Home Page

Introducing

COURT REPORTING SURVIVAL SECRETS

Tips to Avoid Deposition Potholes

Book Cover

L.J. Stone and P.B. Leas
Copyright 2009

A must-read book for every court reporting student, law student, transcriptionist or any significant other in the life of a court reporter. This material has been written by two veteran court reporters with a combined total of 35 years of court reporting experience who have maintained enough sanity to get just a few more words on paper.

This primer is what you don't learn in formal education classes, but what you must learn in order to keep your good wits about you, stay in this sometimes stressful profession and keep a good, light-hearted attitude when things get hectic. Every chapter is written from real-world experience with real people in real events. All parties to the process are profiled in good-natured intent, and even veteran reporters and seasoned attorneys may find a few "Oh, my God, they're talking about me's" in here. No offense intended to most of you who relate.

The material covers real-life scenarios of what it's really like to engage in the business of producing legal transcripts, the "characters" involved, the mentally challenging settings, the physically challenging environments, the "you-can't-make-this-up" testimonies, and a variety of other insider revelations and secrets of the work-at-home reporter.

Excellent court reporting schools are available and recommended for anyone thinking of entering this business to learn the practical skills. This book is an adjunct to your formal education and an introduction into the lighter side of court reporting, attorneys, witnesses and depositions.

A summary of the chapters:

1)	The Deposition: The setting, the players, the drumroll.
2)	Attorney Profiles: Are you with the Virgin, the Intimidator, the Big Ego, the Sweetheart, the Prepared, the Unprepared, the Fox, the Jack Rabbit, the Stealth Bomber, the Gentleman, the Detached, or the Spiritualist? Detailed analyses.
3)	Witness Profiles: A collection of 12 styles and personalities you are guaranteed to run into and how to deal with them. (The Mumbler, the Head Bobber, the Know-It-All, etc.)
4)	You Can't Get There From Here: The journey to a deposition is really half the fun. The twists, the turns, the wrong address. Can MapQuest really be trusted?
5)	What's on the Menu Today? The various types of depositions, the EUO, the All-Day, the Video Deposition, the Telephone Deposition, the No-Show. How to cuss in French.
6)	Location, Location, Location: A list of potential deposition sites that may send you packing for the hills (literally). Be prepared.
7)	Finding Your Way Around the Room: You're the boss on this one.
8)	Just Think of Me as the Potted Plant: Yes, you're another living, breathing human being in the proceeding. When to assert and why.
9)	Disruptions to the Deposition: Silence is Golden, especially in a deposition when "the little things can mean a lot."
10)	Drop, Flick and Roll: The tiny tip that can keep your reputation as a professional. Professional what?
11)	The Lighter Side of Medical Exhibits: Consciously or not, even medical personnel have a sense of humor. Just pray it's not your chart records.
12)	Why a Berlitz Course Would be Helpful: There are great translators, and then there are not-so-great translators. A sampling.
13)	Were you Gone Until You Returned?: When you absolutely, positively have to keep a straight face.
14)	Fashion and the Court Reporter: Your uniform(s) and how to maintain haute couture in the confines of your own home. SAPS Membership requirements.
15)	Ten Rules for Working at Home: Be Flexible, Accept and Embrace Procrastination (Professional samples to follow) and eight more totally useful suggestions.
16)	Doubt Every Word: Proofreading, dying a slow death. Strive to be 100%. Lucky to be 98%. How one word can totally change your life.
17)	Abort, Retry, Ignore: Could also substitute for dating advice.
18)	Learning the Hard Way: Why you're lucky to be reporting in this day and age.
19)	Stress: Your free personal "Stress Reliever Keyboard Overlay."
20)	The Perks of Court Reporting: You be the judge.

Plus an Appendix of Useful Websites is included in the back of the book. This book is a total of 56 pages, 8.5 x 11, coffee table suitable.

Stay one step ahead of the game and get this info today! As an introductory offer, you can download the new e-book version for $9.95. Please click on the PayPal Button below for downloadable e-book version (a download link will be sent to your email address within seconds):

Printed copies are available for $14.95, plus $4.95 Priority Mail Shipping. Please click on this PayPal button for a printed copy:

Questions? Email us at loras1044@aol.com

To read more about a Court Reporter's Role in Depositions CLICK HERE