Legal Assistant CV Example
For legal assistants providing administrative and clerical support within law firms or legal departments. Highlights your organisational skills, legal knowledge, and ability to manage documentation and client communications.
Recommended template: CreativePro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Specify the areas of law you have supported, as this helps employers match you to their practice areas.
- Highlight your proficiency with legal case management systems and document management software.
- Include your typing speed and any legal secretary or administration qualifications.
- Demonstrate your understanding of court procedures, legal terminology, and client confidentiality.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Legal Assistant CV
A legal assistant CV should demonstrate your organisational abilities, attention to detail, and understanding of the legal environment. Law firms need support staff who can manage files efficiently, communicate professionally with clients, and produce accurate documentation to tight deadlines. Your CV should highlight your legal knowledge, IT proficiency, and ability to work effectively within a busy legal team.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with a brief profile, your work history, qualifications, and skills. Each role should describe the areas of law you supported, the size of the team, and the types of tasks you performed. Keep your CV to one or two pages. Include your typing speed and proficiency with legal software systems.
CV Format
Choose a professional, clean template that reflects the standards expected in a legal environment. Your CV should be neatly formatted, error-free, and consistently styled, as this demonstrates the attention to detail that is essential in a legal assistant role. Save as a PDF.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Legal Assistant
Organised and detail-oriented legal assistant with five years of experience supporting fee earners in commercial litigation and family law departments at a regional law firm. Proficient in managing case files, preparing court bundles, and coordinating with courts, barristers' chambers, and expert witnesses. Experienced with iManage, Proclaim, and the CE Filing system. Typing speed of 70 words per minute with excellent audio transcription skills.
Senior Legal Assistant
Senior legal assistant with eight years of experience providing comprehensive support to partners and associates across corporate, employment, and property departments. Experienced in managing complex files, coordinating transaction completions, and producing high-quality legal documentation. Supervises two junior administrative staff and maintains the department's document management system and precedent library.
Junior Legal Assistant
Enthusiastic legal assistant with one year of experience supporting the personal injury team at a high-street law firm. Manages incoming post, updates case management records, and liaises with medical experts and insurance companies. Recently completed the CILEx Level 2 Certificate in Law and Legal Skills and is keen to develop into a more senior support or paralegal role.
State your years of experience, the areas of law you have supported, and your key skills such as typing speed, software proficiency, and court bundling experience. Mention any legal qualifications you are working towards.
Key Skills for Your Legal Assistant CV
Legal Administration
Providing administrative support to solicitors and legal teams, including file management, correspondence, and compliance documentation.
Document Management
Organising, filing, and retrieving legal documents using electronic and physical systems to ensure efficient and compliant record keeping.
Diary Management
Coordinating appointments, hearings, and meetings for multiple fee earners, ensuring no scheduling conflicts or missed deadlines.
Client Communication
Handling client enquiries by telephone, email, and in person with professionalism, empathy, and respect for confidentiality.
Court Bundling
Preparing paginated, indexed court bundles in compliance with court rules and practice directions for use in hearings and trials.
Filing & Archiving
Maintaining organised filing systems and archiving closed matter files in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.
Billing Support
Assisting with time recording, invoice preparation, and billing submissions including legal aid and privately funded matters.
Audio Typing
Transcribing legal dictation accurately and efficiently using digital dictation software and audio typing equipment.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the firm, the practice areas you supported, and the types of tasks you performed. Include the number of files or fee earners you supported to demonstrate your capacity. Quantify achievements where possible, such as accuracy rates, process improvements, or positive client feedback received.
Legal Assistant — Litigation Department
Hadley & Grant Solicitors
Provided administrative and clerical support to four solicitors in the commercial litigation department, managing approximately 150 active case files.
Responsibilities
- Prepared court bundles, witness statement exhibits, and trial bundles in compliance with court rules and practice directions.
- Managed case files on the Proclaim case management system, updating milestones, recording time entries, and generating management reports.
- Coordinated diary appointments, hearing dates, and conference arrangements for solicitors and counsel.
- Handled incoming client calls and correspondence, providing updates on case progress and escalating enquiries to fee earners.
- Processed legal aid billing, prepared invoices, and submitted cost schedules to the Legal Aid Agency.
Achievements
- Prepared trial bundles for a multi-party commercial dispute that received commendation from the trial judge for clarity and completeness.
- Reduced average court bundle preparation time by 20% through the creation of standardised templates and checklists adopted by the department.
- Maintained 100% accuracy in legal aid billing submissions over a two-year period, with no claims rejected or queried by the LAA.
Receptionist / Administrative Assistant
Langford & Partners — Family Law Practice
Provided front-of-house and administrative support at a specialist family law practice handling divorce, financial remedy, and children proceedings.
Responsibilities
- Greeted clients and visitors, managed the switchboard, and directed enquiries to the appropriate fee earner or department.
- Opened new client files, conducted conflict checks, and processed client care documentation and identity verification.
- Typed correspondence, attendance notes, and legal forms from audio dictation and manuscript drafts.
- Managed incoming and outgoing post, scanned documents into the electronic filing system, and maintained physical file archives.
Achievements
- Improved the firm's new client onboarding process by creating a digital checklist that reduced file opening time by 30%.
- Received consistent positive feedback from clients for providing a welcoming and professional reception experience.
Education & Qualifications
List any legal qualifications or courses such as CILEx certificates, legal secretary diplomas, or paralegal training. Include IT qualifications and any typing or audio transcription certificates. GCSEs and A-Levels should be listed if you have limited professional qualifications.
CILEx Level 2 Certificate
An introductory legal qualification from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, providing a foundation in law and legal skills.
Legal Secretary Diploma
A specialist qualification for legal secretaries covering legal terminology, document production, and office procedures.
ECDL / ICDL
European / International Computer Driving Licence certification demonstrating proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and office software.
Audio Typing Certificate
A qualification demonstrating proficiency in transcribing dictation accurately at a professional standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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