Georgia Court Reporter’s Association
WSG is hard at work with Georgia Court Reporter’s Association (GCRA) Regarding Legislative Matters that (should be) Important to EVERY Court Reporter AND Attorney in Georgia!
What you DON’T know CAN hurt you!
So many things are being discussed in Georgia RE reporter rules and regulations – all being passed down by our very own Board of Court Reporting in Georgia. The Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) and the Judicial Council of Georgia (JC) are updating and modernizing the Court Reporting Act in Georgia. Many of these things need to be understood by reporters and conveyed to attorneys at the deposition table to get the discussion started.
As our state board has allowed the entry of electronic recording or “digital monitors,” sitting in the role of “court reporter” in depositions and court, we now need to rally and fight to maintain our GOLD STANDARD role in the legal field – the standard that ensures that our clients’ record is safely guarded by the LIVE certified steno or voice reporter sitting at the table taking down the proceedings – not a monitor trained to press “record.”
We are working very hard with the Board of Court Reporting and with the AOC to help them understand the importance of our role, as well as helping them see that a perceived shortage of reporters is really a result of the structure of reporters working in the courts – or not working, as it seems.
Through meetings guided by our GCRA attorney/lobbyist, Brad Carver from Hall Booth, both the AOC and JC have been open to listening to our ideas and have pledged to form at least ONE committee, if not two, to research and discuss the issue. They are giving us unprecedented input and access to help shape reporting in the state. As a director on the GCRA board, I am working with Brenda Elwell, our president, and the other board members/directors to make the changes good ones for all involved.
PLEASE – REPORTERS – if you have chosen to not renew your membership in GCRA, or you’ve simply chosen not to join …. please consider joining NOW to help us fight. This involves your MONEY – as they are attempting to regulate our court fees and copy rates. We need your ideas, your voice. We are your state organization – your only voice – and we are fighting for you!
Our Spring Tech 2020 conference had to be cancelled/postponed due to COVID-19 – but we will reschedule! We want to meet you and get to know you and help keep you at the top of your game. We need you to help mentor students coming into the field … So many things!
I will be keeping you updated as we go along.
Now go join GCRA!
Whit