Realtime Reporter Jessie Waack

We have all had deposition participants we struggle to hear for various reasons.  You actually have a couple options for monitoring audio during a deposition.

In a video legal deposition, the videographers of Brown & Jones Reporting can run a line from their soundboard which you plug headphones into.  You then have the same audio feed as the videographer does, running through your personal headphones. 

If you tend to be particular about headphones, I would advise carrying your own for comfort.  We have all seen people forget they are wearing microphones.  A sudden sneeze or cough can blow up your eardrums.  A random shuffling of paper can drown out testimony.  By wearing your headphones to the side of your ears, you can diminish the effect the extraneous noises will have.  For this reason, I would recommend avoiding ear buds.  The biggest benefit is that the videographer can turn up a soft spoken person and turn down the loud person so the audio will come out at the same decibel level.

Another option is to monitor your audio through your stenograph machine.  I have an Élan Mira® A3.  On the back of the steno, there is a jack for a microphone and headphones.  I place a glass upside down on the table with Post-Its on top.  I would not recommend putting the microphone directly on the table.  Not only will you hear all the tapping on the table, but you will undoubtedly get paper piled on top of it making this step useless.  The Post-Its are a handy item which prevent the sound from traveling through the glass. 

After the mike is set, I plug my headphones into the back of the steno.  With an audio-capable steno, you can change the steno settings to monitor audio.   I know with the Élan Mira® A3, I can only activate this audio option when I am at the home screen.  For this reason, I always have the steno set with the monitor audio option as “yes.”  You will not use card memory by having this option turned on, although you may use your battery faster.  The downside is I can usually only amplify one person instead of all deposition participants.

After weighing your options, I hope you are able to find one to work for you.  Perhaps this can also inspire you to update an outdated steno to make your depositions a little easier.

Submitted by:

Jessica Waack – Specializing in Realtime Reporting
Registered Diplomate Reporter
Certified Realtime Reporting
Brown & Jones Reporting 

Why is Email Etiquette Important?

Email Etiquette

Millions of people use email, and much of this correspondence involves business communication.  This blog pertains to business/professional email.  By that, I mean any email sent to your colleagues, clients or prospective employers.  The following are some helpful tips to consider when writing an email:

• Do not use shorthand; i.e., “can u plz send info on careers?”
• Avoid misspellings and poor grammar. 
• When possible, be direct; however, don’t leave out important details.
• Take a look at your email address.  Are you a sexymom@isp.com?  Use a more formal address.
• Use your spell checker.
• Do not use offensive language.
• Avoid using hypertext markup language or HTML.  Not every email program can interpret this, and it will not translate well.
• Avoid writing your message using all upper case letters.  It looks like you’re shouting.  Also, avoid using all lower case letters.  Some people will interpret this as mumbling.
• Use your email program’s “Reply To All” feature only when your reply will be necessary to know for the original sender and all people in the original email’s To: and CC: field.
• Do not use “Reply To All” when only the original sender needs to know your reply.
• Use AntiVirus Software on your emails.  Keep it up to date.  Scan your emails.
• Ask before you send huge attachments.
• Avoid “me too” responses.  Not enough content, but enough to annoy people with a large amount of emails.
• If your email is emotionally charged, walk away from the computer and wait to reply.
• Always acknowledge emails.
• Always end your emails with “thank you, best regards,” something.
• Many people overuse exclamation points in email.  Try to use only one exclamation point in an email message.  Remember, exclamation points can be interpreted as anger or frustration.  The recipient cannot hear the tone of your voice.

Jane M. Jones, RMR, CRR
Brown & Jones / Deposition Reporting
 

WCRA

Roger Fish spoke to the Wisconsin Court Reporters Association about how the demands of life and work are greater than ever today.  This seminar focused on helping professionals achieve better work life balance that leads to greater personal and professional success and satisfaction.  Here are a few of the golden nuggets that he offered.

Does anyone ever ask you how you’re doing on Sunday, and you say, “Okay, but tomorrow is Monday!”  The message was:  Don’t “awfulize Mondays.”  Stay positive and don’t be negative about what is to come.  Enjoy the present.

The average life span of American men and women is 77 years.  The average American works a 55-hour week and takes an average of 11 days of vacation.  On four of these vacation days, there is still contact with the office.  Enjoy your life.  We all have only so many weeks of life left to live.  Make the most of them.  Create a bucket list.  Do the things you want to do before it is too late.  Don’t let money always be the overriding factor of what you can do with your life.  

Who are the warm, fuzzy cocoon people in your life, the ones who make you feel good?  Spend time with those people.

Are you celebrating life?  Is life an adventure?  Visit a kindergarten class or play with a child.  Soak in their awe, their curiosity, their wonderment.  Children are great teachers.  Ask yourself – am I celebrating life?  Is it an adventure?

What if there were no longer “anymores?”  What if you’re not going to be here tomorrow or maybe a loved one is no longer going to be here?  Make sure you always tell your loved ones how much they mean to you, just in case there is no “anymore.”

Exercise – Take care of yourself.  If you exercise and eat right, you are going to feel so much better and have so much more energy.  Be as good as you can be for the age that you are.

Avoid negative, energy draining people.

10 percent of life is what happens to you.  90 percent of life is how you react to it.

Use your vacation time.  Many Americans do not use their vacations.  You need to use them so you can re-energize.

If you’re on a plane, and you have your 2-year old on one side of you and your 10-year old on the other side of you, and the oxygen mask comes down, who is the first person you need to put the mask on?
YOURSELF!  You can’t take care of your loved ones unless you take care of yourself first.

LAUGHTER.  Laugh as often as you can!  Laughter is good for the soul and for your health!

For all the menopausal women out there, the next time you’re having a hot flash, don’t think of it as a hot flash.  Just say, “I’m having a tropical moment!”

IT’S YOUR DAY, IT’S YOUR ATTITUDE.  MAKE IT A GOOD ONE!!

Wisconsin Court Reporters Association -  Spring Convention, Blue Harbor Resort & Spa, April 27-29 2010

 Realtime Court Reporting

One of the most important revolutions in the court reporting industry is realtime court reporting. This technology takes the court reporter’s output from the steno machine and translates it into text as the court reporter keys it in – in real time. The steno machine is connected to a computer equipped with realtime court reporting software. Depending on the software and the needs of the client, the realtime feed can be transmitted to courtroom monitors, to individual computers or laptops, or securely over the Internet to remote attorneys. With realtime court reporting, Wisconsin court reporters’ transcripts can be transmitted to partners located virtually anywhere in the world as the words are spoken.

 In addition to being able to see the testimony in a text-based format, attorneys can immediately begin working with the court reporter’s feed. For example, they can add notes, search for keywords, copy and paste testimony, and more without having to wait for the court reporter to issue a final transcript.

 Video Conferencing

Wisconsin court reporters often participate in video conferencing as well. Video conferencing makes it possible to interview out-of-area witnesses remotely, participate in remote depositions, and hold meetings without the expense or hassles of travel. Whether you need a court reporter present or simply want a convenient way to meet with partners, video conferencing is a convenient, cost-effective choice that delivers the benefits of face-to-face meetings without the hassles.

 For example, imagine a Wisconsin attorney who needs to interview an expert witness located in Florida. Instead of the attorney flying to Florida or paying for the witness to fly to and stay overnight in Wisconsin, video conferencing suites in each location can be booked. The video conferencing facilities handle the technical details, and all the two parties need to do is show up and interact with one another.   

 Realtime court reporting and video conferencing technologies are changing the industry – for the better. Experience the difference with Brown & Jones in Wisconsin.

It may seem like common sense to be polite and courteous to customers, but it is surprising that something that seems so common sense is not commonplace.  Successful business comes down to successful interactions with customers, and a happy customer is a repeat customer.  Being polite can go a long way in ensuring customers are satisfied, and not only come back to the business, but look forward to working with you!  I am fortunate to work with people who are not only polite, but kind and considerate as well.  However, it never hurts to brush up on your skills.  Here are some tips on being polite and professional to better your business interactions:

• Greet others courteously and with energy.  Coming across as apathetic can be interpreted as being impolite.
• If you do not know someone well, be one step more polite and formal than you assume is necessary.  Adding “Mr.” or “Ms.,” “Sir” or Ma’am,” gives the other person the opportunity to say, “Oh, please, call me (name).” 
• Be attentive and listen when someone is speaking with you.  Making eye contact, nodding your head and smiling can go a long way.
• Stand up, extend your hand and introduce yourself when you are meeting someone for the first time. 
• End your interaction with things like “Thank you, it was great to see you.   Have a wonderful weekend,” anything to let the person know their time spent with you is appreciated.
• Say “please” and “thank you” whenever you can. People are more likely to respond to a request if they hear “please” at the end of it.  Also, when someone does something for you, say “thank you.”
• Keep your voice at an appropriate level based on your situation.  A loud voice can feel abrasive.
• If you have met someone before, make an effort to use their name when speaking with them.
• Along the same lines, bring up something you may have talked about previously.  Was your client telling you about their kids at your last meeting?  Ask them if they have any fun summer plans or how coaching their daughter’s basketball team is going. 
• SMILE!

 Thank you for reading this, and have a great day!

 Breah Madson,  Registered Professional Court Reporter
National Court Reporters Association 

Are you a member of the National Court Reporters Association?  NCRA’s program “Ethics First” is a no-cost program that, in part, works to remind our clients why the impartiality and neutrality of the court reporter is of the utmost importance in maintaining an unbiased legal system.  As a member, you stand out as the reporter who is right for the client.

NCRA adopted as part of its Code of Professional Ethics (COPE) a policy that prohibits giving excessive gifts to anyone associated with the litigation.  The Board of Directors, in 2008, asked the Committee on Professional Ethics to review the policy.  As a result of that process, the association’s policy was reaffirmed, and a COPE advisory opinion was issued. 

In 2011, at COPE’s recommendation, the policy on gift giving had been revised again.  Currently, COPE is working on another Public Advisory Opinion to assist members in complying with the new policy.

In addition, the Ethics First program works to encourage court reporters, firms and their clients they serve to promote the impartiality and the neutrality of the court reporting profession and avoid inappropriate gift giving and gift acceptance. When used correctly, the Ethics First trademark is designed to instill public confidence in and support for the court reporting profession. 

As a participant, you will be able to use the Ethics First logo as proof of your adherence to the ethics necessary for our profession.  Your name is also included in a listing of Ethics First participants on NCRA’s website.  Your participation will be highlighted in the Professional Services Locator (PSL) listings.

 So how do you become a member of Ethics First?  As a member of NCRA, you can click on http://www.ncra.org/Membership/content.cfm?ItemNumber=11519&navItemNumber=11518 to sign up for Ethics First.  Your name will then be added to the directory, and you will be able to start using the logo on business cards and in other advertising. 

By signing up and promoting this division of NCRA you can help remind the legal community why the impartiality of court reporters is so important.  

Submitted by Jessica Waack
Registered Diplomate Reporter
Certified Realtime Reporter 

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

Blog submitted by Kathy Carter, RMR, CRR

I recently had the opportunity to provide realtime court reporting services for two days of technical expert witness video depositions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  One of the parties was requesting daily copy delivery for these depositions.  The same party also requested that my realtime text and the audio feed be streamed to the Internet for their use. 

 I had provided these streaming services in the past with older technology, but for this deposition Brown & Jones chose to use a new streaming service called LiveDeposition.  LiveDeposition allows streaming to the Internet of realtime text, audio feed, and video; and although this was a video deposition, the video stream was not requested for these particular depositions. 

Overall, the whole process ran very smoothly.  The steps required to connect the feeds to the Internet were fairly simple and easy to understand.  A few clicks of the mouse, and everything was set to go.  Support from LiveDeposition was great.  They got the client set up with everything they required and answered all their questions.  LiveDeposition also monitored the feeds at the beginning of the depositions, just to make sure all was proceeding well.

There was also an attorney who was present in the deposition conference room that requested to be hooked up via CaseViewNet realtime feed.  He hadn’t made prior arrangements, but it was no problem.  I loaded the software on his computer, so he was ready to go and hooked up in seconds. 

In addition, even as I was streaming the realtime text and audio feed to the Internet from the deposition conference room, my computer‑aided transcription program, CaseCatalyst by Stenograph, was also able to send the transcript to a scopist via the Internet to facilitate the daily copy delivery that had been requested.

Well, needless to say, I had to be on my game for this assignment.  At the end of the depositions, I was very happy with the way everything went.  It gives me great satisfaction to be able to provide the kind of computer litigation support services that the legal community today is demanding.  We, as deposition reporters, are definitely keeping up with this litigation technology.  In fact, I think sometimes we are leading the way!!

HAPPY EASTER!

Easter Sunday is a religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on a different Sunday every year between March 22 and April 25 as it follows a lunar calendar (usually the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 20th).

Easter Sunday marks the end of Lent Season, a period of 40 days of fasting in preparation for Easter. Traditions associated with Easter have different origins, including Judeo-Christian as well as Pagan. Both religious and commercial Easter celebrations vary throughout the world; from baking and decorating cakes to coloring eggs to giving presents of chocolate eggs and bunnies.

The rabbit and eggs are two most significant symbols of the festival and represent fertility, new life and spring.