scope, Litigation / Transactional Work and E-Discovery & Case Management — each backed by specific, quantified results rather than generic duties. A strong Paralegal CV leads with practice area (litigation, corporate, IP, family) and proves substantive work: documents drafted, discovery and e-discovery managed, trial prep, and research performed.
ATS Optimisation
ATS Keywords
Include these keywords in your CV to pass applicant tracking systems.
A strong Paralegal CV leads with practice area (litigation, corporate, IP, family) and proves substantive work: documents drafted, discovery and e-discovery managed, trial prep, and research performed. It names the tools (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Relativity, Clio) because those are direct ATS matches, and it quantifies — case loads, documents reviewed, filings handled. Firms want accuracy and legal judgment. Replace 'assisted attorneys' with 'supported a 40-case litigation docket, drafting pleadings and discovery, managing 100K+ documents in Relativity, and preparing trial binders that contributed to 3 favorable verdicts.'
Structure
What Sections Should a Paralegal CV Include?
Practice Area & Scope
Firms hire for practice-area fit; specifying it signals relevant, substantive experience.
Example
Civil litigation paralegal supporting a 40-case docket in personal injury and commercial disputes
Litigation / Transactional Work
Concrete legal tasks prove substantive contribution beyond clerical support.
Example
Drafted pleadings, discovery requests, and deposition summaries; prepared trial binders for 3 jury trials
E-Discovery & Case Management
Relativity and case-management fluency are direct ATS matches and core competencies.
Example
Managed 100K+ documents in Relativity; ran searches, productions, and privilege logs for large discovery
Research & Tools
Westlaw/LexisNexis and cite-checking show legal-research competence firms screen for.
Example
Westlaw and LexisNexis research; Bluebook cite-checking; e-filing in state and federal courts
Accuracy & Credentials
Certification and an error-free record reassure firms of reliability.
Example
Certified Paralegal (NALA CP); maintained accurate dockets and deadlines with zero missed filings
Avoid These
What Are Common Paralegal CV Mistakes?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Lead with your practice area and substantive legal work: document drafting, discovery and e-discovery, legal research, and trial preparation. Firms hire for practice-area fit and substantive capability, so 'drafted pleadings and managed discovery on a 40-case docket' beats 'assisted attorneys with legal work.'
Name your tools: research platforms (Westlaw, LexisNexis), e-discovery (Relativity, Everlaw), case management (Clio, iManage), and e-filing systems. These are exact ATS keywords, and firms often require specific platforms, so listing the ones a posting names improves your match.
Use case load, document volume, and output: cases or matters supported, documents reviewed in e-discovery, filings handled, and deadlines managed. '40-case docket, 100K+ documents in Relativity, zero missed filings' demonstrates capacity and reliability beyond a duties list.
Yes — certifications like NALA's CP/ACP or NFPA's CRP/RP signal professional competence and are screened by firms and ATS systems. List the exact credential with your education; while not always required, it differentiates you among comparable candidates.
One to two pages. Keep it to one page with under five years of experience; use two for senior paralegals across multiple practice areas. Lead with practice area and substantive work so your legal competence is visible before the detailed history.
Salary
Salary by Experience Level
Typical salary ranges by seniority (EUR, gross).
| Level | Experience | Salary range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | 0–2 years | €38K – €58K |
| Mid Level | 3–5 years | €58K – €88K |
| Senior Level | 6–10 years | €88K – €135K |
| Lead / Manager | 10+ years | €125K – €175K |
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