Remote Legal Transcriptionist Jobs – Syracuse, New York – Full‑Time, $45 K‑$55 K, Experienced Court Reporting & Transcription Specialist Needed for Growing Legal Services Team
TITLE: Remote Legal Transcriptionist Jobs – Syracuse, New York – Full‑Time, $45 K‑$55 K, Experienced Court Reporting & Transcription Specialist Needed for Growing Legal Services Team --- We’re a midsized legal‑services firm based out of Syracuse, New York that has spent the last three years building a remote team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff who handle civil litigation, contract disputes, and compliance work for regional businesses. Over the last quarter we added two new corporate clients in the Syracuse area, and that influx has stretched our existing transcription pipeline. Because the accuracy of our transcripts directly affects case deadlines and attorney billing, we need a reliable Remote Legal Transcriptionist who can keep up with the volume and maintain the 99 % accuracy SLA we promise our clients. **Why this role exists right now** In the past six months our docket grew by 22 %, driven by a spike in remote depositions and virtual hearings that many firms are still figuring out. Our current transcriptionists are juggling an average of 18 hours of audio per week each, and the backlog is creeping up to 12 hours of unprocessed recordings per week. To protect our reputation and honor the service‑level agreements we signed with our newest clients in Syracuse, New York, we’re adding a dedicated part‑time to full‑time position that will focus exclusively on legal transcription for court reporting and deposition recordings. **What a typical day looks like** - **Log in** to our secure VPN at the start of your shift (we operate on a flexible schedule, but most of the team works between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST to align with court reporting windows in Syracuse, New York). - **Pull the day’s audio queue** from our Google Drive “Depositions – 2025” folder. You’ll see file types ranging from .wav and .mp3 to .m4a, each averaging 30‑45 minutes. - **Load the file into Express Scribe** (our preferred foot‑pedal‑enabled transcription software) and begin a first‑pass transcription, using Dragon NaturallySpeaking for voice‑to‑text assistance when the speaker is clear. - **Tag speakers** and insert timestamps every two minutes. We use a custom XML schema that feeds directly into our case‑management system, so consistency matters. - **Run a spell‑check and legal‑term review** in Microsoft Word, leveraging the built‑in “Proofing” dictionary plus a custom legal‑terms add‑on that flags anything not in our master glossary (over 5,000 entries). - **Upload the completed .docx** to our secure SharePoint portal, where a senior paralegal runs a final QA pass and tags the file for attorney review. - **Document the turnaround time** in our internal Airtable board: our current SLA is 4 hours from receipt of audio to delivery of a clean transcript. - **Check in with the team** on Slack or Microsoft Teams at the end of the day, noting any tricky passages, speaker overlaps, or background noise that might need a second look. **Who you are** - **Experience**: At least two years of legal transcription or court reporting experience, preferably with a background in civil litigation or corporate law. If you have a certification from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or a similar body, that’s a plus. - **Speed & accuracy**: Minimum typing speed of 80 wpm and a proven track record of maintaining a 99 % accuracy rate on legal documents. We’ll ask for a short sample during the interview process. - **Tools‑savvy**: Comfortable using Express Scribe, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Google Drive, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom (for live transcription requests), and Airtable. Familiarity with DocuSign for getting client approvals is a bonus. - **Work‑style**: Self‑motivated, able to manage a queue of recordings without constant supervision, and comfortable asking clarifying questions via email or video call. You’ll be the link between the courtroom and the attorney’s brief, so clear communication is non‑negotiable. - **Legal knowledge**: Understanding of basic legal terminology, deposition format, and the ability to distinguish between lay testimony and expert opinion. If you’ve transcribed sworn statements before, you’ll feel at home. **What we’ll provide** - **Competitive compensation**: $45 K‑$55 K base salary depending on experience, plus a modest performance bonus tied to SLA adherence. - **Remote‑first setup**: We’ll ship a secure laptop pre‑loaded with Express Scribe, a foot‑pedal, noise‑cancelling headphones, and a VPN client, all at no cost to you. - **Professional development**: Annual budget of $1,200 for courses, certification renewals, or conferences (e.g., NCRA Annual Meeting). - **Clear career path**: After 12 months of consistent performance you can move into a Lead Transcriptionist role, overseeing a small team (currently five people) and assisting with training new hires. - **Benefits**: Health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, and three paid holidays plus two “mental‑health days” each year. **Team size & metrics** Right now our transcription team consists of six full‑time staff members, handling roughly 110 hours of audio per week. The average turnaround time sits at 4.2 hours, just shy of our 4‑hour SLA. By adding you, we aim to push the SLA compliance to 97 % within the next quarter. Our attorney partners have reported a 15 % reduction in billing disputes after we improved transcript accuracy, so your work will have a direct impact on revenue. **A day in the life – a human moment** > “I was transcribing a deposition for a small construction firm in Syracuse, New York when the witness started laughing mid‑answer. I paused, noted the laugh in the timestamp, and later the attorney called me to confirm whether the joke changed the meaning of the testimony. It felt good to be that extra set of eyes—actually hearing the human side of the case, not just the legal jargon.” – Jamie L., Senior Transcriptionist (joined us two years ago) **Why you should consider us over other remote gigs** - **Stability**: Our client base in Syracuse, New York is expanding, and we have three-year contracts with two of the region’s largest manufacturers. That means a steady stream of work, not the feast‑or‑famine cycle you see with some freelance platforms. - **Transparency**: Every week we share a live dashboard showing the number of recordings processed, average turnaround, and error rates. You’ll know exactly how you’re performing and where you can improve. - **Culture**: Even though we’re remote, we hold a monthly virtual “coffee & case study” where anyone can share a tricky transcript, a new shortcut, or just a story about life in Syracuse. It’s casual, no PowerPoint decks, just real conversation. **Application process** 1. **Submit your résumé** and a brief cover letter (max 300 words) explaining why legal transcription matters to you and how your experience aligns with our metrics. 2. **Transcription test**: We’ll send you a 5‑minute excerpt of a deposition to transcribe within 45 minutes. This is not a trap—just a way for us to see your speed and accuracy. 3. **Live interview**: A 30‑minute video call with our Hiring Manager (based in Syracuse, New York) and a senior paralegal. Expect a mix of technical questions (e.g., “How do you handle overlapping speakers?”) and situational ones (e.g., “Tell us about a time you missed a deadline and what you did”). 4. **Reference check**: One or two professional references, preferably someone who can speak to your legal transcription work. 5. **Offer**: If all goes well, you’ll receive an offer within 7 days of your interview. **Key dates** - Application deadline: **Friday, November 29, 2025** (we’ll keep the posting open until the role is filled). - Expected start date: **Monday, December 16, 2025** (or sooner if you’re ready). **A final note** We know remote work can feel isolating, especially when you’re dealing with legal documents that require precision. That’s why we’ve built a small, tight‑knit team that checks in daily, shares tips, and celebrates wins with a quick “transcription of the week” shout‑out in Slack. If you’re looking for a role where your typing skills directly support attorneys in Syracuse, New York, and you enjoy the quiet focus of listening to courtroom audio, we’d love to meet you. --- **Ready to apply?** Click the “Apply Now” button, attach your résumé, and let us know how many years you’ve spent transcribing legal material. If you have any questions about the tech stack, the workload, or our team culture, feel free to email [email protected]. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours. Welcome to a career where the only thing louder than the courtroom is the impact you’ll make for our clients in Syracuse, New York. Apply tot his job