Certified Court Reporters: Under-Marketed Yet Indispensable Professionals

1. Certified Court Reporters: Under-Marketed Yet Indispensable Professionals By：Elizabeth Gallo Court Reporting, LLC

2. Court reporting is a lucrative profession that is considered as an integral part of the legal process. However, only a few are aware of its essence and existence. Being under-marketed makes the court reporting industry experience a critical drop. This has led to a shortage of demand and at the same time an increase in employment opportunities for new national court reporters • Not all professionals get the recognition and spotlight they deserve. For instance, a ghost singer who sings backstage and whose voice is used by the singer acting on stage does not receive the right recognition that his singing voice deserves. In the legal arena, the national court reporters are among those considered as underrated and under-marketed professionals.

4. The fact is, court reporters are also indispensable professionals who play a critical role in the litigation process. Like other prominent professionals like doctors, teachers, lawyers, and dentists whose programs are often marketed by the schools and universities to their students, court reporting programs also deserve the same level of marketing. Whether you are a lawyer in practice or a student who is still thinking about what career path to take, this post is perfect for you. Here, you will learn the important basic facts about court reporters. Despite being in the modern days, many people still don’t know and understand the importance of the presence of a talented, experienced, professional, and certified court reporter in legal proceedings. Even some lawyers and attorneys believe that they do not need a court reporter to take records of the proceedings because there are other less expensive and easier options available like using a video or audio recording system

5. What is a court reporter? A court reporter is a professional whose work involves capturing or transcribing verbatim everything that is being said during legal proceedings like court hearings, legislative assemblies and committees, arbitrations, trials, depositions, and other official proceedings. They also produce word-for-word documentation or written record or transcript of the proceeding. Court reporters basically use a word processor with a modified 22-button keyboard known as a steno machine in recording spoken words. Some court reporters use other tools and technology other than the steno machine like voice writing equipment and video and audio recording systems. Sometimes, the court reporters are also asked to read back evidence or verbatim statements before the court during the legal hearings.

6. The role of a court reporter Court reporters, also known as a shorthand reporter or stenographer, are the official keeper of court proceeding records. They are an integral part of the legal process. Judges, lawyers, and even litigants rely on the court reporter’s accurate transcriptions when verifying testimony or reviewing the case. Aside from that, they are also considered as the lifeblood of the legal discovery and depositions business. One other important role of a court reporter is to make sure that the rights of all the people involved in the legal proceeding are protected.

8. Where do court reporters work? Although court reporters are often seen working inside the courtroom, they are not limited to taking records during court proceedings alone. Court reporting firms also offer various services that enable court reporters to work in a variety of places. Court reporters also work in legislatures for state or local governments. They also offer services for corporate proceedings or meetings that require an official legal transcript. Highly trained and skilled court reporters can also provide real-time captions during a video conference or live television programs.

10. Shortage of court reporters Because of being under-marketed and less known to young people, only a few took up court reporting programs. The continuous drop in enrollment and graduation rates has forced some stenographic schools to close. Not to mention the number of retiring court reporters. This has led to a critical shortage of skilled court reporters. In the “Court Reporting Industry Outlook Report” presented by Ducker Worldwide, the United States experience around 5,500 shortage of certified court reporting positions in 2018. Georgia, in particular, experience around100 court reporters in 2018. In order to fill in the shortage, many court reporting agencies and courts in the US turn to using digital recording tools and technologies. Although effective, these technologies still can’t equate to human court reporters.

11. Career opportunities for new court reporters Despite the transition of some courts in the US to digital court reporting and as more and more people understand the essential role the court reporters play in legal proceedings, the demand for court reporters still continues to increase. This creates more employment opportunities for those aspiring to pursue the court reporting path. Aside from a lucrative career, this industry also offers a secured future for new court reporters.

12. Atlanta court reporters are not just idle individuals in the legal world but are also indispensable professionals who possess remarkable mental processing skills, alertness, and quickness essential in keeping accurate records of the proceeding. Though only a few truly understand their importance, they are considered the lifeblood of the legal discovery and depositions business. That is why, despite the availability of recording gadgets and other technologies that can instantly take a record of legal proceedings, court reporters still remain to be the most efficient and official record keeper. To encourage more professionals and young people to pursue a career in court reporting, schools and other related public or private institutions should work hand in hand to market and promote it.

13. 2900 Chamblee Tucker Rd Building 13, Atlanta, GA 30341 https://www.georgiareporting.com/ . Elizabeth Gallo Court Reporting, LLC Toll-Free Phone: 866.689.1837 Monday to Friday -> 8 AM to 6 PM

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