Court reporters routinely reserve separate time blocks for each scheduled deposition. When one witness appears and another cancels, the afternoon no-show is a distinct economic loss—no different from how interpreters, electricians, therapists, or attorneys handle missed appointments. Two job numbers mean two billable events. Same-day cancellations must be compensated as a matter of fairness and professional standard.
Tag Archives: LegalIndustry
The Familiar Face Fallacy & Why Court Reporters Must Question the Platform Narrative
Familiarity is not alignment. When a recognizable face stands before the profession offering reassurance, it is easy to mistake comfort for safety. But critical thinking demands a harder question: who benefits if our work becomes optional? Reporters must look beyond polished narratives and ask what external platforms gain from reshaping our role. Strategy deserves scrutiny, not applause, and vigilance is the price of sovereignty always.
When the Bill Comes Due – How California’s SB 988 Exposes a Nationwide Gap in Reporter Payment Protections
California’s SB 988 requires court reporting firms to pay reporters within 30 days — but attorneys have no matching deadline to pay the firms. This imbalance creates cash-flow strain, especially for small agencies, and highlights a national gap in reporter protections. With one-third of U.S. reporters in California, what happens here shapes the entire industry. Other states could — and should — follow with smarter, reciprocal legislation.
The Court Reporting Industry Faces Structural Stress
The court reporting sector is showing signs of structural stress after years of private-equity consolidation and rising interest rates. Higher transcript costs and declining reporter compensation have prompted some firms to explore lower-cost recording methods, though many of these alternatives face evidentiary and certification limits. As labor supply tightens and compliance standards remain unchanged, the market appears to be shifting back toward models emphasizing reliability and credentialed recordkeeping.
Dress Like You Belong in the Record
The court reporter should be the best-dressed person in the room. We’re not schoolteachers — we’re officers of the court, guardians of the record, and in many cases, we earn more than the judge, the attorneys, and the experts combined. Dress like your presence matters, because it does. Professionalism isn’t optional; it’s part of the record you create.
The Real Markup – Why Attorneys Think Reporters Are Overcharging (and Who’s Actually Pocketing the Profit)
Attorneys often assume court reporters are the ones driving up transcript costs. In reality, it’s the agencies in the middle—marking up reporter rates and layering on fees for condensed transcripts, concordances, exhibits, and repositories that reporters don’t see a penny of. As transparency grows, attorneys are discovering the truth: working directly with certified reporters saves money and strengthens the record.
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