For many, court reporters are a
mystery. We’re the silent people who sit behind those little machines and tap
away. It is a crazy skill, creating a verbatim written document of the spoken word.
What does this mysterious job have to do with you? Why would you even care how
transcripts are prepared? The job your court reporter does reflects back on
you. As counsel representing your client's interests, don't you want to be
their rock star?
Here are three ways your court
reporter can help you can achieve that status:
- The More We Know The Better You Look. When a reporter arrives at a deposition, they oftentimes need to request a caption with appearances. By providing a Notice of Deposition prior to the deposition, the reporter can incorporate that information into their computer and there's no time lost at the beginning of the deposition. A list of names and terms given to the reporter before the start of the deposition makes the reporter more efficient and makes you look marvelous.
- Just Say No To The Panic Attack. It’s Friday night. You suddenly cannot remember if you scheduled a reporter for first thing Monday morning. How about this: You have to file a transcript ASAP and have torn the office apart looking for it. With the click of the mouse, you have 24/7 instant access to everything you have scheduled, all your transcripts and exhibits, as well as invoices through a secure online repository through GLFM. Instant access and you are on your way to climbing on top of that rock.
- What’s In Your Transcript? Supersizing isn’t just for the fast food industry. Your transcript may be larger than it needs to be. Pages may have fewer lines, more white space and extra pages may be added that serve no purpose. Since you pay by the page, all this supersizing increases the cost to your client. The National Court Reporters Association suggests transcript formatting guidelines and when your court reporter follows those guidelines, you get a better value for your dollar. You've now hit the big time. You’re the rock star.
The next time you hire a reporter
try these simple tips and let us know how it feels to be that rock star.
