Name: Lindsay DeWaide

Title:  Freelance Reporter for Gramann Reporting

Certifications:
RPR, RMR, CRR, LiveDeposition Certified Reporter (LDCR)

 

 

 

Self-summary in three words:
Passionate, loyal professional

When did you begin your court reporting career?
2008

What sparked your interest in choosing court reporting as a profession?
I was wandering like a lost soul, enrolled in college but not knowing what to go into. My mother suggested it, and I dove headfirst and never looked back. Turns out this is my passion. Moms really do know what they’re talking about.

What advice would you give students or those just entering the field of Court Reporting?
The advice I would give to students is, “Just keep swimming.” If you are motivated and determined and practice diligently, it will come. Make as many connections as you can now with professionals out in the field. You have an excuse to talk to them. They will become your mentors, your friends, and you will need them when you get out into the working world. Be involved with your state associations.

For those just entering the field, keep practicing and honing your skill. Don’t stop just because you are done with school. I consider 225 wpm a baseline for graduating. People speak a lot faster than that. Do not be afraid to speak up at a deposition. Do not rely on your audio to get it and then post on Facebook later to figure it out.

What is your favorite thing about being a reporter?
My favorite thing is meeting different people hearing different things every day. It’s always an adventure when you walk out the door. You never know what you are going to encounter or what you are going to hear and see. I learn so much about a variety of topics.

As a Court Reporter, what is your worst nightmare or biggest pet peeve?
My worst nightmare is forgetting my machine – I do have nightmares that I actually do this and have to get it all down, frantically, on a piece of paper.

My biggest pet peeve is when the attorney says, “You can’t say “uh-huh” and “uh-uh,” because the court reporter can’t take that down. What do you think I just did? 🙂

Where is the strangest place you have taken a deposition?
In a small, hot, smelly prison room with a very large defendant. Of course, I had to sit right next to him. The only “guard” in the room was a prison employee, a tiny woman in a skirt and high heels. And the attorneys cowering behind me.

What is the funniest thing you have heard during a deposition or in the courtroom?
Two funny things.

1. I had an all-day contract dispute deposition – pretty dry topic. After lunch, one of the parties at the table purposely farted very loudly. There was a silence, some stares around the room, and then we kept going. Well, being childish and very tired, I kept thinking about it and laughing until the end of the day. I just was shocked, and then embarrassed that I kept laughing.

2. When I first started reporting, I had a dog bite deposition. When the plaintiff was asked to explain what happened, he literally started barking and pretending he was the dog. My hands stopped writing and I had a shocked look on my face. The attorney, who was laughing so hard, was trying to spell the sounds for me…

When not court reporting, how do you spend your free time?
When I have free time, which is rare, I am busy with my young family. I enjoy spending time with them outdoors and cheering the kids on at their sporting events. I also am involved with the Wisconsin Court Reporters Association.

What do you like most about LiveDeposition?
LiveDeposition has created a reliable, easy way for everyone to connect to realtime. I am impressed that the company really listens to its customers in developing the product.