Atlanta-based Esquire Deposition Solutions launched a new service last month allowing its court reporters to remotely transcribe and process depositions. Certified stenographers who have been trained in remote court reporting by Esquire and work in one of the company's 35 U.S. offices can now use cameras to remotely swear in witnesses, mark exhibits, perform read backs and create certified transcripts.

Esquire general counsel Avi Stadler said that the court reporters use Zoom Room and other video conference equipment when working remotely. He added that since some jurisdictions, such as Florida and Texas, prohibit remote court reporters, Esquire won't offer its new service in those states.

For the jurisdictions that do allow telecommuting court reporters, court reporters will have shorter commutes and the ability to process various depositions a day, depending on the matter's length and complexity, Stradler said.

“Every deposition is different,” he noted. “It's a good solution for more simple depositions that are a few hours in length.” He added that a court reporter shortage in some regions can be alleviated by telecommuting. 

Court reporter jobs are expected to grow three percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the seven percent expected average for all occupations, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thirty-four percent of court reporters work in state government, while 31 percent work in business support services and 26 percent are employed in local government. 

Based on a 2014 report sponsored by the National Court Reporters Association that was included in Esquire's recent press announcement, greater demand for court reporters is influenced by a strong economy and less tort reform. The report forecasts that the 2018 demand for court reporting would outpace the amount of court reporters available.

National Court Reporters Association president Sue Terry said she thought Esquire's new offering could be beneficial. “Just on the surface, if they are employing a court reporter that has a low level of work available and there's reporters available, of course I think that's a good solution.” Terry added that remote court reporting is new but growing in the industry.

Indeed, the court reporting industry is slowly being transformed by disruptive technology and new legal tech startups. Cloud-based app DirectDep, for instance, launched in 2017 to allow legal professionals to more easily schedule and reserve court reporters and stenographers. 

The profession has also experienced consolidation. Last year, Veritext Legal Solutions acquired court reporter company David Feldman World.

As the industry braces for a possible ongoing shortage in court reporters, Esquire GC Stadler said his company aims to continue to leverage technology to create more ease for court reporters.

“I am hopeful as we roll this product out and it becomes more popular, we can offer more solutions,” Stadler said, adding that the company is looking at allowing court reporters to work remotely from anywhere, even their homes.