Origin: Greek prefix para-
Paralegal has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a person with specialized training who assists lawyers
"After graduating from her paralegal certification program, Maria started assisting senior attorneys at the firm by drafting contracts and organizing case files."
One who assists a lawyer in routine legal work, but who is without qualified status as a solicitor or barrister (England and Wales), attorney (U.S.), or advocate; known more commonly in the U.S. as a legal assistant.
"The paralegal handled all the routine document preparation for the firm while waiting for her supervisor to review the complex case files."