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Legal transcriptionist vs corporate paralegal

The differences between legal transcriptionists and corporate paralegals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a legal transcriptionist and a corporate paralegal. Additionally, a corporate paralegal has an average salary of $67,515, which is higher than the $48,622 average annual salary of a legal transcriptionist.

The top three skills for a legal transcriptionist include transcription, legal terminology and dictation. The most important skills for a corporate paralegal are litigation, corporate governance, and legal research.

Legal transcriptionist vs corporate paralegal overview

Legal TranscriptionistCorporate Paralegal
Yearly salary$48,622$67,515
Hourly rate$23.38$32.46
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs6,04713,482
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

What does a legal transcriptionist do?

A legal transcriptionist produces written transcriptions of audio recordings from various legal conversions such as consultations, interviews, and court proceedings. It is their responsibility to deliver accurate transcriptions, from dialogues to gestures and diction. To carry out their duties, they must maintain an active communication line with the employer, keep an eye out for errors and inconsistencies, and organize files accordingly. Moreover, a legal transcriptionist may directly work at government offices and legal firms. They can also work as independent contractors, typically working from home.

What does a corporate paralegal do?

A Corporate Paralegal helps attorneys gather information and materials in preparation for different kinds of cases, hearings, or meetings. They also work in the legal departments of large corporations and for government agencies.

Legal transcriptionist vs corporate paralegal salary

Legal transcriptionists and corporate paralegals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Legal TranscriptionistCorporate Paralegal
Average salary$48,622$67,515
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $42,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between legal transcriptionist and corporate paralegal education

There are a few differences between a legal transcriptionist and a corporate paralegal in terms of educational background:

Legal TranscriptionistCorporate Paralegal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessLegal Support Services
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Legal transcriptionist vs corporate paralegal demographics

Here are the differences between legal transcriptionists' and corporate paralegals' demographics:

Legal TranscriptionistCorporate Paralegal
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 6.5% Female, 93.5%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 6.0% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between legal transcriptionist and corporate paralegal duties and responsibilities

Legal transcriptionist example responsibilities.

  • Gather and prepare documents for binders/notebooks for depositions, arbitration, hearings/trial; manage incoming document production mostly for litigation purposes.
  • Own and operate successful transcription business, transcribing and producing medical reports for workers' compensation doctors.
  • Train incoming co-op to use SQL for cleaning and processing incoming data files.
  • Work from home transcribing court proceedings, hearings, examinations under oath, etc.
  • Prepare legal and court transcripts by deciphering and transcribing deposition audio from multiple formats.
  • Order subpoenas for records using ABI s website, log them in as received.
  • Show more

Corporate paralegal example responsibilities.

  • Manage a team of five to prepare over 100 UCC-1 forms to meet a 48 hour deadline.
  • Achieve sole responsibility for administration of all estates and guardianships.
  • Prepare documents such as estoppel certificates, subordination agreements and commencement agreements.
  • Collect and prepare information and draft answers to department litigation including informational statements, pleadings, and affidavits.
  • Involve in all aspects of litigation support including legal research, factual investigations, document review/management, and trial preparation.
  • Analyze and review of new and existing commercial lease agreements, estoppel certificates, subordination and non-disturbance agreements and lease amendments.
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Legal transcriptionist vs corporate paralegal skills

Common legal transcriptionist skills
  • Transcription, 27%
  • Legal Terminology, 15%
  • Dictation, 15%
  • WPM, 14%
  • Headphones, 13%
  • Interrogatories, 5%
Common corporate paralegal skills
  • Litigation, 9%
  • Corporate Governance, 7%
  • Legal Research, 6%
  • Mergers, 5%
  • Securities, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%