Veritext and Digital Reporting
A Letter to the Court Reporting Community | February 21, 2020
There has been a lot of discussion recently about Veritext’s position on digital reporting and our support of the stenographic reporting profession – we’d like to take this opportunity to further emphasize our position on the issue.
Veritext is committed to the reporting profession. Veritext is not promoting digital reporting services as a replacement for stenographic reporting – it’s the exact opposite. Our goal is to keep all stenographers as busy as they would like to be. In fact, last year Veritext provided more work to stenographers than anyone else in the country.
As a company we continue to make every effort possible to help this highly respected profession prosper and grow well into the future. The facts are, however, that there is a critical stenographic shortage in the United States.
- Stenographers are retiring in record numbers – the average age of the stenographic community is 53 and almost one-third are over the age of 60.
- On average, 1,100 Stenographers retire each year compared with 200 entering the field.
- Court reporting programs have drastically decreased from 54 in 2012 to 30 in 2019
- Withdrawal rates are skyrocketing, and graduation rates are at an all-time low.
While currently being felt in some geographic markets more than others, the court reporter shortage is very real and is something we all face together.
Litigation continues to grow and is fundamental to our legal system; as a provider of services to this market we make every effort to ensure all our clients’ assignments are covered.
Similar to many others in our profession, Veritext does cover some proceedings with alternative capture methods including mask, remote and digital reporting. These are all proficient methods for taking the record depending upon the needs of the assignment. There is certainly enough work in the industry to keep all these professionals, including the stenographic community busy and working 100% of the time.
Veritext has always supported stenographic reporters – this company was founded and continues to thrive based on our relationships with steno reporters, and we value each of you.
We remain committed to supporting the court reporting profession. This includes efforts to attract and mentor new stenographic reporters, and to support the schools. If you are interested in being part of the solution by joining Veritext in these efforts, please contact us at courtreporter@veritext.com.
Sincerely,
The Veritext Management Team
