Not just a secretary any more.
Back in the beginning the term paralegal was just a better title for a legal secretary, not any more. Today paralegal jobs are filled by well trained and even credentialed persons. They are often the work horses in legal firms. They interview, gather, review, and analyze factual situations; research the law; prepare and interpret legal documents; and conduct day-to-day operations under the supervision of one or more lawyers. Most likely in the smaller offices this may be the only person you see except for the very end of business when the lawyer looks over the documentations to verify that all was done correctly.