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Legal transcriptionist vs summer associate

The differences between legal transcriptionists and summer associates 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 summer associate. Additionally, a legal transcriptionist has an average salary of $48,622, which is higher than the $42,349 average annual salary of a summer associate.

The top three skills for a legal transcriptionist include transcription, legal terminology and dictation. The most important skills for a summer associate are powerpoint, litigation, and financial models.

Legal transcriptionist vs summer associate overview

Legal TranscriptionistSummer Associate
Yearly salary$48,622$42,349
Hourly rate$23.38$20.36
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs6,0477,546
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
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 summer associate do?

Summer associates are law students hired seasonally by law firms. The aim is for future lawyers to be exposed to the practical aspects of a firm. Typically, this program lasts for nine weeks, beginning in May and running through July. Summer associates are expected to be friendly and kind to people, preserve company reputation, support other associates, and perform legal tasks appropriately.

Legal transcriptionist vs summer associate salary

Legal transcriptionists and summer associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Legal TranscriptionistSummer Associate
Average salary$48,622$42,349
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $22,000 And $81,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Crowell & Moring
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between legal transcriptionist and summer associate education

There are a few differences between a legal transcriptionist and a summer associate in terms of educational background:

Legal TranscriptionistSummer Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessLaw
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Legal transcriptionist vs summer associate demographics

Here are the differences between legal transcriptionists' and summer associates' demographics:

Legal TranscriptionistSummer Associate
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 6.5% Female, 93.5%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between legal transcriptionist and summer associate 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

Summer associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage client expenses and prepare billing and financial statements using PClaw and reconcile attorney's escrow and general accounts using QuickBooks.
  • Gather and analyze statutes, decisions, legal articles and codes using Lexis Nexis research software.
  • Perform citation checks and proofread supervisor's work before publishing.
  • Proofread, edit, and research various issues relate to a forthcoming law review article submission focusing on animal law
  • Perform firm strategy research and create PowerPoint presentations for management and executive teams.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations on regulatory and policy matters affecting the health care industry.
  • Show more

Legal transcriptionist vs summer associate skills

Common legal transcriptionist skills
  • Transcription, 27%
  • Legal Terminology, 15%
  • Dictation, 15%
  • WPM, 14%
  • Headphones, 13%
  • Interrogatories, 5%
Common summer associate skills
  • PowerPoint, 16%
  • Litigation, 13%
  • Financial Models, 12%
  • Due Diligence, 6%
  • Legal Memos, 5%
  • Private Equity, 4%