Exceeding Your Expectations
- Kimberly A. Farkas

- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
When selecting a court reporter, exceptional customer service should be a top priority. A court reporter is far more than a presence at the table with a computer. With over 40 years of
experience in the field, I understand what attorneys and their staff truly need and deserve,
from a court reporter.
You want a professional who works seamlessly with your staff to coordinate scheduling and
confirmations. You expect your court reporter to arrive early, fully prepared, and ready to begin before the scheduled start time. Professionalism in greeting you and your clients is essential.
Equally important is the ability to request clarification in a calm, unobtrusive manner that does not disrupt the flow of proceedings.
Of course, the fundamentals matter: timely delivery of accurate transcripts and clear, itemized invoices with no hidden fees. These are just a few of the benefits you can expect when working with an experienced, court reporter-owned agency.
In contrast, large national agencies often operate with a sales-first mindset. Their primary focus is bringing in business, sometimes through aggressive pricing strategies or incentives.
However, once a job is booked, the priority shifts to simply filling the assignment. Too often, court reporters are treated as interchangeable resources rather than the highly skilled professionals they are.
Because court reporters are independent contractors, these agencies may have limited familiarity with the individuals they assign.
This raises important questions:
Will your transcript be delivered on time?
Will it meet the highest standards of accuracy?
And where is your investment going?
In many cases, those dollars do not support your local community, as these companies and their employees are frequently based out of state.
This is why working with a smaller, independent, reporter-owned agency makes a meaningful difference. These agencies offer the same services as larger firms, but with a higher level of care and attention. They build genuine relationships with both clients and reporters, allowing them to thoughtfully match the right professional to each assignment.
That distinction matters.
For example, a medical malpractice deposition involving an expert surgeon requires a court reporter who is comfortable with complex medical terminology.
Not all reporters have the same expertise or preferences. Smaller agencies recognize these nuances and make deliberate matches, ensuring both the client and the reporter are set up for success.
By prioritizing these relationships and details, independent agencies create a better experience for everyone involved and consistently deliver a superior final product.
Court reporting is more complex than it may appear. As professionals, we often work quietly in the background, ensuring everything runs smoothly. But that expertise, attention to detail, and dedication to service is exactly what makes the difference. Partnering with an experienced
A professional who understands these nuances ensures your proceedings are handled with precision and care every time.

Comments