Benefits of Remote Legal Editing
The digital transformation of the legal industry has fostered a growing demand for individuals with expertise in legal editing. With the legal landscape becoming increasingly content-driven, remote legal editor jobs play a pivotal role in shaping legal content to meet the highest standards. Remote legal editors are experienced professionals who ensure that every piece of legal writing, whether it be articles, blog posts, case summaries, or complex legal analysis, is clear, accurate, and reflective of the legal standards of the jurisdiction in question. Legal editing jobs for these remote workers are essential in the present day as technology has made long-distance collaboration convenient and accessible, enabling even the most experienced legal editors to conduct their work from virtually anywhere.
The benefits of remote work extend beyond comfort; these professionals are able to deliver high-quality legal publications at an accelerated pace . Remote legal editing jobs, therefore, have become increasingly sought after, particularly by individuals seeking to specialize in technical language and field-specific documents. These individuals are provided the opportunity to impact the way legal information is delivered to the public while working with other highly-skilled and experienced professionals from numerous legal backgrounds.
For attorneys looking for an added edge in their legal career, there exist multiple opportunities to work as a remote legal editor every day. Legal editor jobs are made available through law firms, legal publishers, agencies, publishing organizations, and privately-owned businesses. There are endless ways in which a legal editor can gain insight into the functions of the legal industry by learning to tailor content for diverse audiences.
Required Skills for a Remote Legal Editor
The role of a remote legal editor is both dynamic and demanding. The following are a few essential skills that separate the successful legal editors from the rest:
Legal acumen. Legal knowledge is the foundation for any successful legal editor, whether working on substantive legal content or reviewing for proper form. Familiarity with the substantive area or the procedural rules is a must.
Attention to detail. A legal editor must be able to review and identify minute details that could make a world of difference. Being detail-oriented is a must, as even the subtlest of differences can change the meaning of a legal argument.
Familiarity with editing tools. A typical day in the life of a legal editor could involve working with various editing tools. Familiarity with any of these editing tools can be a significant asset.
The Remote Legal Editing Job Market
The market for remote legal editor jobs remains relatively stable. Law review and journal companies are the most likely employers to post jobs for remote legal editors. Companies like Lexis, Bloomberg, and Fastcase are also known to hire legal editors on occasion. In-house editors and firms seeking freelance editors usually only post jobs on occasion, though some freelancers may be approached informally. Roles with companies, such as Lexis, Bloomberg, and Fastcase, are usually for either legal publications or legal market research. Legal publications jobs usually require a JD and previous editorial work for a legal publication. Market research roles, on the other hand, don’t usually require a JD; they are usually more focused on economics and research. Law reviews and journals typically look for either law students or graduates with an interest in obtaining an academic position in the future. Editors for these publications are oftentimes law students or recent graduates looking to build their resume and obtain a clerkship or academic position. In-house editors with publishers generally look for an individual with practical legal experience such as an associate with 3+ years of experience or an assistant general counsel. Editors for these publishers generally will work on some mixture of legal publications and technical matters concerning the product itself.
How to Get a Remote Legal Editing Position
Securing a remote legal editing job can be competitive, but with the right approach, you can improve your chances of landing your dream role in this field. Crafting a strong resume that highlights your key skills and experience is essential. Be sure to showcase your proficiency in legal terminology, research abilities, and typographical accuracy. Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for, using keywords from the job description to ensure your qualifications stand out to employers. Another key strategy is to tap into your network. Connect with professionals in the legal field through social media, industry groups, or even through colleagues who may know of available opportunities. Attend legal seminars, webinars and other events within your expertise area to meet new contacts and learn more about potential openings. Utilizing networking platforms like LinkedIn can also help you to expand your reach and find potential leads. Finally, one of the most effective ways to land a remote job in any industry is to nail the interview and follow up directly after. Before you begin a video or phone interview, research the company thoroughly so that you know exactly what they are looking for. Prepare questions to ask about the position and be thoughtful in your responses to better sell yourself to hiring managers. After the interview, send a thank-you note to your interviewer and continue to maintain a line of communication in regard to the position. By following these strategies, you can increase your chances of landing a remote position as a legal editor and take the first step towards a successful and fulfilling career in this field.
The Challenges of Remote Legal Editing
Any profession that requires a keen eye for detail, such as editing legal texts, can involve an array of challenges, regardless of the physical location. However, those who work remotely as legal editors may face specific or amplified difficulties, such as more prevalent time management issues or more complex communication barriers. Below, we outline some common challenges and offer potential solutions.
Time Management Issues
While remote legal editors often have a great deal of flexibility and freedom over their hours, the lack of imposed structure can pose a challenge to those who struggle to be productive outside the framework of a formal office. Failing to manage time priorities and workloads can lead to unnecessary stress, missed deadlines, or poor output. As with any other job, a legal editor should strive to set goals and prioritize tasks each day–however, on top of this, here are a few additional solutions to consider:
Inadequate Communication with Clients
A remote legal editor will likely hear from clients or their firm in a variety of ways, whether by email, phone, mail, or an online portal. Some legal editors find these lines of communication confusing and often face difficulties understanding the scope of their work as a result . If your client places inadequate information on the outside of a physical or digital document, for example, or fails to clarify their expectations via email, you should not hesitate to reach out for clarification or anticipate a query before you begin work. Also, if you have questions about a particular case, be sure to ask them immediately; seeking clarity from the start will be far easier than backtracking to correct an assumed mistake. If you are using a document portal, offer clear labels and instructions whenever possible.
Other Communication Hurdles
Upon receiving a text to edit, a remote legal editor must likely review it briefly and then determine its scope and requirements. With no one on site to explain them, this process can be a fairly lengthy one. For documents that you must pass on to others, such as internal memos and emails, review every line to ensure that you understand the intent behind the words. If a document requires action, whether from you or someone else, indicate it clearly in the text. By preemptively identifying needs, prior to submitting the text to a superior or lateral editor, you can avoid wasting time and effort.
The Future of Remote Legal Editing
With the rapid evolution of technology, the future of remote legal editor jobs looks promising. As virtual collaboration tools continue to improve, we can expect a more integrated and efficient approach to legal editing. Data visualization and artificial intelligence (AI) will likely play larger roles in the editing process, enhancing editors’ capacity to review and assess complex legal documents. In addition, the growing importance of accessibility and inclusivity in digital media will drive the demand for skilled editors who can accommodate diverse audiences. For those who embrace these changes, the future may hold exciting new possibilities.
Conclusion: Is Remote Legal Editing for You?
A few career choices available for legal editors include working for an evidence preparation company (which is what I do), working as a contract paralegal, and running your own business as a freelance legal editor. All of these options have their pros and cons. Working with clients on a regular basis in-house or for a company reduces the amount of work you have to find on your own. But it also implies a need to solve client problems that extend beyond the editing of complex documents. These jobs are also more sedentary and time consuming than freelance editing since many contracts require you to work 40 hour weeks with limited vacation time. Freelancing allows you to choose your projects, but you have to hustle to find work and get paid . If you don’t have good time management skills and an outgoing personality that includes being comfortable with some amount of risk, freelancing might not be for you. It also requires a different level of financial discipline and involves related expenses such as subcontracting for research and writing, office supplies, equipment and insurance.
Overall, along with paralegals and court reporters, legal editors are among the relatively few professions where most jobs can be done remotely. There are also many opportunities for remote legal editors to live and work anywhere they choose and some even travel the world. If you are the type who feels stifled with a commute, cubicle or corporate restrictions, remote legal editing may be a good fit for you.