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Suddenly Remote: Court Reporting and Practicing Law During COVID-19

The legal landscape has changed significantly as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic, which has been quite the game-changer in the industry, has required attorneys and court reporters to change how they practice their craft. Here we’ll explore how court reporting and practicing law have adapted during the quarantine era.

Remote depositions

Videoconferencing capabilities are better than ever, and the technology today is a good proxy for in-person depositions. Zoom, WebEx, Veritext, and other platforms have proven useful to integrate the deposition and court reporting process. Unlike some programs, Zoom can be configured to be HIPAA-compliant, making sensitive calls more secure.


Attorneys and firms have had to closely monitor cybersecurity risks, data security threats, and potential breaches that could compromise client and firm proprietary data. This entails watching out for questionable emails from scammers who have used the COVID-19 situation as an opportunity to spread damaging content.

Providing exhibits

Exhibits are typically sent via a secure link that the court reporter can access to print for the witness, or they are sent physically via the mail. Various online apps handle exhibit sharing, managing, and collaborating, namely:

  • eDepoze
  • TrialPad
  • LiveLitigation
  • Agile


Attorneys and firms have had to be extremely careful about ensuring any home technologies such as visual or voice-enabled devices and video products do not endanger client confidentiality or attorney/client privilege.

Collaboration tools

Today’s attorneys have more choices than ever when it comes to collaborating with colleagues and clients remotely.

Under normal circumstances, face-to-face consultation between client and attorney is the standard. Due to the coronavirus, however, many attorneys have sought to minimize in-person contact with existing and potential clients. Fortunately, attorneys are finding ways to maintain a consistent connection with clients while ensuring lawyer-client confidentiality is not breached, including:

  • Email and file-sharing applications — Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
  • Phone — Many firms that have temporarily closed their offices are rerouting calls to their attorneys and staff who are working remotely.
  • Video conferencing — to ensure that privilege is not broken, it’s important to know who is in the room when you are speaking

Where do we go from here?

As court reporters and lawyers try to focus on better days ahead, we will likely see a permanent uptick in virtual depositions, conferencing, and remote work in general. We will have had the opportunity to experiment with newly streamlined processes dealing with courts, clients, and government agencies — some of which we will likely permanently adopt post-virus.

What is Expert Depos?

Expert Depos, launched in 2014, is a pioneering online directory and web service that connects attorneys in search of certified deposition transcripts with the court reporters who own them.

The Attorneys

To use Expert Depos, just search our network for any witness, and buy a certified deposition transcript directly from the court reporting firm. Our network is growing every day, so check back frequently to see new witness names.

The Court Reporters

Due to CCP 2025.570, court reporters can legally sell their depositions as certified copies. There is no cost for reporters to join the database and we do not take any commission from the sale of your depos. We simply connect you to the attorneys and provide the connection for you to evergreen your business.

The Law

The Expert Depos network operates under CCP § 2025.570, which permits California court reporters to sell deposition transcripts to non-parties so long as the notice and waiver rules are observed. Under CCP § 2025.570, court reporters and reporting firms in California may sell deposition transcripts to any person (including non-parties) who requests a copy so long as the reporter complies with the notice requirements outlined under the statute.

Questions? Concerns? Need assistance? Please feel free to contact us anytime.

Court Reporter vs. Legal Transcriptionist: What is the Difference?

Transforming the verbal communications in legal settings into written documents requires transcribing; a task both court reporters and legal transcriptionists perform. However, the two positions vary greatly when it comes to skills and education. Both are used by attorneys, law firms, courts, and other enterprises, but where and how they transcribe legal discourse is very different.

Court Reporter Transcribing

Court reporters are physically present at the legal proceedings when they transcribe; done in real-time as it occurs. During court proceedings, legal depositions, and other legal interactions, a court reporter will be expected to use their skills to take down word-for-word what is said by all parties present. This is a complex and specialized skillset that involves extreme attention to detail and focus, along with professionalism to work with other legal professionals.

Court reporters often have at least two years of college education. Some states require a specific degree to become a court reporter and certifications to ensure their competency level. Court reporter education requisites often include proficient grammar, legal terminology, medical terminology, and a general knowledge of legal proceedings. In addition, many court reporters must also be notary publics to certify transcripts and oaths during proceedings.

 Legal Transcriptionist Requirements

Unlike a court reporter, legal transcriptionists are not usually present during the legal proceedings they transcribe. Legal transcriptionists, like medical transcriptionists, create written documents from audio recordings. This can be done anywhere and many will work from home or in an office. While court reporters must be able to accurately and quickly transcribe verbal communication as it occurs, legal transcriptionists have the luxury of listening to a recording that can be replayed for clarity, if needed.

There is not a set education level needed for legal transcriptionists, but a comprehensive understanding of grammar and legal terminology is expected. Most states do not require any type of formal certification or ongoing education, as is needed for court reporters.

While the end result may look the same, the skillset between court reporters and legal transcriptionists is very different. Court reporters also can own the legal documents they transcribe and have the opportunity to make extra income selling copies of the testimony they transcribe. Expert Depos invites court reporters to join our network for free and learn more about selling copies of their transcripts to increase their earning potential.

Tips for Fostering a Good Court Reporter/Attorney Relationship

Accurate transcripts of court proceedings and depositions are integral to winning legal battles in and outside the courtroom. Attorneys rely on precise, unbiased court reporters to give them the detailed information they need to build their cases. Creating a solid relationship with court reporters they use frequently can benefit attorneys; ensuring they continue to receive the quality service they need for their profession. Here are tips to help attorneys foster a good relationship with the court reporters they use to get the most benefit from their services.

Preparing for Depositions and Court Hearings

If an attorney will need a court reporter for a deposition or court hearing, providing enough notice and information allows the court reporter to prepare for the event. While last minute depositions can occur, whenever possible it is desirable to give advance notice of the date, time, and location where the court reporter will be needed. In addition, providing the following information can help ensure the court reporter is prepared for the deposition or hearing:

  •   Names of deponents
  •   Number of depositions or length of time expected for the depositions or hearing
  •   Is real time transcription needed?
  •   Turnaround times required for transcripts
  •   Any specialized content; such as medical, technical, or scientific text

Knowing what to expect can help the court reporter or firm ensure the correct preparation, equipment, and time allowance is used for the service.

Mutual Respect and Clear Communication

Attorneys and court reporters with good working relationships have mutual respect for each other’s time, expertise, and schedules. Clear communication before and during depositions and other encounters can foster beneficial interactions. Attorneys should ensure the court reporter receives the needed breaks for meals, since “working lunches” are not possible while transcribing. It is also respectful to ensure a court reporter is able to extend their session, not assume they can stay longer than initially planned.

All professional relationships are more productive when both sides show respect and communicate their needs. Considerate planning and communication can ensure attorney/court reporter relationships thrive for the benefit of everyone involved.

Whether you are an attorney or court reporter, Expert Depos can be of service. Court reporters can sell copies of their certified witness depositions for extra income, offering a great source of information for attorneys and legal investigators.

Effective Ways a Court Reporter Can Assist in a Case

Winning court cases often comes down to the details. Having an accurate, detailed account of every court appearance, witness testimony, and deposition can make a substantial difference in preparing a winning argument. Court reporters offer the specialized service of detailed transcripts of legal proceedings, which can assist attorneys in preparing the best case.

While it was once common for courts to provide a court reporter, this is no longer the case. If an attorney wants the benefit of a detailed transcript of legal proceedings, they need to obtain the services of a qualified court reporter. Hiring a court reporter is a worthwhile investment that can ensure legal teams have the unbiased recording of word-for-word discourse that can impact their case.

Top Benefits of Using a Court Reporter During a Case

Memory and even audio recordings are unreliable. It is vital to legal proceedings to have an accurate account of every word that is said. Court reporters specialize in creating realtime transcripts of depositions and court proceedings that create a lasting record for use by attorneys; both during a trial and for future legal actions. Some of the top benefits of hiring a court reporter to record all proceedings pertaining to a case include:

  • Accurate recording of testimony for counseling witnesses and checking for discrepancies in accounts from one day to the next
  • Recorded account of court proceedings for future legal actions or appeals
  • Record of depositions, even those not admissible in court, for planning trial strategies
  • Realtime recordings to assist the hearing impaired or to translate for language
  • Less expensive and more accurate than relying on audio recordings that will also need to be transcribed after the proceedings

Having access to the transcripts in both realtime and in legal preparation for a case can be invaluable. Attorneys on both sides of a case can benefit from the professionalism and accuracy of an unbiased court reporter to record the details of all legal proceedings.

Are you looking for copies of transcripts to witness testimony? Check out Expert Depos, your source for certified witness depositions.

Depositions and How They Are Valuable to Litigation

Nearly 90% of lawsuits are settled before trial, and the face-to-face questioning sessions known as depositions are often pivotal to the outcome. Part of the discovery process, depositions are a powerful tool that both parties can and should use to understand the evidence available, discern details, and ultimately create a strategy for success.


The primary value of a deposition is to give each side a fair preview of the evidence. Learning all of the facts pretrial is crucial to avoiding surprises that could impact the outcome. Additionally, depositions are used to create support documents for future actions.


Depositions also serve to preserve witness testimony. If a witness is unable to appear in person during a trial as a result of death, serious illness, or location and travel restrictions, a deposition may serve as their official testimony.


In general, depositions allow for broader questions than would be permissible during a trial. A deposition can be a way to gain admissions from a witness or obtain testimony that is unfavorable to the opposing side. Getting a witness to commit to testimony is vital. Once the witness is committed to their testimony, counsel can prepare to impeach opposition with inconsistencies or contradictions.


Depositions offer the opportunity to evaluate a witness or other party’s understanding or awareness of issues in the case. It’s also a chance to take the measure of a witness: are they credible? Are there gaps in their knowledge? How do they present themselves?

Depositions are one of the primary methods of learning the strengths and weaknesses of a case. The integrity, presentation, and knowledge gaps of a witness can be used to determine their strength at trial. All answers provided during deposition questioning are transcribed and printed. Experienced counsel can use the written deposition to predict the likely outcome of a trial, and thus can make a determination on which witnesses to enlist, whether to settle, and for how much.

The Best Tool

All phases of discovery are important, but depositions provide the best tool for seasoned counsel to educate themselves about the facts of the case, evaluate witnesses, and plot the most effective strategy. Search for a witness, and buy a certified transcript copy of the deposition directly from the court reporter. Simple as that. Try it now.

What Attorneys Need to Know About Their Court Reporter at a Realtime Deposition

Recording a realtime deposition can be a valuable tool for attorneys and requires the expertise of a court reporter with realtime service certifications. For attorneys requesting realtime services from a court reporter, it is important to understand what to expect and how to best prepare. Knowing what is involved in the process can help ensure the realtime deposition goes smoothly for the attorney, court reporter, and other entities involved.

Preparing for a Realtime Deposition

To record and transmit in realtime for a deposition, the right equipment and tools must be available. Attorneys will need to have a laptop that has the correct drivers, software, and ports to receive the realtime transcript. If it is the first time an attorney is using their laptop for a realtime deposition, it will need the correct drivers and software uploaded before beginning. Or, ask the court reporting service to provide a “plug and play” computer the attorney can use. Computers used for realtime depositions should have:

  • Realtime software
  • A serial port
  • The correct drivers
  • Access to internet

If software and drivers need to be loaded onto a computer first, attorneys should relay this to the court reporter and plan to meet at least a half an hour before the deposition. It is also important to ensure the room where the realtime deposition will occur has Wi-Fi or internet connections available.

Before the deposition begins, it is helpful to ensure everyone understands the importance of clear and concise communication for a realtime transcript. Instruct the witness(es) and others to avoid interruptions or speaking over one another to allow for an accurate transcript.

What to Expect During the Realtime Deposition

Court reporters that are certified to perform realtime depositions are trained for accuracy. The transcript that appears will be precise, but it is common for small discrepancies to appear in realtime. Attorneys should not be concerned if they see steno or grammar issues. The transcript will be edited for grammar or typos for the final transcript. Once the deposition is over, the court reporter can provide the final transcript, which is edited and can be imported into the realtime software to replace the rough draft.

While some small discrepancies can occur, if something happens during the deposition that is inaccurate, feel free to get clarification from the witness for the court reporter. The court reporter may have misheard the witness. While these errors most likely would be corrected in the final transcript, it is best to ensure complete accuracy.

Realtime depositions can be valuable and require a court reporter who specializes in this service. Understanding the nuances of this procedure can help attorneys streamline the process and get the most from their realtime deposition.

Need a copy of a deposition? Search Expert Depos to find the witness testimony or deposition you need.

Meta: Attorneys can benefit from the use of court reporter realtime depositions. Understanding how to prepare for these specialized sessions can help both court reporters and attorneys save time and ensure accuracy.

Top 10 Skills of the Best Court Reporters

What differentiates the top-paid, successful court reporters from other colleagues in their industry? Like any profession, there are those who excel at court reporting and possess the skills that make them more valuable. Honing these skills can help those new to the field obtain higher pay and prestigious positions. Here are the top 10 skills of the best court reporters to emulate for success in this specialized field.

  1. Focus. Court reporters must be able to stay focused and not be easily distracted. The key of court reporting is catching every word and meaning during proceedings, without ever losing focus.
  2. It is always important to be on-time as a professional and court reporters are no exception. The best court reporters plan to be at their designated court at least 20 minutes before they are scheduled to begin, to ensure they do not delay the court proceedings.
  3. Professional appearance. Top court reporters dress appropriately and professionally to blend within their court setting.
  4. Attention to detail. Court reporting is all about details. Meticulous attention to detail is a skill the best court reporters possess.
  5. Grammar specialist. Grammar is an essential skill for court reporters. Adding in the correct punctuation and using the correct version of words can impact the meaning of the deposition.
  6. Business etiquette. Working with members of the court requires business etiquette and manners befitting the environment.
  7. Impartial and stoic. Excellent court reporters can remain stoic and impartial while recording any type of discourse, regardless of the topic. Personal opinions and reactions are never revealed by the best court reporters.
  8. Confidence. Successful court reporters are confident and poised when working in front of others; speaking up to clarify information when needed.
  9. Research and prepare. Court reporters at the top of their field do the necessary research and preparation before their assignment; knowing the court, judges, and background for the case.
  10. Accuracy. Not only the grammar, spelling, and punctuation need accuracy; all dates, numbers, and corresponding information must be accurate in transcripts.

Embracing these skills can help you achieve success as a court reporter and gain the experience needed to excel and become one of the best in your field. With experience can come greater earning potential. Find out how you can earn extra income by selling copies of your transcribed documents. Take the court reporter tour on the Expert Depos website.

Meta: Do you wonder if you have the skills necessary to become a successful court reporter? Review the top 10 skills the best court reporters possess to excel in this specialized career.

Court Records and Proceedings: What is Public and Why?

Attorneys, journalists, professors, and other professionals will often cite court records and proceedings
in their line of work. Most court records are deemed public record, allowing almost anyone to access the
information by request. Transcripts of depositions and court testimony can often be obtained through
the court system or by purchasing copies owned by court reporters. However, there are some
exceptions on what can be made public and what cannot.

Federal Regulations Regarding Court Records

The right to obtain court records is protected under the Freedom of Information Act of 1966, signed into
law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This law gives citizens the right to access most federal agency
documents, including court records, with a few exceptions. Some information pertaining to national
security, law enforcement protocols, and trade secrets may be labeled confidential and not considered
available to the public.

While the laws can vary on what information is available from state agencies, most follow the federal
guidelines on what information from courts and other agencies is deemed public. The exceptions are
also followed. In most cases, the following information is protected and not made public, even when
revealed in court proceedings and records:

  • Mental health records
  • Juvenile court records and proceedings
  • Drug and alcohol treatment and court records
  • Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and certain other financial information
  • Domestic violence proceedings
  • Paternity and adoption court records

These records are kept confidential to protect those involved in these cases. Records may be sealed or
off-limits, except to members of the agency involved.

Court Reporter Transcripts

Unless they contain confidential information protected by state or federal laws, most court reporter
transcripts can be obtained by the public. This can be a lucrative extra source of income for court
reporters if they sell copies to attorneys, journalists, and other interested parties.
Court reporters who wish to earn extra income by selling copies of their legal transcripts can join Expert
Depos for free. Check out our court reporter tour on our website to learn more.

Tips for Newly Licensed Court Reporters

Entering the specialized service of court reporting can be exciting and nerve-racking. Even with
extensive training and preparation, there will be situations that may be confusing for newly licensed
court reporters. It can help to know some of the common issues other court reporters have
encountered and overcome. Here are some tips that can make the transition into the real world of court
reporting easier.

Planning and Preparation are Key

Everyone, regardless of their tenure or position, has to go through a first day on the job and learn the
nuances of their profession. The same is true for every court reporter. To make it easier, be prepared
and plan ahead for those first days and assignments. Research the court or law firm you will be working
at; know the lawyer, deponents, judges, other names, and research the location. Plan to be early to
avoid feeling rushed.

Common Court Reporting Errors

Attention to detail is important for all court reporters. However, there are a few details that are
commonly missed by those beginning their careers. Plus, court reporters will find that unlike their
training, court and depositions can vary greatly depending on where they are held, and the other
professionals involved. Here are a few common errors made by court reporters you’ll want to avoid:

  • Possessive grammar. Court reporters need to be grammar experts, but possessive punctuation
    can be tricky. Remember that “it” does not use an apostrophe for possessive; only “it is” is
    written as the conjunction “it’s.”
  • Use Ms. Women, married or single, should be referred to as “Ms.”, unless specifically referred
    to as “Mrs.”
  • Certificate page date. When the court reporter signs the certificate page, the date should be the
    date the page is signed, not the date of the assignment.
  • Attorney tables. While it is common for plaintiffs to sit on the left and defendants on the right in
    the courtroom, this is not always the case. Assign the left or right tables based on where the
    attorneys sit—never assume the seating is standard.

There is so much to learn as a new court reporter, but with experience will come confidence and
improvement of skills. Another tip for new court reporters – there also comes an opportunity to add income
by selling transcript copies on Expert Depos. Check out the site to learn how to join for free.

Meta: As a new court reporter, there are bound to be some errors made. Use these tips to avoid
common mistakes and improve your skills as a court reporter as you gain experience.