Posted in Law

How to Become a Legal Transcriptionist

How to Become a Legal Transcriptionist Posted on July 31, 2022

Are you seeking to take your profession in a brand new route? Exploring employment alternatives as a authorized transcriptionist could also be a viable possibility. These educated professionals focus on creating authorized documentation and transcribing audio recordings for paralegals and attorneys. This requires complete enhancing abilities and purposeful data of authorized terminology. In case you have a penchant for written communication and have an interest within the authorized area, right here’s what you’ll must do to refine your craft and develop into a authorized transcriptionist.

Perth lawyer shows you how to become a legal transcriptionist

A authorized transcriptionist is somebody who’s liable for creating written data of vital authorized recordings. They use their listening and typing abilities to provide written paperwork that authorized professionals can seek the advice of as wanted. Somebody on this function is solely liable for creating typed variations of prerecorded supplies. Not like court docket reporters, they don’t seem to be liable for creating written data of stay conversations, that means they’ll take extra time to provide well-written, error-free transcriptions.

Authorized Transcriptionist Advantages

By exploring a profession as a authorized transcriptionist, you’ll be immersed in fast-paced enterprise environments that can increase your data of the authorized area and doubtlessly open up different profession alternatives, corresponding to turning into a paralegal or court docket reporter. Many authorized transcriptionists are additionally capable of work versatile hours from dwelling relying on shopper necessities. In some conditions, authorized corporations gained’t permit delicate documentation to go away the constructing, which might require you to work in an workplace setting. The typical wage for the place is $26,400 per year, however relying in your expertise and talent degree, you can also make as a lot as $60,000 yearly.

What do authorized transcriptionists do?

A authorized transcriptionist is liable for the next duties:

Hearken to dictated recordings produced by authorized professionals, corresponding to paralegals and attorneys.

Transcribe recordings into quite a lot of authorized paperwork that comprise pleadings, correspondence, motions, time entires, authorized memorandums, interrogations, agreements and discovery.

Create error-free paperwork that authorized professionals can later reference.

Use headsets and laptop software program to pay attention and produce transcriptions.

Meet with authorized professionals to obtain dictation that they want to current in court docket.

Expertise and Qualifications

Turning into a authorized transcriptionist requires eager consideration to element and superior enhancing abilities. Because you’ll typically be writing delicate authorized paperwork that shall be utilized in court docket, accuracy shall be key in performing your duties successfully. These paperwork might embrace pleadings, motions, correspondence, authorized memorandums, court docket proceedings, and discovery. You’ll even be working below laborious deadlines, which implies you’ll want typing speeds of at least 85 words per minute to make sure your tasks are accomplished on-time.

Schooling Necessities

Schooling necessities for authorized transcriptionists are pretty restricted. If you have already got expertise working at an workplace setting in a authorized agency, a highschool diploma could also be adequate to safe a place. Affiliate levels are generally most popular, so finishing a program associated to enterprise legislation or authorized administration could also be a viable technique to extend your employment alternatives.

Voluntary Certifications

You may also look to acquire voluntary certifications to boost your marketability with hiring managers. The American Affiliation of Digital Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) presents the Licensed Digital Transcriber certification. You can also obtain an Accredited Legal Secretary certification from the Nationwide Affiliation for Authorized Secretaries, which requires both one yr of expertise or the completion of a coaching course.