Communication & Stakeholder Relations Flashcards

A client repeatedly calls the reporter's office demanding a rush delivery but has an outstanding unpaid invoice. The best approach is to:

Answer: Communicate professionally about the outstanding balance before proceeding with the new order

Professional communication about unpaid balances before accepting a new rush order protects the reporter while maintaining a business-like relationship.

An attorney's paralegal, rather than the attorney herself, contacts the reporter to request a correction to a certified transcript. The reporter should:

Answer: Require direct written authorization from the attorney of record before making any changes

Changes to a certified transcript require explicit written authorization from the attorney of record, not simply a request relayed through staff.

During a medical malpractice deposition, an expert witness uses complex medical terminology that the reporter is uncertain about spelling. The most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Ask the expert witness to spell the term on the record

Asking the witness to spell technical terminology on the record is the proper practice to ensure accuracy in highly specialized proceedings.

A court reporter who also freelances is offered a financial incentive by a litigation support company to refer all deposition work to them. Accepting this arrangement would most likely:

Answer: Violate professional ethics rules regarding conflicts of interest and financial arrangements

Accepting referral fees or kickbacks from litigation support companies creates a conflict of interest that violates professional ethics codes for court reporters.

When a judge requests that the reporter read back a witness's answer that was given several hours earlier in trial, the reporter should:

Answer: Locate and read back the exact recorded answer without editorializing

The reporter must locate and read back testimony verbatim from the record, as accuracy is paramount and summarizing could misrepresent what was said.

A self-represented litigant at a deposition does not understand the process and begins asking the reporter for procedural advice. The reporter should:

Answer: Explain that offering legal or procedural advice is outside the reporter's professional role

Court reporters must remain neutral and cannot provide procedural or legal guidance to any party, regardless of whether they are represented by counsel.

A reporter transcribing a telephone deposition cannot clearly hear one party due to a bad connection. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Note inaudible portions as '[INAUDIBLE]' and inform counsel of the technical difficulty

Marking inaudible testimony and immediately notifying counsel preserves integrity of the record and allows parties to address the technical problem.