Matchmaking: Finding the Right Court Reporter

Court reporting has come a long way since the introduction of the stenograph machine in 1913. Still an essential element of litigation discovery, trial, and government hearings, court reporters and the companies for which they work can now offer a much wider variety of services than ever before. Wherever an accurate transcript of the proceedings is required, court reporters can bring these new skills and services to bear.

It is important to note that there are a multitude of technologies and specialized services being offered by court reporters beyond the basic court reporting offerings. Once you have familiarized yourself with what services are available, you will be better able to engage the right court reporter based upon your particular needs. Each court reporter is unique with specific skill sets and expertise that may or may not be attuned to the requirements of your project.

Real Time

Real time technology is, without a doubt, the most popular "extra" service requested by attorneys, paralegals, and other litigation support staff.

Available through software programs such as Live Note and Summation Blaze, real time allows those present at the deposition to see the transcript as it is being typed by the reporter ­ rather than waiting for the draft or for the final product. Paralegals unable to attend the deposition often find having the transcription in real time to be an essential litigation tool, as it allows them to begin document review while the proceeding is still in progress. In addition, this technology gives second chair attorneys a distinct advantage in the deposition, as they can read back and annotate portions of the testimony without having to stop the proceeding.

Court reporters proficient in these programs can command a higher wage for offering these services at depositions. As a result, court reporting companies generally charge a marginal increase in price when attendees "connect" to the reporter to utilize this service. Potential users should be aware that an order for a real time reporter is considered a commitment to use this service, and, as such, you will be charged for the skill regardless of whether there is an actual connection. The key for both you and the court reporter is that the skill set is matched to the job so it is important to determine whether this service, and the associated extra cost for the specially trained reporter, is necessary for your proceeding.

Expedited Delivery

Most court reporters have the ability to turnaround a transcript instantaneously if requested on site. However, some reporters are more qualified than others to prepare a near perfect transcript immediately. It is generally in the best interest of all parties involved that if you anticipate the potential need for expedited delivery, you convey this to the court reporting agency prior to the proceeding. The agency will then send a court reporter who is highly skilled to perform such service.

Drafts

Requests for same day drafts are another popular "extra" service that can be provided to you. In general, the disappearance of floppy drives from most laptops, and the spread of Blackberrys and other wireless devices have made email the preferred delivery system for such documents. Emailed drafts can also be an attractive alternative to paying a higher fee for an expedited final transcript, provided the attorney simply needs a working draft before the next deposition.

As with other services, when feasible, order drafts in advance to ensure you are provided with a reporter with the most desirable skill sets. Highly skilled reporters produce cleaner rough drafts -­ it is as simple as that. Not only can they adapt to expedited delivery more readily, but it also means that their drafts are essentially as good as a final, minus the formatting, spell check, and certification page. Furthermore, by using a simple email list serve, ordering drafts in advance allows the court reporter and agency to ensure that all those involved in the case receive drafts that same evening of the proceeding, regardless of whether they had attended the deposition. As with real time and expedited delivery, advising the court reporting agency in advance that you will need drafts during the proceeding will ensure that you are assigned the most qualified court reporter.

Conclusion

As outlined above, prior to contacting your court reporting agency, analyze the requirements you anticipate needing during the proceeding. Armed with the proper information, the agency will be able to best provide you with the level of court reporter and services you require. Court reporters vary in skill levels and skill sets. Your objective is to hire the reporter whose skill sets best match your needs. The more information you can provide up front, the smoother the process, from testimony to delivery.