Currently resides in: Portland, Ore.
Employment type: Official
Member since: 2008
Graduated from: Sumner College, Portland, Ore.
Theory: Phoenix Theory
What are your favorite briefs?
I brief anything I can! I take ideas from Mark Kislingbury, FAPR, RDR, CRR; Ed Varallo, FAPR, RMR, CRR; Facebook court reporter groups; or I make them up as I go.
One of my favorites has to be MURPBD/MURPBD for the Miranda warnings that officers read verbatim off department-issued cards. Two strokes for an entire 80+ word paragraph!
How did you learn about the career?
My aunt is a court reporter, and she suggested I look into it. The rest is history!
What has been your best work experience so far in your career?
I have had so many good experiences, but I have to say I love being an official. I love being in the courtroom and working trials, I love the atmosphere and the people I work with. It’s given me an opportunity to grow as a reporter, fine-tune my skills, and provide realtime on a regular basis. It’s very gratifying to see my work in action, for example, splashed up on a courtroom projector during closing arguments.
What was your biggest hurdle to overcome?
I think the biggest hurdle was just getting started, getting my name out there to get freelance jobs. It took finding the right people to take me under their wings and give me a chance, and from there, it was all about providing the best service I could to build a good reputation.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment thus far has to be earning the CRR and RMR. I went into every test thinking I was just going to see where I was, and then I passed each one on my first try, with the exception of the RMR Jury Charge. I had a technical glitch, and so my first test wasn’t graded, but then I passed the next time.
Do you have a favorite tool?
My new favorite tool of the moment is the CVNet Browser Edition, which has enabled us to finally lose the cables to the judge’s computer, get full refresh, and provide realtime to anyone else who would like it, including court staff. It’s amazing!
