Top 12 Legal Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive legal job market, showcasing the right set of skills on your resume is crucial to standing out among other applicants. This article delves into the top 12 legal skills that can make your resume more compelling and demonstrate your readiness to tackle the challenges of the legal profession.

Legal Skills

1. LexisNexis
2. Westlaw
3. CaseMap
4. TimeMatters
5. Clio Manage
6. Concordance
7. Pacer
8. Relativity
9. Bluebook
10. TrialDirector
11. DocuSign
12. Adobe Acrobat

1. LexisNexis

LexisNexis is a global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics, offering a comprehensive collection of legal resources, case law, statutes, and legal news for legal professionals.

Why It's Important

LexisNexis is important for the legal industry because it provides comprehensive access to a vast repository of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal journals, facilitating efficient legal research and informed decision-making.

How to Improve LexisNexis Skills

To enhance LexisNexis for legal research, consider these strategies:

1. Training & Webinars: Engage in LexisNexis Training to fully leverage its tools and resources.
2. Integration of AI: Incorporate AI technologies for smarter search capabilities, as seen with Lexis Answers.
3. Customization & Preferences: Customize your LexisNexis experience to suit your legal research needs, enabling quicker access to frequently used resources (Customization Options).
4. Feedback System: Implement a robust feedback system for users to suggest improvements directly (LexisNexis Contact).
5. Mobile Accessibility: Enhance the LexisNexis mobile app for better on-the-go access, ensuring legal professionals can research anytime, anywhere (Mobile App Details).
6. Collaboration Tools: Integrate effective collaboration tools to allow legal teams to work together seamlessly within the platform (Lexis+ Collaboration).

Focusing on these areas can significantly improve the utility and efficiency of LexisNexis for legal research and practice.

How to Display LexisNexis Skills on Your Resume

2. Westlaw

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research service and proprietary database used by legal professionals to research case law, statutes, legal journals, and other legal materials.

Why It's Important

Westlaw is important because it provides comprehensive and up-to-date legal information, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal analysis, essential for legal research, informed decision-making, and accurate legal writing.

How to Improve Westlaw Skills

Improving Westlaw, a comprehensive legal research platform, can be achieved through several strategies tailored to enhance user experience and research efficiency. Here are concise suggestions:

1. Enhanced Search Functionality: Implement more intuitive search algorithms that understand natural language queries and legal terminology, akin to advancements seen in general search engines like Google. This could reduce the learning curve and improve search result relevancy.

2. Personalized Experience: Offer a more personalized dashboard that adapts to the user's research habits and preferences, suggesting relevant content and tools based on their history and professional focus. Salesforce provides insights on personalization strategies.

3. Integration of AI and Machine Learning: Utilize AI for predictive analysis to suggest potential outcomes based on case law and statutes. Machine learning could also be used to improve the tagging and categorization of documents. IBM offers insights into AI and machine learning applications.

4. Collaborative Tools: Introduce real-time collaboration features allowing multiple users to work on the same document or research project simultaneously, similar to Google Docs. This would facilitate teamwork among legal professionals.

5. Mobile Optimization: Ensure that the platform is fully optimized for mobile devices, providing a seamless experience across all devices. This includes responsive design and mobile-specific features.

6. Comprehensive Training Resources: Expand the availability of training materials and tutorials, including webinars, how-to guides, and live support, to help users maximize the platform's capabilities. Offering certification programs could also incentivize learning.

7. Feedback Loop: Establish a robust feedback system where users can suggest improvements or report issues directly within the platform. This direct line to user feedback can guide continuous improvement efforts.

By focusing on these areas, Westlaw can significantly enhance its platform, making legal research more efficient, user-friendly, and tailored to the needs of its diverse user base.

How to Display Westlaw Skills on Your Resume

3. CaseMap

CaseMap is a software tool used in the legal field for organizing, analyzing, and managing evidence, facts, and legal issues related to a case, facilitating more effective case preparation and strategy development.

Why It's Important

CaseMap is important in the legal field because it enables attorneys to organize, analyze, and manage case evidence and information efficiently, enhancing case strategy and preparation.

How to Improve CaseMap Skills

Improving your use of CaseMap, a legal case analysis tool, involves several strategies focused on efficiency, organization, and leveraging its features to the fullest. Here’s a short guide:

1. Centralize Case Information: Consolidate all case documents, facts, and evidence into CaseMap to create a single source of truth. This improves accessibility and collaboration.

2. Utilize Custom Fields and Tags: Customize fields and use tags to categorize information based on case-specific needs. This enhances data filtering and retrieval.

3. Link Evidence to Facts: Ensure all pieces of evidence are linked to related case facts. This feature facilitates a clear understanding of the relationships between evidence and legal arguments.

4. Regular Updates: Keep the CaseMap file updated in real-time as new information becomes available, ensuring all team members have the latest data.

5. Leverage Reporting Tools: Use CaseMap’s reporting features to generate summaries, timelines, and analysis reports. This assists in identifying case strengths, weaknesses, and patterns.

6. Integrate with LexisNexis Tools: Take advantage of CaseMap's integration with other LexisNexis tools for research and document review to streamline workflows.

7. Training and Support: Utilize online resources and training to become proficient in advanced features and best practices. LexisNexis offers tutorials and support (LexisNexis Support).

8. Collaboration: Share CaseMap files with team members to foster collaboration, ensuring everyone is working with the same information and reducing redundancy.

By adopting these strategies, you can enhance your proficiency with CaseMap, ultimately leading to more organized, efficient, and successful legal case management.

How to Display CaseMap Skills on Your Resume

4. TimeMatters

TimeMatters is a comprehensive case and document management software designed specifically for legal professionals to organize, manage, and track their cases, clients, and documents efficiently, facilitating streamlined operations and enhanced productivity within law firms.

Why It's Important

TimeMatters is important in the legal field as it provides comprehensive case management and workflow automation, enabling law firms to efficiently organize, track, and manage their cases and documents. This boosts productivity, ensures compliance, and improves client service.

How to Improve TimeMatters Skills

Improving Time Matters, a popular legal practice management software, involves optimizing its features for better efficiency and productivity. Here are concise steps to enhance its performance:

1. Customize Your Workspace: Tailor the dashboard and workspaces to fit your legal practice's specific needs. This ensures you have quick access to frequently used features and information. LexisNexis provides guides on customization.

2. Utilize Templates: Make use of document and email templates to standardize communication and document creation, saving time and maintaining consistency. Capterra offers user reviews that highlight the effectiveness of templates.

3. Implement Training: Regular training sessions for your team on Time Matters can significantly improve proficiency and productivity. LexisNexis offers training options tailored to various levels of expertise.

4. Leverage Integrations: Connect Time Matters with other tools like Outlook, document management systems, or billing software to streamline workflows. Check out the official integration guide for more details.

5. Regular Maintenance: Perform regular database maintenance and backups to ensure the software runs smoothly and your data is protected. LexisNexis provides maintenance best practices.

6. Explore Add-ons: Investigate third-party add-ons that can provide additional functionalities tailored to your legal practice. The Time Matters Marketplace lists certified partners and solutions.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your use of Time Matters, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness in managing your legal practice.

How to Display TimeMatters Skills on Your Resume

5. Clio Manage

Clio Manage is a cloud-based legal practice management software designed to streamline operations, manage cases, organize contacts, track time, and automate billing processes for legal professionals and law firms.

Why It's Important

Clio Manage is important for legal professionals because it streamlines case and client management, billing, and time tracking, enhancing efficiency and organization within law practices.

How to Improve Clio Manage Skills

To improve Clio Manage for a legal practice, consider these concise strategies:

1. Customize for Efficiency: Tailor Clio Manage to your firm's specific needs. Utilize custom fields and document templates to streamline case management. Clio's Custom Fields Guide.

2. Integrate with Other Tools: Leverage Clio's integrations with email, accounting software, and document management systems to centralize operations. Clio's Integration Directory.

3. Utilize Mobile Features: Enhance accessibility and flexibility by using Clio's mobile app for on-the-go case management. Clio Mobile App.

4. Automate Billing and Timekeeping: Implement Clio's time tracking and billing features to automate invoicing and improve financial accuracy. Clio's Billing Features.

5. Invest in Training: Regularly update your team's skills through Clio Academy and webinars to fully leverage Clio Manage's capabilities. Clio Academy.

6. Utilize Client Portals: Enhance client communication and document sharing through Clio's secure client portals, improving client satisfaction. Clio for Clients.

7. Regularly Review and Optimize Processes: Continuously assess and refine your use of Clio Manage to adapt to your firm's evolving needs.

By focusing on customization, integration, mobile access, automation, training, client communication, and ongoing optimization, legal practices can significantly enhance their efficiency and service quality with Clio Manage.

How to Display Clio Manage Skills on Your Resume

6. Concordance

In a legal context, concordance refers to an agreement or harmony between statutes, court decisions, or conditions in a contract, ensuring consistency and avoiding contradictions within legal documents or between laws and judicial rulings.

Why It's Important

In legal contexts, concordance is essential for ensuring consistency, accuracy, and easy navigation of legal documents, agreements, and laws. It helps in cross-referencing and locating specific information quickly, facilitating better understanding and compliance with legal requirements.

How to Improve Concordance Skills

Improving concordance in a legal context involves enhancing the consistency and accuracy of legal texts, agreements, and document indexing. This can be achieved through several methods:

1. Standardization: Adopt consistent terminology and formatting across all legal documents. This includes using predefined templates and style guides.

2. Cross-referencing: Ensure that all references to laws, statutes, and other documents are accurately cited and linked. This helps in maintaining the integrity of legal arguments and references.

3. Quality Control: Implement rigorous proofreading and review processes to catch and correct errors or inconsistencies. Peer reviews and employing legal editing software can aid in this process.

4. Use of Technology: Leverage legal tech solutions like AI-powered legal research tools (Casetext) and document automation software (CLM) to improve accuracy and efficiency.

5. Training and Education: Regularly train legal staff on the importance of concordance and the use of legal databases (Westlaw, LexisNexis) to ensure that they are proficient in creating and maintaining consistent legal documents.

Improving concordance requires a combination of adopting best practices in document management, leveraging technology, and continuous education.

How to Display Concordance Skills on Your Resume

7. Pacer

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is an online system that provides access to U.S. federal court documents and case information.

Why It's Important

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is important because it provides online access to federal court documents, enhancing transparency and facilitating legal research by allowing users, including attorneys, journalists, and the general public, to obtain case and docket information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts electronically.

How to Improve Pacer Skills

Improving your performance on the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system in a legal context involves enhancing search efficiency, staying updated on system changes, and integrating PACER with other legal research tools. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Master Advanced Search Techniques: Learn Boolean operators and advanced search features on PACER to refine your searches. The PACER User Manual offers detailed guidance.

2. Stay Updated: Regularly visit the PACER Announcements page to stay informed about new features and updates.

3. Use Browser Extensions and Tools: Tools like RECAP (The RECAP Extension) can help you save and access free copies of PACER documents, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

4. Integrate with Legal Research Platforms: Platforms like Westlaw and LexisNexis often offer ways to link directly to PACER documents, streamlining research.

5. Attend PACER Training: PACER offers free training (Registration Page) which can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the system efficiently.

6. Bookmark Frequent Searches: Save frequently used search queries or cases to reduce repetitive input and speed up your research process.

7. Learn from PACER Guides and Tutorials: Utilize guides and tutorials provided by law libraries or academic institutions, such as the Georgetown Law Library Guide for PACER, to learn best practices and tips.

By adopting these strategies, legal professionals can navigate PACER more effectively, saving time and resources in legal research.

How to Display Pacer Skills on Your Resume

8. Relativity

In a legal context, "relativity" refers to the idea that the applicability or significance of laws, principles, or rights can depend on the specific relationships or circumstances involved. It suggests that legal outcomes might vary based on the particular context, such as the relationship between the parties involved or the specific situation at hand, rather than being absolute or universal.

Why It's Important

Relativity is important in the legal field because it provides a comprehensive platform for managing and analyzing large volumes of electronic evidence. This helps legal professionals efficiently review documents, identify relevant information, and organize case strategies, ultimately facilitating more informed and accurate legal decision-making.

How to Improve Relativity Skills

Improving your proficiency with Relativity, a widely used e-discovery and legal review platform, involves continuous learning and practical application. Here are concise tips with relevant resources:

1. Get Certified: Start by obtaining Relativity certifications. They offer structured learning paths for various roles, from administrators to analysts. Relativity Certification Programs

2. Utilize Relativity's Resources: Dive into Relativity's comprehensive documentation and community portal. These platforms offer tutorials, forums, and insights that can help you solve specific problems or enhance your skills.

3. Practice Regularly: Hands-on experience is invaluable. Use Relativity's sandbox environment to experiment with data, testing out different features and workflows without affecting live cases. Request sandbox access

4. Join Training Webinars and Workshops: Stay updated with the latest features and best practices by attending Relativity's webinars and workshops. These sessions are often free and can provide deep dives into specific functionalities. Relativity Webinars

5. Follow Legal Technology Forums and Blogs: Engage with the wider legal tech community through forums like r/LegalTech and follow blogs that frequently discuss e-discovery trends and Relativity tips, such as Ball in your Court.

6. Network with Other Users: Networking with other Relativity users can provide real-world tips and advice. LinkedIn groups dedicated to Relativity or legal technology are great places to start.

By following these steps and making the most of the available resources, you can significantly enhance your Relativity skills and contribute more effectively to your legal team's success.

How to Display Relativity Skills on Your Resume

9. Bluebook

Bluebook is a widely used citation system for legal documents, providing standardized formats for referencing laws, cases, and other legal materials.

Why It's Important

The Bluebook is important because it standardizes legal citation methods across documents, ensuring clarity, consistency, and ease of reference in legal writing and research.

How to Improve Bluebook Skills

Improving your Bluebook citation skills involves practice, understanding the rules, and utilizing available resources effectively. Here are concise steps and resources to help:

1. Familiarize with Bluebook Rules: Start by getting a good grasp of the foundational rules. The Bluebook Quick Style Guide provides an accessible overview of the most common citation forms.

2. Practice Regularly: Apply Bluebook rules in your writing as often as possible. Practice creates familiarity and helps reinforce learning.

3. Use Online Tools: Leverage online tools like Citeus Legalus for automated citations, ensuring you double-check against the latest Bluebook rules.

4. Consult the Bluebook Online: For complex citations, refer to The Bluebook Online (subscription required) for comprehensive guidelines and examples.

5. Join Workshops or Webinars: Participate in citation workshops or webinars offered by law libraries or legal writing centers. These sessions can provide valuable insights and personalized feedback.

6. Refer to Academic Guides: Academic institutions often publish their own citation guides based on the Bluebook. Georgetown Law Library's Bluebook Guide is a useful resource.

7. Stay Updated: The Bluebook undergoes periodic revisions. Keep abreast of the latest changes to ensure your citations are current.

8. Seek Feedback: Have peers, mentors, or instructors review your citations for accuracy and provide constructive feedback.

By integrating these practices into your study or work routine, you'll gradually improve your proficiency with Bluebook citations.

How to Display Bluebook Skills on Your Resume

10. TrialDirector

TrialDirector is a software application used in the legal field for organizing, managing, and presenting electronic evidence and documents during legal proceedings, such as trials and arbitrations. It allows legal professionals to efficiently present visual evidence to support their case.

Why It's Important

TrialDirector is important for legal proceedings because it allows attorneys to efficiently organize, manage, and present evidence and exhibits during trials, enhancing the clarity and persuasiveness of their arguments to the court and jury.

How to Improve TrialDirector Skills

Improving your proficiency with TrialDirector for legal presentations involves several straightforward steps. Focus on:

1. Training: Invest time in official iCONECT training courses to master the software's features and functionalities.
2. Practice: Regularly use TrialDirector's tools in mock trials or simulations to reinforce your skills.
3. Stay Updated: Regularly check the TrialDirector website for software updates and new features.
4. Network: Join legal technology forums and groups to exchange tips and tricks with other users.
5. Feedback: Utilize customer support and provide feedback for improvements based on your experience.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your effectiveness in using TrialDirector for legal proceedings.

How to Display TrialDirector Skills on Your Resume

11. DocuSign

DocuSign is a digital platform that allows users to send, sign, and manage legally binding documents electronically, streamlining the agreement process in a secure and efficient manner for legal and business transactions.

Why It's Important

DocuSign is important for legal processes as it offers a secure, efficient, and legally recognized way to electronically sign and manage documents, streamlining workflows and reducing the need for physical paperwork.

How to Improve DocuSign Skills

Improving DocuSign, especially for legal applications, involves enhancing security, user experience, and integration capabilities. Here's a concise guide:

1. Enhance Security: Implement advanced encryption for documents and signatures, and adopt robust authentication methods. DocuSign already offers Trust Center for security insights, but constant updates and audits can further bolster trust.

2. Improve User Experience: Streamline the interface for easier navigation and quicker task completion. Offering customizable templates specifically for legal documents can significantly reduce preparation time. The DocuSign University provides resources for better use, yet simplifying the platform's core functionalities can further enhance user satisfaction.

3. Expand Integration Capabilities: Ensure seamless integration with a broader range of legal management tools and systems. DocuSign's API allows for development, but fostering partnerships with more legal software providers can enhance workflow automation.

4. Compliance Updates: Regularly update compliance measures to match the evolving legal standards globally. Keeping abreast of regulations via resources like the Legal Compliance Hub is crucial, but proactive adaptation to new laws will minimize risks.

5. Educational Resources: Increase the availability of educational materials on best practices for using DocuSign in legal settings. Though information is available through DocuSign Support, dedicated legal usage guides and case studies can empower users.

Improving DocuSign for legal applications requires a balance of security, efficiency, and compliance, ensuring it remains an indispensable tool for modern legal practices.

How to Display DocuSign Skills on Your Resume

12. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a software application used for creating, editing, managing, and viewing PDF (Portable Document Format) files, widely utilized in legal settings for secure document exchange and archival.

Why It's Important

Adobe Acrobat is crucial in the legal field for creating, editing, securing, and sharing PDF documents, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive legal information while facilitating easy access and review by all parties involved.

How to Improve Adobe Acrobat Skills

Improving Adobe Acrobat, particularly for legal professionals who rely on the software for document management and review, can involve several strategic enhancements aimed at workflow efficiency, security, and collaboration. Here are concise suggestions:

1. Enhanced Security Features: Implement advanced encryption and permission controls to protect sensitive legal documents. Adobe Security offers insights into current security measures which can be expanded upon.

2. Optimized Document Review: Integrate AI-powered tools for faster document analysis and review, making it easier to sift through large volumes of legal texts. The Adobe Document Cloud AI provides a foundation that can be built upon.

3. Streamlined E-Signature Processes: Enhance the e-signature functionality with more robust authentication methods to meet stringent legal standards. Adobe's Electronic Signatures page outlines existing capabilities that could be further tailored for legal requirements.

4. Improved Collaboration Tools: Develop more intuitive collaboration features that allow multiple parties to review, comment, and edit documents in real time, ensuring seamless teamwork on legal documents. Adobe's Collaboration Tools could be expanded to facilitate more granular interactions.

5. Customizable Document Management: Offer more customizable document management solutions, including automated categorization, tagging, and retrieval of legal documents, making it easier for legal professionals to organize and find documents. The Adobe Document Cloud can serve as a platform for these enhancements.

By focusing on these areas, Adobe Acrobat can become even more indispensable to legal professionals, fostering a more efficient, secure, and collaborative document management environment.

How to Display Adobe Acrobat Skills on Your Resume