The Future of Legal Transcription

Ensure Accuracy, Reliability, and Efficiency with IST Court Reporting Services

In the high-stakes world of legal proceedings, accuracy and reliability are paramount. The verbatim record of depositions, hearings, trials, and arbitrations serves as the foundation for building a case, preparing for trial, and safeguarding the integrity of appeals. Yet, the legal industry is currently grappling with significant challenges in obtaining these essential services, highlighting the need for a dependable and skilled court reporting solution.



A nationwide shortage of qualified court reporters, especially traditional stenographers, has become so severe that some judicial leaders are labeling it a "constitutional crisis." This crisis undermines litigants' fundamental right to due process, with far-reaching consequences. The roots of the shortage are clear: an aging workforce and dwindling enrollment in stenography programs. As a result, end users are facing tangible challenges, including difficulty scheduling proceedings (76% report this issue) and increased costs (55%), which can limit access to court reporting services and potentially delay legal proceedings.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated speech recognition (ASR) technology in court reporting has sparked debate about its potential to introduce biases and errors into the record. Traditional ASR systems can struggle with nuances in speech, accents, and dialects, leading to higher error rates for certain population subgroups. Furthermore, the lack of certification pages and accountability in AI-generated transcripts can raise concerns about their authenticity. However, advancements in ASR technology have made it possible to develop more sophisticated and reliable solutions to mitigate these risks and provide high-quality transcripts.

How IST Combats the Stenographer Shortage 

With IST Court Reporting, lawyers can focus on what matters most - litigation - knowing their court reporting needs are being handled with precision and care. Taking a personalized approach in each deposition or trial, IST's team ensures every case receives the flawless service it deserves, minimizing delays and reducing the burden on clients. This is made possible by IST's vast, national network of highly skilled and certified stenographers and court reporters, carefully curated by Jim Pelley, National Director of Court Reporting. Some key aspects of IST's approach include: 

• A personalized approach to each deposition or trial to ensure the right reporter is assigned to each case with the client’s unique needs in mind 
• A vast, national network of highly skilled and certified stenographers and court reporters, curated over decades. 
• Rigorous verification of reporter credentials, including licenses and certifications 
• Careful review of resumes and experience to ensure the most qualified professionals are assigned to each case 

Under Jim's leadership, IST's team assigns the ideal court reporter or stenographer to meet the specific needs of each case, guaranteeing a seamless experience from start to finish.

IST Court Reporting Technology Works to Alleviate Your Concerns 

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, IST Court Reporting provides a flawless and efficient experience for lawyers, allowing them to focus on their cases without worrying about arranging court reporting services. With a sturdy and reliable platform, IST delivers a range of benefits, including: 

• High-quality transcripts: IST's technology ensures every detail is captured accurately and securely, resulting in high-quality transcripts with minimal editing required.
• Real-Time solutions: IST's live transcript generation allows lawyers to view and search transcripts in real-time, saving valuable time and money. 
• Robust exhibit management: IST's integrated exhibit management system simplifies the workflow, allowing easy uploading, previewing, sharing, and annotating of digital exhibits, and reducing the risk of errors or delays. 
• Designed for Legal: IST's platform is designed with the needs of the legal industry in mind, providing an optimal experience for reporters, attorneys, and witnesses, and facilitating seamless communication and collaboration. 
• Expanding Knowledge Base: The knowledge base has been learning and cataloging new words for over 15 years, including medical and pharmaceutical terms, to reduce errors and post-transcription editing. 
• Capacity and Efficiency: With IST's extensive capacity and efficient systems, lawyers can trust that their reporting needs will be met, even in large-scale cases with complex requirements. 
• Reliable and Intuitive Systems: IST's technology is powered by a proven track record of innovation and service, ensuring that lawyers can focus on their cases, confident that the court reporting process is in good hands.

Feel Secure Knowing Our Technology Works for You

When considering technology-supported reporting methods or external services, potential clients often have concerns, especially when the integrity of case information is in someone else’s hands. IST understands their client’s legal needs and has worked tirelessly to anticipate those concerns. IST has created actionable solutions to bring their clients peace of mind: 

• Premium Accuracy Rates: IST's certified court reporters strive to achieve a 99.9% accuracy rate through highly effective tools and rigorous quality control. They're trained to speak up when necessary to protect the record, ensuring precision that automated systems often lack. 
• Proven Results, Ahead of Schedule: IST consistently delivers transcripts ahead of schedule, with a proven track record of expediting high-profile cases. Their state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated integrations enable faster turnaround times. 
• Secure Technology: Security is IST's top priority. Offering end-to-end encryption, IST maintains SOC 2 Type 2 and HIPAA compliance. Certified court reporters are also bound by strict confidentiality agreements. 
• Top-of-the-Line Technological: IST’s technology is designed for simplicity, with a professional interface accessible via a single, secure link. Exhibit management is intuitive, and mobile-ready. Plus, IST offers 24/7 event support, including training and technical assistance, to ensure a smooth user experience. 

IST's commitment to providing high-caliber transcripts their clients can depend on, combined with advanced technology and dedicated support, establishes them as a reliable partner when navigating the challenges of modern legal transcription.

Schedule Your Proceeding Today! 

Don't leave the accuracy and reliability of your legal transcripts to chance in an increasingly complex environment. Ensure the integrity of your record with IST Court Reporting services. 

IST offers three easy scheduling options for your convenience: Online, phone, or email. 

Schedule a demonstration, deposition, or legal proceeding today! Or to learn more about how IST Court Reporting services can benefit your case, contact us today. 

For general inquiries, scheduling, or to request a demo of our services, please visit us online, by phone, or by email. Call (855) ISTREPORTING (478-7376) if your next proceeding is in the next 48 hours. 

Let IST provide you with the accurate, timely, and secure court reporting solutions you need to succeed.

References 

‘The Causes, Consequences, and Outlook of the Court Reporter Shortage in California and Beyond: Prepared for California Trial Court Consortium’. Court Reporter Shortage. Superior Court of California: County of Siskiyou. January 2022. Available from: https://www.siskiyou.courts.ca.gov/system/files/court-reporter-shortage-1-2022.pdf 

‘AI vs. Human Court Reporters in the Future of Legal Transcription’. Daily Journal. 2024, January 19. Available from: https://dailyjournal.com/article/381980-ai-vs-human-court-reporters-in-the-future-of-legal-transcription 

‘2025 Court Reporting Industry Trends’. American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. Available from: https://aaert.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Court-Reporting-Industry-Trends_Summary-FINAL.pdf

‘Industry Report Shows Growing Need for More Court Reporters and Rise of Digital Reporting as a Scalable Solution’. American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. Available from: https://aaert.org/industry-report

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