Joe Schell, Cite Founder, speaking at Alabama State Bar’s Mid-Year Meeting Last week, Cite founder Joe Schell had the privilege of speaking before the Alabama State Bar’s Mid-Year Meeting.  Joined by panel members Judge Burt Smithart, attorney Leon Hampton Jr., and two Alabama Court Reporters Association members, Joe spoke on the dangers of digitalizing court reporting.  Specifically, Joe focused on how the lack of a reporter’s presence during a deposition can deeply affect the accuracy of transcripts.  From lines of transcription with unknown speakers to mumbled testimony, avoi ..read more

Joe Schell, Cite co-founder, at the NELA 2022 conference. Recently, Cite co-founder, Joe Schell had the honor of speaking before the National Employment Lawyers Association’s Spring Seminar in Chicago, IL.   During his lecture, Joe spoke on the importance of technology in today’s courtroom, specifically highlighting how preparation is the key to success when it comes to trial technology. To elaborate on this, Joe pointed back to the first televised U.S. Presidential Debate between future Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. While examining this historic debate, Joe mentioned that ..read more

From circuit courts to superior court, official court reporters are needed for their transcription services in all types of settings. They may be used for depositions, hearings, civil cases and grand jury proceedings. Court reporters are absolutely crucial to court proceedings. Court reporters transcribe all dialogue spoken in court using a stenographer. The verbatim record becomes part of the official court record, which can be used as evidence in future hearings and depositions. Attorneys and other law professionals use the official record to contribute to their arguments or as a primary sou ..read more

Lawyers and attorneys are having to think fast and implement creative and innovative solutions for remote proceedings. Litigators face unique challenges as they seek to serve their clients and align with best practice. For the most part, this has meant activating technology. Courtroom technology has been in place—in various forms and levels of sophistication—for generations. In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, legal practices nationwide have fast-tracked their implementation of available tech. One of the most common platforms now in use is Zoom for video conferencing.  Many states h ..read more

Trial technology and exhibit training highlight the power of communication in a courtroom. By leveraging innovative tools, messages can be maximized and emphasized to their greatest effect. Visual design in a courtroom is sometimes referred to as law graphics or litigation graphics. This kind of technology has been pioneered by attorneys, consultants and graphic/motion designers.  The incorporation of technology into the courtroom is not new. The legal field has often been on the cutting edge of new approaches. By assimilating applications into courtroom procedures, the law can be underst ..read more

Many legal professionals need court reporting services at some point in their careers. Luckily, there’s no shortage of quality reporting services in Alabama. The question is, with so many Alabama court reporting firms to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?  When it’s time to choose a reporting firm, many legal experts find themselves at a crossroads. They can partner with the first firm they find or take time to research the best court reporters in town. Whether they know it or not, their choice will affect the quality of the legal services they offer to their clients ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way legal professionals conduct business. To limit the spread of the virus, jurisdictions across the country have encouraged legal professionals and their clients to meet remotely. Although COVID-19 brought remote depositions into focus, partially remote depositions have been around for decades. However, when remote depositions occurred in pre-pandemic times, court reporters were generally in the presence of the deponent.  As the pandemic continues to loom, remote deposition services continue to provide tremendous value to law professionals and their ..read more

Casual observers may never give a court reporter a second glance. Their quiet presence lacks flash but they are an integral part of the proceedings. Law professionals and judicial officials rely on the role of court reporters.  Court reporters generate transcripts and records that become integral to due process. Court dialogue records are invaluable to law firms. Attorneys use transcripts to support arguments and as a primary source in review of appeals and other litigation.  Court reporters also contribute to the integrity of the court. Without court reporters, sworn testimonies cou ..read more