Deposition Reporting – What Do Court Reporters Do To Get Through Those Long Legal Depositions?
COURT REPORTING – Tricks of the Trade
After 15 years of deposition reporting, I have learned a few things about making a day of typing a little more comfortable. It can be tough sitting all day when you can’t grab a bite or have a sore back, but there are a few things you can do to make your day a little easier.
Many of us keep meal bars in our computer bags for when hunger strikes. For some reason, mine are always smashed when I get to them. After so many years of eating mangled bars, I have looked into an alternative. Last year I started carrying chocolate protein powder or a meal replacement powder.
Now, I know this will sound weird, but I take half a cup of coffee, half a glass of water and stir in a chocolate meal replacement with a creamer. It’s thick, filling and gives me caffeine to get through the rest of the day. The protein powder can also be used instead and also be just as filling. You can always adjust to your style, but the food never gets smashed, it will never go bad and who doesn’t love chocolate in the afternoon?
Another trick is I always wear an outer jacket, and I never hang it up at a deposition unless I already know what kind of chair I will have. Although you can carry a back support device in your steno case, I prefer to optimize what I already have. Many times I roll up my jacket and use it to support my back or even sit on it, depending on what kind of chair I am in. Also, sometimes you get placed under a vent. So although you may have started nice and toasty, suddenly a vent will kick in and blow right on you. When your jacket is with you, it is much easier to throw it over your shoulders.
We have all got our tricks of the trade from our experiences. Please share what you have come up with. All of us court reporters can use a little help and inspiration!
Submitted by Jessica Waack, RDR, CRR
Tags: court reporter, Court Reporting, court reporting tips
April 13th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I like to get a good night’s sleep and make sure that I get my workouts in. Then I have more energy. If all else fails, and I’m feeling tired, I keep those 5 Hour Energy bottles in my case for emergencies. My rule is to always carry a Power bar with me. Thanks Jess!
April 13th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
Great ideas, Jess! And I am 100% with you about always, always bringing a jacket or suit coat along. Not only can it save your own back, but it could really help someone else as well. I recently had a witness in so much back pain that we almost had to call it a day and reschedule the rest of the depo. No pillows or other chairs were available to help him, so I offered him my jacket. Ta-da!! The day and his back were saved! It’s the little things 🙂
April 14th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Jess, I really like the protein powder in the coffee thing, and I usually end up with squished power bars. I also bring a cut up apple. If I know I’m going to be there all day, I actually go to a secretary or something and request a good chair. I always promise to put it back, et cetera and no one has ever said no. Makes a big difference to have the right chair.
April 16th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Never leave home without Advil!! I recently had a job that I thought was only going to last an hour or two, and it ended up going most of the day. Unfortunately I didn’t have any Advil. I keep a little bottle in my computer bag now just in case I need it!
April 16th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Trying to find the most ideal chair without inconveniencing anyone is a great start. I also bring granola bars to depositions as well for quick snacks, but your suggestion sounds pretty satisfying as well. I’ll have to try that sometime.
April 16th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Jessie, the protein powder mixed with coffee is a great idea! I know you said you’d rather not bring meal bars with you, but I have a healthy “grab and go” recipe for Peanut Butter Protein Bars that I love to bring with me that I thought I would share. It’s very simple. I cut them into whatever size I want and individually wrap them in tin foil and put them in the freezer, then I can grab one whenever I need to.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Cup Protein Powder
1 Cup Uncooked Oats
Directions:
Melt peanut butter and honey on the stove. Add protein powder and oats and mix. Add extra honey if it’s too dry.
Press into 9×13 pan. Refrigerate until set. Cut into bars of desired size.
April 19th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Great tips, Jess, and I’m getting great ideas from the rest of you too! Definitely going to stash a bottle of Advil in my bag, and Laura, those protein bars sound amazing (and simple, which is perfect for me, because I can actually make them.)