legal video | Court Reporters

Legal Videography and Court Reporting

Credit: Hovercraft World

Litigation support has grown into a diverse world for legal professionals to peruse. It is rare that attorneys simply require a court reporting or trial support service—more often than not, they need several services for their upcoming case. Court reporting firms have learned that the best way to keep in business is to listen to client needs and include the services they really need in their lineup.

For the longest time, court reporting firms did just that: court reporting. The world of law has become more complex and demanding for attorneys, so naturally, some of that demand shifts to court reporting firms. On top of court reporting, firms now offer anything from transcription, to interpreters, to mediation to keep up with the ever-changing needs of clients.

The best firms, however, incorporate the latest technology into their services. As technology grows more important, legal videography has practically become a right-hand-man to court reporting. These days, court reporting firms that don’t offer legal videography fall short. But what is legal videography, and why is it so important?

A legal videographer is a professional who is responsible for recording legal proceedings with high-quality audio and video equipment. They can be utilized to record a trial, legal deposition, the signing of legal documents, or even to record evidence for trials like damaged property. To work with a firm that officers legal videography, prospective videographers should get their Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) certification from the NCRA. This ensures the professional’s understanding of the field and level of skill. Legal videographers should have a quality video camera, audio mixer, microphones, headphones, and even backdrops at their disposal so a client can get the most out of their service.

There are a number of specificities that legal videographers must keep in mind as they move forward with a case. They must know the differences in the operation of legal videography on a state-by-state basis. It is up to the legal videographer to know those rules and receive the proper certifications and meet the correct industry standards that clients look for. The legal videographer knows what state rules and what federal rules take priority on a job.

The world is full of jargon the average attorney might not know the answer to when it comes to their legal video service, and it isn’t their job. Their legal videographer takes care of the industry specific videos so the attorney has nothing to worry about. For a crash course on becoming a deposition videographer, watch the video below.

Legal videographers are another fantastic resource to have on top of one’s court reporter. By capturing the audio and visuals of a deposition, attorneys can craft a stronger narrative for the courtroom. Some court reporting firms work with an additional legal videography firm or a freelance professional, while others employ in-house professionals. In-house legal videographers are especially valuable, as it gives client the comfort of knowing the standard they expect from their court reporters transfers to their legal videographers.

“In-house legal videography sweetens the deal for many attorneys,” Marti Sutherland-Vidal, Chief Operating Officer of Laws Reporting, says. “When a client knows they can trust your firm, they don’t want to hop around to others and hope they get the same level of support because you don’t offer all the services they need. Offering legal videography in the same place they get their court reporters is a game-changer.”

Sutherland-Vidal’s Miami court reporters at Laws Reporting have offered a variety of litigation services essentially since the firm’s conception. It is what has kept the firm in business for almost 50 years. Given how court reporters and legal videographers work in-tandem on such a high number of cases, it only made sense to add legal videography in Miami to their services.

Many may think legal video services directly get in the way of the work court reporters do, but that is just not the case. When utilized together, a legal video and court reporting service are an unstoppable resource for attorneys. Video synchronization marries these two services together seamlessly: the accurate transcript recorded be the reporter can be transposed over the recorded video so that it appears as captions over the video.

While clearly helpful in nature, it becomes abundantly clear just how useful video synchronization is once one takes a closer look. Attorneys can use their synchronized video during their reviewal process as they prepare for the next step, as it makes clip retrieval far easier (and faster). When used during a trial, this service is especially pertinent for the hard of hearing. It allows them to digest what was said during a deposition or other legal proceeding just as easily as everyone else.

“I would encourage others to earn the CLVS certification because you never know when you may need the skills, even if you are primarily still reporting,” Deborah Alvina, a court reporter and legal videographer, says, clearly illustrating the growing importance of the field.

Despite how closely court reporters and legal videographers work, Certified Legal Video Specialists still don’t have an active role in within the National Court Reporters Association. Given the importance of a quality professional in this area of practice, it is shocking to know that they are often left out of decisions the association makes.

Legal video specialists are making a grand push for their voices to be heard. A vote will be held at the NCRA’s July conference that determines a more active inclusion throughout the organization.

From the CLVS Council: Allowing CLVS Associate members to become Participating members does not hinder the goals of the Association. It would strengthen the 35+ year partnership and demonstrate the cooperation with verbatim stenographic reporters. pic.twitter.com/JvLYb9pfGr

— NCRA Official Page (@NCRA) July 3, 2021

“The CLVS program has been around for 30 years and for us to not have a voice by now, and we’ve been such a team partner of the court reporters… is frustrating.”

Considering how Certified Legal Video Specialists have been practically essential to the world of law for the past several decades, it is only a matter of time before they receive the representation they deserve. Court reporters who work alongside these professionals have long-since been aware of their worth, and the rest of the world would be apt to follow suit.

Court Reporters: The Unsung Heroes of the Courtroom

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: Davila Civil Process LLC

Court reporters are the unsung heroes of the courtroom. The media loves to portray lawyers speaking in dramatic absolutes and waving their arms while the judge bangs their gavel to demand order in the court. While this is something that seldom happens, even if it did, what happens when attorneys, the jury, and the judge pack up for the day? How do they remember what exactly happened accurately and honestly?

They turn to their transcripts. Attorneys study what was said to help shape their case. Judges need the transcript to make a fair decision. And where do they get these transcripts? From their court reporters.

The court reporters at Beovich, Walter, & Friend (BWF) are the unsung heroes of Portland, Oregon. Since 1957, BWF has cemented themselves with a reputation of excellence, state-of-the-art equipment, and leading services. When attorneys need a Portland court reporter, BWF is the firm that they turn to.

BWF Reporters has kept their doors open for 60 years by offering diverse litigation services for a number of different legal fields. Court reporting is just the beginning. They also offer realtime reporting, internet streaming, videography, videoconferencing, tape and CD transcription, and more. Sometimes, accidents happen, or a particularly important case needs a transcript as soon as possible. To help meet these needs, BWF offers expedited transcripts, and even same-day drafts. BWF’s areas of practice cover personal injury law, copyright law, immigration law, and a number of other fields, so that just about any law professional can come to BWF, request a service, and get exactly the help they need.

Perhaps the aspect of business that truly separates BWF from the rest is their promise of “transparent billing.” With their itemized invoices, clients know exactly what they’re being charged and why. This open and honest business plan helps build clients’ trust, which is one of the most important factors of running a reporting firm, and really, any type of business.

Booking a service with BWF is easy. Upon arriving to the website, all a potential or returning client has to do is select “schedule a service,” fill out a form with contact information and information on the case, and submit the request. The form is easy to understand and fill out. BWF understands that sometimes, a service is needed quickly, so if a client needs to schedule a reporter or litigation service within two days, all they have to do is call (503) 228-7201. Once scheduled, attorneys and paralegals can be confident that their case is in good hands.

The firm has even adapted to the current global pandemic. In order to keep people at home while continuing the course of law, BWF proudly offers remote depositions. They utilize the best tech in the business to make sure everyone is connected over a secure server and easily heard. It is just one of the many ways BWF goes above and beyond to serve their clients.

To contact Beovich, Walter, & Friend, call (503) 228-7201, email info@bwfreporters.com, or visit their offices.

1000 SW Broadway, Suite 1660 Portland, OR 97205

Court Reporting Firms November 17, 2020

National Court Reporting Firms is on Track to Build New Legal Directory

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: Kroll

For a busy attorney or paralegal, saving time is absolutely crucial. Between their multitude of cases, paperwork, and personal lives the last thing a legal professional wants to think about is finding a court reporting or litigation service that can fulfill all their needs. In the age of the internet, everyone has a website, and looks can be deceiving. Two websites can have nearly identical looks and interface, yet one could be a phenomenal litigation firm, while the other could absolutely horrible.

So how can one tell the difference between the good, the bad, and the ugly?

National Court Reporting Firms is a publication dedicated to bringing those in the litigation field the most up-to-date news on court reporters and the legal world. In the recent weeks, however, the website has been taking on a new endeavor: creating a comprehensive, new directory of court reporters based on state.

The directory is designed to help lawyers find a court reporting professional they know they can count on in their area. Each firm has a history of excellence that has kept their doors open and their clients loyal. Their court reporting services are accurate and efficient. They offer a variety of litigation services that can be tailored to the client’s needs. They will do everything they can to ensure their client is fully satisfied—proving that each and every one of their customers is more than just an end to a mean. The firm’s staff truly cares about the outcome of their case.

*Credit: Diamond Reporting and Legal Video*

Though the index is constantly growing to encompass every state in the U.S., currently, law firms can find excellent court reporting services in 13 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

Each state has a link to one (or more) court reporting firm that will go above and beyond to help their clients. The link directs potential clients to a summary of the firm, giving them a rough idea of services and positive qualities the firm possesses. From that point, potential clients can decide if they want to move forward and book with the firm.

This invaluable resource allows attorneys to find a quality court reporting service without the hassle of weeding through websites and ads themselves, allowing them to focus on their own cases, and their own lives.

For more information, visit nationalcourtreportingfirms.com.

Court Reporting Firms November 17, 2020

Court Reporting and its Adjacent Fields

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: Legal Support World

A person who records the events of a court room or deposition is not a new job to be filled. For centuries, there has always been someone nearby with a documentation of court proceeding in order to help the legal process flow a little more smoothly. In the late 19-century, the first stenotype machine was invented, and the vision of court reporters many of us have was developed.

As technology has grown and advanced, so has the court reporting industry. With the invention of computer-aided transcription, reporters no longer had to write up their transcripts by hand. Court reporters have also become a main resource for providing closed captions for televised court broadcasts.

Fulfilling Client Expectations

But in recent years, court reporting firms have become far more than what the title leads one to assume. With the needs of attorneys and paralegals seemingly growing by the minute, court reporting companies need to keep up with the growing demands in order to not only be a competitive business, but a resource legal professionals will turn to again and again. These firms offer the traditional court reporting options, as well as videography, videoconferencing, trial presentation, and more.

As one of the nation’s oldest court reporting firm and a founding member of the National Network Reporting Company, Anderson Reporting knows a thing or two about the nuances and changes the court reporting industry has undergone over the past several decades. The Columbus court reporters offer a full list of litigation services in order to assure that each and every one of their clients’ needs are met.

But what exactly are these new standards of business court reporting firms are being expected to uphold? In today’s day and age, they are more important than one might think.

Court Reporting in the Modern World

Despite the enhancements of recording technologies, court reporters are still utilized in court proceedings across the world. They provide insight a computer could not. Nowadays, court reporting firms and their professionals are expected to fulfil a wide breadth of needs.

With the technology available, many court reporting professionals extend their services to not only a national, but international level. It has become a standard to provide daily copies and even same-day rough-drafts. Realtime reporting takes all this to the next level. Having a working transcription of the proceedings in a case the moment they happen is crucial to managing a courtroom. It allows for transcripts to be marked up and highlighted when necessary.

To help things move along as quickly as possible, these documents should be sent over email in a PDF. This not only increases speed of delivery, but helps keep these firms green. Comprehensive word indexing, exhibits scanning, and online scheduling are also a must for many.

Legal Videography

Videos of depositions and court proceedings have become increasingly important over the years. Many use these videos to judge the actions of opposing counsel and study their next move. Recordings of depositions can prove to be excellent resources for building a strong case.

The Houston court reporters at Hanna & Hanna boast their certified court reporting staff and video specialists alike. Their specialists are certified through the NCRA, a national organization that assures legal videography quality, as expertise in videography can be more difficult to achieve than one might think.

These videographers are to assure the room is properly lighted in order to best see everyone on camera. The equipment must be working properly and taped in a place where audio feedback will not interfere with the sound. Often, by the next day, files of the proceedings are expected to be delivered in whatever format necessary. At times, synchronized text and video can be provided.

Finding These Resources in One Location

An attorney or paralegal could easily spend hours looking for each individual resource from individual firms that specialize in these areas and more. But upon seeing the rise in litigation needs, many court reporting firms decided it was in their best interest to bring clients each and every one of these resources. Knowing if each and every one is quality, however, can be tricky.

This is a question the National Court Reporting Company (NNRC) has taken upon themselves to answer. The NNRC is a court reporting owned and operated firm that assures the quality of court reporting firms, so that clients can easily locate one whose services can be trusted through and through. Each of the above listed firms are NNRC members—so whether a client was to book a court reporting or trial presentation service, their quality can be guaranteed.

The NNRC offers a variety of booking options. Clients can go to the firm’s website and book there, certainly, but they can also fill out the NNRC’s online scheduling form and search for their firm by name, by region, or even by court reporter.

Court Reporting Firms, Florida Court Reporters September 27, 2018

Ryan Reporting, A Staple of the Orlando Legal Scene

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: Visit Orlando

Since the grand opening of the Disneyworld in 1965, the Orlando area has grown and changed exponentially. Incredible resorts and the introduction of seemingly an innumerable amount of theme parks has populated the area and continues to reel tourists in, rain or shine. Businesses open, close, and open again with something grander in its place. The once rural area has become a hub of arts and action in less than half a decade.

Bustling City, Bustling Legal Scene

As Orlando’s entertainment industry has grown, its legal industry has done the same. In such a densely-populated area, it is essential to have legal representation for each and every one of your business, health, and real estate legal needs. But as firms expand and shrink in response to “the City Beautiful” demands, there is one thing about the legal field that has remained the same: the presence of lawyers’ most trusted firm, Ryan Reporting.

The firm has remained a prominent part of the Orlando area legal field since 1970. As a dominating resource for litigation needs and court reporters, Ryan Reporting services all of central Florida—from Titusville, to Orange County. Attorneys and paralegals return to the court reporting firm time and time again due to their reputation of diligence, timeliness, accuracy, and absolute care for the case.

Excellence in Service

For years now, each and every one of a lawyer’s legal needs have been fulfilled by Ryan Reporting. The firm offers unparalleled Orlando court reporters, as well as top-tier videography, case research, translators, and so much more. Specialized areas of practice are of no concern to the staff at Ryan Reporting. Attorneys from fields such as civil rights or real estate can come to Ryan Reporting and find a court reporter who is not only skilled, but is fluent in their area of practice—an invaluable resource to building a strong litigation team.

Ryan Reporting hasn’t let the digital age deter them. With the go-go-go nature that comes hand-in-hand with not only a bustling city, but the professional workforce, time is precious. Attorneys and paralegals need to be able to schedule a service at any time of day. A traditionalist can certainly call or email Ryan Reporting to do just that, but for absolute convenience, legal professionals can schedule a service with their mobile-friendly booking engine. All an attorney has to do is fill out information on themselves, their case, and submit a request! It’s that’s simple!

For more information on Ryan Reporting, call them at (321) 636-0972, email them at info@ryanreporting.com, or visit their offices.

1670 South Fiske Blvd, Rockledge, Florida 32955

Court Reporting Firms, Washington DC Court Reporters January 1, 2018

How Court Reporting in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. Region Transcends Borders

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: World Strides

The nation’s capital is a hotbed of political jockeying and careerism. When it comes to the business of politics, no place in the USA matches Washington D.C. for an influx of talent, ambition and diversity of professionals from all over the world. The same may be said about the legal community in the nation’s capital. One of the challenges and benefits of being situated in the political center of the country for court reporting and law firms is the range of case types and clients.

Baltimore court reporters such as Gore Brothers Reporting, with offices in Baltimore, Towson, and Washington DC, must offer services that include a knowledge of various of areas of practice and law firms from two different states and the DC area. Versatility remains the key.

Law firms in the Baltimore DC Beltway are often handling international cases as well. The range of languages, areas of practice and locations means a court reporting firm must be able to provide services such as interpreting, document transcription that is digitally based, and multiple locations.

The challenges for small and medium-sized independent court reporting companies are numerous, according to Joe Grabowski, Founder and President of Gore Brothers:

“We have found that few firms can carry caseloads that include depositions of multiple languages and linguistic variation within a certain area of practice. One of the keys to providing excellent services to law offices in our nation’s capital is the ability to provide new technologies like ultra high speed wifi and videoconferencing across multiple platforms and turn around digital transcripts as soon as possible.”

With many firms specializing in international law, political cases that emphasize corporate and business law, and other fields related to the political dynamism of Baltimore and Washington D.C. it becomes paramount to offer versatility and a history of precision in the tradecraft known as court reporting.

California Court Reporters, Court Reporting Firms June 27, 2017

Bakersfield, California: A Growing Legal Community

by: Willow Sharp

Credit: Capitalshots Photography

Bakersfield is one of California’s rural towns with a fascinating history. For the legal community, Bakersfield is a growing city with a diverse resource of attorneys, court reporters and other legal professionals. Bakersfield court reporters are among the most dedicated in the state.

The legal community is tightly knit and this closeness fosters a rare camaraderie and professionalism not easily found in larger cities or in legal communities in general. The next time you look for a paralegal, a lawyer or a reporting professional in the Central Valley, look to Bakersfield.

Court Reporting Firms, Washington DC Court Reporters March 22, 2017

Washington D.C. Legal News

by: Willow Sharp

Founded in 1961, Gore Brothers Reporting & Video Conferencing has a proud reputation of serving the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginian legal communities with quality court reporting and litigation support services. The Gore Brother’s Washington D.C. court reporters offer services to cover all key litigation support areas. Their 24/7 availability allows for accommodating last minute calls and special requests and sudden changes to any scheduled service. This includes their legal and commercial video, multi-media trial presentation, litigation support services as well as nationwide video conferencing and conference suites. The detailed trial support from Gore Brother’s Reporting & Video Conferencing is guaranteed to add strength to your case.

A History of Transcribing Important Information

Current owner Joe Grabowski started working at Gore Brothers in 1978, two years after he started his reporting profession. In 1996 Mr. Grabouski had the opportunity to travel to Poland and take down the statements from WWII Holocaust survivors. Currently, his focus on the Maryland and Washington D.C. legal communities allows for his team to provide helpful summaries on recent Maryland and Washington D.C. legal news and trends. As any legal professional knows, our nation’s laws and political ideals are in a constant shift and can influence how a case needs to be handled. Therefore, having a litigation support team aware and proficient in all law fields and up to date on current legal news and trends is crucial when setting up a winning case. Ensure the solidarity of your case with a Maryland and Washinton D.C. court reporting firm that is knowledgeable and up-to-date.

Court Reporting Firms, Oregon Court Reporters June 29, 2016

Beovich, Walter & Friend: Certified Court Reporters

by: Willow Sharp

Longest Running Reporting Firm in Oregon

Beovich Walter & Friend Certified Court Reporters (BWF) is a name that has been familiar to the Pacific Northwest since 1957. As the longest running reporting firm in Oregon, they strive everyday to maintain their stellar reputation and to provide the legal community the highest quality service available anywhere. They are aligned with some of the most notable names in the reporting field such as the National Network of Reporting Companies (NNRC), the Nation Court Reporter’s Association (NCRA), and Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting (STAR). BWF is also a proud participant of the NCRA’s Ethic’s First program.

Although BFW has been around for nearly 60 years, they have kept up to date with their technology. Their services are one hundred percent within the 21st century and include: Local, national, and International coverage of Certified Court Reporters, Portland Certified Court Reporters, Expedited and Daily transcripts as well as Same-Day Drafts, Realtime Reporting connected via iPads, iPhones, or other digital device, Internet Steaming, Hyperlinked Exhibits and Synchronized Video, as well as Secure Online Access with 24 hour available assistance. BWF’s court reporters also engage in a program of continuing professional education that ensures that everyone is fully credentialed and up to date.

Current President, Julie A. Walter, a Strong Backbone of the Company

Beovich Walter & Friend Certified Court Reporters is based in Portland, Oregon, and its current president is one Julie A. Walter. Walter joined the offices of Beovich 1986, and has had a career distinguished by professional excellence. Although Julie is the co-owner and equal partner of Doug Friend, she continues to take on reporting assignments. Julie Walter has several distinguished reporting milestones under her belt, including becoming a Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), and a Certified Real-time Reporter (CRR), which was a status awarded to her by the NCRA. All of these credentials mean that she is in high-demand for her outstanding real-time service. Despite this, Julie Walters still finds the time to volunteer. She has served on the board of the National Network of Reporting Companies and given her time to both the Oregon and National Court Reports Organizations.

Court Reporting Firms, Washington DC Court Reporters June 29, 2016

Gore Brothers Reporting & Videoconferencing

by: Willow Sharp

Worldwide Videoconferencing from Baltimore Court Reporting Firm

Gore Brothers Reporting & Video Conferencing has been serving the Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia legal community since 1961. Their scheduling and videoconferencing services are available both nationwide and worldwide. Gore Brothers conference rooms are located in the Maryland, D.C. and North Virginia region, although accommodations can be easily arranged wherever is convenient for you. Current owner Joe Grabowski has worked with the Departments of Justice in the United States as well as parts of Europe, which allows this court reporting firm a unique understanding of national and international relations.

Services provided by the Gore Brothers include the following: real time and traditional Virginia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore court reporters, videoconferencing, conference rooms, digital videography services, trial presentation, interpreting/translation services, scheduling and support resources, and multiple format transcriptions. Whether your case is big or small, the Gore Brothers strive to provide every service necessary to make your litigation run as smoothly as possible and give you the needed time to focus on your client’s case.

Viewing and Editing Guaranteed

Their video services provide the facts of your case in a manner that will help to impart the most impact onto the jury. They offer video depositions, accident scene reenactments, day-in-the-life videos, as well as multimedia trial presentation and litigation support. All of these are offered with the appropriate viewing and editing software for your convenience. Additionally, videos can be synchronized to transcripts and any video required can be formatted to your exact specifications. If you are in need of equipment the Gore Brothers provide equipment rentals as well.

When it comes to conferencing, the Gore Brothers offer a duo of resources. All of their conference rooms are equipped with high quality and dependable IP or ISDN-based video conferencing. These locations include Annapolis, Baltimore, Pasadena, Rockville, and Towson, Maryland, as well as Washington D.C. In addition, all of these locations offer the convenience, comfort, and amenities expected in a professional environment.