Here Are 5 Essential Qualities & One Easy Test
In recent years the court reporting industry has exploded with agencies. With so many agencies to choose from today, it is important to know the essential qualities to consider when selecting a court reporting company to fulfill your deposition and litigation needs. Here are five ESSENTIAL qualities you should expect from your court reporting agency. If you don’t consistently receive the elite level of service these qualities produce, you might not have the best firm for you!
1. Tenured Reporters
When it comes to court reporting, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that replaces experience. Reporting is a highly technical and linguistic skill, and over time reporters build a library of words that make quality writing at high speeds possible. This invaluable experience just can’t be found in junior reporters, so when quality and timeliness matter, look for reporters with a minimum of 10 years’ experience.
2. Excellent Customer Service
A great court reporting company will provide excellent customer service from the first phone call to the delivery of the transcript. Office personnel and court reporters alike should demonstrate expertise, efficiency, and professionalism at all times. They should arrive early and be set up prior to the deposition or court proceeding starting. They should know what to expect and be able to deliver clear, accurate, and legible transcripts in a timely fashion. The best agencies make friendliness and going the extra mile a top priority.
3. Accurate Transcripts
Transcripts should be accurate, timely and consistent every time. Some agencies include various forms of media, a word index, a condensed version, and optical character recognition (OCR) a.k.a. searchable exhibits for your convenience. You should know ahead of time what will be included and what additional features are available for your transcript order.
4. One Call for All of Your Needs
The agency should be a one-stop shop for all your court reporting and litigation needs. In addition to court reporters, agencies should also provide fully staffed conference rooms, videographers, translators and additional services, such as real-time, internet-streaming depositions, synchronized video options, audio transcription, and more. Make sure you select a firm that can handle ALL your needs.
5. User-Friendly Scheduling and Repository
Scheduling should be easy! Whether you schedule through their website, call or email, it should be a quick and easy process. You should be able to speak with someone directly or receive a quick response and confirmation. The online repository should also be user-friendly and allow you to view and download your transcripts and exhibits with ease.
One Easy Test – A Great Reputation!
You want a great court reporting agency that is going to meet your needs, deliver a quality product and create an enjoyable experience? Check their reputation first! Review their testimonials and ensure their existing clients are saying positive things about them. Check LinkedIn, Facebook and other forms of social media and networking circles.
In a world full of technology, skill and, quite honestly, competition, there are absolutely no excuses as to why you should receive anything less than top-notch quality and service today. Make sure the agency you choose can check all of the boxes above before scheduling.
Here at Elite Court Reporting, we understand and value the qualities mentioned above. We confidently guarantee and ensure that our clients will receive the finest customer service as well as high quality and consistent products. Our court reporters are professional and all have a minimum of 10 years’ experience. Our staff is ready to provide you with impeccable service.