Calling All Law Students and Young Associates

The reporters from Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc. have sat through enough depositions to know a good lawyer when we see one.  Asking pointed questions and analyzing the answers takes great skill, but that is only part of the equation.  For an attorney to build his case, he must be mindful of the record that is being made.  A great case can come up short if the record doesn't accurately and completely reflect what transpired that day.  A compromised record can also reflect poorly on you.

But we can help!  We have a great tutorial that can help you avoid numerous pitfalls and make the most useful and accurate transcript possible.  Please call us today for a free copy.

All of us at Doris O. Wong Associates wish you the best in your endeavors, and we stand ready to help you with all of your court reporting needs.

Kleenex vs. Tissue | E-Transcript vs. Electronic Transcript

Like Kleenex is a trademark and represents a brand name for tissue, e-transcript is RealLegal’s trademarked name for their electronic transcript.  However, in the court reporting business, “e-transcript” or “e-tran” can mean many different things.  There is a bit of confusion in the marketplace about what an “e-transcript” means to you.

An “electronic transcript” is a transcript in digital format that can be sent over the Internet, attached to an e-mail, put in Dropbox or delivered by any other means except paper.  It could mean a compressed transcript in digital form, an ASCII and/or a PDF file.

Types of electronic transcripts:

Standard PDF – looks just like a paper transcript but can be read on the computer using Adobe Reader and Acrobat.  The PDF is viewable, searchable, printable, you can copy and paste key testimony, highlight, and you can read it off a computer, iPad, reader and Smartphone.  Also, because it uses Adobe, you have access to all the advanced searching and digesting features that Adobe products have to offer.

Min-U-Script® - a PDF version of a transcript where you can view the transcript as four pages of testimony on one screen or full page.  The MUS PDF also has an interactive word index.  The word index wheel shows the page and line number for each occurrence of a word.  Click on the page and line number and it will take you to that word.  Additionally, if you would like the exhibits scanned and linked, MUS PDF supports it.  It can do all the things that a standard PDF can do and much more.

E-transcript – made by RealLegal, this product is similar to a Min-U-Script PDF with one major difference.  You need an e-transcript viewer downloaded onto your notebook to open the PTX file.  Like the Adobe PDF files, you can view, search, and print full-sized transcripts, condensed transcripts and word indexes.  E-transcript files are Windows-based only.

ASCII – an electronic file that can be imported into Word or other litigation support software such as CaseViewNet (free), Summation and LiveNote.  These software packages allow you to print, search, annotate and add issue codes to a transcript.

The next time you order an electronic transcript from the court reporter, be sure to specify which of the formats described above you would like to receive.

Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., can help you select the product that best suits your needs.  Our firm is your technology solution.

Three Reasons to Use a Court Reporter from Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc.

EXPERTISE

Our reporters hone their reporting skills on a daily basis to meet any challenge.  No other method of capturing the spoken word has proven superior to the live reporter.  We can proudly say that ALL of our reporters are certified by our state and/or national organizations.

EDUCATION

Our reporters take part in continuing education programs to keep abreast of the latest trends in our profession and the newest technologies for your benefit and convenience; and they continually strive, through rigorous testing, to earn our profession’s most coveted credentials.

EXPERIENCE

Our reporters have a combined total of over 300 years’ experience in reporting all types of proceedings in numerous settings.  We have had the privilege of reporting the testimony of thousands of witnesses, and we take great pride in playing a vital role in the judicial process.

Call Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., when expertise, education, and experience matter. 

Linda Fifield, VP, Now Serving on the STAR Board of Directors

Linda Fifield is currently serving a three-year term on the Board for Directors for STAR, the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting.  She was sworn in at its annual meeting in Las Vegas.  In addition to this new position, Linda will continue to serve on STAR's Liaison/Technology Committee.  Linda has been a member of STAR since its inception and was also one of the first members of its predecessor, the Baron Users Group, back in the early 1980s.

STAR is an organization comprised of court reporters and key technology vendors, such as Stenograph, whose common goal is to advance the field of court reporting through the development of state-of-the-art technology.  Both groups meet twice a year to exchange information and ideas that will enhance the way court reporters perform their jobs and improve the products they offer.  Members of the Liaison/Technology Committee meet with Stenograph Corporation with their wish lists and suggestions that they hope will be incorporated into future Case CATalsyt, CaseViewNet and Diamante software updates.  Most of the innovations made in the field of court reporting are a direct result of the efforts and ideas initiated by this group.

Linda has presented seminars at many STAR conventions and will co-chair the next STAR convention in October 2012 in New Orleans.  She has also been a contributor to their magazine, STARdotSTAR.

Reporters to be Recognized for 25 Years of Service

We are pleased to announce that Ken DiFraia and Laura Antoniotti are celebrating 25 years of service with our firm!  A celebratory dinner at the Union Oyster House will be held in June in their honor.  We are so fortunate to have had these talented, loyal, and dedicated professionals on our team for all these years.  The pride they take in their work and their attention to detail is evident in every transcript they produce.

They join Anne Bohan, Carol Kusinitz, Jane Williamson, Linda Fifield, and Connie Psaros who have each been with Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., for over 30 years.  Ralph Simpson has been with our firm for the majority of his court reporting career, for over 40 years!

WiFi, MiFi and Connectify – Why am I mysti-Fi-ed?

The CaseViewNet (CVNet) APP is in development and close to being released.   Stenograph has also reduced the software license for CVNet from $595 to $295 so entry into the wireless realtime market for reporters is more affordable.  Additionally, STAR member receive a discount.  If you have upgraded to e-key, the license is now tied to the e-key and not the computer.  Now I’m getting really excited.

Years ago when Stenograph first offered CVNet, a software license came with a Linksys or Cradlepoint WiFi router.  This allowed you to send realtime wirelessly in a secured, controlled WiFi environment.  The biggest benefit to offering CVNet wirelessly versus a serial connection is that it gave you RapidRefresh.  For example, say you’ve been writing for a half hour and you finally get a spelling for something that happened on Page 5.  Make the correction in  CaseCatalyst and counsel will get the benefit of that change on his computer.  Another benefit is if counsel arrives to the deposition late, he can hook up and receive the entire transcript as soon as he makes a connection.  In addition, you are no longer reliant on an Internet connection at counsel’s office and you have no unsightly wires crisscrossing the table like you would with traditional serial connections.  Carrying the router is additional equipment but at least you know you’ll always be able to make a CVNet connection.  Plus it’s simple and easy to use.

Of course, if a law firm has WiFi/network that you can log onto, you have the same functionality as mentioned above.

As time has passed, advancements have been made in wireless technology.  We can now connect to counsel using Connectify.  When using Connectify, your computer is now a virtual router or “hotspot.”  No more carrying around the router.  You need Windows 7 and a specific WiFi card chipset in your computer to make it work.  To find out if you have it or not, download the FREE version of Connectify and give it a try.  If you don’t have it, a simple purchase of an Intellinet® Wireless 150N USB mini adapter is needed. 

But what about Internet access?  If I am using a router, Cradlepoint or Connectify, do I automatically have access to the Internet?  The answer is no!  In order to have access to the Internet, you need an Internet source.  If you are in a location that has an Ethernet cable and you are allowed to plug the Ethernet cable into your router or Cradlepoint or even your computer, you and your clients have access to the Internet. 

Another solution is MiFi a/k/a “My WiFi.”  MiFi is a personal network that gives you access to the Internet and allows you to share it with other people.  It’s about the size of a credit card that combines functions of a modem, router, and access point.  The MiFi is sold with a monthly service contract from your telephone provider.

Why use MiFi?  Say that you’re at a client’s office and they don’t have Internet access.    Hook  up your MiFi.  How is this secure?  As with the Linksys and Cradlepoint routers, you need to name your MiFi network and create a password.  Only those with your password have access to your MiFi.   By sharing the connection, you are giving counsel access to the Internet and making it possible for them to connect with CVNet.

STAR is going to have a seminar on this technology at its October 4-6 convention in New Orleans.  Learn more about CaseCatalyst and court reporter technology/marketing and earn CEU credits at the same time.

Special thanks to Vickie Main from Stenograph for her patience with me in explaining this technology.  

By Linda S. Fifield, Doris O. Wong Associates

Published in StarDotStar, Vol. 17, No.2 Spring 2012 edition

iPads in the Deposition Setting

The Apple iPad is changing the way attorneys conduct a deposition.  Here are a few observances that we’ve seen and suggestions on how to best maximize this technology.

Go green!  With PDF files, you no longer need to cart around reams of paper.

·         Written interrogatories – Instead of carrying paper, convert your files into PDF.

·         Certified transcripts from your certified court reporters can be downloaded onto your computer and read in PDF format.

o   Traditional PDF or Condensed Min-U-Script with interactive word concordance, your options are limitless.

·         Scanned Exhibits – Instead of carrying paper exhibits for reference purposes only, scan the exhibits to PDF and store them on your iPad.  No more lugging heavy boxes from site to site.  At the conclusion of the deposition/hearing, Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., is happy to scan your marked exhibits and place them in a repository for future reference.

PDF files – Files are searchable making finding information easy.  Copy, paste and print your files.  Whether it’s a deposition transcript, exhibits or supporting case files, PDF files give you the ability and flexibility to carry multiple files in one easy location.  

Adobe Reader – if you’re interested reading the PDF files, this is a free APP.

iAnnotate or GoodReader APPS - Write notes and make annotations to your PDF file.

Dropbox – Easy file transfer from your iPad to your networked computer so that your files are wherever you are.

E-mail – set up your iPad to receive your office and home e-mail.

Access Legal Dictionaries and Law Libraries – By adding Black’s Law dictionary, ABA Journal, Lawyers.com, etc., to your iPad you can conduct legal research from virtually anywhere.

Access to Realtime Transcripts – CaseViewNet is coming out with a new free APP that will allow you to get interactive realtime directly from the reporter’s notebook.  At the conclusion of the deposition the transcript and your notes are saved on the iPad for future reference.  Of course, the certified transcript will replace the uncertified rough draft upon completion.

Video conferencing – with the iPad’s camera, you can hold impromptu face-to-face conferences and chats.  This by no means should replace a true video conference with secured IP lines, cameras and digital microphones.

Are you a Kindle lover?  All books purchased on the Kindle can be shared to your iPad.  Simply download the Kindle APP and you’re ready to go.  If you have a large law library of reference books, this is a great way to always have your books on hand.

WiFi, 3G or 4G – as long as you have an Internet connection you can be connected to your office e-mail at all times as well as search the Internet.

Of course there are many other applications for the iPad.  Have fun exploring the possibilities.