How COVID Modernized Court Reporting
When courthouses closed in 2020, depositions didn’t stop—they moved. In the churn of emergency Zoom links and ad-hoc exhibit workflows, something lasting happened: the legal community got fluent with technology. Five years later, that fluency has reshaped court reporting in ways that make litigation teams faster, more focused, and more secure.
First, the ground rules in Washington are clear and unchanged: only Certified Court Reporters (CCRs) can hold themselves out as “court reporters,” and the statute defines the practice itself. The law states: “No person may represent himself or herself as a court reporter without first obtaining a certificate” (RCW 18.145.010). And the “practice of court reporting” includes shorthand, machine writing, and stenomask oral recording “of a verbatim record … and the producing of a transcript.” (RCW 18.145.020). The statute also preserves innovation: nothing in the chapter restricts “the introduction of alternate technology in court reporting practice.” For matters that originate as court audio, AAERT-certified professionals can transcribe digitally recorded proceedings; the CET credential specifically tests verbatim transcription from multi-channel audio using federal formatting standards.
COVID’s real legacy is the workflow around the record. Remote and hybrid depositions are now muscle memory: secure videoconferencing, reliable audio, precise exhibit handling, and room setups that support both in-person and remote attendees.
The real game-changer in court reporting has been the modern toolset that matured during the pandemic. These tools have significantly accelerated the pace of practice, making tasks more efficient and streamlined.
AI's role is to assist, not author, the certified record—that remains the domain of a CCR under Washington law. Secure transcript-analysis tools now deliver question-answering, cross-depo comparisons, and verified page-line citations in minutes. One widely used example, Transcript Genius, is included with transcript orders from Steno, enabling teams to summarize, search, and compare testimony without requiring additional licenses. It’s built for legal and designed to complement, not replace, the certified record or the legal team.
Litigation teams that embrace the technological advances the field has experienced over the last five years stand out, as they satisfy cost-conscious clients with more time for strategy, motion practice, and witness preparation.
Quick Depo Checklist:
First, the ground rules in Washington are clear and unchanged: only Certified Court Reporters (CCRs) can hold themselves out as “court reporters,” and the statute defines the practice itself. The law states: “No person may represent himself or herself as a court reporter without first obtaining a certificate” (RCW 18.145.010). And the “practice of court reporting” includes shorthand, machine writing, and stenomask oral recording “of a verbatim record … and the producing of a transcript.” (RCW 18.145.020). The statute also preserves innovation: nothing in the chapter restricts “the introduction of alternate technology in court reporting practice.” For matters that originate as court audio, AAERT-certified professionals can transcribe digitally recorded proceedings; the CET credential specifically tests verbatim transcription from multi-channel audio using federal formatting standards.
COVID’s real legacy is the workflow around the record. Remote and hybrid depositions are now muscle memory: secure videoconferencing, reliable audio, precise exhibit handling, and room setups that support both in-person and remote attendees.
The real game-changer in court reporting has been the modern toolset that matured during the pandemic. These tools have significantly accelerated the pace of practice, making tasks more efficient and streamlined.
- Exhibit handling inside Zoom. Instead of juggling links and screenshares, native Zoom apps built for depositions let you upload, number, annotate, and mark exhibits in-meeting, then persist them to your repository.
- Legal videography that is trial-ready. Picture-in-picture layouts (witness + live exhibit) can now be created directly from the remote session—no ELMO is required.
- Firm dashboards. Centralized portals house transcripts, exhibits, and video; enable global, case-wide search; and let teams book online instead of playing email tag. Several platforms also integrate directly with case management systems such as Clio and Litify, so scheduling and file access live where your matters already live.
- Security by design. Reputable providers ensure the highest level of security, publishing SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance for their platforms and tools—essential for safeguarding sensitive case data and providing peace of mind to legal professionals.
- Reporter operations. Behind the scenes, provider dashboards and job marketplaces enable certified reporters to self-assign to compatible work, thereby improving coverage and turnaround.
AI's role is to assist, not author, the certified record—that remains the domain of a CCR under Washington law. Secure transcript-analysis tools now deliver question-answering, cross-depo comparisons, and verified page-line citations in minutes. One widely used example, Transcript Genius, is included with transcript orders from Steno, enabling teams to summarize, search, and compare testimony without requiring additional licenses. It’s built for legal and designed to complement, not replace, the certified record or the legal team.
Litigation teams that embrace the technological advances the field has experienced over the last five years stand out, as they satisfy cost-conscious clients with more time for strategy, motion practice, and witness preparation.
Quick Depo Checklist:
- Services to consider: Realtime court reporter, legal videography (including picture-in-picture & video-to-transcript sync), remote/hybrid setup (loaner laptop?), conference room, exhibit handling, interpreter, and transcript due dates.
- Provide at scheduling (email or dashboard): Date, time, estimated length, case caption, witness name, taking attorney + contact, notice/subpoena, remote component (yes/no), realtime needed (yes/no), rough draft and/or expedited final (yes/no), videographer (yes/no) and picture-in-picture or sync needs, conference room (where and for how many people), interpreter (language), loaner laptop (for hybrid). (Email or dashboard workflows are both common.)
- Hybrid best practices: Confirm room is equipped with microphones/cameras, Wi-Fi, and ability to join the remote platform; who’s in-room vs. on Zoom; witness has a neutral background; and how exhibits will be handled (physical sets vs. secure digital upload/link).
- File formats: Inform your agency if your case-management system requires a specific transcript type, such as PTX or LEF (note there may be an additional fee); standards are TXT and a hyperlinked PDF with a word index and exhibits, and condensed.