Top 12 Legal Clerk Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive job market, showcasing the right skills on your resume can significantly enhance your prospects as a legal clerk. Understanding and highlighting the top legal clerk skills on your resume demonstrates to potential employers your proficiency and readiness to excel in a demanding legal environment.

Legal Clerk Skills

1. LexisNexis
2. Westlaw
3. PACER
4. Document Drafting
5. Case Management
6. E-filing
7. Legal Research
8. Proofreading
9. Microsoft Office
10. Time Management
11. Communication
12. Confidentiality

1. LexisNexis

LexisNexis is a digital platform providing legal research, case law, statutes, regulations, legal news, and legal analysis tools for legal professionals, including legal clerks, to support case preparation and legal decision-making.

Why It's Important

LexisNexis is important for a Legal Clerk because it provides comprehensive legal research resources, including case law, statutes, and legal journals, enabling efficient preparation of legal documents and informed case strategy.

How to Improve LexisNexis Skills

Improving LexisNexis for a Legal Clerk involves enhancing search efficiency, personalizing content, and streamlining workflow integration. Here's a concise guide:

1. Enhance Search Efficiency: Use advanced search options to refine results. Utilize Boolean search techniques and segment searches LexisNexis Search Tips.

2. Personalize Content: Customize your LexisNexis experience by setting up practice area-specific alerts and saving frequently used searches and documents for quick access. This personalization saves time and ensures relevant information is always at your fingertips LexisNexis Alerts.

3. Workflow Integration: Make use of LexisNexis tools that integrate with your existing workflow. Tools like Lexis® for Microsoft Office® allow for seamless research and citation work within the documents you're already working on, improving efficiency and accuracy Lexis for Microsoft Office.

By focusing on these areas, a Legal Clerk can significantly improve their use of LexisNexis, leading to more effective and efficient legal research.

How to Display LexisNexis Skills on Your Resume

2. Westlaw

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research platform used by legal clerks and professionals to access a vast database of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal journals, facilitating efficient and accurate legal research and case preparation.

Why It's Important

Westlaw is important for a Legal Clerk as it provides comprehensive and up-to-date legal information, enabling efficient research, accurate case preparation, and informed decision-making, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of legal support.

How to Improve Westlaw Skills

To enhance the Westlaw experience for a legal clerk, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Training and Tutorials: Engage in comprehensive Westlaw training programs. These are designed to improve search efficiency and familiarity with advanced features. Westlaw Training

2. Utilize KeyCite: Leverage the KeyCite feature to quickly verify the legal precedent status, ensuring the citations are still good law. This is crucial for legal research accuracy. KeyCite Information

3. Customize Preferences: Tailor your Westlaw settings to better suit your workflow, including result display options and default jurisdictions, to streamline your research process. Customization Tips

4. Use Practical Law: Integrate Westlaw’s Practical Law feature for access to practice notes, checklists, and templates that can simplify the drafting process. Practical Law Features

5. Employ Legal Analysis Tools: Take advantage of legal analysis tools such as Litigation Analytics for insights on judges, courts, attorneys, and law firms to inform strategy. Litigation Analytics

6. Stay Updated: Regularly check the Westlaw homepage for new features, content updates, and tips that can enhance your research efficiency. Westlaw Updates

By incorporating these strategies, a legal clerk can significantly improve their proficiency and effectiveness when using Westlaw for legal research.

How to Display Westlaw Skills on Your Resume

3. PACER

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is an online system that provides electronic access to case and docket information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts, enabling legal clerks and the public to obtain court documents online.

Why It's Important

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it provides immediate, comprehensive access to federal court documents, facilitating efficient case management, research, and preparation of legal documents.

How to Improve PACER Skills

To improve PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) for a Legal Clerk, focus on enhancing accessibility, search functionality, and user training:

1. Enhance Accessibility: Implement adaptive technologies for users with disabilities. Ensure the system is compatible with screen readers and has options for text enlargement and high-contrast modes. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

2. Improve Search Functionality: Integrate advanced search options, including natural language processing and the ability to filter results by various criteria (date, court, case type). Consider adding predictive search suggestions. Elasticsearch is a powerful tool for enhancing search capabilities.

3. User Training and Support: Develop comprehensive training materials and webinars focused on navigating PACER more effectively. Offer live support for troubleshooting and guidance. Federal Judicial Center provides educational resources that could be adapted for PACER training.

By focusing on these areas, PACER can become more user-friendly and efficient for Legal Clerks and all users.

How to Display PACER Skills on Your Resume

4. Document Drafting

Document drafting, in the context of a Legal Clerk, involves the creation and preparation of legal documents and contracts by meticulously compiling accurate and relevant information to ensure they are legally binding and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Why It's Important

Document drafting is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it ensures the precise and clear communication of legal information, obligations, and rights, forming a legally binding foundation for agreements, contracts, and legal proceedings.

How to Improve Document Drafting Skills

Improving document drafting, especially for a Legal Clerk, involves a few key strategies aimed at enhancing clarity, precision, and effectiveness. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Understand the Purpose: Clearly understand the goal of the document. Each legal document serves a specific purpose, whether it’s to inform, persuade, or document.

2. Know Your Audience: Tailor your language and structure based on the audience's knowledge and expectations. American Bar Association provides insights on audience consideration.

3. Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid legalese where possible. Use plain English to make the document accessible. The Plain Language Action and Information Network offers guidelines on writing in plain language.

4. Focus on Structure: Organize your document logically. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points for better readability. Legal Writing in Plain English by Bryan Garner is an excellent resource.

5. Proofread and Edit: Review your document for typos, grammatical errors, and clarity. Tools like Grammarly can assist in catching common errors.

6. Seek Feedback: Before finalizing, get feedback from peers. Fresh eyes can catch errors and offer valuable suggestions for improvement.

7. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with legal writing trends and attend workshops or webinars. The National Association for Legal Professionals is a good source for ongoing education.

By incorporating these strategies, a Legal Clerk can significantly improve the quality of document drafting, leading to more effective legal communication.

How to Display Document Drafting Skills on Your Resume

5. Case Management

Case management, in the context of a legal clerk, refers to the process of organizing, tracking, and overseeing all aspects of legal cases to ensure they progress efficiently through the court system. This includes scheduling hearings, managing deadlines, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date case documents and records.

Why It's Important

Case management is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it ensures the efficient organization and tracking of case documents, deadlines, and communications, facilitating timely and accurate legal processes.

How to Improve Case Management Skills

Improving case management as a Legal Clerk involves optimizing organization, communication, and the use of technology to efficiently handle caseloads and support legal processes. Here's a short guide:

1. Digital Organization: Transition to digital case files using case management software for easier retrieval and sharing of documents.

2. Task Management: Utilize task management tools to prioritize tasks, track deadlines, and ensure timely completion of legal procedures.

3. Effective Communication: Implement secure, encrypted communication platforms for confidential conversations with clients and team members.

4. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest legal tech innovations and continuing legal education (CLE) to enhance your skills and knowledge.

5. Time Management: Adopt time tracking tools to efficiently manage your work hours and stay on top of deadlines.

By integrating these strategies, Legal Clerks can significantly improve their case management capabilities, leading to better outcomes and higher efficiency in legal processes.

How to Display Case Management Skills on Your Resume

6. E-filing

E-filing, in the context of a Legal Clerk, refers to the electronic submission of legal documents to a court or legal entity through a designated online platform, streamlining the filing process and reducing the need for paper documents.

Why It's Important

E-filing is important for a Legal Clerk as it streamlines court document submission, ensures faster processing, reduces physical storage needs, and enhances access to case information, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy in legal proceedings.

How to Improve E-filing Skills

Improving e-filing for a Legal Clerk involves enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility. Here are short and concise strategies:

1. Training: Invest in continuous e-filing training for legal clerks to keep up with the latest technology and best practices.

2. Streamlining Processes: Simplify the e-filing process by using intuitive software that legal clerks can navigate easily, reducing errors and improving filing efficiency.

3. Integration: Use systems that can integrate with other court and office systems to ensure smooth data transfer and reduce manual data entry.

4. Security Measures: Implement robust security protocols to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or breaches.

5. Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback loop with users and clerks to identify issues and areas for improvement in the e-filing system. Tools like SurveyMonkey can facilitate gathering insights.

6. Accessibility: Ensure the e-filing system is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the e-filing experience for legal clerks, making the process more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.

How to Display E-filing Skills on Your Resume

7. Legal Research

Legal research is the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making. For a Legal Clerk, it involves finding sources of law, such as statutes, legal precedents, and regulations, to find answers to legal questions or to support legal arguments.

Why It's Important

Legal research is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it enables them to identify and apply relevant laws, statutes, and case precedents accurately, ensuring the legal team's arguments and documents are well-founded, compliant, and persuasive in court or legal documents.

How to Improve Legal Research Skills

Improving legal research skills requires a mix of practice, proper use of resources, and continuous learning. Here are concise steps tailored for a legal clerk:

1. Understand the Question: Clearly comprehend the legal issue or question at hand. This is critical for efficient research.

2. Use Reliable Sources: Prioritize reputable legal databases and libraries. LexisNexis and Westlaw are industry standards for case law and legal precedents.

3. Practice Keyword Optimization: Develop competency in choosing the right keywords. This skill improves with practice and by learning from past searches.

4. Utilize Boolean Searches: Familiarize yourself with Boolean operators to refine search results. Both LexisNexis and Westlaw offer guides on using Boolean searches effectively.

5. Analyze Primary Sources: Prioritize statutes, regulations, and case law as primary sources for the most authoritative information.

6. Consult Secondary Sources: Use secondary sources like treatises, law reviews, and encyclopedias for background information and analysis. Google Scholar is a useful tool for accessing some of these materials for free.

7. Stay Organized: Keep your research and findings organized. Tools like Zotero and Evernote can help manage your sources and notes.

8. Verify Citations: Use citation tools like The Bluebook for accuracy in legal writing and research.

9. Seek Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from more experienced colleagues or mentors to refine your research strategies.

10. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with legal research techniques and legal developments. Webinars, CLEs (Continuing Legal Education), and online courses such as those offered by LinkedIn Learning can be valuable.

By adopting these strategies, a legal clerk can significantly enhance their legal research skills.

How to Display Legal Research Skills on Your Resume

8. Proofreading

Proofreading, in the context of a Legal Clerk's duties, involves meticulously reviewing legal documents to ensure they are free of errors, accurately formatted, and comply with all legal standards and requirements.

Why It's Important

Proofreading is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it ensures accuracy, clarity, and professionalism in legal documents, preventing misunderstandings, legal misinterpretations, and potential legal liabilities.

How to Improve Proofreading Skills

Improving proofreading skills, especially for a Legal Clerk, involves focusing on accuracy, understanding legal terminology, and maintaining strong attention to detail. Here are concise tips and resources:

1. Practice Regularly: The more you proofread, the better you become. Use daily work as practice.

2. Understand Legal Language: Familiarize yourself with legal terminology and document formats. Cornell’s Legal Information Institute is a good resource.

3. Use Tools Wisely: While not solely relying on them, tools like Grammarly can help catch basic errors.

4. Read Aloud: This helps catch errors that you might skip while reading silently.

5. Check for Consistency: Ensure terminology, formatting, and styling are consistent throughout the document.

6. Take Breaks: Fresh eyes catch more mistakes. Taking short breaks can improve focus and error detection.

7. Professional Development: Enroll in courses or workshops for legal clerks. The National Association for Legal Professionals offers resources and training.

8. Peer Review: If possible, have a colleague review your work. A second set of eyes can catch errors you might have missed.

Improving proofreading skills is a continuous process that involves practice, patience, and attention to detail.

How to Display Proofreading Skills on Your Resume

9. Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is a suite of productivity applications, including Word for document creation, Excel for data analysis, and PowerPoint for presentations, widely used in legal clerking for document preparation, case management, and communication.

Why It's Important

Microsoft Office is important for a Legal Clerk as it provides essential tools like Word for drafting and formatting legal documents, Excel for managing case-related data and schedules, and Outlook for professional email communication and calendar organization, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in legal administrative tasks.

How to Improve Microsoft Office Skills

Improving Microsoft Office for a Legal Clerk involves enhancing document management, collaboration, and automation. Here are concise recommendations:

1. Utilize Templates: Create or customize templates for common legal documents to save time. Microsoft's template gallery can be a good starting point.

2. Leverage Add-ins: Use Office add-ins like DocuSign for Word for e-signatures, streamlining contract management and approvals.

3. Master Keyboard Shortcuts: Increase efficiency in document handling by mastering keyboard shortcuts. Microsoft provides a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts for Word.

4. Use Track Changes and Comments: For collaborative document review and editing, utilize Word's Track Changes and Comments features to ensure transparency in document evolution. Microsoft offers guidance on tracking changes and inserting comments.

5. Implement Document Management System (DMS): Integrate a DMS that works well with Office for better organization and retrieval of documents. SharePoint is a robust option, offering comprehensive features for legal document management. Learn about SharePoint.

6. Explore Legal-Specific Tools: Utilize tools and platforms designed for legal professionals, such as LexisNexis for research, which can integrate with Office applications to streamline workflows.

7. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use Microsoft Power Automate to create workflows for repetitive tasks like document formatting and email notifications. Discover how to automate tasks with Power Automate.

By focusing on these areas, a Legal Clerk can significantly improve productivity and efficiency when using Microsoft Office.

How to Display Microsoft Office Skills on Your Resume

10. Time Management

Time management for a Legal Clerk involves effectively organizing and prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines, handle caseloads efficiently, and support attorneys in legal proceedings, ensuring smooth and timely operations within a legal setting.

Why It's Important

Time management is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it ensures the efficient organization and prioritization of tasks, deadlines, and court dates, enhancing productivity, reducing stress, and improving the delivery of legal services.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

Improving time management, especially for a legal clerk who juggles multiple tasks and deadlines, involves a few key strategies:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Focus on what’s urgent and important. Use the Eisenhower Box technique to categorize and prioritize your tasks efficiently.

2. Plan Your Day: Spend a few minutes each morning or the night before planning your day. Tools like Google Calendar can help you visualize and allocate time for meetings, tasks, and breaks.

3. Set Deadlines: For every task, set a realistic deadline. Use digital tools like Trello or Asana for task management and to keep track of deadlines.

4. Limit Interruptions: Set specific times to check emails and messages. Tools like Focus@Will can help you stay focused on tasks by limiting distractions.

5. Learn to Say No: Taking on too much can overwhelm you, making it hard to manage your time effectively. It’s okay to say no to requests that don’t align with your current priorities or deadlines.

6. Review and Adjust: End your day with a quick review of what you've accomplished and adjust your plan for the next day accordingly. This helps in identifying any inefficiencies and planning better.

By integrating these strategies into your daily routine, you can improve your time management skills, leading to increased productivity and reduced stress.

How to Display Time Management Skills on Your Resume

11. Communication

Communication, in the context of a Legal Clerk, refers to the effective exchange and management of information between parties, through writing, speaking, listening, or using legal documents, to ensure accurate, clear, and timely sharing of legal matters and proceedings.

Why It's Important

Communication is crucial for a Legal Clerk as it ensures accurate and efficient exchange of information, aids in the preparation of legal documents, facilitates coordination with attorneys and clients, and supports the smooth operation of legal proceedings.

How to Improve Communication Skills

Improving communication, especially for a Legal Clerk, involves enhancing both verbal and written skills, understanding legal terminology, and being clear, concise, and professional. Here are key strategies:

1. Active Listening: Focus on understanding the speaker's message. Active Listening Techniques
2. Clear Writing: Use simple language for clarity. Practice drafting and seek feedback. Plain Language in Legal Writing
3. Feedback: Seek and provide constructive feedback regularly. Giving and Receiving Feedback
4. Continual Learning: Stay updated on legal jargon and practices. American Bar Association Resources
5. Technology Proficiency: Utilize legal software for communication. Legal Technology Tools

Improving communication requires ongoing effort and adaptability, especially in a legal context where precision and clarity are paramount.

How to Display Communication Skills on Your Resume

12. Confidentiality

Confidentiality, in the context of a Legal Clerk, refers to the obligation to keep sensitive information private and not disclose it to unauthorized parties, ensuring the protection of client data, case details, and legal strategies.

Why It's Important

Confidentiality is crucial for a Legal Clerk to protect the sensitive information of clients, ensure the integrity of legal processes, and maintain trust in the legal system.

How to Improve Confidentiality Skills

To improve confidentiality as a Legal Clerk, focus on these key practices:

1. Secure Document Management: Use encrypted digital storage solutions and limit access to sensitive information. American Bar Association's guidelines on file security provide useful tips.

2. Strong Password Policies: Implement and adhere to strong password policies. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers updated password guidelines.

3. Regular Training: Engage in regular confidentiality and data protection training. Lawyerist has resources and tips for legal professionals.

4. Clear Communication Policies: Establish secure communication protocols for discussing confidential matters. The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) provides resources on communication security in legal settings.

5. Physical Security Measures: Ensure physical documents are stored securely and access is restricted. The Legal Marketing Association (LMA) offers insights into physical and digital security practices.

By focusing on these areas, a Legal Clerk can significantly improve the confidentiality of sensitive information.

How to Display Confidentiality Skills on Your Resume