A person trained in legal matters who assists lawyers but is not a qualified attorney.
From Greek prefix 'para-' meaning beside or alongside, plus 'legal' from Latin 'legalis'. The term was coined in the 1960s as the legal profession began formalizing support roles that work alongside attorneys.
Paralegals often know more about specific areas of law than some attorneys because they specialize deeply in particular legal niches like immigration, family law, or corporate compliance. The paralegal profession emerged as legal costs rose and law firms sought ways to provide quality legal services more efficiently.
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