Everything that happens in the civil or criminal court systems needs a copy in hard documentation. The information is either recorded or dictated in courtrooms, deposition hearings and in less official settings. The information may include pleading, testimony, reviews of administrative hearings and interrogatories. Attorneys dictate this information onto a tape or a digital voice processing system. Legal transcriptionists then transfer this information from recorded data into hard documentation.

Job Description

In addition to preparing legal documentation from both recorded and written form, legal transcriptionists may draft and file legal documents, calendar and track deadlines, assist attorneys to prepare for trials, use computers and other software as well references to research and document law to prepare or transcribe the documents involved; they also organize and maintain client files. Legal transcriptionits are sometimes under the pressure of deadlines.

They work for corporations, attorneys, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies. There is a growing demand for government legal transcriptionists.

Legal transcriptionists generally work under these three categories:



Traditional employment

They work for law firms, agencies or other companies on a salary, per hour, per page, or per line basis for internet dictation clients.

Specialization

Many legal transcriptionists specialize in various types of laws, criminal, real estate, family, business and personal injury.

Freelance

They work under the supervision of an attorney but they operate their own business and provide services to attorneys on a contractual basis.

Requirements

Basic requirements for legal transcriptionists are very good typing speed, accuracy and well developed communication skills. As well, they must be detail orientated and be able to work under pressure. Knowledge in computer operations and applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), WordPerfect, Microsoft Outlook 2003 and DocsOpen 3.9.6 is a must. In order for a legal transcriptionist to be successful in a home based business they need to have the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships. In addition to these general requirements legal transcriptionists should meet the education requirements needed to compete in this job market. A legal transcription degree or an associate’s degree of applied science is what’s accepted these days. Courses can be taken in community colleges and online. They include instruction in machine shorthand, keyboarding, English, word processing, law, legal terminology, legal transcription, office communication skills, office procedures, integrated office systems and judicial reporting procedures.

The demand for legal transcriptionists is high and is predicted to increase. Regardless of this vast market however, there is still plenty of competition. A successful legal transcriptionist will need to have thorough training, all the necessary qualifications and proper marketing techniques, especially if you want to set up your own transcribing business. You will have to make contacts within the firms you are assigned and then inform them that you are available for independent contract work.

Earnings

The annual income for legal transcriptionits is $30,000-$36,000. Some however, make about $50,000 a year. Legal transcriptionists who work on freelance basis can make more or less than this. The amount of money you will make depends on your skills, and marketing techniques.

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