Court reporting is an occupation that makes crucial demands on court reporters. If they fail to meet these demands, they become business risks for law firms and businesses that hire them. If in the process of looking for a reporter, there are certain things that should be considered before making a final decision. According to legal placement services, businesses and law offices are wise to observe the following tips as they evaluate candidates.
Licensed Candidates
Many states require reporters to be licensed. Make sure a candidate holds a court reporter's license before they are hired. The license may be verified by contacting the board of court reporting for each state, or the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
The Candidate's Training
Court reporting has various disciplines that rely on different types of technology. For example, there is a considerable difference between the disciplines of voice writing and stenography. In the former, the person speaks the language of the proceeding into a mask that records the words. In the latter, the person uses a stenograph to record the language of the proceeding in stenographic symbols. If a candidate that specializes in a certain discipline is needed, be sure the candidate is trained in the right discipline before he or she is hired.
The Candidate's Experience
In addition to their training, the quality of court reporters is defined by their experience. If the law firm needs someone to record the language of a deposition, it is best to hire a candidate who has years of experience recording depositions; the same goes for other types of reporting disciplines. Looking for a candidate through a provider of legal placement services allows the law firm to choose from a long list of candidates who have various levels of experience in different disciplines.
Check the Candidate's References
When speaking with a candidate's references, be sure to ask questions that focus on the professionalism of the candidate. Did the person interrupt proceedings? Did the person dress and act professionally? Was the person easy for attorneys and other legal staff to communicate with? These are some of the questions that law firms should ask the references of a candidate.
Consider Using an Agency
A candidate can be hired on a freelance basis or through an agency. Although a freelancer may perform just as well as a candidate who is hired through an agency, an agency that puts its workers through a rigorous screening process before hiring them assures that the workers have the right licensing, training and experience, and are personally suited for the job.
Conclusion
The legal workers that law firms and companies hire impact the proceedings that they are hired to assist with. According to legal placement services, law offices and businesses should take the steps above as they go about selecting a candidate. For more information about selecting the right candidate, contact a reputable legal services agency today.
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