Journalist Article Submission

Freelegalaid is seeking freelance writers to submit current event news articles on a regular basis.  We want journalists, not general article writers.  The articles should be newsworthy, based on relevant news, and newspaper quality.  We do not want so-called articles that one would find on "how to' sites.

For purposes of the News section of our site, we seek journalism about current issues, events, or unique articles of interest of a legal subject.

We pay $10-$40 per article.  Articles must be unique, not something used on any other site.  Article pay will depend on length, links to useful resources, and quotes by experts.  You may submit articles on a regular basis and we will make an offer of publication within 24 hours of submission (M-F).

Examples of types of articles that would be appropriate:

  • New supreme court decisions
  • New laws, state or federal
  • New legal decisions from various state and federal courts
  • Press about law clinics being launched
  • Press about law school issues
  • Press about topics that are tangental to law but have a legal element (finance, politics, white collar crime, etc.)

If you are interested in submitting articles, start by sending an article that you would like us to publish, along with your CV or Bio.  We will then reply with an offer of publication.  Submit to: info@freelegalaid.com

Once you have accepted an offer of publication, create an account and email info@freelegalaid.com  with your username, and a request to update your credentials to "writer" status.  Once updated, be sure to complete your biographical information, add a photo and follow the instructions here for adding additional articles: http://www.freelegalaid.com/p/writer-instructions-4519

Be sure you choose "create content" and then "news article" not "article" as the content type.  

Here is an example of a $20 article (2 quotes and 2 links out):

America Invents Act

Patent law to change, patent rules allow rights to go to the first to file, not first to invent.

In a sweeping new act, Congress has passed the AIA, or America Invents Act [link to act].  [overview of AIA]  The AIA brings major changes to the way things have operated in the patent world for many decades.  Of particular note is the fact that the rights to a patent will go to the first to file a patent application, not the first to invent.  John Smith, a 20 year patent attorney in Illinois, said that "this change is going to greatly benefit larger corporations because they will file as they invent, and not have to worry about a small individual later claiming that he came up with the idea first."  While the law will help large companies secure patents without concern over this type of problem, some feel that the AIA will hamper the small inventor, who previously could have preserved his rights to the patent by keeping copious records of his invention, maintaining confidentiality and waiting to file a patent until he had the financial capability to do so.  Jane Doe, an attorney in Livermore, California, said that "this law will kill innovation from microbusinesses.  It strips away the right of a solo inventor from obtaining a patent on his invention and forces him to file before he has finished development and before he has the money to file."  Ms. Doe runs the IP Clinic at ABC Law School [link] which represents small business owners in intellectual property issues on a pro bono basis.  [more about first to invent issue].  The AIC comes into effect on [date].  [more about the AIA].  [Conclusion]

Longer articles with more quotes, links and content are paid at a higher rate, up to $40.00.