I congratulate everyone who passes their state licensing and/or national court reporting tests.  I know it takes dedication, desire, and discipline.  I have been hearing lately on the down-low that some court reporting students are feeling discouraged because they hear on the outside it is tough to get on staff at a firm or even sometimes tough to get paid in what would seem to be a timely manner.

I will be honest.  Times are tough in many geographical areas around the country.  It is tough for law firms as well as court reporting firms.  Some law firms are very busy, but they are taking fewer depositions or settling before taking depositions.  I have read articles in Law.com that many clients of attorneys are choosing to go to court rather than using the arbitration process because it is so much more costly paying for an arbitration than going to court.  If there are fewer arbitrations, fewer reporters are needed to report them.

Attorneys’ clients want to save money.  They don’t have the cash flow they did in the past to fund litigation.  Word on the street is things are starting to shift, and money is becoming more available.  Cases are being filed again. 

So what does this mean for brand new court reporters who just got licensure?  I believe the old adage is still true, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  I have written before in past blogs about being better than ever and having a great attitude.  In these modern times attitude is more important than ever, but so is being fiscally smart. 

When court reporters get out of school, many times they are not ready to be a businessperson.  Court reporters are typically independent contractors in most regions of the USA and are responsible for their taxes, for buying all of their equipment and software (about a $8,500 cost), and for knowing what they are going to make when they are out in the field.  I am constantly surprised to hear court reporters don’t know what they are making on any given day.  They don’t know the page rate they will be paid or the per diem.  They don’t know when and if they are going to get paid.  I believe the new reporters are taken advantage of more so than seasoned reporters, but I also know of court reporters who have been around for a decade or two, and they still have no clue what they are making.  The firms they work with have so many contracts and “deals” with the law firms, the court reporter in the field doesn’t know what to expect.   

In instances that the court reporters don’t know what they are being paid I fault the firms to some degree, but I also judge the court reporter.  I know it is great just to go out and report a deposition, but to then wonder two months later when to expect to be paid is sad.  I had a young reporter a couple of months ago stop by my office to chat and asked me, “When should I expect to be paid?  If I did a deposition in September, and now it is January.  Should I be paid by now?”  I am talking about the 0&1, not even a copy order.  I suggested that the young court reporter call the agency and ask.  Some people find it awkward to talk about money.  I used to be that way many years ago, and have since learned there needs to be a pleasant, matter-of-fact conversation.  Any worker wants to know how much they will be paid and when to expect payment.  Do it via email or fax – but ask the questions and get the answers.

Things are getting busier.  The young court reporter that hustles for work, dresses appropriately, has a dependable car, machine, and up-to-date CAT software, and is always available will get work.  You have to do a good job.  Like many things in life, you can’t sit back and wait for opportunity.  It takes action and energy to succeed.  You will have to “pay your dues” and probably do some crummy jobs at first.  That is the way it is in any profession.

There is court reporting work available for new reporters.  You might have to hunt it down at first.  When you are on the hunt, be a businessperson as well as a court reporter.  You will succeed.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm

I am lucky to have a court reporting firm in San Diego.  We don’t have the snow, sleet, and rain so many of my sister court reporting firms do in other cities.  The downtown area where most law firms are is relatively small (compared to NYC and Chicago) and it is easy to find parking.  Parking can be expensive, $20 to $30 per day, but it is nothing compared to Los Angeles where they have $35 to $40 per day parking fees with mandatory valet service. 

I can’t imagine how my friends deal with San Francisco and New York parking – or just getting from one end of town to the other with all of the traffic.

San Diego attorneys are for the most part easy to deal with.  We do have the California stip that drives court reporters from other regions crazy.  The noticing attorney typically will give away the original at the deposition to the witness’ attorney for signing and filing with The Court waiving the responsibility for the reporter to fulfill his/her obligations under the California Code.  Unfortunately, attorneys use the opportunity to tear apart original transcripts and make their own copy.  But then they want the electronic version.  They will call, ask for it, and expect it to be free since they have the original.

Being a border city offers reporters opportunities to go into Mexico to take depositions, EUOs, and hearings.  In modern times, reporters are very cautious about going into Baja California.  There are concerns about carrying working equipment (steno machines) across the border as well as deteriorating safety conditions.  At a minimum, a reporter would request to travel with the client attorney or a translator when going to Mexico to report. 

Because we are close to Imperial Valley, the desert, San Diego court reporters are often asked to travel to the desert.  I am seeing more and more activity in the desert regions.  The difficulty is there are few reporters who live in Imperial Valley, El Centro, or Calexico.  I find the drive to be fascinating.  You drive through our mountains, down steep cutbacks, and you are on the desert floor.  The drive to El Centro from San Diego is approximately two hours.  The good thing is you should never expect a traffic jam.  Only during the winters when there is snow in the mountains would there be trouble.

My report on court reporting in San Diego is there have been slow periods during the great recession, and the cost of living is high compared to the rest of the country, but the city is beautiful and the weather is fantastic.  I am glad to be a San Diego Court Reporter.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm

Why would a court reporter synchronize his/her computer with the videographer before a deposition begins and produce an electronic file with timestamps?   From time to time my court reporting firm contracts with court reporters from different geographical areas, and the reporters are nonplussed why we require a timestamped ascii for all videotaped depositions.  Some reporters tell us they don’t know how to produce timestamps or their CAT software doesn’t do timestamps.  I also hear that once a transcript is scoped, it is too late to add timestamps.  I can’t imagine any modern-day CAT (computer-aided transcript) software not having a timestamp function.  I know with Eclipse a reporter can even synchronize the transcript with the video time post deposition.  It’s not as efficient and takes some extra time, but it can be done.  I am sure there is the same functionality with other CAT systems.

As a child I talked a lot and I would ask hundreds of questions about why things were they were and why I had to do things certain ways.  Sometimes my Mom would simply answer, “Why?  Because I told you to,” and that was that.  This post is to let court reporters know why our firm wants to archive the timestamped transcripts.

Even with the advent of voice-activated video synchronization, the timestamp can be an important tool for paralegals, attorneys, and trial prep teams:

1. If a litigation team does not want to go to the expense of synchronizing a transcript with video, they still have the ability to find blocks of testimony in the transcript and create clips for settlement or trial purposes.
2. If an attorney thinks someone is taking too long to answer questions, they can see the time between Qs and As.  It is rare that we get a request for a timestamped transcript because of taking too long, but I would say it happens on average about once a year. 

To do video sync in the old days, the video technician needed the timestamps to manually sync the transcript to the video.  Court reporters will argue timestamps are no longer necessary.  I would argue, yes, they are.  If my client wants a timestamped transcript, they are going to get it.

There are probably more reasons why eporting firms send out a timestamped transcript.  I would love to hear any comments. 

I have had reporters ask me how to sync time with a videographer.  It is super easy.  What I do is ask the videographer before a deposition, “What time would you like it to be?”  He/she answers, “10:42:35,” giving me about 10 seconds to change the time in my computer and be ready for the countdown, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, sync,” and I hit apply. 

My advice is for any videotaped deposition a court reporter reports, take the initiative and sync time with the videographer.  It may be your best client that wants this service someday, and you will be ready.

Rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

Do you ever write on your steno machine just for fun?  We can use our court reporting skills to do so many neat things.  For instance, if I hear a song that I really want to sing along to, I can write the words with my machine, transcribe the notes, and have the lyrics ready to go.  If I hear a podcast of someone who is brilliant, I can create a transcript and peruse it at my leisure.

This might seem like a silly post, but I am sincere when I write about the joy of court reporting.  Even during a deposition, hearing, arbitration or trial, it is truly fun to be in the zone and write.  I am traveling this week and am writing a short post.  Because of court reporting, I have dear friends all over the United States and Canada, and I get the opportunity to travel for work. 

Anyone who is lucky enough to love their profession, whatever it is, is truly blessed.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

I am learning about modern-day court reporting schools and some of the options that are available for people who want to go to school.  I am interested in the schools, the students, the teachers, and school owners.

 Today I am attending the STAR midyear conference in Las Vegas.  John Wenclawski and Dave Wynne just gave a report during the Stenograph forum on their two schools, the Prince School in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Denver Academy of Court Reporting.  Both schools teach exclusively steno writers.  What is very interesting to me is the percentage of students who are online and are successful at passing tests.  In Denver, 50% of the students are online and 60% have a hybrid program with the brick-and-mortar school as well as being online which gives students more flexibility. 

 Speaking to Dave Wynne of Stenograph, I learned that their two schools, the Denver Academy of Court Reporting and the Prince School of Court Reporting each offer a 30-month program, and the students when they successfully complete the school get an Associate’s degree.  Wynne commented, “One of the biggest misconceptions is there is less interaction with an on-line school.  In reality, the teacher posts questions that every student has to answer and participate.  There is no hiding online.  Everyone does read-backs.”

 I understand that Bryan College in Los Angeles has an online program as does the Court Reporting Institute of Dallas. 

 As someone who has graduated from court reporting school, I believe the toughest part of getting certified and building speed is discipline.  YOU MUST BECOME ONE WITH THE MACHINE!  It is like being a professional piano player, tennis player, or singer.  You have to practice, practice, practice until you are almost perfect.  Giving up is not an option.  Of course, if you don’t have any natural ability, and hopefully you will know this intuitively, or you don’t have a passion for speed building or striving for perfection, you probably should not choose to be in court reporting school. 

 Periodically, I get calls or emails from people who find my name asking me if I think they should go to court reporting school.  Most of these inquiries are from complete strangers.  I always ask a litany of questions:  Have you ever taken a typing class?  Did you enjoy the class and think it was fun to get faster and try to be perfect?  Are you at all fast at typing?  Did you take piano?  Were you good at piano?  Did you enjoy the process of learning piano?  Are you a disciplined person?  Do you want to be a court reporter with all of your heart?  Do you understand you have to go to school every single day and practice every single day?  ARE YOU A DISCIPLINED PERSON?

 Now, I also get the question:  Do you think going to an online school is okay?  Are they any good?

 My answer is YES.  I believe online court reporting schools offer great opportunity especially for people who do not live near a brick-and-mortar school.  We need court reporters in our industry.  I believe the average age of a court reporter these days is 47.    We need students to have access to schools all over the country.  Being online gives you the chance to be a court reporter no matter where you live.  If I had a niece or nephew who was interested in court reporting, I would not hesitate to recommend an online school – BUT ALWAYS WITH MY WARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS IN ALL KINDS OF SCHOOLS – BE DISCIPLINED.  GO TO SCHOOL.  BE GREAT.

 I plan on interviewing some students in the upcoming weeks who are in the high speeds and going to school online.  I would love to receive Tweets about any experiences people have.

 rosalie@kramm.com

 @rosaliekramm (Twitter)

I was reading social media expert Chris Brogan’s newsletter this week, and I was particularly interested in his thoughts titled, “Opportunity Over Money.”  Chris talks about having little money in the past and trying to make a decision between going to a trade association conference or paying his mortgage, not having the cash to buy meals while traveling.  He writes, “But what I traded for that shortness of money was more opportunity. I was EVERYWHERE, and as such, I picked up experiences, picked up clients, picked up future relationships.”  Chris goes on to comment, “That’s a currency exchange.”

I agree 100% with Chris Brogan.  Going places, doing things, meeting people is a person’s best bet for success.  Learning your craft and being great at your profession is a huge part of the puzzle.  Knowing people and surrounding yourself with talent will not only make you money, but give you energy and lead you towards success.  Believing you can’t afford to have a reliable, good working steno machine, updated CAT software, and a solid computer, will lead to disaster.  Not taking the opportunity to go to national court reporting conferences and conventions, your state court reporting conferences and conventions, or if you are so lucky to have a local association, their meetings and conferences, you are missing out on a currency exchange that is priceless. 

Thinking as a court reporter, the “currency exchange” that Chris talks about is bankable.  Honing your skills and becoming a great reporter will bring you money.  I guarantee it.  Staying stagnant and doing the same thing, not ever attempting to be better, is what you might be known for in the future.  Your moniker and reputation follow you around forever.

Let’s all look for opportunities to be EVERYWHERE and meet GREAT PEOPLE.  I promise your life will be better for it.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm

Between running a court reporting firm, starting a new business, being a working court reporter, and keeping on task with my social media goals, my life sometimes feels a little out of control.  I believe one of the keys to success is being organized.  I have been reading some blogs and articles on organization and have found a common thread through all of them:  Getting organized and staying organized relieves stress and clears your mind for creative thoughts.

Most of what I have discovered in my readings is obvious and not earth-shattering, and yet it is good to be reminded of what we can do to get organized.

Here are the steps:

1.  Decide if you are more comfortable with a paper system or digital – don’t go back and forth.  Choose a method that is easy for you to work with. Don’t fight it.
2.  Create 3 lists:  one that is your “to do” list, tasks that you are to complete; a “waiting for” list for tasks you are waiting for others to do; and a “someday/maybe” list, a place to remember new ideas and dreams
3. Finish one task before you start a new one.  Distractions are the quickest way to inefficiency. 
4. Start each task with an action word, for example, Call…, Present…, Drive to…  It gets your brain to start thinking about taking action
5. Organize paperwork:  Buy bins and folders and label everything.  Organize your paperwork by date to be completed or organize everything by project.  Either way, have a place for everything on your desk and in your drawers.
6. Dedicate time every morning or end of your workday to read your lists.  It will keep the tasks top of mind and keep you focused.
7. In the morning when you get to work, pick 3 tasks you need to accomplish that day.  Check them off when they are completed.  Most days become chaotic, and you might not finish your list.  When you get the 3 tasks completed, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. 
8. Don’t let the lists run your life.  You decide what you are going to do and when.
9. Be sure to put exercising or enjoying life on your list.  I have a habit of going, going, going, and forget to stop and breathe and enjoy the sky or a meadow lark’s song. (I didn’t read this in an article or blog.  I am throwing this one in because I believe it is really important.)

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

My husband ordered a really great movie last week from NetFlix, “Defiance.”  I almost didn’t watch the movie because the beginning was very violent, but I couldn’t turn away from the story.  The movie touched me on many different levels.   The story of the human spirit and strength inspires me.

A key part of the movie was the importance of community, how people need each other and need to work together to get things accomplished and survive.   I believe court reporters need each other to get things accomplished and to survive.  In looking at the movie and court reporting as an analogy, I do not in any way wish to diminish how difficult the people’s lives were in the history of the world. 

The world is in an interesting state.  Doctors, lawyers, and even court reporters are becoming commodities in the eyes of many corporations.  Doctors are not able to spend the time they might need to spend with a patient or prescribe diagnostic tests they deem are necessary.  Lawyers are being told how much they are allowed to bill out for a case, their hours audited by insurance companies, and are told what vendors to use, and price, not service, is the only factor considered.

Many of the great professions are under attack.  I believe the only way to fight back is to join the associations that are battling to maintain the greatness of our professions. 

As a community we have power.  I am a proud member of NCRA, DRA and STAR.  I am also a Rotarian.  (The Rotary community is working to eradicate polio worldwide.)  Participating in continuing education is a way you can strengthen our profession.  I am sad and get angry when I hear so many reporters say they cannot afford to join any court reporting association.  Read the mission statement of the association in your state.  Their goal is to keep your job safe and give you the knowledge you need to be great. 

We need to pay attention and be strong.  The corporations are chipping away at us trying to define us as a commodity, “every court reporter is the same, whether a steno reporter or E.R. facilitator” 

I urge all court reporters to join a court reporting association whether it be state or national.  Keep up with continuing education, even if your state license doesn’t require it.  Watch the movie, “Defiance.”  There are many lessons to be learned from the film.  Together we will survive, move forward, and be great.

Rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

In California court reporters have had a tough year.  The recession has hit our profession hard.  I have been reading and collecting www.law.com articles and blogs written by attorney groups for a seminar I am on a panel on for the Deposition Reporters Association convention tomorrow.  Attorneys have been hit hard by the recession.  I can cite you layoffs of staff, associate attorneys, and commercial buildings becoming empty of lawyers.  I personally know young people who just passed the bar and have nowhere to work.  Two of the new licensees I would hire in a half-second they are so smart, diligent and progressive in thinking.  They are becoming their own rainmakers out of necessity.  One of my business clients recently told me, “There is no capital to fund lawsuits, but tremendous opportunity is out there.”

In these tough times I believe many reporters are asking themselves, “What are my choices?”  Court reporters coming out of school need mentoring and monitoring.  Seasoned court reporters have a full calendar, and then the jobs cancel.  Attorneys are looking for ways to save their clients money, and if that means settling a case or going to trial with no discovery, and they think they can get away with it, they are canceling depositions.

I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning about what I will call the “science” of the recession by David Ranson, Director of Research at H.C. Wainwright & Co., Economics, Inc., “Why The Recovery Will Be Robust.”  He writes, “The fourth quarter GOP growth rate of 5.7% (annual) announced by the Commerce Department should be a ray of sunshine,” but then he goes on, “many panned it as either a statistical anomaly or an unsustainable blip…or the governmnet’s ‘stimulus’ package.”  But then, pay attention, court reporters, he writes, “History refutes all three interpretations.”  Ranson says, “We are witnessing the natural resilience of a free-market economy; a strong rebound is normal at this stage in the business cycle.”  Ranson goes on to state, “The great majority of U.S. recessions and recoveries are V-shaped , i.e., the more deep and precipitous the drop, the steeper and more vigorous the bounce.” 

Many of the experts are predicting an upswing of the economy starting in the spring of 2010.  Law firms are now starting to hire again.  Today I read an article that cites MoFo raising their first-year attorneys’ salaries back to 2008 dollars. 

This recession shall pass.  From my past experience, having owned a court reporting firm since 1985 and surviving two recessions, we will be incredibly busy once again.  There are going to be exhausted court reporters begging to be off calendar. 

The question is, what are court reporters doing now to get ready?  When times are slow we have a choice.  We can sit back and worry or sharpen the saw.  As we all know, the cleaner we write, the faster we scope.  The more sophisticated the dictionary, the faster we scope.  The more efficient we are in utilizing our CAT software, the faster we scope.  When reporting firms are calling you begging you to work, the faster you scope the more you can take more work without going crazy – and if you use a scopist, allow her/him to be more productive. 

Let’s all make a commitment to learn at least 2 new “macros” we can do from our steno machines in realtime by March 10.  Tweet to me what you decide your 2 new tricks are.  I will choose 2 and let you know what they are.  I need to sharpen my saw, too.

Students, I would like you to learn 5 new briefs for phrases by March 3.  Let me know what phrases you choose and the briefs.     

Let’s use this time to work as a profession to get ready for the onslaught of work that is coming.  I don’t want anyone turning away work because they are spending all of their time scoping or their scopists get overwhelmed.  Let’s be ready for the ROBUST RECOVERY!

Rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)

It was suggested by a firm owner I ran into at NCRA firm owners that I blog about a court reporter’s appearance when in the field.  This is a tricky subject.  I believe geographically there are differences in what is considered appropriate, common sense, and stylish.  There are dozens of web sites that offer suggestions about looking professional for men and women.  The mantra in all of them is “neat and clean and nice shoes” (no beat-up looking shoes). 

As blogger Dawn Rosenberg McKay writes, “Maybe it is unjust to judge a book by its cover, but we all do it.  It’s human nature.  While the person in jeans may be as competent and as intelligent as the one wearing the formal suit, or more so, we do assess these attributes based on appearance.” 

As working court reporters, we are judged the moment we walk into a deposition room, courtroom, or meeting room.  The attorneys may not say anything to us, but they are looking us over and making a quick judgment about our competency.  Like Ms. McKay writes, “It’s human nature.”

I know I judge the attorneys when they walk into the room.  A person’s posture, suit, accessories, and shoes say a lot about that person.  I decide in my mind quickly if a person is successful or not.  Is that fair?  Probably not.  It is just the way it is.

If you think about it, when you look good, you know you look good, and you walk into a room, you feel better about yourself as a professional.  I would go so far as to throw out the comment you even write faster and are more accurate.  Court reporters work hard getting out expedites and huge transcripts.  It may be easy to stop caring enough about appearances after awhile when you are tired.  That’s when we need to really get our groove on.

I am using this blog as a reminder to myself to “pay attention” and always look sharp.  People are watching me and deciding what kind of a court reporter I am before I even start writing.

rosalie@kramm.com

@rosaliekramm (Twitter)