Over the weekend, I took myself to the Great Frederick Fair to see and hear the incomparable Vince Gill. I had wanted to see him for years, and I was not disappointed! He played all his hits, engaging his audience with his easy rapport and mesmerizing us with his voice and guitar skills. The man has truly honed his craft, and together with his band, knows how to put on a great show. They had us on our feet and clamoring for several encores, which they were gracious enough to give. The next day I was still marveling at their talent and playing Vince’s albums all day long. I found myself reflecting on the skill a band of musicians must have to play together harmoniously, supporting their lead. Their role is to enhance the main event without stealing the show. This is no easy feat! It got me thinking, this is exactly what court reporters do for attorneys every day.
Just like a skilled guitarist, pianist, or any musician, for that matter, realtime reporters hone their craft to reduce errors and increase the ease with which they work. It takes a lot of practice to reach the level of a maestro! All this effort pays off when they go on the record (the court reporter’s stage), and they can perform with confidence and precision. This means a clear realtime record to aid counsel as they move through the deposition. The benefits of realtime to attorneys are tremendous, not the least of which is the ability to instantly flag testimony for followup! The reporter’s fine-tuning of their skill also means an immediate rough draft at the deposition’s conclusion and an immaculate final transcript available shortly after the deposition. Reporters can deliver the final transcript an expedited basis — without sacrificing quality. This is all to your client’s benefit, as you have an accurate, clean record of the proceedings to aid in your preparations for the next step in the case.
Equally important, like weathered musicians after years of touring and dealing with audiences of all kinds, reporters are not easily fazed. As neutral parties to the proceedings, reporters can keep a poker face and diligently continue their work with even the most bizarre disruptions. This is a remarkable discipline reflecting true professionalism, not to mention amazing focus.
Reporters provide invaluable support to legal professionals by turning in pristine transcripts in a timely manner, handling exhibits, and assisting with other logistical details when needed. With the well-rehearsed, professional court reporter behind you, a deposition will go smoothly, with the transcript (and video, if applicable) delivered on time according to your standing order if you have one. To ensure coverage by the best available court reporting professionals, turn to an agency known for just that. You will likely find yourself clamoring for encore after encore.
To schedule coverage for your next deposition, contact Planet Depos Scheduling at schedulenow@planetdepos.com or Planet Depos International Scheduling at international@planetdepos.com.
