paralegal
adjective
para·le·gal
ˌper-ə-ˈlē-gəl 
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer
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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.
Examples of paralegal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While incarcerated in Texas, Saldívar has studied law, earning a paralegal and associate degree in criminal justice, according to the Associated Press.
—
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Cross-Reference Review: Have a second attorney or paralegal independently verify key citations.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The Duchess of Sussex recently reflected on her role as paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits amid the show being rediscovered by fans thanks to TikTok and its spinoff Suits LA.
—Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
In her time on the team, LaMarche has been in the roles of paralegal, bailiff, detective, trial attorney and now a prosecution team captain.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralegal
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Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Cross-Reference Review: Have a second attorney or paralegal independently verify key citations.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The Duchess of Sussex recently reflected on her role as paralegal Rachel Zane in Suits amid the show being rediscovered by fans thanks to TikTok and its spinoff Suits LA.
—Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
In her time on the team, LaMarche has been in the roles of paralegal, bailiff, detective, trial attorney and now a prosecution team captain.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralegal
Cite this Entry
“Paralegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralegal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
paralegal
noun
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