Freelance stenographer for hearings and meetings

Law firms, barristers' chambers, arbitration and mediation bodies, corporate legal teams and organisations running formal inquiries or board meetings.

Attendance fee per hour or half or full day, plus a per-page charge for the finished transcript. Faster turnaround and live (real-time) feeds usually bring a higher rate.

• High-speed stenography on a steno machine
• Excellent spelling, grammar and legal vocabulary
• Concentration and discretion with confidential material

• Many courts use contracted digital recording providers, so check which hearings are open to freelancers in your state
• Confidentiality, suppression orders and privilege, so check what your clients require and keep files secure
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, since errors in a transcript can have serious consequences
• Training takes a long time to build up to professional speed, so plan for months before you can take paid work
• Work can be uneven, with busy hearing weeks and quiet gaps

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $12,000, depending on your stenotype machine, software, insurance and training. Training takes a long time, so plan for months before you can take paid work.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many hearings and meetings you attend. Work can be uneven, with busy hearing weeks and quiet gaps.

Check which hearings are open to freelancers in your state, as many courts use contracted digital recording providers. Also check confidentiality, suppression orders and privilege requirements, and professional indemnity and public liability insurance.