San Jose court reporters and videographers have jobs that require fast thinking and alert people. These individuals must be able to stay on their feet all day and night and be versatile enough to perform a variety of tasks. In short, they must be good "all-round" people. If you are one of these individuals and have thought about a career in the San Jose court reporting, there are some things you should know before you begin.
"CRS is a full service court reporter and videographer company serving the whole San Francisco Bay Area and even beyond. We've grown up in Silicon Valley with technology to provide the most cutting-edge legal deposition technology as they arise. CRS offers the latest advances in the world of videography and court reporting, including streaming real-time reporting, secure video & audio, electronic transcripts & documents, and text/image synchronization."
In addition to knowing how to use a computer and the basics of lighting and sound, court reporters and videographers need to be multi-talented. For example, it is not uncommon for a videographer to do live reports, still images from live events, and interviews while at the same time recording court reports and making other business presentations. This ability to multitask is becoming increasingly important in our ever-changing society. "We are seeing a tremendous increase in business communications that involve live presentations, webinars, teleconferences and online seminars. It's important that those responsible for such presentations understand the role of a court reporter and how closely that person interacts with the public," explains Mike Gennaro, Executive Vice President of litigation services for ADR Network. "As a former trial reporter who specialized in preparing trials, I was very familiar with the necessity of having multiple skillsets in order to effectively perform my job.
Part of San Jose court reporting involves preparing depositions. Many people wonder what constitutes "discovery" and what is involved with it. In a simple sense, the discovery is any information learned through a process consisting of both oral and written responses to discovery requests made by a client in a legal proceeding. Oral discovery can come in the form of answers to interrogatories, subpoenas or request for production of documents, and depositions. A successful litigation specialist will know which techniques will work best for the particular situation.
San Jose court reporters must know how to prepare their clients' responses to discovery requests, especially in a case such as a mesothelioma case. In the case of a mesothelioma case, this means the preparation of expert witnesses to testify about the nature of the cancer and about the asbestos exposure that caused it. One skill that many San Jose court reporters lack is an understanding of medical terms. This is particularly important in cases involving oral depositions as well as routine depositions taken for case management.
There are numerous other areas in which San Jose court reporters have skills that could prove useful. Court reporting can also involve assisting lawyers with research, drafting letters of documents and even assisting them with deposition preparation. Many firms that provide legal videography services have courses available for those interested in expanding their skills. Such courses generally cover topics such as basic grammar, punctuation, terminologies, computer software and office etiquette. Many attorneys have a preference for professionals who have taken high school English language courses or who have at least a bachelor's degree in English.