LiveDeposition Certified Reporter Spotlight
Name: Anita T. Shemin
Title: Court Reporter
Certifications: CSR, RPR
Self-summary in three words: Diligent, perfectionistic, reliable
When did you begin your court reporting career? 1977
What sparked your interest in choosing court reporting as a profession?
After graduating from the University of Mass and moving to California, I turned on the television, and watched the Watergate trial. Two people were center-stage with machines taking down testimony, but I had absolutely no idea what their actual function was. The very next Sunday, I read an article in The New York Times about the two reporters, who they were, and what their job entailed — fascination! One was a former attorney who couldn’t find work during the Depression and decided to report to support his family, the other a former teacher. I had just finished five years of college and was told that it took ONLY six months to gain the necessary skills to report. As I didn’t want to go back to school for another three years, I decided to look into reporting. I attended the Clark College of Court Reporting in Santa Monica, CA whose master teacher was Dorothy Clark, an incredible disciplinarian and no-nonsense person who ruled her school with professionalism. The supposed six months turned into three years to become certified.
What advice would you give students or those just entering the field of Court Reporting?
I believe that a professional reporter should have at least an Associate’s Degree. A good educational foundation is key to doing a good job. During my training, we were required to do a six-month apprenticeship which was invaluable. Find someone who is willing to work with you and expose yourself to the different scenarios in the field. When first going out, take small jobs, non-technical, and have a competent reporter critique your work. Our field requires us to be BOTH passive and assertive whether at the job or with an employer. Try to find a balance where you feel empowered and do not let anyone usurp your control. Remember, you are the only one in the room that can perform our indispensable services.
As a Court Reporter, what is your worst nightmare or biggest pet peeve?
I am always concerned that something will happen electronically with my equipment and I won’t be given sufficient time to trouble-shoot.
Where is the strangest place you have taken a deposition?
I took a deposition in a hospital ward that was quarantined. It was the beginning of the AIDS epidemic when very little was actually understood about the disease. Sadly, the patient/deponent was left to languish by himself mainly unattended by staff because of the fear of contamination. It was heart breaking to bear witness to the brutal and misinformed treatment of this patient.
What is the funniest thing you have heard during a deposition or in the courtroom?
A woman who filed a lawsuit against a local PD alleged that due to the incident she could no longer use the bathroom facilities.
When not court reporting, how do you spend your free time?
I am a Certified New York State Mediator and mediate cases in court. I am also a Licensed Real Estate Sales agent as well as an inactive EMT and a Family Educator with the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill. I travel several times a year to the West Coast, Puerto Rico, and Europe and I am an avid reader and life learner.
What do you like most about LiveDeposition?
The product is simple, reliable and the support is excellent.
Anything else you would like to share?
In order for the field to progress, we must continually advance our technological knowledge as well recognize that our role is a vital and historical one. We must make certain that our rates and skill level are recognized from an economic perspective. It is also important that the agencies we work with understand the nature of our work and that team work is a vital component. We are professionals so play the part in every way, including dress, demeanor, behavior and continually work toward self-improvement and knowledge building.