When Disclosure Isn’t Enough – Why AB 711 Doesn’t Serve Court Reporters or Access to Justice

AB 711 claims to curb “reporter waste,” but it’s a paperwork fix for a resource crisis. Mandating disclosure of who will hire a court reporter doesn’t solve shortages, improve access, or strengthen the profession—it risks normalizing hearings without certified stenographers. California needs investment in reporters, not bureaucracy that treats them as optional.

The Stars That Sing – Hearing the Truth in Court Reporting

The Bushmen pitied Laurens van der Post when he admitted he could not hear the stars sing. Today, I feel the same grief for our profession. The truth rings out—schools reporting poaching, leaders failing in accountability—yet so many refuse to hear it. Our poverty is not material, but in losing the ability to hear the song of truth itself.

When Recruitment Crosses the Line – Court Reporting Schools Push Back After DRA Event

California court reporting schools are pushing back after the last DRA conference, where a speaker allegedly recruited students directly out of their programs—even inside private Teams accounts. One 200-wpm student on the verge of the CSR was lost. School leaders say enough is enough: associations must protect students from solicitation if they want them in the room.

Technology and Workplace Efficiency – The Court Reporter’s Competitive Edge

Court reporters ranked technology and workplace efficiency as their #1 priority in the latest NCRA poll (37.2%). From realtime integration to secure tools like Eclipse Boost, technology is not a threat but an amplifier—when it’s reporter-controlled. Efficiency means more accuracy, faster turnaround, less stress, and stronger client loyalty. The future of steno is in our hands.

The Language of CCP 2093(a) & Why Notaries Are Not Deposition Officers

California Code of Civil Procedure § 2093(a) names notaries and deposition officers as able to administer oaths—but only certified shorthand reporters are authorized to take testimony and certify transcripts. The “notary loophole” misleads attorneys into believing oaths alone make a deposition valid. Without a CSR, the record collapses. Learn why due process demands stenographers—not shortcuts.