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For decades, stenographic court reporting has rightly been regarded as the gold standard for creating the official legal record. Its reputation was earned through unmatched accuracy, realtime capability, and the professionalism of highly trained reporters whose work underpins due process itself.

Today, however, the legal system faces a reality that cannot be ignored: the demand for accurate, verbatim legal transcripts has outpaced the supply of traditional stenographic court reporters. Courts, law firms, and litigants are under increasing pressure to move cases forward efficiently—without sacrificing quality, neutrality, or integrity.

The question is no longer whether stenography represents excellence. It does. The real question is how the legal industry preserves that standard in a system that has fundamentally evolved.

The Real Gold Standard in Court Reporting

Much of the current debate around court reporting quality is framed as a competition of methods: stenographic reporting versus digital court reporting versus automated speech recognition.

That framing misses the point.

The true gold standard in court reporting has never been the tool. It has always been professional oversight—a trained human expert accountable for the accuracy, impartiality, and completeness of the legal record.

Historically, stenographic reporters embodied that standard because the technology of the time required it. Today, technology has advanced, but the requirement for professional accountability has not changed.

Understanding the Court Reporter Shortage

The nationwide court reporter shortage is not a philosophical dispute about quality. It is a structural challenge driven by:

  • Retirement of experienced stenographic court reporters
  • A shrinking pipeline of new court reporting graduates
  • Increased demand for transcripts due to remote and hybrid proceedings
  • Courts and law firms require faster access to certified records

These pressures are real and immediate. Waiting for supply to return to historical levels does not address today’s operational needs.

Digital Court Reporting as a Professional, Accountable Workflow

Modern digital court reporting platforms, when designed responsibly, allow trained professionals to work more efficiently while preserving the integrity of the record.

Technology can:

  • Improve transcript accuracy through structured review and verification tools
  • Reduce turnaround times without compromising quality
  • Support in‑person, remote, and hybrid legal proceedings
  • Expand access to certified legal transcripts

Technology should never remove professional accountability from the reporting process.  At DepoDash, we believe the future of court reporting is reporter‑led and technology‑enabled—not reporter‑less.

Separating Quality From Input Method

A critical shift must occur in how quality is evaluated within the legal system.  Quality is not determined by whether the words originate from a stenotype machine, a voice mask, or a digital audio source. Quality is determined by:

  • Trained professionals overseeing transcript production
  • Transparent and auditable workflows
  • Verifiable accuracy standards
  • Ethical practices aligned with court and legal requirements

By focusing on outcomes rather than inputs, courts and law firms can preserve the gold standard while meeting modern demands.

A Responsible Path Forward for the Legal Industry

The legal profession deserves solutions that respect its history and prepare it for the future.  That means:

  • Upholding the principles, court reporters have long represented
  • Expanding reporting capacity without compromising integrity
  • Using technology to support professionals—not sideline them

The gold standard in court reporting is not disappearing. It is being redefined around accountability, expertise, and oversight, rather than confined to a single method.

At DepoDash, our mission is simple: to ensure that every proceeding—whether in‑person, remote, or hybrid—meets the standard the legal system demands. Because excellence in court reporting has never been about the tool.  It has always been about the professional behind the record.

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If your court, firm, or organization is navigating the challenges of modern proceedings, DepoDash offers a professional, accountable approach to court reporting designed for today’s legal environment.  Learn how DepoDash supports accurate, ethical, and efficient legal records—without compromising the standards the justice system depends on.

B. Robert Bakva
President
DepoDash