why i quit being a court reporter

When I chose to go to the school to report in court, I could remember it being exactly like what I had seen on TV. I used to love all the ’80s courtroom dramas. Just think, in two years’ time, I’d be in a dramatic courtroom every day, sitting in front and center heart! Read: Why I quit being a court reporter I was lucky enough to be one of only two reporters to complete in two years. Only the two of us from the first grade of 30 are still reporting, and we’re still friends. We even worked together at a company in Cleveland, Ohio in the 90s, but our careers were very different. That’s for sure about court reporting, every path is different. In most fields, if you’re at the top of your class, you’ll be immediately offered a job. When I finished school in 1991 in Cleveland, Ohio, no formal court positions were open, and I learned very early that when they opened, they were filled immediately. These are salaried positions with benefits and pensions. The freelance market is saturated, no company will hire me without experience. My dream of becoming a court reporter began to evaporate when I started temporary jobs at a few local banks. My father encouraged me to expand the job market, and I reluctantly sent my resume to other cities. Now that I think about it, I wish I had thought about cities with warmer weather. Imagine if I had just dreamed a little. If I knew what I know now, I would definitely send my resume to San Diego! I was 21 years old. Do I want to move to Pittsburgh? Absolutely not, but my father instilled in me a strong work ethic, and failure to achieve my goals was inevitable. When I got the job in Pittsburgh, I had to go. My first job was at Powers & Garrison, and I was hired by Joe Garrison. To say that he was court-reported for greatness is an understatement. The training I received there was top notch. When I think back to my career, I can clearly see that now I have truly been blessed. Court reports have ALWAYS been good to me. For newer court reporters, imagine what it would be like to report in front of the cell phone or the software system we have today. There is no navigation system in our car. I had to call directions for almost every job I went to and get directions by following landmarks. I usually finish my work the day before so I know where I’m going the next day. Traffic in Pittsburgh is horrible and there is no time for error. Usually, work is canceled after you drive two hours to get there. Laptop does not exist. Office mates were assigned based on smoking preference. I was assigned a computer at the office, shared it with two other reporters, and we signed up for computer time. How do you do that when you’re a reporter taking deposits all over western Pennsylvania? I ended up working most evenings and weekends because by then the other reporters had families and weren’t in the office. It took me almost a year to save up for my own computer. It was the first game changer for me, having my own computer at home. Then my boss, the great Joe Garrison, asked me if I wanted to use the modem. A modem? What is that? I worked in Pittsburgh for almost three years, then got engaged to a man in Cleveland and it was time to go home. This time, with almost three years of training, I was able to find a job easily. I am 24 years old now. I spent a few years in the 90s in Cleveland at a few different companies. Those were fun times. I don’t have children, and reporters spend more time in corporate headquarters. I formed lasting friendships that I still maintain, admittedly today in large part thanks to Facebook. I love those years. I was hired by Dennis Parise. He is a speed champ and instills in his reporters the importance of certification. He was a huge inspiration and I am still grateful. I found a new passion for my work, improved my writing, and watched my dictionary grow. I went from a “new reporter” job – car accident, zoning board hearing, 20 minutes of worker filing deposit – to receiving a full day medical malpractice deposit and lawsuit deposit stressful business litigation. It was great! I know the difference and I love it. A whole summer was spent reporting on how a French executive continued to be ousted. It ended up being ten episodes. The lawyers are stressed, as this case has been their life for 5 years. The next step was to receive employee deposits in Paris, France, and I was selected to report them. It’s two weeks of deposit with an interpreter. It was 1997. I’ve been married for a year and just bought my first house. I flew to Paris, France, business class. That was great in itself. The attorneys talked for a few days while I toured the city with their wives. It took us one day to deposit. Then they talked for a few more days and settled the case. Honestly, I feel relieved. A day of checking in with an interpreter is exhausting. I sinfully gave up my supplies, two weeks’ worth of stenos, and promised my husband I’d bring him back for a while and back home. Cleveland is a city where there are tape recorders. It’s hard to believe that now, with recorded backup built into our CAT systems, that at the time it was considered unprofessional to use audio backup. I still can’t believe I’ve been reporting for almost six years without any tape backups. I was exhausted from being a new mom and really couldn’t handle the stress. In 2000, I purchased Case Catalyst with AudioSync. Another game changer! My next big move was when my husband took a job in Louisville, Kentucky. That’s when I was hired by Rick and Ellen Coulter, and I’m still with them. When I first arrived in Louisville, my son was almost two years old and I only worked three days a week. I had another child and continued to work three days a week for several years. That is ideal. Court reporting offers great flexibility when you work for a company that supports you and I did. Journalist reporting is where I have worked for most of my reporting career and where I have been most empowered to grow. I was offered jobs here and opportunities that I didn’t have before. Rick and Ellen are both real-time writers and great mentors and encouraged me to give real-time a try. This is on a daily copy basis. Technology was difficult at first, with the need for daily transportation between the court and our researchers and proofreaders. Thankfully, technology has streamlined that process. It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come. I have had children with behavioral problems and parents with health problems. I went through a divorce. I remarried and faced a serious illness of a spouse. But I can honestly say that the court report got me through it all with my sanity. How? Is that true? There’s no way, right? How? It gave me a way out. It gave me an anchor. It allows me to keep working through everything. Any other job I would have to quit or take a break, but the court reports I can keep doing it. Is that difficult? It’s difficult, of course, but clearly not impossible. It allows me to still be able to earn a living while overcoming the trials and tribulations of life. It’s a great career choice, and I’m shocked we’re in short supply. With today’s technology, the opportunities are vast and far reaching, for me personally, it’s a great choice. I consider myself a successful court reporter, but I didn’t do it alone. I am fortunate to have been trained and mentored and guided along the way. Joe Garrison was my first boss – great! Dennis Parise, a speed champ who expected excellence from his reporters – wow again! And Rick Coulter – a brilliant business mind who is ready to seize the opportunity. Saying I’m lucky is an understatement. He has always believed in me and pushed me to be better! I’ve always been a hard worker thanks to my dad and I think that’s really the key to my success in making a court appearance. If you want to be a good court reporter, you have to work hard. If you want to make good money in court reporting, you have to work hard. If you want to stay relevant and progress to court reporting, you have to work hard. It’s that simple. And pray to the court reporting the gods for those blessings. They do and will come. Where will the court report take me next? I can’t wait to find out!In another article, Ellen Coulter discusses The Story of Real-Time Court Reporting, Anxiety, and the Power of Saying Yes.ABOUT AUTHOR: Lauren Gootee is a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), Kentucky Certified Court Correspondent (KY-CCR), Coulter Reporting court reporter and current President of the Reporters Association. Kentucky Court member. Play with strings, and is string a good toy?

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