Dear Nancy: I am a new reporter working with a firm that takes 30 percent of my billings, including court work (the per diem as well as any transcripts I get.) I would not have the work without her, but have been told by other reporters that taking a percentage of court work is not [...]
Is it customary when you work with a court reporting firm that you sign a contract with them, especially if it has a no-compete clause involved?
Dear Nancy: Is it customary when you work with a court reporting firm that you sign a contract with them, especially if it has a no-compete clause involved? What is a customary or average split with a court reporter? I want to be more informed and need some guidance. Signed, Newbie to Business Dear [...]
My state association has filed a bill with the legislature which would require us to be licensed.
Dear Nancy: My state association has filed a bill with the legislature which would require us to be licensed. Or is it certified? Our members say licensing and certification interchangeably. Do they mean the same thing? Signed, Grandfather Me In! Dear Grandfather Me In: When our state was considering licensing, I’d find myself wondering [...]
Some reporters say selling audio tapes as an added value item with transcripts opens up a can of worms.
Dear Nancy: Some reporters say selling audio tapes as an added value item with transcripts opens up a can of worms. Others say it is just one more service that we can sell, and if a lawyer wants it, why not? What do you think? Signed, A Future Can Opener Dear A Future Can Opener: [...]
How long should a reporting firm proofread a new reporter’s work?
Dear Nancy: How long should a reporting firm proofread a new reporter’s work? Signed, Proud to be Proofing Dear Proud to be Proofing: The answer to this question is obvious to me: until the reporter provides you with great transcripts, all the time. Hmm. That’s too obvious, so I’m thinking there’s more to your [...]
We pay our reporters upon transcript receipt. Should we charge back the freelance reporter when the firm is not able to collect an invoice perhaps a year later?
Dear Nancy: We pay our reporters upon transcript receipt. Should we charge back the freelance reporter when the firm is not able to collect an invoice perhaps a year later? And what are the tax benefits or detriments to both sides? Signed, Pensive in Pennsylvania Dear Pensive in Pennsylvania: First, my disclaimer: I’m not a [...]
How do we get freelance court reporters to take more responsibility for communicating the details of the job orders without assigning punitive penalties for missing information?
Dear Nancy: How do we get freelance court reporters to take more responsibility for communicating the details of the job orders without assigning punitive penalties for missing information? Signed, Deviled by the Details. Dear Deviled by the Details: Are you serious? Reporters don’t provide all the billing/production details you need? That would never happen in [...]
I had a job in which the witness and her attorney were 45 minutes late.
Dear Nancy: I had a job in which the witness and her attorney were 45 minutes late. The calling attorney started to state on the record about the nonappearance, and as he was almost done, they showed up, and we had the deposition. The calling attorney told me to “strike all that.” Should I just [...]
I feel some of my competitors are guilty of unfair practices.
Dear Nancy: I feel some of my competitors are guilty of unfair practices. I would like to blow the whistle but I fear legal repercussions. What should I do? Signed, It’s Not Fair in Fairfield Dear It’s Not Fair in Fairfield: I guess it depends on those practices. Witchcraft? Gun running to North Korea? I’m [...]
The case I worked on yesterday was an expedited job, and guess what? It just settled.
Dear Nancy: The case I worked on yesterday was an expedited job, and guess what? It just settled. I’ve edited the file already and sent it to my proofreader. I was told to bill the attorneys for what I’d done. I called my proofreader and told her to stop reading and bill me. Neither of [...]
Nationally known court reporting professional Nancy Varallo answers your important business questions.
