About: Leilani Drost

Nolo’s goal has always been to publish quality content to give users accurate information on the legal issues they may face. A year ago, Nolo was acquired by Internet Brands, which maintains thousands of legal websites. The legal editors were given a daunting task:  Make sure the legal content on these sites lives up to the Nolo standards. This includes research, editing, and an overall makeover of the site.

So, when Google released its latest update, Penguin, we were a bit confused. One site in particular that was hit stands out: USImmigrationLawyers.com. The editor in charge of the site spent 10 months rewriting articles, posting new relevant content, and creating a reliable site for users to find out information on green cards, visas, work permits, and almost anything you would need to know about immigration.

Even more confusing are the new search results in Google. USImmigrationLawyers.com used to rank in the first two results for “ADIT Processing.” Now, when I search “ADIT Processing,” the first three sites are forums. Although, I do find forums interesting, they don’t always give accurate, timely information written by experts. Also, the government site wasn’t even in the top three results! Our ADIT Processing article now ranks #4ish.

Ilona Bray wrote all four of our Immigration books, and has years of experience as an attorney.  Her article should be more authoritative than a mishmash of forum posts.

Anyway, I do understand Google’s concern with web spam and its impossible task to give users the best search results, because this is what we strive for at Nolo.  But I think they are still missing a few steps.

Nolo is seeking an attorney-editor to edit and create content for a divorce-related website. We want someone who can edit and update a collection of articles or write new ones as assigned by Nolo.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Law degree
• Two or more years of experience in family law
• Experience editing and writing legal content for a non-lawyer audience, and the ability to translate statutes and other legalese into plain English for non-lawyers
• The ability to read and understand legal materials
• Experience editing and writing for websites
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently.

This is a contract position, approximately half-time.

Please submit resume to:  applications@nolo.com

If we are interested in your application, we will call you for a phone interview and ask you to take an editing test or write a sample article.

This is a follow-up post to our blog about writing for Nolo. This is the job description:

Legal Writers Wanted

Nolo, the oldest and foremost publisher of self-help legal books and software for consumers, and Internet Brands, a leader in online publishing for vertical markets, are seeking writers with a strong legal background to contribute well-written, informative articles to our portfolio of legal websites. These articles will require the ability to read and understand specific legal issues and statutes, and translate them into plain English for a general audience. Demonstrated legal expertise is required.

This is a 100% freelance, telecommuting position. Assignments, writing, editing, and submissions are all handled through our online system. All you need is a computer, internet access, and the ability to deliver clean, concise copy on a variety of legal topics.

Requirements include:

• Ability to write in a professional, authoritative tone.
• Legal experience is a must. (Please see below for specifications)
• Strong research and fact checking skills.
• Attention to detail and the desire to help provide accurate legal information to the online audience.

We are currently looking for strong writers with expertise in the following areas:

• Bankruptcy Law – Must have a law degree and bankruptcy experience (preferably Chapter 7 or Chapter 13), be able to read and understand specific legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style.
• Criminal Defense Law – Must be a lawyer with experience as a prosecutor or criminal defense attorney, able to understand statutes and case law, and capable of writing articles for a lay audience.
• Disability Law – Must have disability law experience (lawyer, paralegal, etc.), be able to read and understand specific legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style.
• Family/Divorce Law – Must have divorce/family law experience, either as a lawyer or a paralegal with at least three years in the field of family law. Must be able read and understand legal materials, and translate statutes and other legalese into plain English for non-lawyers, in the form of articles and FAQs.
• Foreclosure Law - Must have foreclosure law experience (lawyer, paralegal, etc.), be able to read and understand specific legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style.
• Immigration - Must be actively engaged in immigration law practice (as a lawyer or paralegal), be familiar with immigration-related codes, regulations, and current policies, and be able to write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style for laypersons.
• Landlord/Tenant Law - Must have landlord/tenant law experience (lawyer, paralegal, etc.), be able to read and understand specific legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style.
• Personal Injury Law – Must have personal injury law experience (lawyer, paralegal, etc.), be able to read and understand specific legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easily digestible style.
• Real Estate Law - Must have real estate law experience (lawyer, paralegal), be able to understand identified legal statutes, and write articles on the subject in an easy-to-understand style.
• Small Business Law - Must be a lawyer with small business law experience. Must understand business law issues and be able to write articles that are legally accurate, relevant, and comprehensive.
• Tax Law - Must be a lawyer with tax law experience. Must understand tax law issues and be able to write articles that are legally accurate, relevant, and comprehensive.

To apply, simply click the following link: https://www.knowledgewriting.com/. (Make sure to submit to one of the specialty areas listed above.)

Rates will vary, and start at $25 and up based on assignment. If you have any other questions, feel free to send an e-mail to applications@nolo.com.