Connie took great pride in her career as a court reporting professional. The friendships she formed in and out of the office were countless.

We already miss Connie.

Read death notice published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on May 8, 2012.

… appearing at a remote deposition just got easier!

Gramann Reporting, Ltd. has again partnered with Courtroom Connect’s Remote Counsel and their newest offering, ” Cameo “, to bring the legal industry mobile videoconferencing.  Gramann Reporting is a consistent leader in bringing new court reporting technology and services to the legal market.  Remote Counsel’s products bring attorneys and other professionals remote, live access to their events, such as: depositions, trials, hearings, jury research, and more.  With Cameo, Gramann Reporting is now able to offer the legal industry the quality and reliability the legal community demands in mobile videoconferencing.

Cameo represents a major step forward because it includes automatic firewall traversal, as well as audio-priority and freeze-resistance that can handle unexpected network congestion without dropping the call or losing audio.  Moreover, Cameo requires no equipment (other than a laptop) for maximum portability.  As a result, attorneys will now be able to attend any deposition from anywhere, and Gramann Reporting will be able to take the video conference to the proceeding.

Mobile videoconferencing with Cameo’s bridging technology has arrived.  Connectivity for the first time exists between Gramann Reporting’s videoconference suites and PCs, Macs, other traditional videoconference units (such as Polycom and Tandberg), iPads and other tablet computers, and lastly iPhones, Androids and other smartphones.  If any of the foregoing devices, equipped with a built-in webcam and microphone (for better quality, external is better), has a connection to the internet, you can conference face to face with them.  This can be used for producing an out-of-town witness at trial, allowing an expert to remain in his or her office, or accommodating a witness or attorney(s) who is unable to be on site for a deposition.  We can set up depositions with many different scenarios.  For example, all of the attorneys could be at our videoconference facilities, the reporter and witness could be in another state, at the witness’s home, nursing home, healthcare facility, etc. and the expert could be at his office in yet another state.  With the ability to connect up to 28 sites across various devices, the possibilities are endless, as long as you have a DSL or better internet connection.

Gramann Reporting’s attorney clients can now experience a quality videoconferencing service that has truly gone mobile!

Gramann Reporting prides itself on offering clients the latest in court reporting technology. We’re excited to announce we now offer compatible transcript files for use in TranscriptPad for your paperless transcript review.

Nearly 25 million iPads were sold in 2011 and attorneys are embracing this technology.  Today, iPads can be found in law offices and courthouses across the country.  Many attorneys take them to depositions to receive a realtime stream from their court reporter.  The latest technology is a new app, TranscriptPad, which allows an attorney to read and review transcripts anytime, anywhere – all on your iPad in just a few taps.  TranscriptPad works on the original iPad and iPad 2 and is available in the app store.

TranscriptPad is a very different tool that is laser focused on the paperless transcript reading and review needs of an attorney or expert witness. TranscriptPad uses the raw data in transcript files to link color-coded designations based on specific page/line information, assign issue codes, and then create reports that can be emailed or printed.   It also has the ability to search for references quickly across a case, a witness, or a deposition.

Files can be imported into TranscriptPad using the following methods:

1. You can link to your Dropbox account from within TranscriptPad and import files and folders (keeping the file and folder structure intact) by pressing the Dropbox icon at the bottom of the screen in Cases view.
2. Files can be imported one at a time from an email received on your iPad.  Simply press and hold on the file attached to the email, select “Open In…” and choose TranscriptPad.
3. Files can also be imported into TranscriptPad using the File Sharing option under the Apps tab in iTunes when you connect your iPad to your computer.

Also, because TranscriptPad was developed specifically for the purpose of paperless transcript review, it has features that are not included in general apps:

• TranscriptPad has hands free reading (that automatically scrolls the transcript text) with adjustable speed.
• The ability to search across all transcripts in an entire case.
• The ability to create and assign custom issue codes on the fly.
• Highlighting a line or paragraph is as simple as 2 taps as opposed to holding your finger on a word and dragging to expand the selection bars.
• After making a selection you can easily email or flag the selection, or assign one or many issue codes.
• Create reports covering all issue codes, or just a select few.
• Annotate flagged sections with your own notes.

When scheduling your next court reporter with Gramann Reporting, mention that you would like a transcript file type that works with TranscriptPad, or simply tell the court reporter at your next deposition.  Gramann Reporting will email you a compatible version of the transcript for quick loading into your app.  In addition, we can reformat your past transcripts to be compatible with TranscriptPad.

Gramann Reporting’s court reporters also have the ability to enable you to receive a realtime stream directly to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.  For more information, click here.

“On behalf of the Milwaukee Bar Association, thank you for your sponsorship of the 2012 Judges Night. We greatly appreciated your support of this event.  Judges Night remains a popular event, which was evidenced this year by a record attendance. The event allows MBA members the opportunity to interact with members of the judiciary as well as with each other in a very elegant setting. I hope you and your colleagues enjoyed the event.” – Katy Borowski, Director of Projects, Milwaukee Bar Association.

We at Gramann Reporting look forward to next year’s event and to again be partnering with the Milwaukee Bar Association to honor Wisconsin’s judges at this popular annual event!

This scholarship program was established to give financial aid each year in the amount of $1000 to two court reporting students for the specific purpose of assisting and encouraging the completion of this difficult yet rewarding course of study. It was created also as a means of giving back to the community some of the fruits harvested by Gramann Reporting, Ltd.’s successful reporting operations.

Who may apply?

Any second and/or summer semester (before the fall semester of the 2nd year) judicial reporting student maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA (not including writing speed grade) and having attained the steno machine writing speed of 100 words per minute.

How are the scholarship funds disbursed?

Scholarship funds will be applied toward the tuition for the next two semesters, $500 each semester, paid directly to the recipient. Continued enrollment and attendance in the court reporting program, and student membership in WCRA, are required as conditions of the funds being disbursed.

How is selection of recipients made?

Selection of recipients is based upon a combination of the factors. One factor is Gramann Reporting, Ltd.’s evaluation of the application essay (described below). Also, consideration is given to the academic achievement of the applicant as well as the applicant’s financial need.

How to apply.

Download the application here.

Complete an application for scholarship provided by your instructor, enrollment center of the school you are attending or contact Gramann Reporting, Ltd. Complete all sections of the application. If you have not participated in community organizations or employment, provide a brief explanation as to why. Be sure to type and attach an essay in answer to the essay question provided. Sign and date the application. Include a letter of recommendation from an instructor involved in your court reporting program.

Where do I send the application?

Completed scholarship applications along with personal information and short essay must be submitted to Gramann Reporting, Ltd., 710 North Plankinton Avenue, Suite 710, Milwaukee, WI 53203, no later than the end of your second or third semester. Application deadline: August 1. Award announcement: 2nd week in August.

Where do I call if I have questions?

Contact us or call Gramann Reporting 414-272-7878.

Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1982, Gramann Reporting, Ltd. is Celebrating 30 Years of Professional Court Reporting Service.

Gramann Reporting, Ltd. is proud to be celebrating 30 years of professional service to clients and the legal community in Milwaukee, throughout Wisconsin and across the nation.
Since the company was founded in Milwaukee in 1982, Robert M. Gramann has grown it to become one of the largest and most respected court reporting firms in Wisconsin.

The court reporting profession can be traced back thousands of years.  Handwritten records were the primary means of transcription until the late 1870s when the first stenotype machine was introduced. Court reporting technology has evolved to incorporate much of the technology we use in our everyday lives. For example, attorneys can now access their transcripts, exhibits and deposition calendar right from their iPhones, iPads and other Android mobile devices.  A court reporter at a deposition or trial today carries a very intuitive steno writing machine as well as a laptop computer that captures and translates the shorthand being written by the reporter into English. The reporter’s laptop is also capturing the audio from the room which is used during post-deposition edits in order to ensure the final product is as accurate as possible.

Not only one of the oldest Milwaukee court reporting firms, Gramann Reporting is also one of the most technologically adept.  They offer wireless realtime, realtime streaming to iPads and iPhones, PDF transcripts with bookmarked or hyperlinked exhibits and video depositions synchronized with text. Using these and other cutting-edge technologies, with an emphasis on quality and quick transcript production by Registered Professional Reporters, has allowed their success to continue.  Their Certified Realtime Reporters (CRR) provide realtime transcription feeds for trials, hearings, depositions, broadcast captioning and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) for the hearing impaired.  Some volunteer their time for churches, schools and other pro bono events.

According to Bob Gramann, “The way we conduct business is as important as the results we produce.  Make no mistake: quality, accuracy and the speed of our work are what we do best.  But it’s our cutting-edge technologies, problem solving and relationships we create with our clients that make us stand out.”

Today, the company has offices in Milwaukee and Madison, as well as court reporters located throughout Wisconsin.  Also, being the only Wisconsin member of the National Network of Reporting Companies (NNRC) allows them to provide their local clients with nationwide coverage.

“We have come a long way since our simple beginning in 1982, but our goal has always been the same – to provide excellence in court reporting products, support and services.”

Today’s court reporters are more and more tech savvy. The proceedings are taken down on an electronic stenograph machine that records the keystrokes digitally, which are transcribed against the reporter’s personal dictionary on their notebook computer to convert the steno to English text. Due to the parties using proper or technical terms, the reporter’s dictionary may not contain all the appropriate terms to convert the steno to text; therefore, the reporter or a “scopist” will be required to edit the untranslates, etc. After final proofing, the reporter certifies the transcript as accurate and it’s disseminated to those involved.

Job Responsibilities

A court reporter is recording on a steno machine conversations that at times can reach speeds in excess of 260 words per minute, but are normally in the 180 to 225 words per minute range. As the parties involved are relying on the transcript to help them prepare their cases, accuracy is of the utmost importance. Court reporters must assist in maintaining control of the proceedings to minimize people talking over one another, slow down participants speaking too fast, interrupting to verify inaudibles, etc. Failure to keep control will make for a less than complete and accurate transcript, something attorneys will not tolerate. Proper Court Reporter Training assures your skillset is in line with this dynamic industry.

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)

Another area of reporting that has blossomed over the last 20 years is CART. When you watch TV programming that has captioning of the spoken word on the screen simultaneously, these captions are created by reporters called CART reporters. They typically are working at their homes or company offices wearing headphones tuned into the audio feed of the station they are captioning for. The steno they write on their steno machines is immediately transcribed to text and broadcast to the network feed live. Due to the passage, beginning in 1992, of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), provision was made for people with hearing disabilities to be accommodated by captioning technology, and is now required for all network television.

Court Reporter Training: The National Court Reporters Association has established criteria for schools involving themselves in court reporter training. These certified schools exist throughout the country and are regularly monitored for adherence to NCRA standards. Typically these schools will teach two career paths, one for judicial court reporting and one for CART captioning. All schools today teach machine theory that is compatible with computer-aided transcription, or CAT, and the programs are completed generally in two to three years.

Wisconsin Court Reporting Schools

There are two NCRA certified court reporting schools in Wisconsin, Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) in Cleveland, WI, and Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in Madison, WI. Both of these schools provide court reporter training for the two career paths described above (captioning and judicial). LTC has a substantial reach to students in more remote areas with its closed circuit broadcast system extending their programs to several affiliate schools around the state through membership in the Wisconsin Technical College System.

Online training: In addition to the two Wisconsin schools offering court reporter training, there are countless schools that teach the program online. Please be careful in your selection process, as several online schools have yet to be certified by the NCRA. For a complete list of NCRA accredited schools, visit http://www.ncra.org/Education/content.cfm?ItemNumber=8511&navItemNumber=11551.

The Holiday Season is upon us.

Every year at this time, we at Gramann Reporting like to take pause from the hustle and bustle and celebrations to highlight and support a cause that holds a special place in our hearts.  This year in lieu of Holiday cards we have decided to make a donation to Stars & Stripes Honor Flights.

Our World War II veterans have made everything that we have today possible.  These soldiers from the 1930′s and 40′s are often referred to as “The Greatest Generation” for the courage and sacrifices they made in defending our country and liberties.  No one knows what this world would be like if they hadn’t fought to defeat our enemies, which at times is often forgotten or overlooked, and returned home to build a strong and industrious nation.

It is our hope that as many of these veterans as possible get the opportunity to visit the National Memorial in Washington D.C. that was built in their honor.

The National Honor Flight Network

The Honor Flight Network program was conceived by Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retired Air Force Captain. Earl was working at a VA clinic in Ohio when then the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C was finally completed and dedicated in May of 2004. Earl repeatedly asked his veteran patients if they would ever travel out to visit THEIR memorial. But for most of these senior heroes in their 80′s, it simply wasn’t financially or physically possible for them to make the journey on their own.

That’s when Earl decided to do something to help… read more

What is a Court Reporter?

Also referred to as a stenographer, a Court Reporter is a person who is tasked with recording every word that is said at legal and other proceedings where an accurate recording is required. There are several methods of performing the reporting function, but the vast majority of it is done stenographically (using a steno machine). Legal services careers are diverse. Some reporters work in courthouses in federal, state and local courts of law; the remaining balance of reporters work in the freelance world reporting depositions, hearings, meetings/conventions and other various matters where an accurate transcript may be needed later.

Career Choice.

Both personally and financially, careers can be very rewarding. The personal challenges of achieving your professional certifications from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), knowing that your efforts are helping justice be served, working as a team to satisfy client needs, meeting or beating deadlines to maintain and gain new business, all of which keep your attention and boost your reporting confidence; that coupled with strong income potential create the recipe for a successful lifetime occupation.  Learning court reporting is not for the faint of heart.  A high level of skill is required to reach the necessary steno writing speeds. Historically, previous experience with playing a musical instrument or quickly achieving very high typing speeds displayed the brain/finger connection necessary to accomplish this feat.

Income Potential:

 The income potential is very good.  Wisconsin Court Reporters and Nationwide Court Reporters, earn an average income ranging between $30,000 and $60,000.  Freelancers tend to earn more, with the top 10% earning more than $85,000. Depending on the certifications you receive and your desire to develop your skill above and beyond the basic Registered Professional Reporter certification, your income can soar to over $100,000.  At Gramann Reporting, our overall average income among all active reporters, including full and part time, is $65,000.

Future Outlook:

 With many reporters reaching retirement, plus the need for captioners as required by the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), there will continue to be an ongoing court reporter shortage.  These career options will still remain attractive even as electronic recording is threatening to assume some of the court reporter roles in certain courts and other situations. The need for the stenographic reporter is strong given their unique realtime transcription capability and the ability to more quickly produce transcripts from the spoken word in contrast to other methods.

Whether you are live at a deposition or receiving the text from an internet stream, having realtime software installed on your computer will allow you to do more with the live testimony than just read it.

Realtime Reporting Features:

Download:

• CaseViewNet (by Stenograph)
• Transcript Manager Pro (by 1360 Studios)
• Bridge (by Advantage Software)

For more information, visit our Realtime Court Reporting page.