paralegal
adjective
para·le·gal ˌper-ə-ˈlē-gəl 
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer
paralegal
ˈper-ə-ˌlē-gəl
noun ˈpa-rə-
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Much of the work in a law office can be done by paralegal assistants, also called legal aides or simply paralegals, who work alongside licensed lawyers. Often a paralegal is trained in a narrow field and then entrusted with it. In this respect, paralegals are similar to paraprofessionals in other fields, such as engineering. Paraprofessionals used to be trained in the office itself, but today it's common to study for a paraprofessional certificate or degree at a community college or university.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Long had been studying to work in the legal realm and had earned her paralegal credentials before falling in love with ironwork. 
oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, prosecutor Bill Oakley is glimpsed in the opening courthouse montage, and the first half of this season brought back Bill’s colleague Suzanne Ericsen, Kim’s former paralegal Viola, and Jimmy’s old Davis & Main nemesis Erin. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2022 State House candidate Noelle Kahaian, a paralegal and conservative nonprofit leader, is trailing her opponent by 23 votes. Nicole Carr, ProPublica, 24 June 2022 The legal filing says Johnson called the attorney general’s office three days after Arbery’s death and told a paralegal Barnhill had already accepted the case. Russ Bynum, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 The legal filing says Johnson called the attorney general's office three days after Arbery's death and told a paralegal Barnhill had already accepted the case. Victoria Albert, CBS News, 5 May 2022 Perry now works as a paralegal and direct-services coordinator for the Lavender Rights Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Rachel served in multiple roles — paralegal, auditor, trainer, operations planner, auditor, and as a commander on multiple projects before retiring in 2016. Anchorage Daily News, 17 Mar. 2022 Thomson, who started out as a paralegal and private investigator for the People’s Law Office in Chicago, a legendary firm that represented the Black Panther Party, has long loved bands such as Propagandhi, whose lyrics are anthems of the far left. Anita Chabria Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2021 See More
oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, prosecutor Bill Oakley is glimpsed in the opening courthouse montage, and the first half of this season brought back Bill’s colleague Suzanne Ericsen, Kim’s former paralegal Viola, and Jimmy’s old Davis & Main nemesis Erin. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2022 State House candidate Noelle Kahaian, a paralegal and conservative nonprofit leader, is trailing her opponent by 23 votes. Nicole Carr, ProPublica, 24 June 2022 The legal filing says Johnson called the attorney general’s office three days after Arbery’s death and told a paralegal Barnhill had already accepted the case. Russ Bynum, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 The legal filing says Johnson called the attorney general's office three days after Arbery's death and told a paralegal Barnhill had already accepted the case. Victoria Albert, CBS News, 5 May 2022 Perry now works as a paralegal and direct-services coordinator for the Lavender Rights Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Rachel served in multiple roles — paralegal, auditor, trainer, operations planner, auditor, and as a commander on multiple projects before retiring in 2016. Anchorage Daily News, 17 Mar. 2022 Thomson, who started out as a paralegal and private investigator for the People’s Law Office in Chicago, a legendary firm that represented the Black Panther Party, has long loved bands such as Propagandhi, whose lyrics are anthems of the far left. Anita Chabria Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1966, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
paralegal
adjective
para·le·gal ˌpar-ə-ˈlē-gəl
: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer compare clerk sense 2b
- in the lurch
- in the main
- in the mainour
- in the majority
- in the making
- in the market
- in the meantime
- in the meanwhile
- in the melting pot
- in the middle
- in the middle of
- in the middle of nowhere
- in the minority
- in the mistaken belief that
- in the mistaken/erroneous belief that
- in the money
- in the mood
- in the name of
- in the national interest
- in the national/public interest
- in the negative
- in the neighborhood
- in the neighborhood of
- in the next life
- in the nick of time