As the Illinois Court Reporters Association (ILCRA) prepares for its much-anticipated Summer Kickoff Cocktail Party on June 20, 2025, many in the court reporting community are raising serious questions—not about the event itself, but about its co-host: Shaunise Day and her brand, Steno in the City. At first glance, the collaboration may seem like aContinue reading “A Storm Behind the Skyline: Why Is ILCRA Partnering with Steno in the City?”
Tag Archives: legal
The Ethical Dilemma of “No Payment Until Settlement” in Court Reporting
Court reporting firms must uphold neutrality, yet some offer “no payment until settlement” to clients while demanding immediate payment from opponents. This raises ethical concerns and may violate California law. The Court Reporters Board of California warns that such practices compromise impartiality and could result in regulatory action. Maintaining fair payment policies is essential to preserving trust and integrity in legal proceedings.
The Era of Court Reporting Disrupters is Over
Despite major investments and promises of innovation, digital court reporting has failed to disrupt the industry. Legal and regulatory hurdles, operational inefficiencies, and resistance from legal professionals have kept traditional stenographers in control. Companies like Veritext and US Legal have faced financial struggles, proving that digital solutions have yet to replace human expertise. The industry remains dominated by established players, with disruption proving far more difficult than anticipated.
The Vanishing Court Reporters: A Crisis in the Justice System and How to Fix It
Court reporters are essential to the justice system, but their numbers are dwindling. A shrinking workforce, declining training programs, and low interest among young professionals have contributed to a nationwide shortage. Solutions include expanding digital court reporting, modernizing certification laws, increasing financial incentives, and promoting the profession to new talent. Without immediate action, courts will face growing delays and challenges in preserving accurate legal records.
How Court Reporting and Captioning Week Strengthens the Industry
Court Reporting and Captioning Week plays a vital role in raising awareness, attracting new talent, and advocating for industry professionals. By promoting education, showcasing technological advancements, and emphasizing accessibility, this dedicated week strengthens the profession. It also fosters networking and professional development while ensuring continued recognition of court reporters’ and captioners’ essential contributions. Ultimately, it secures the industry’s future through advocacy, innovation, and public engagement.
The Impact of Corporate Mergers on the Court Reporting Industry: A Growing Crisis
The consolidation of the court reporting industry by large corporations like Veritext has led to higher prices, reduced service quality, and worker exploitation. As smaller firms are acquired, competition dwindles, leaving consumers and court reporters vulnerable. This growing monopoly stifles innovation and creates barriers for aspiring professionals. Regulatory action is crucial to restore fairness, protect workers, and ensure consumers aren’t overcharged for essential legal services.
COURT REPORTER CEO on Attorneys who don’t pay for transcripts: “These are Shoplifters.”
A court reporting industry leader has criticized attorneys who refuse to pay for transcripts, calling them “shoplifters.” In a recent interview, they argued that such actions undermine the legal system, stressing the importance of fair compensation for court reporters. The debate over transcript fees continues to grow.
Corporate Sponsorships Solicited by a For-Profit Steno, LLC, but with No Business Entity in California
Shaunise Day’s for-profit LLC, Steno In The City, raised over $100,000 in corporate sponsorships for an event in California, but without being properly registered as a business entity in the state. This violation of California business laws could result in significant legal and criminal consequences, including fines, tax evasion charges, and potential civil lawsuits from sponsors. Proper registration is crucial to avoid such legal pitfalls.
7 Ways A Steno Imposter is Manipulating You To Make You Trust Them
In the world of stenography, trust is everything—but it’s also something that fake scammers prey on. Court reporters are increasingly targeted by imposters who use manipulative tactics to gain trust and exploit it for their own gain. From playing the role of a caring listener to fast-tracking relationships, these imposters employ deceptive strategies to manipulate the legal community and profit off of us. Learn how to spot the signs and protect yourself.
Why Digital Court Reporting Will Never Be the Uber of the Legal System
Digital court reporting may promise speed and cost savings, but it threatens the accuracy and integrity of legal transcripts. Unlike stenography, which ensures precise, reliable records through professional expertise, digital systems are prone to errors and lack human oversight. While digital reporting may aspire to complement the legal process, stenography will always remain the gold standard, safeguarding the quality and trustworthiness of the legal system’s official records.
The Transformative Potential of AI in Stenographic Court Reporting
This article explores the transformative potential of emerging technologies, particularly Automated Speech Recognition integrated within Computer-Aided Transcription software, to enhance the speed and accuracy of court reporters. It underscores the importance of preserving the court reporter’s role as the Responsible Charge, emphasizing accountability and professional expertise as essential to the legal process. The piece contrasts these advancements with outdated digital transcriber solutions, arguing that only technologies that support and elevate the court reporter’s role will endure in the evolving landscape of the industry.
The Rise of Imposters in the Stenography Industry: Button Pushers or Court Reporters?
In the age of technological advancement, traditional professions have undergone significant transformations, and the field of stenography is no exception. However, alongside legitimate advancements, a concerning trend has emerged – the infiltration of imposters masquerading as court reporters. These individuals, armed with fake steno machines and minimal skills, undermine the integrity of the profession, posingContinue reading “The Rise of Imposters in the Stenography Industry: Button Pushers or Court Reporters?”
Robots Are Learning From Stenographers’ Transcripts
In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, advancements are continually pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. One such groundbreaking development is the integration of stenographer transcripts into the training data of robots. Traditionally associated with courtrooms and legal proceedings, stenographers are now playing a pivotal role in teachingContinue reading “Robots Are Learning From Stenographers’ Transcripts”
Stenos: Robots Won’t Take Our Jobs
Stenographers act as the Responsible Charge and protect the record in a way that would make a takeover by robots or AI or ASR technology impossible.
Corporate Cannibalization in Court Reporting
Introduction The legal services industry, like many others, is experiencing a seismic shift in response to the digital age. Traditional practices are being disrupted, and nowhere is this transformation more apparent than in the field of court reporting. Presently, court reporters, skilled individuals trained to capture the spoken word and transcribe legal proceedings, are indispensableContinue reading “Corporate Cannibalization in Court Reporting”
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