No one likes surprises especially a member of your legal team like the court reporter. The more you keep them in the loop on scheduling and preparation, the better for you and your case. It will save time in getting a final deposition transcript delivered and will build a solid working relationship with a trusted reporter.

Scheduling

Be sure they have time on their schedule for your client’s deposition by notifying the court reporting agency. Include the time and place and notify them of changes or cancellation. If you anticipate a lengthy deposition, let them know so they can make appropriate arrangements for child care, pet care, and other personal obligations.

Witnesses

It’s important your witness understands their role in the deposition and delivers what you need them to deliver as efficiently as possible.

• Answer the questions asked, nothing more.
• Speak clearly.
• Avoid non-words like uh-huh and gestures like nodding.

If it’s an expert witness, they know a lot about their area of expertise and can be wordier than you’d like during deposition. Encourage them to directly answer what is asked in as few words as possible. It will help to have them review reports and evidence prior to the deposition so there is limited need for clarification.

The more you prepare witnesses, expert or otherwise, the better for your case. From a reporter perspective, it saves time and gets the final transcript to you sooner.

Preparation

You’ve scheduled the deposition and prepared witnesses. Now it’s time to make sure everyone has what they need.

• Have witnesses reviewed pertinent evidence and reports?
• Does the reporter have accurate information about the time and place of deposition?
• Does the reporter have what they need in terms of technology and hardware?

It’s helpful to provide witness information ahead of the proceedings so there’s no time wasted on clarifying the spelling of names. Also let the reporter know if you need a legal videographer or interpreter and if it’s a technical or expert witness, provide terminology ahead of time so the reporter can familiarize themselves.

Reporters are good at their jobs and they are thorough. Providing a case caption ahead of time will be one less item they need post-deposition. That means you can get the draft of the transcript sooner which benefits you and your client.

When you call your Phoenix reporting agency, be as specific about the needs of your case as you can be so that we can match you with the right court reporter. Ready for your next deposition? Contact us today!

Social media has become a part of the professional landscape and whether you’re just starting to test the waters or a social media junkie, you can use it to build your professional reputation, showcase your skills, and make new networking connections. How you use social media makes the difference between building a reputation for professionalism and committing career suicide.

Social Media Tips for Court Reporters

Your updates aren’t just a social commentary or for fun, they’re a reflection of you and your business. Be conscious of what you’re posting and think about who may see it. It might change what you’re posting.

Content matters. Whether you’re tweeting, posting blog articles, or sharing content on Facebook, be aware of how you want to be perceived. Pay special attention to your spelling and grammar. As a court reporter, demonstrating accuracy is vital. Careless errors call your accuracy into question.

Separating business and personal. Having a social media presence can certainly help build your career. It will be up to you whether you choose to separate your personal and professional presence. Consider if you want to share photos of your kid’s baseball game or your sunrise birthday party with your professional contacts and if you want to share your professional posts with your friends and family. Even if you do separate your accounts, remember that professional contacts may still be able to see some of your personal posts. As a good rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it.

Communication takes two. The key word in social media is social. Social media isn’t about broadcasting a monologue but about fostering a conversation. Good content will naturally drive conversation, giving you a chance to demonstrate your knowledge and professionalism.

Ready to listen. Part of any conversation is listening. Social media can be a wealth of information. In addition to building your own reputation, you can learn best practices from other seasoned court reporters.

Finally, a good rule of thumb when it comes to posting, always keep in mind the image you are creating. Your posts should be a clear reflection of the image you want to put forth whether that’s your role as a grandmother or as a highly regarded court reporter.

If you’re a court reporter seeking more clients or an attorney in need of a court reporter, contact us today.

While attention to detail and accuracy are keys to being a great court reporter, they aren’t the only characteristics that set this profession apart from the rest. Here are qualities we think make a great court reporter.

1. Passion for learning. Whether you’re expanding your vocabulary or studying industry trends, court reporters are constantly learning. It makes you more marketable if you can illustrate your willingness to utilize new technology like real-time reporting. That translates to financial incentive for you.
2. Focus. If you can concentrate on one subject or person for long period of time, this is a good profession for you. Court reporting requires listening to and recording testimony for hours, sometimes over a period of days. For some people this type of work is exhausting but for you it’s your passion.
3. Organized. Whether you’re in a courtroom, boardroom, or working from home, you need to be organized so you know when to be at a deposition or appointment, even if it’s virtually. This is especially true if you’re covering more than one case. We recommend an online calendar and an app on your phone so you know where you need to be at all times. If you work from home, the calendar can also serve as work and non-work blocks of time so you know when to schedule time with family and friends.  
4. Punctual. A colleague once told me that being early was actually on time and being on time was late. While I am not always perfect, I try my best to be on time. As a court reporter, you cannot be late to depositions. If you’re working virtually, build in time to check technology so you can troubleshoot early and start on time. Witnesses and attorneys are counting on you.
5. Confidentiality. You will likely hear information that is not meant for public consumption and should be kept private. Not only should you act maturely when you hear the testimony, no matter how juvenile it might be, you should also keep it confidential. You’re just there to record what it said, not comment on it.

As a court reporter, it’s your job to be focused and maintain a level of confidentiality that is professional. Continue this as you review and proofread the transcription. Your accuracy could be the difference in the case.

Are you thinking of becoming a court reporter or need to hire a court reporter for an upcoming case? Contact us today!