From: American Bar Association

After 23 years, the definition of Paralegal will no longer be synonymous with Legal Assistant under American Bar Association policy.

"The Standing Committee determined that the term 'legal assistant' should be removed from the definition in order to clarify the work done specifically by paralegals. In the past the titles of 'paralegal' and 'legal assistant' have been used interchangeably, but the legal community has recognized a distinction between the work done by paralegals and that of legal assistants. In filing the amendment to the ABA Guidelines, the Standing Committee is asking the House of Delegates to approve a revised definition of paralegal (G-103.d)."

For more information, please visit the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Paralegals.