What Makes a Successful Court Reporting Firm?

Court reporting isn’t what it once was. That much is evident from the technology alone. Once upon a time, stenographs—the keyboard-like device that court reporters use—recorded transcripts in a code similar to Morse code and weighed 50 pounds. Now, stenographs are lightweight and can be connected to a laptop so attorneys can see the transcript in real time.

In this day and age, it is expected that court reporting firms offer more than talented court reporting professionals. Attorneys turn to court reporters for just about every single one of their litigation support needs. In a sphere of business as quickly changing as law, court reporting firms are forced to think quick on their feet and adapt to the changes of attorneys and paralegals in their area.

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As one of the legal hubs of Texas, the court reporters in Houston must be especially diligent and responsive to their clients’ needs. Many firms offer all the bells and whistles. On top of great court reporters, they employ videographers and invest in great conference spaces. They utilize thebest technology offered to the word of law in order to deliver fast, effective services. In that sort of climate, how can a firm stand out?

The answer is shockingly simple but just as easily forgotten in business: customer service.

This is what puts Hanna & Hanna Reporting a step above most court reporting firms in the Houston. With nearly 30 years of experience in the Texas legal field, Hanna Reporting has mastered what it means to provide attorneys and paralegals quality service. Attorneys can count on Hanna Reporting’s dedication to their craft, but they can also count on Hanna & Hanna being there for them.

Sometimes, emergencies happen and sudden changes need to be made to one’s legal team. On short notice, many court reporting firms would turn desperate attorneys the other way. Hanna Reporting is different. In fact, these Houston court reporters offer an after-hours line specifically for last-minute booking. No matter the day of the week or time of day, attorneys can reach Hanna Reporting by emailing afterhours@hannareporting.com. Clients can expect a return email or phone call shortly after.

The world of law is fast and tumultuous. In that work environment, it is comforting for attorneys to know that legal support is there any time they are needed. The staff at Hanna Reporting take the weight off their client’s shoulders at ever moment possible. No matter which stage or size of the case, Hanna’s court reporters treat their clients with the same level of dedication and respect.

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A variety of quality services is important. The use of top-tier technology is just as crucial. Without excellent customer service, however, clients don’t come back. In Houston, Hanna Reporting is a triple threat. They offer attorneys top-tier support no matter their required service, all with a smile. Clients are the reason the firm has managed to stay open for three decades, so why not show them how important they are through work?

For more information on Hanna & Hanna, call (713) 840-8484, email info@hannareporting.com, or visit their offices. 

8582 Katy Freeway, Suite 105, Houston, Texas 77024

Multifaceted Court Reporting

A person who records the events of a court room or deposition is not a new job to be filled. For centuries, there has been someone nearby during a trial with a documentation of the court proceeding in order to help the legal process flow a more smoothly. In the late 19-century, the first stenotype machine was invented, and the vision of court reporters many of us have was formed.

As technology has advanced, so has the court reporting industry. With the invention of computer-aided transcription, reporters no longer have to write up their transcripts by hand. Court reporters have also become a main resource for providing closed captions for televised court broadcasts.

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With the needs of attorneys and paralegals seemingly growing by the minute, court reporting companies need to keep up with the growing demands in order to not only be a competitive business, but a resource legal professionals will turn to again and again. These firms offer the traditional court reporting options, as well as videography, videoconferencing, trial presentation, and more.

As one of the nation’s oldest court reporting firms, Anderson Reporting knows a thing or two about the nuances and changes the court reporting industry has undergone over the past several decades. These Columbus court reporters offer a full list of litigation services in order to assure that each and every one of their clients’ needs are met.

But what exactly are these new standards of business court reporting firms are being expected to uphold? In today’s day and age, they are more important than one might think.

The staff at Anderson fulfill a wide breadth of needs. From court reporting to conference spaces to trial support, attorneys in Columbus, Ohio can turn to Anderson Reporting for each and every one of their needs. The firm was founded with client needs in mind, so Anderson Reporting is constantly adapting their services to better fit the ever-changing world of law.

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With the technology available, it is tandard to provide daily copies-- sometimes even same-day rough-drafts. Realtime reporting takes all this to the next level. Having a working transcription of the proceedings in a case the moment they happen is crucial to managing a courtroom. It allows for transcripts to be marked up and highlighted when necessary.

To help things move along as quickly as possible, these documents should be sent over email in a PDF. This not only increases speed of delivery, but helps keep these firms green. Comprehensive word indexing, exhibits scanning, and online scheduling are also a must for many.

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Videos of depositions and court proceedings have become increasingly important over the years. Many attorneys use these videos to better prepare their witnesses. Some use them to judge the actions of opposing counsel and study their next move. Recordings of depositions can prove to be excellent resources for building a strong case.

The Houston court reporters at Hanna & Hanna boast their certified court reporting staff and video specialists alike. Their specialists are certified through the NCRA, a national organization that assures legal videography quality, as expertise in videography can be more difficult to achieve than one might think.

These videographers are to assure the room is properly lighted in order to best see everyone on camera. The equipment must be working properly and taped in a place where audio feedback will not interfere with the sound. Often, by the next day, files of the proceedings are expected to be delivered in whatever format necessary. Hanna & Hanna's professionals also provide synchronized text and video, which is great for recall.

An attorney or paralegal could easily spend hours looking for each individual resource from individual firms that specialize in these areas and more. But upon seeing the rise in litigation needs, many court reporting firms decided it was in their best interest to bring clients each and every one of these resources.

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These two firms are very different, yet very similar all at once. Why? Because client needs are a top priority. They may not offer the exact same services, but clients visiting these cities can always expect quality customer service. It is how they've become giants of the legal industry in their respective cities. 

For more information on Anderson Reporting, call (614) 326-0177, email scheduling@andersonreporting.com, or visit their offices.

1421 West Third Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212

For more information on Hanna & Hanna Reporting, call (713) 840-8484 or visit their offices.

8582 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024

An Attorney's Passion for Elder Care

In West Palm Beach, Florida, there is an ever-growing population of elders. Seniors move to the area to escape the cold of their home states in the winter and often end up staying. As more and more baby-boomers reach retirement age, questions pop up. What will happen to their estate? For families of the aging population, they begin to wonder about dividing assets and potentially moving their loved ones to elder homes. In a time of their lives when they are supposed to relax, life is no less stressful for the elder community.

To properly deal with these daunting tasks, one needs a lawyer who specializes in elder care law. In West Palm Beach, Mark Shalloway is the face of elder law—and rightfully so.

Mark Shalloway, owner of Shalloway & Shalloway for 30 years, has more than just the credentials to be an elder law attorney. He was one of the first elder law attorneys certified by the National Elder Law Foundation, but Shalloway didn’t stop after achieving the title. He truly wants to make an impact on elder law and the elderly community. That is why he became a member of a number of boards and committee.

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State-wide, Shalloway served as founding chairperson of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee. He is a member of the state and Treasure Coast chapters of the Florida State Guardianships Association and the Palm Beach County Partnership for Aging. He even served as President of the Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and presently serves as Chairman of the Florida Bar Elder Law Section Medicaid Committee. He also provides technical assistance to the Florida Legislature on Elder Legislation.

Nationally, he served as President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He served as chair of the NAELA Advanced Educational Institute in Colorado, and received the Outstanding Achievement award for his work with the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. He works tirelessly to be the representation seniors need.

Mark Shalloway is more than just a faceless lawyer. His involvement with elder rights and elder care speaks for itself, but past that, he has taken it upon himself to educate his community on elder law and all topics surrounding it. He chairs the Board of Alzheimer’s Community Care’s educational conference. He lectured for Stetson College of Law on Special Needs Trusts, and in Las Vegas at the National Absolute Conference on Special Needs Trust. He works as adjunct faculty at Palm Beach Community College, where he lectures on Estates and Administration.

Education on financial readiness and estate planning is so important to Shalloway, in fact, that he hosts free seminars in Palm Beach County twice a month on the topic. Anyone can come to these seminars, though it is suggested you reserve a seat. Visit the firm’s website to find out when Mark Shalloway’s next seminar is.

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All of this plays a part in what granted Shalloway an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, but it’s more than that. Mark Shalloway is not a man who is in the industry for the money. Mark Shalloway is a man who truly cares about his clients, and wants to make life for the aging community and their family as easy as possible. His work puts clients at ease during a time of difficult decisions.

“Very professional office! Everyone is extremely knowledgeable and friendly,” one client says. “I knew exactly what paperwork I had to bring in and they explained everything and all my options. My case manager guided me through the applications. My husband was approved for Alzheimer’s care and Medicaid very quickly. I could not have navigated through the applications and mountains of paperwork and records required without the staff at Shalloway & Shalloway. Thank you!”

For more information on Shalloway & Shalloway, call (561) 686-6200, fill out this contact form, or visit their website.

1400 Centrepark Blvd, Suite #600, West Palm Beach, FL 33401