Blog Category: Arbitration

By Suzanne Quinson

A recent blog highlighted the benefit of designating confidential portions while at the deposition. Portions designated as such are redacted at no cost. So, depending on the size of the case and the extent of the confidential information, this can result in a significant cost savings to your client! There are times when portions are not designated as confidential at the deposition, however, and need to be designated as such after the fact.

With attorneys and their paralegals juggling so many details and deadlines, efficiency and accuracy is vital when a court reporting agency produces the transcripts. This applies to any revisions requested after the final has been produced. A clean, accurate transcript with all appropriate designations included must be received on time to avoid delays in the schedule.

As a neutral party to the proceedings, the court reporting agency will honor requests to designate confidential portions after the fact, as long as all parties are in agreement. Simply email your request to the agency’s Production Department, with opposing counsel copied and confirming their agreement to the designations and portions to be so classified. You will promptly receive new files containing the updated confidential portions, allowing you to keep the work on your case moving in a timely fashion. The files in your online repository are updated as well, with the previous versions removed to avoid confusion.

Partnering with an agency that appreciates the time sensitivity of these matters saves you exactly that: time! Let them take care of logistical details such as conference room reservations, videoconference bookings, and interpreter reservations. At Planet Depos, you can even schedule online, as well as view and manage your calendar, transcript and video files through the online repository.

For more information on services or to schedule, contact Planet Depos at 888.433.3767, schedulenow@planetdepos.com or international@planetdepos.com.

By Julia Alicandri

The National Court Reporters Association recently launched its 2016-2017 ‘Take Note’ Challenge. The competition started on August 8^th and will run through February 18^th, 2017. The friendly challenge invites state court reporting associations and individuals to help spread the word about careers in court reporting and captioning. Career fairs and realtime demonstrations at high schools are just two examples of how to join in on the challenge. Anyone that is participating in an event that showcases court reporting or captioning can register the event on the National Committee of State Associations (NCSA) registration site and will be automatically entered in the contest. There are multiple prizes, and the prizes are tiered. The grand prize is a free registration to the 2017 NCRA Convention & Expo in July 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a part of the campaign, the NCRA also launched the second phase of the ‘Take Note’ Campaign, ‘Fresh Perspectives,’ which includes the distribution of newly designed rack cards to appeal to high school students, individuals in the middle of changing careers, college students who are redirecting, as well as veterans.

NCSA, which is sponsoring the challenge now for the third year, expects the 2016-2017 ‘Take Note’ Challenge to be the biggest one yet. The competition also calls on state associations to celebrate the 2017 Court Reporting & Captioning Week slated for February 11 – 18^, 2017. “This past year has been phenomenal, being a part of showcasing our profession, talking to so many students, and showing our millennials how to write at the speed of sound,” said Erminia Uviedo, RMR, CRR, a freelance reporter from San Antonio, Texas, and the winner of last year’s NCSA ‘Take Note’ Challenge. Erminia continued, “Seeing interested students, who are so amazed and fascinated by watching a court reporter or captioner writing realtime, brings such a rewarding and accomplished feeling as a court reporter. Our profession must continue to make appearances in schools because we must dispel the myth that the profession is obsolete and put it front and center in every way possible, especially with media coverage.”.

Along with showcasing this promising career, competitors are also encouraged to post on social media using the hashtag #crTakeNote. To learn more about the ‘Take Note’ Campaign, including ways you can help spread the word, visit the NCRA website.

With all the hype leading into the NCRA Convention last month, it’s now time to reflect on the events and digest all those seminars. We reached out to a few attendees and asked for their takeaways, and here’s what they had to say:

• Lisa M. Barrett, RPR, CRR, CRC, CSR – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Attending the convention gives me such inspiration to keep the efforts of our small organization here in Ontario going. There is strength in numbers! There is an unbelievable amount of pride and professionalism that you see amongst the large group at the convention, and I feel that is my favorite part. People are interested and wanting to learn more, always, at any age, in our profession.
  • I attended a seminar on Protecting the Profession. There was a very important message to be taken away from that seminar: “Stop complaining and start doing!” The “doing” was realtime. The importance of being able to offer realtime and rough drafts to legal professionals is the ONLY thing that will ultimately set us apart from ER. We must be ready to provide free realtime to judges and do pro bono work to pique the interest of members of the bar and bench. That’s all there is to it. No one is going to save our jobs for us; we need to save our own jobs!
• Maren M. Fawcett, RPR, CRR – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
  • I attended the NCRA Convention in Chicago this year and really enjoyed Mark Kislingbury’s macros seminar. He is always delightful, and I am always struck by his genius and quick thinking while writing realtime. When a macro doesn’t exist, he invents it and gets programmers to implement it. Amazing! I already used several macros from the writer, but some of the find and replace macros will make my realtime feeds even better. Even though I read the article in the JCR, having Mark highlight some of his shortcuts live brought the macros suggestions in Eclipse to life. It is amazing that we can use software for years and not realize some of the capabilities.
  • I encourage anyone on the fence about attending a state association or the national convention to put it on the calendar and make it happen. Not only were all the seminars educational, but meeting and networking with reporters from around the country helps us realize we have a team of reporters from many, many different states striving to be the best guardians of the record possible. Sometimes we are isolated because we aren’t in an office environment, and scheduling meetings for lunch or social hours, especially for freelancers, can be difficult. Attending a convention gives you the opportunity to see old friends from your own state, as well as meet new colleagues from all over the country and Canada. I even met a reporter from the UK. We all strive to be the best we can be in a silent profession. Attending a convention allows you to socialize and get your 5,000 words per day out, saving your spouse or significant other the earful!

As you can see from the testimonials, we get out what we put into our profession. The opportunities afforded at a convention, be it on the national or state level, cannot be matched by doing an online book report or summarizing an online article. Our colleagues challenge us each and every day to be the very best we can be.

Vendor training at NCRA 2016 Convention in action. Image from NCRA Facebook page.

Has your enthusiasm for your career path become stagnant simply because you are busy working? It’s your responsibility to yourself, to your fellow reporters, to the future of our profession, that you make the time to plan and attend a convention. There’s an educational seminar for most every issue facing reporters today. Do you fully know your software and all the magnificent tools and tricks it possesses to make your workflow seamless and efficient? Have you considered taking a weekend out of your hectic schedule to attend vendor training on your software to enhance your productivity? There are a multitude of individual seminars at these conventions to share all the secrets reporters from around the country and across the globe have perfected. Your only requirement – participate!

Beyond the educational experience, the networking with your fellow reporters at a convention is unlike any other. While you’ve been busy at home working throughout the year, so have your reporter friends. Coming together at a convention lets us share our experiences in a way that helps us return home feeling revived, refreshed, and ready to get back to making the record.

Here are just a few upcoming events:

• September 16-17, 2016: Maryland Court Reporters Association Annual Convention, the Osprey Point Retreat & Conference Center, Royal Oak, MD 21662
• September 29 – October 1, 2016: StenoCAT Users Network Fall Convention, Anaheim, CA
• October 1-2, 2016: The Certified Court Reporters Association of New Jersey, Atlantic City, NJ
• October 14-16, 2016: New York State Court Reporters Association Convention, White Plains, NY
• March 31 – April 2, 2017: Pennsylvania Court Reporters Association Annual Convention, Lancaster, PA
• July 20-23, 2017: NCRA Annual Convention & Expo, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Mark your calendar now and start planning!

By Katherine Schilling

View from The Terrace at Trump. Image from Kathy DiLorenzo.

The restaurant, Terrace at Trump, in Chicago’s downtown affords some incredible views. To the left, Wrigley Clock tower’s gothic architecture is illuminated by dazzling green lights; to the right, party-goers atop glass skyscrapers raise a communal toast. There are always plenty of reasons to be celebrating in Chicago, but for court reporters from around the world, we’d gathered in the Windy City that August weekend to attend the annual NCRA Convention.

There were riveting seminars led by the industry’s best, the latest technology to ogle in the Exhibitors Hall, and, of course, lifelong connections to make. For me, however, the Planet Depos Friday night reception was the highlight of my weekend. Planet Depos court reporters came together for an exclusive dinner at Terrace at Trump to celebrate yet another successful year, share tips, and swap stories.

As a court reporter in her first year out in the field, I was eager to absorb as much as I could from these accomplished reporters and to connect with them for the first time as a colleague rather than simply a student. Everyone I spoke with was friendly, generous with their time, and, above all, wholeheartedly enthused about both their career and mine. Their positivity was so contagious that by the end of the evening, my cheeks were sore from smiling so much.

Above all, I was amazed by how many globe-trotting court reporters I met. Working abroad is my ultimate goal, and it felt like I had hit the jackpot when I quickly learned that nearly everyone at my table had taken jobs abroad or even temporarily resided in another country to work. They were only too happy to tell me about their adventures and how they had reached that point in their professional careers. Within just a few minutes of speaking with them, I had a few useful tips to take home and felt reinvigorated to pursue my own goal as never before.

Another memorable moment at the reception was meeting a fellow first-year reporter, Michael Hensley. Michael was just as driven and excited about his new career as I was, and I felt an instant connection with him. His enthusiasm for bettering ourselves as reporters even led to our wagering a game of friendly competition: Which of us could achieve the RMR certification first? You’re on, Michael! I was thrilled to get to know a new reporter with so much energy; he was the perfect example of how you’ll find only the cream of the crop at industry conventions, and I look forward to keeping in touch with him as we continue to grow.

PD Reception at The Terrace at Trump. Image from Kathy DiLorenzo.

My experience at the NCRA Convention and the Planet Depos reception could not have come at a better time. Work as a court reporter can be naturally isolating, and as I was juggling all the newness of the job, I found myself falling into the routine of only focusing on the day to day. Complacency was threatening to set in, and I needed to shake things up. I needed some new perspective to remind myself to always look further ahead than the now.

The convention weekend was just what the doctor ordered. My brain was filled to bursting with tips I learned at the seminars and from speaking with seasoned reporters, and I returned home with a renewed energy to tackle my writing problems and hone my skills in the interest of my career goals. Now I have another new year ahead of me, and I’m excited to make it the best yet.

By Suzanne Quinson

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. Image by Suzanne Quinson.

Hailing from South Philly as I do, Rocky Balboa has been a hero of mine since I was a little girl. In my tween years I became obsessed with Rocky, and boxing in general, reading up on Rocky’s own hero, Rocky Marciano (whose knock-out punch, a right uppercut, was nicknamed the Suzy-Q, thank you very much). It struck me recently that preparing for depositions, and legal matters in general, is not unlike Rocky preparing for the big fight with Apollo Creed back in 1976. Granted, I can tie Rocky into just about any topic, as many Philadelphians can, but read on and decide for yourself.

Setting the goal

Rocky is doubtful he can beat the champ, even when Mickey signs on board to train him. However, he decides he will at least go the distance, something no fighter has ever done against Apollo. This is his goal, and it spurs him on in his intense and unorthodox training (punching raw meat in a freezer?!), even when he is discouraged by the media’s portrayal of him as a loser. In the same way, paralegals and attorneys set a goal with each case, coordinate the details with their client, and work doggedly to win. The filing of notices, motions, preparations for depositions, etc., all lead up to “the fight.”

Assemble a team

Rocky has Mickey, Paulie and, of course, his beloved Adrian, to train and support him as he gears up for his big day. Similarly, attorneys have their paralegals and their court reporting team. It’s critical that the team works together, each providing his or her expertise. The reporter provides realtime, instant rough drafts, and the final transcript, while maintaining confidentiality and providing redacted files as needed. The videographer provides the high-definition video of the proceedings, with excellent audio quality, which can even be synced to the final transcript if requested. The videographer can assist with video clips to be used as exhibits in a deposition as well. Additionally, the team can assist with additional tasks such as printing (and shredding!) of exhibits. Interpretation may be required, and the trusted court reporting agency is an obvious choice to provide the best available interpreter with subject matter expertise and relevant experience. This agency can also assist with trial presentations at the appropriate time. See an example here.

It’s all about hard work

Training for a fight against the world heavy-weight champion is no joke, and neither is winning your case. It takes committed professionals putting in the time and effort. Reporters use any prep materials provided by paralegals to put together word lists, familiarize themselves with the terminology, etc., as do interpreters. The court reporting professionals strategize to ensure they are at the location early to allow ample time for set-up, guaranteeing no delays in the proceedings. They deliver on time to ensure the legal team delivers on time. When an expedited transcript and video are needed, this is no problem for the best-in-class court reporting agency.

For your own knock-out depositions, contact Planet Depos. You can schedule online, or email schedulenow@planetdepos.com or international@planetdepos.com to reserve coverage.

By Mary Lide

Take a look at your caption page. There’s more to it than meets the eye.

When formatting your filings—the caption page especially—it can never hurt to think about the aesthetics. While court rules are strict about typography, you can still make your filings stand out with a few simple design tips, courtesy of Matthew Butterick’s Typography for Lawyers.

1. Set the table. Using the table tool in Word will help your layout stay clean and neat.
2. Forget the rules. Butterick points out that vertical rules on a caption page should not be darker than the page itself. Moreover, they are often unnecessary, and make the text area seem cramped.
3. Thin it out. Take a look at Butterick’s “Before” and “After” caption pages. He makes the vertical rule in the caption a little thinner, and moves it farther from the text. This brings the caption to the foreground.
4. Focus on font. Do not, we repeat, do not use Times New Roman. As Jay Shepard notes in his article “Small Firms, Big Lawyers: The Perfect Font…to Show You Don’t Care,” Times New Roman has been the universal default font for years. Not changing it signals that you don’t care how your filings look. For courts that do not have specific font requirements, Shepard suggests another font in the serif family, like Adobe Garamond. Note: For Supreme Court filings, you are required to use a 12pt font in the Century Family.

First impressions are important—keep the design in mind, and your caption will command attention.

Have you ever had one of those days when you just knew that things wouldn’t go as planned? You just knew when you woke up that morning that the universe wasn’t properly aligned?

It was Tuesday, June 28^th.  Nothing special about the day for Mike Miller, a court reporter in Houston, Texas, other than he and his videographer ended up taking an unexpected road trip! It seems that during the very early morning hours (around 1:00 a.m.), a Planet Depos client realized that the deposition they had scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Houston, was actually taking place in Dallas – more than four hours driving time!

We received the client’s e-mail notifying us of the mixup at 5:00 a.m. EST, and they were fully prepared to accept a different reporter/videographer team given the situation. Our team jumped into action to alert everyone involved, knowing that our hands were tied for a few more hours until people started to wake up and face their day in Texas. We e-mailed our contacts in Dallas to see if we had any other options. But with only a few short hours to work with, things were looking grim.

The videographer originally scheduled for the deposition tried to make contact with his colleagues in Dallas, but didn’t want to leave our client in a lurch, so he decided that he would start driving to Dallas figuring that the job would get covered and he’d soon be turning around to head back home for the day.

In the meantime, our assigned reporter in Houston was beginning to stir for the day and saw the e-mail alerting to the fact that the location had changed. Boy, had it changed! The client agreed to extend the start time to 10:00 a.m. in the hopes that it would increase the odds of going forward at all. Mike’s wife, Susan, also a court reporter, figured that flying would be the best way to solve the issue, so she began looking for flights. She found one that arrived right at 10:00 a.m., but with security issues in airports, and the like, on-time arrival was certainly no guarantee.

Mike contacted the videographer, and they decided they would drive to Dallas together since they were just 15 minutes from each other, and off they went! But the story doesn’t end there.

Being the great techy guru that he is, Mike thought it would be helpful for everyone concerned if they could coordinate their progress on the road. So he used a mobile app that allowed the client and the PD team to track their arrival time. To say that the client was extremely impressed is an understatement. Mike and the videographer arrived safely in Dallas and went on the record at 10:17 a.m.!

Talk about “Making it Happen”!! Nice work, Mike Miller and videographer! Going the extra mile just took on a whole new meaning!

By Julia Alicandri

Business Insider recently posted a fascinating map that shows the most disproportionately popular job in every state. In New York, it’s fashion designers. Texas’ most disproportionately popular occupation is petroleum engineers. In Maryland, that job is court reporting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 2,490 court reporters working in Maryland. They account for 9.6 out of every 10,000 jobs in Maryland. To put that in perspective, there are 17,670 court reporters nationally out of 137,896,660 employed people. This means 1.3 out of every 10,000 jobs in the US are court reporters.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the ratio of the above rates (9.6 and 1.3) to find the location quotient for a job in a specific area. The location quotient for court reporters is 7.3. This means there are about seven times as many court reporters in Maryland per 10,000 jobs than there are court reporters in the USA as a whole. As you can see, there is a significant difference in the amount of court reporters in Maryland versus the country as a whole.

It’s no wonder then that Planet Depos has four offices available for depositions and any other legal proceeding in Maryland, as well as numerous court reporters, videographers, and interpreters throughout the state. With over 60 offices worldwide, contact us at schedulenow@planetdepos.com to schedule a deposition anywhere across the globe.