The so-called “picky reporter” problem isn’t about ego — it’s economics. After decades of rate suppression and burnout, court reporters are finally valuing their time, skill, and certification. But the collapse of communication between agencies and reporters has turned a healthy market correction into a culture war. The cure isn’t compliance — it’s conversation, accountability, and restoring human connection to the profession.
Tag Archives: ReporterRates
Credentials vs. Competence – Rethinking Professional Standards in Court Reporting
Court reporting’s future depends on more than letters after our names. Credentials have value, but without strong state licensure, standardized titles, and real enforcement, they offer no structural protection. As attorneys push back on “high rates” and cheaper labor undercuts skilled reporters, the profession must unify around measurable skill, fair rates, and regulatory strength—not voluntary designations.
Fair Compensation in the Age of Derivative Products – Why Reporters Must Create a New Rate Sheet
Agencies are profiting from condensed transcripts, indexes, concordances, and now AI summaries—often billing attorneys transcript-level rates while paying reporters nothing. This is unjust enrichment. Reporters must reclaim fairness by publishing new rate sheets that define compensation for every derivative product. From condensed pages to AI outputs, the message is clear: if it’s built on the transcript, reporters deserve their share.
STENOIMPERIUM 