A lot of legal write-ups comes from editors and writers, and they produce them for their industry. It involves the presentation of arguments and analysis of fact patterns. You shall find such in documents like legal newsletters, legal memoranda, marketing copies, legal briefs, blogs, attorney profiles, and feature articles. Several different kinds of statutory writers exist, and it depends on the subject of their write-up. Below, some of the different types.
- News Analysts
Correspondents and reporters give information concerning the newest advances in the field of law. - Feature Writers
They publish papers that are about legal topics on web-based platforms and print media. - Corporate Writers
They edit, design, and write. The writers also come up with an array of business data used in the legal field. They include leaflets, brochures, press releases, web copy, profiles, business letters, reports, presentations, white papers, academic material, and marketing copies. - Brief Writers
The writers mostly work on a contractual basis. They carry out researches, motions, draft briefs, and memorandums, along with other materials of legal caliber for legal companies. - Legal analysts
They review case laws, analyze company functions for virtual legal data vendors, and come up with news summaries. - Web Bloggers and Writers
They carry out researches, write, and edit online content. These are all for publications, law company’s websites, and virtual sites that are law-based. - Legal Editors
They carry out tasks like copyediting, editing content, and checking through for a range of law-based publications.
Requirements for Becoming a Legal Writer
- Education
For a person to get a job in the publishing field or as a legal writer, they need to have a minimum, have a GED or a high school certificate. However, having an undergraduate degree in Journalism, English, communications, writing, or a correlated field is mostly preferred every too often. Having a degree in the legal field is not usually necessary. But, it comes with an added advantage in some statutory writing industries. - Legal writing Expertise
The ability to have exceptional knowledge of the mechanical and stylistic aspects and the basics of using English. Also, the usage of correct grammar in writing. Legal writers must be capable of expressing their ideas in an organized, logical, and comprehensive manner. At the same time, be able to meet crazy deadlines. Having a coherent understanding of the market in a general aspect is very vital. High-level research skills are an added advantage, along with the capability to draft, edit, and synthesize complex data. Once in a while, legal writers should find experts and viable interview sources. They should come up with comprehensive and exceptional story ideas giving a fresh look at timeless story topics.
For bloggers and web writers, having mastery in using SEO, HTML, meta-strategy, online information management, and keyword research is a must. Legal editors also have a lot of work cut out for them. For instance, to polish up their skills of using correct grammar, writing styles, and correct the use of punctuations. They must also be keen on details and be able to work under pressure due to tight deadlines. It is also very vital to get familiarized with the legal terminologies. In that way, proofreading, writing, and also carrying out researches becomes a bit easy. - Practice Environments
With all the work cut out for legal writers, one would probably wonder where they can get jobs. There are many places a statutory editor and statutory writer can work. For instance, as public relations sections in a company, publishing houses, law firms, magazines, corporations, and marketing agencies. Others prefer to freelance, selling their services to law firms, publishers, and other related industries who may need their services. - Job Outlook
The service of legal editors and writers will likely experience an 8% growth, which proves between the years 2018 to the year 2028, according to the labor Bureau. By 2018, the average income of legal writers and legal editors comprised about $71,850 annually. With the rapid growth of the legal field and many lawyers growing in terms of ranks, novel and diverse publishing companies have come up to help cater to the increasing numbers of statutory audiences. Also, the web writing industry will likely expand.
Conclusion
Legal writers and editors prove vital in many companies. Thus, training or doing enough research is essential to perfect your legal writing and editing skills.