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1. Punctuality: the best court reporters show up to the given venue on time or a few minutes early
2. Confidentiality: court reporters are involved in different types of legal actions and often the testimony being recorded is confidential and private information. Good court reporters understand the necessity of not repeating information heard in a proceeding.
3. Neutrality: court reporters must remain neutral on the cases they are reporting on. Court reporters need to realize that they are there to report what is spoken and not express opinions on the different facets of the case.
4. Business Etiquette: the best court reporters are polite and use good business etiquette to dress appropriately for court and introduce people in situations where the parties do not know each other
5. Grammar, Punctuation, and Proofreading: Court reporters understand punctuation rules and how to apply them to oral testimonies.
6. Assertiveness: Court reporters need to speak up if a witness needs to speak louder and make requests from parties such as spellings of street names, cities, or streets mentioned in the proceeding at the end of the deposition
7. Organizational skills: Many court reporters work independently and control their own schedule and workload so they need to manage the information obtained from proceedings and ensure that transcripts are delivered on time.
8. Time Management: Good court reporters know how to organize their schedules and manage their time to deliver accurate court transcripts.
9. Customer Service: Providing good customer service ensures that there is a friendly working relationship with clients and that court reporters can gain repeat business.
10. Shorthand Writing Skills: The best court reporters are great at writing shorthand and try to increase their skills by obtaining higher certifications and improving their skills.

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More than 60% of court reporters and captioners make at least $60,000 annually with salaries projected to increase by 14% through 2020. The new certificate programs will enable students to prepare for jobs in the court systems and careers in closed captioning and television closed captioning.

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Court reporters can now filter their shorthand through computers to provide judges, attorneys and clients with instantaneous, understandable transcripts.

Today’s court reporters are able to filter their shorthand through computers to provide judges, attorneys and clients with instantaneous, understandable transcripts. No other technology can come close. Truth be told, the incident that inspired this discussion probably would have been curtailed had the court been using the real-time method. Traditionally, stenography is expanded into a readable transcript following the day’s events. But real-time uses computer software to instantaneously translate shorthand into understandable English. The text then scrolls across the laptop or tablet, much like captioning on a television.

In recent years, court systems have struggled to contain costs. Even in courts that have been forced to implement more affordable methods of record keeping, court reporters nearly always remain in place for complex civil litigation and felony criminal proceedings, because they are the most reliable in high stakes situations. Likewise, in the deposition setting, outside of the courts, where true market demand is at play, court reporters remain the overwhelming choice for attorneys because they know there is no substitute for what we do.

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In 2013 Ducker released a report letting it be known that late 2019 and early 2020, the industry would begin feeling the effects.
Projections indicate that the shortage will represent nearly 5,500 qualified reporters. But why would such a lucrative industry experience this kind of shortage?

There are several factors at play:

• Increased demand in the legal field — Despite the steady transition of some courts to digital reporting, increased legal activity has driven the demand for qualified court reporters higher.
• Increased demand in other industries — A growing number of fields (including business, politics, medicine, professional sports, television and many more) require real-time court reporters and transcriptions of conferences, seminars and video.
• Significant retirement rates — The median age of working court reporters is 51 years old. This is almost ten years older than the median age of workers in all occupations: 42 years old. Additionally, 70% of the court reporting population is 46 years or older. This contributes to significant retirement rates in the industry.
• Low education and enrollment rates — Court reporting schools across the nation have reported a steady decrease in enrollment over the last two decades. The schools attribute this trend to low-awareness and the push toward four-year degree programs.

With high demand, high retirement and low enrollment, there just are not enough reporters to go around. All of these factors contribute to the imminent court reporter shortage, despite the rewarding opportunities the industry offers.

Industry Impact

There is an ongoing debate right now between legislators, legal professionals and court reporters as to whether this shortage will have significant impact on the legal industry and the court reporting industry. Many legislators tend to dismiss the concern over the shortage. They argue that the advent of digital recording technology will make court reporting an unnecessary, outdated profession.  It is true that many courts are incorporating digital recording and voice recognition technology. But is court reporting really dying out? Will technology save us from the shortage?

The answer is no. As every experienced lawyer (and most experienced judges) recognize: qualified human court reporters continue to be indispensable to the legal process. All too frequently, digital recordings lead to garbled testimony and equipment failures. Without human judgment, digital recordings are unable to detect the nuances of human language with 100% accuracy. Technological advances provide useful tools for court reporters. However, current digital technology is just too limited and fallacious to be solely relied upon.

What This Means for Reporters

All this begs the question: What impact will this shortage have on current and prospective court reporters? Current court reporters will experience an increased demand for their services. Court reporting firms and freelance reporters will likely encounter more and more opportunities for business. Some experienced professionals may even find themselves caught up in bidding wars for their expertise. However, as demand rises and professionals retire, court reporting firms and legal firms will find it increasingly difficult to hire qualified, quality reporters.

Prospective court reporters will find themselves entering a lucrative career with boundless opportunity. There are countless benefits to pursuing court reporting:

• Less demanding education requirements — An expensive, four-year college education is not necessary to become a court reporter. While continued education is valuable, most certification programs are two years in duration. There are many online education opportunities as well. Additionally, court reporters are competitively employable right out of school. In terms of education, this translates to high financial reward for less financial risk.
• High earning potential — The earning potential for a court reporter right out of school is an average of $40,000 nationwide, and this number drastically increases with experience. In fact, reporters who invest in continued education and advanced certification typically earn six-figure salaries.
• Freelance options — With the variety of industries in need of court reporters, professionals have the opportunity to create freelance careers. This freelance path can be very rewarding and enables professionals to choose their own hours and create flexible schedules for themselves.
• Stable career, growing demand and increased opportunities — As the Ducker Worldwide report indicates, court reporters are in demand. Young professionals in the field will benefit from the various opportunities of this market. New court reporters will be embarking upon a lucrative and stable career.

Low awareness among young prospects contributes greatly to the current court reporter shortage.  To help overcome this, the industry would benefit greatly by making itself more visible. If court reporting firms, seasoned reporters, and schools more effectively advocate for the benefits of this career path, perhaps awareness and interest will begin to spread. Court reporting can be a fulfilling, lucrative career, and with the current shortage, opportunities for young professionals are boundless.

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A career as a court reporter is a good choice for those who are looking into the criminal justice field. A court reporter can perform a wide variety of jobs with a degree. Their primary function is the recording of court proceedings in the judicial system. However, they can also transcribe business meetings, depositions and pretrial cases, and provide close-captioning to the hard-of-hearing as well as translation services.

A court reporter who works in the judicial court system will transcribe the spoken words that occur during a court procedure. This will include what is said by the judge, lawyers, accused, witnesses, etc. They will also prepare these official transcripts so the lawyers, judges, and litigants in the case can use them. A court reporter is responsible for recording every detail of the conversation so that they can certify that what they transcribed is accurate. The transcripts will then be filed as the official documentation of the court procedure.

A court reporter working within the judicial system will also need to have certain personal skills. They should be able to communicate well with those around them, stay organized and motivated, and have excellent time management skills. They will be required to work in high-pressure cases, many of which become public on the news or in print. A court reporter will be responsible for transcribing a proceeding in detail, and there will not be room for any errors, since this will be the only written account of the trial or court appearance. These documents are essential to the judicial system.

A court reporter’s job is not restricted to working in the courts. Freelancing is an option for graduates of this field. Lawyers and large corporations may hire a court reporter for a freelance position to record depositions, stockholder minutes, and other legal meetings that take place. This is especially important between some companies and their clients, as they may need to have an accurate report of any negotiations that go on.

A court reporter will conduct their job by using a stenotype machine, as well as a computer. A stenotype is a machine that uses a special type of shorthand and the sounds of words as a way to record a conversation. A CAD program, or computer-aided transcription, will then be used on the computer. This transmits the information from the stenotype into English for review and storage. With much advancement in computer software, a court reporter is now able to use a program that will show the transcript on a computer screen, even while the event is being transcribed. This is known as CART, or communication access real-time translation. This is especially important for those who may have trouble hearing, or who are deaf, to understand what is happening in the procedure.

Court reporters may also use a stenograph machine to enter in the captions for live television broadcasts. This is for the benefit of people at home who may be interested in a live program, but are hard-of-hearing or legally deaf. Close captioning will allow them to read across the bottom of their television screens what is going on. This job is known as Broadcast Captioners or sometimes Stenocaptioners.

The field of court reporters is exciting, and an excellent choice for many. It is challenging and offers graduates many different job opportunities in many areas of the law and even television

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Punishment for the court reporter, April Shepard, will be determined by the Kansas Supreme Court, which could issue a public reprimand or impose more serious consequences.

The Board of Examiners of Court Reporters recommended discipline after Shepard admitted to violating a rule that requires court reporters to be impartial. A hearing in April on whether to keep any punishment private involved a volley of shots from Shepard’s attorney directed toward Keen and Eileen Umbehr, a couple known for their relentless advocacy for Chandler’s release.

The board rejected Shepard’s arguments in a ruling last week, saying the court reporter “should have known that her comments would carry the strength of real or imagined authority because of her official role in the trial and the fact that she had a front-row seat to observe all the evidence.”

Chandler was arrested in 2011 and charged with the murders of her ex-husband, Michael Sisco, and his fiancee, Karen Harkness, who were killed in Topeka in 2002. A jury convicted Chandler in 2012 in a highly publicized trial that was featured on the CBS TV show “48 Hours.”

In 2018, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned the convictions because deputy district attorney Jacqie Spradling led the jury to believe a protection from abuse order was issued to prevent Chandler from stalking Sisco. The abuse order didn’t exist.

Chandler is awaiting retrial in the case. Keen Umbehr, an attorney and former Libertarian candidate for governor, works for Chandler to help her with legal research, but he doesn’t represent Chandler.

In 2016, while the case was under appeal, Shepard entered debate about Chandler’s guilt on Keen Umbehr’s Facebook page. Shepard had changed employment by then from Shawnee to Wyandotte County District Court.

Shepard asserted her role as the court reporter in multiple comments to bolster her opinion that Chandler was guilty and would be convicted again if granted a new trial.

“I’m confident they got the right perpetrator in this case,” Shepard wrote. “Look, I was there, I reported that whole case. I saw firsthand this case.”

In another comment, Shepard acknowledged Spradling “pushed a little too far at times” but maintained Chandler is the “the only one that could have done it.”

“She had a major axe to grind with Karen Harkness and Mike Sisco for she stalked them repeatedly,” Shepard wrote, a reference to the false information Spradling offered at trial.

A complaint against Spradling is pending before the attorney disciplinary board.

Shepard also praised the integrity of Judge Nancy Parrish, who presided over the murder trial and denied multiple motions to recuse herself from the retrial. Parrish eventually relinquished the case because of a scheduled surgery.

James Chappas, the attorney representing Shepard, said public censure would be excessive punishment for Shepard’s comments. The court reporter didn’t resort to namecalling or show malicious intent.

Also important, Chappas said, is “the 800-pound elephant in the room, which is the Dana Chandler case itself.”

Chandler “has a cult following associated with this case, and it is the Umbehr family,” Chappas said. “And you look at their Facebook posts, they hold themselves out as holy warriors. And I’m not making this up. Check it out. They hold themselves out as holy warriors and that God has anointed them to come down and to vindicate Dana Chandler.”

Chappas expressed concern that the Umbehrs would weaponize punishment of Shepard in a smear campaign.

Eileen Umbehr, who attended the hearing, said the couple wasn’t responsible for the ethics complaint against Shepard and had no interest in targeting the court reporter.

The couple hasn’t attended church in more than three decades, Eileen Umbehr said, and they advocate for Chandler out of a belief in doing what is right.

“If you have any faith at all, it is something you should do if you think someone is being railroaded,” Eileen Umbehr said. “He mocked us. He mocked God. He mocked Dana.”

Chappas also has inserted himself into Facebook discussions with the Umbehrs, including a jab at Keen Umbehr’s previous profession as a trash collector.

“Has he been overcome by years of fumes from the back of the gunch truck?” Chappas wrote in one comment.

In another comment, directed to Keen Umbehr, Chappas said: “I don’t care about your opinion on the case and your arrogance to keep pounding FB with it. You may think you are some credit to the legal profession but you are regarded as a nut by most of us.”

Todd Thompson, who investigated Shepard’s comments for the disciplinary board, argued that public reprimand was necessary to serve notice to other court reporters and court staff employees that discretion and impartiality should be taken seriously.

“There’s a bit of an irony here that the reporter is asking for private discipline when it relates to an episode where public comments were made about a pending case,” Thompson said.

The five-member board, including Shawnee County District Judge Evelyn Wilson, recommended public reprimand for Shepard.

“The actions taken by respondent surrounded on particular — and highly publicized — murder trial for which the respondent took the official record,” the board determined. “Shepard’s Facebook comments could not have been more clearly partial against the defendant in that case.”

Doug Weller, a communications specialist for the Kansas Supreme Court, said the court would consider the board’s recommendation during an administrative session without oral arguments.

Discipline could include public reprimand, probation, professional education, suspension of a court reporter’s certificate, or revocation of the certificate.

Eileen Umbehr said Shepherd’s comments about Chandler’s guilt carried more weight because she was speaking as the court reporter who heard and recorded all of the evidence at the 2012 trial.

“These statements from an officer of the court were prejudicial to Dana Chandler and jeopardized the protection of her constitutional right to a fair retrial,” Eileen Umbehr said.

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Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement of 1998

$206 billion payable over a period of 25 years was the settlement amount for one of the largest lawsuits ever against a manufacturer. In addition to paying the medical expenses for many smokers, the settlement money was also used to establish anti-smoking campaigns.

BP Oil Spill

The case involving the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and BP oil resulted in a $42 million payout. The spill occurred in 2010 and released almost 5 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Much of the settlement received in this case was used for the clean-up and restoration of the environment.

The Smartphone Patent Wars Between Apple and Samsung

Patent law and the resulting patent disputes are both complex and extremely costly. The case between Apple and Samsung resulted in a $40 billion settlement. Between 2011 and 2012, Apple and Samsung battled in court with Apple eventually winning the case. Many cases are still being heard in court.

Wildenstein Divorce Settlement

The divorce between Alec and Jocelyn Wildenstein in 1999 made headlines with one of the largest divorce settlements in history. Jocelyn received $2.5 billion, plus a yearly annuity of $100 million for the next 13 years.

The McMartin Preschool Trial

The McMartin Preschool Trial involved allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against several preschool teachers at the McMartin Preschool in Manhattan Beach, California. Over the course of six years of trials in criminal court, the court ruled in favor of the teachers and all charges were dropped. The result was one of the costliest court cases in history topping out at almost $15 million.

The costs associated with court are numerous. When you think of some of these settlements, consider how much is awarded to the plaintiff and what portion goes to pay for the process of taking a case to court and to pay for legal service. Due process isn’t cheap, but in many cases, it is well worth the price

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The School Doesn’t Need NCRA Approval

The standards set by the National Court Reporters Association are minimum, which means that some schools touting themselves as NCRA-approved are really only meeting minimum requirements. It does not guarantee a quality education. On the other hand, some schools choose not to go through the approval process but still offer a quality education. The best way to measure whether a court reporting school has the right program for you is to look at its graduation rates and online reviews. If you can, it may also help to talk to former students and ask how they have fared in their career since graduating from the school.

You Will Learn a Theory

Theory is one of the most important considerations when choosing a court reporting school because it is the most important component of your training. Theory determines how accurate you are, how quickly you build speed and how accurate your translations will be in real time. Many schools now offer online studying and use the court reporting at home theory, which is approved by the NCRA.

It Will Take Some Time

Most court reporting schools claim their programs take about two years. However, the NCRA finds that most students actually take between three and five years to complete their training and graduate. It is believed this is because the schools tend to emphasize non-essentials such as associate degrees not relative to the field. When deciding on a school, ask about the average length of time for graduation instead of how long the program claims to be.

You Will Spend Money

Traditional court reporting schools report tuition costs of up to $57,000, largely in part due to hiring administrative staff, deans and other administrators that are not court reporters themselves. The more affordable route to choose would be one based on a local community college or an at-home training program. If you choose to take on court reporting training, remember to factor in the costs outside of tuition. You may need to purchase or rent equipment, buy textbooks or factor in other costs. If you attend a properly accredited school, you may qualify for government financial aid, which can lessen costs, but which you’ll also have to pay back once you graduate.

You Should Have an Internship

To get the most out of your education, search for a court reporting program that can set you up with an internship or externship. These types of opportunities allow you to gain experience by working directly beside a certified court reporter who can show you the ropes, provide tips and answer your questions about the career. It will also help you begin to build a network that makes it easier to transition from student to career professional.

You Will Become Certified

Once you complete your training, you will become certified. There are several types of certifications, so ensure the program you choose offers the one you hope to achieve. Some of the most common ones include registered professional reporter, registered merit reporter and registered diplomate reporter. The latter is available to those have earned a different type of certification, proven their skills in the field and are actively involved in the industry.

Before choosing to attend court reporting school, determine the need for court reporters in your local area. Doing so ensures you spend time learning a career that you are passionate about and that will have a high earning potential. Always do thorough research before signing on the dotted line to attend any program.

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