Sounds like something similar to what is happening down here in Florida. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But I fear it is competing with the jobs of federal and state reporters by using freelance agencies. If I am wrong, Earl, please correct me.

Patricia A. Smith, RPR, FPR
Court Reporters, Inc.,
Fort Pierce, Florida

Hello, Earl. How are you? I notice on your website that the contact page says, "Please contact us to learn more about our transcription services." And also, your Managing Director of Operations is a former court reporter who, quote, "After three years of employment as a Court Reporter, Ms. Turner saw a void in the industry for quality transcription from taped proceedings, but many court reporting agencies at the time did not share Ms. Turner’s vision."

I've read through this entire thread, and it's still not entirely clear that you are, indeed, looking for partnerships with machine stenographers as opposed to tape transcribers. For example, "The “court reporting” contracts we bid on are for U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) deposition and grand jury proceedings, and Federal agencies that conduct administrative and public meetings which must be accurately captured and preserved for the record." It seems vague to me.

Also, "For our court reporters, each reporter uses their normal recording device. They are also issued a company-owned laptop computer protected with FIPS 140-2 encryption which is dedicated for transcription use only. They may use their steno machines with their laptops for the transcripts."

It's just very puzzling, Earl. How would a reporter's CAT software get onto those laptops?

In any event, as you compete for reporting jobs across the country, and especially here in the Washington, DC/Virginia/Maryland area, feel free to contact me when your clients require realtime. So many times, especially with government work, that means lowest possible bid, sometimes in exchange for large volumes of work, sometimes on a piecemeal basis. I don't engage in contracting, nor am I never the lowest bidder. But I can provide no-excuses realtime reporting services of the highest caliber, and your clients will be delighted with the quality, guaranteed.

As an added benefit, if the caliber of the work turns out to be as promised, of course I'll share that good experience with others, and your network of excellent machine stenographers will grow! OTOH, I tend to be protective of my reporting colleagues, and I'd never recommend a firm that was displacing official reporters.

Best of luck to you and your new firm.

Regards,

Mary Ann Payonk, RDR-CRR, CBC, CCP, CLR
Independent Freelance Court Reporter
Washington, DC
Notary: DC, VA, MD, DE
DE State CSR No. RPR-206
CA State CSR No. 13431
RealRealtime@gmail.com

Do you need CLVS videographers in Florida? I have done jobs for the SEC while in NYC.