What Is Legal Writing? | How to Become a Legal Writer? | Earn Online

Legal Writing

Looking Ads or jobs online for legal writers may have caught your eye over the years, but you may not have bothered taking a look because you don’t know anything about what is legal writing. 

Nothing to be embarrassed about – you’re part of the majority. Since legal writing is a very definite niche, very few online freelance writers specialize in this field.

Specific Niche - Lesser Competition - Higher Rates - Higher Earnings

First, a while, you need to answer the question: “What Is Legal Writing”?” Because law writing gives many attractive opportunities for online freelancers, but again the question, “What is it?”

Let’s jump right into it.

What Is Legal Writing?

Legal writing involves making any form of material used in the Law / Legal Industry. You will fall under technical writing. Judges, Lawyers, and legislators utilize this writing for laws, expression of rights, duties, and many other legal analyses.

 In these cases, the term legalese is often used, and definite formats are followed. Some types of legal writing jobs are following under below category:

Brief Writers

They research and write legal documents such as memorandums, briefs, and motions.

Legal Analysts

Their tasks include summarizing news, case laws, and analyzing industry events.

Legal Correspondents

They do analyze and report some news regarding the legal industry.

In other cases, legal writing takes on a few technical forms. Examples:

Feature Writers

They any legal / law-related articles for publications, offline and online.

Copywriters / Web Content

They provide web copy for law firms, law-related websites, and many other online publications.

Corporate Writers

They write for the law / legal industry on a wide scale, with the scope of their writing covering anything from leaflets to presentations to reports and press releases to brochures– and even academic material writers.

How To Become A Legal Writer And Earn Money

To become a legal writer, you will require more qualifications than a generalist content writer. It is not enough to be an outstanding writer. At the least, you will need to have some knowledge of the legal terminologies of laws. It may be necessary for the many technical jobs to attend law classes or have a law degree.

But, if you don’t meet any of the above requirements, please don’t be disheartened. If you want to become a legal writer, you can still be an LW. Usually, a high school diploma is enough. However, a college/university degree is even much better.

Example: You may not have any law-relevant degree, but you can still work as a legal writer for a divorce lawyer; you may provide legal content for their online website. Or, even you can work for some firms as a copywriter for their newsletters, brochures, and business letters. On the other hand, you can manage their online blog. We regularly see ads seeking legal writer’s jobs for law firm websites and blogs.

Earn Online - Develop These Skills 

To become a legal writer, you must have certain knowledge and skills. It is unnecessary to say; you have to master writing in the English language. This may be obvious, but if English isn’t your native or national language, ensure your writing is at the same level.

You require to know legal terms. You must have some skills in turning complex or difficult ideas and legalese into easy-to-understand content. You require outstanding research skills and know-how to cite sources of your content.

Earn Online - Where To Begin

There are hundreds and thousands of websites you can read to teach you about law writing. Visit law firm websites that offer law advice and government portals to find ordinances and laws; those provide online newspapers and legal templates. When you start reading law material, it is the start of your education.

You shouldn’t stop until you feel confident you can do a well-mannered job.

The further step, search for jobs and just go for them. The worst thing that can be happening is that you don’t get hired by a law firm. If you get hired for a job in any law firm, make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Remember, you are starting in a new niche of writing. It’s okay to admit it if a job is beyond your capabilities. It’s okay to start small if necessary. At this stage, the goal is to gain work experience.

Fiverr

You can also join Fiverr, where you can post your sales gigs and apply for different jobs.

Upwork 

Upwork is a good platform to start for small or big jobs.

Local Law Firms

You can also search for local law firms in your area and check if they hire writers for their blogs and websites.

Are you a legal / law writer? What kind of tips can you give your peers who want to enter the specific niche? Are you looking to become a law / legal writer? We are sure this article helps you to get started.