Making a Difference - One Wednesday at a Time

submitted by Hillary Sackett, Hutchings Heroes Team Captain

Hutchings Court Reporters staff love to go Casual for a Cause.  Every Wednesday, team members are invited to wear jeans to the office and make a small donation to charity.  Through this method alone over the past two years, our group has contributed thousands of dollars to programs and services of the Alzheimer's Association, the Haiti Earthquate Relief fund and local area food banks.  Our current focus for the 2011 holidays -- the Los Angeles food bank.  Look for "change jars" in our offices if you care to make a donation.

It's a small commitment that has BIG results!  Perhaps your firm would be interested in setting up something similar...

Introduction to Litigation -- Seminar for Legal Support Staff

Submitted by Sarah Wilson, J.D. - Client Services  Hutchings Court Reporters

Mid-September, Hutchings Court Reporters paired with Davidson Legal Staffing for the 8th consecutive year to host and co-present a 3-day litigation seminar at Hutchings' Los Angeles office.

Instructor Karyn Beyer covered a variety of civil litigation topics including discovery procedures, Federal and California State Court structure, e-filing in California, motion practice and the complexities of calendaring. Jeff Koller of Hutchings conducted a segment highlighting transcript technology options to make litigation easier.

A broad spectrum of legal support staff from Southern California were in attendance. The seminar is available twice a year in both San Francisco and Los Angeles.  For more information, contact Diana Baker at Davidson Legal Staffing.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Sept. 10, 2011

Thanks to the Management Team at Hutchings Court Reporters, our staff had a great time at the 2nd Annual Game and Tailgate Party.  The Angels played the NY Yankees at the fabulous Angel Stadium.  The Wysowski's handled the tailgate grill in stellar fashion!

Court Reporter Sues Criminal Lawyer for Defamation Over Altered-Transcript Claim

submitted by Martha Hutchings

A Pennsylvania lawyer has so far been unsuccessful in his efforts to obtain an audiotape and other original materials that he contends would help prove his claim that transcripts of his client's Washington County murder trial were altered. So attorney Noah Geary is now pursuing an appeal of adverse superior court rulings with the state's highest court.

Meanwhile, he is facing a defamation case filed by the stenographer who, he alleged, made changes at the direction of the judge who presided over the murder trial, according to the Observer-Reporter.

Geary has previously contended that court reporter Toni DiNardo herself told him that President Judge Debbie O'Dell Seneca ordered her to alter the transcript of a sentencing hearing for his client, Gerald Szakal, as an earlier Observer-Reporter editorial details.

She says in her defamation suit that she has suffered damage to her professional reputation and emotional distress because of Geary's false and malicious claims, which she alleges he made without appropriate investigation. DiNardo lives in Pittsburgh and has filed suit in Allegheny County.

Geary contends objections and motions for a mistrial he made during Szakal's murder trial were either omitted or moved to a different point in the proceeding in the transcript, according to the Valley Independent.

Maybe My Password Isn't As Strong As I Thought It Was

Submitted by Bill Jimenez, Hutchings I.T. Director

Hutchings Court Reporters recognizes that having strong passwords is an essential component to computer and Internet security.The old line of thought of having a mixture of alphanumeric and special characters make up your password has been shown to be not as strong, or as easy to remember, as stringing several words together. Use at least four random words and use them in a manner that makes sense to you in order to easily remember them.

For years, we in the computer industry, have been telling people to create cryptic passwords that include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. We’ve been saying that if you replace certain characters with others, such as @ instead of “a”, or 3 instead of “E”, or ! instead of l, that chances of getting your password stolen are remote. Well, it would be remote, but with today’s technology, someone trying to break that password would have it figured out in 3 days with 1000 guesses/second, which is probably faster than you trying to remember what the password actually is.

Hutchings' 2012 Perpetual Calendars Now Available

The much-loved Hutchings Calendar is here.  Download it now.  Or ask for a hard copy to be sent to your office.   Hutchings' self-adhesive computer monitor/keyboard calendars are also available.  Office deliveries to begin last week of September.

Beware of "Juice-Jacking" - Security for Your Smartphone

Submitted by Bill Jimenez, Hutchings IT Director

Hutchings Court Reporters recognizes that travel could be a large part of an attorney's agenda. Many times during traveling, it's easy to use the services that are available when needed, especially when you're on a call, or need to make a call, and realize that the battery on your device is running low. This article offers pertinent insight into making you aware of the dangers of doing so as to avoid your data from being stolen.

You’re out and about, and your smartphone’s battery is about to die. Maybe you’re at an airport, hotel, or shopping mall. You don’t have the power cable needed to charge the device, but you do have a USB cord that can supply the needed juice. Then you spot an oasis: A free charging kiosk. Do you hesitate before connecting your phone to this unknown device that could be configured to read most of the data on your phone, and perhaps even upload malware?  Read more -- www.krebsonsecurity.com

Deposition Exhibit Handling Considerations

-Jeffrey Koller, Hutchings General Counsel, Client Services

Here are a few things to consider:

· The identifying and marking of exhibits by the reporter at the request of counsel

· Keeping track of the complete exhibit (all of the pages)

· Differentiating between the exhibit marked to the deposition and other copies of the same that might be present on the conference table

· Producing additional copies of the exhibits for attending counsel and/or the witness

Videoconferencing: Making It All Happen – No Matter Where You Are

-Martha Hutchings, Hutchings Court Reporters

I was just talking to one of our reporters about an exciting assignment she was on via videoconference. What a great use of technology to make it all happen - no matter where you are!

• Multiple telephonic participants
• Streaming realtime text over the Internet to parties
• Counsel present with the reporter locally receiving realtime feed onsite
• The deponent was located in the Middle East

Privacy Concerns - Reporter's Handling of Confidential Information

-Jeff Koller, Hutchings General Counsel, Client Services

Have you ever considered and anticipated how the court reporter is supposed to handle confidential testimony and/or documents, particularly in light of privacy concerns?

· Is there a protective order applicable to the request? Is it being attached to the deposition?

· Have counsel stipulated as to which testimony and/or exhibits are to be treated as confidential?

· Is this stipulation in writing and made part of the transcript or simply put on the record either prior to, during or at the conclusion of the proceeding?

· If there is no stipulation, then counsel should state their objection as to whether or not the testimony or documents at issue are confidential and consider suspending the deposition to obtain a protective order and/or a clarification of the existing order.

Trying Your Case On a Budget - Webinar June 14, 2011 12 PST

- Jeffrey Koller - Hutchings General Counsel, Client Services

The cost to litigate cases continues to climb, and even steeper when you take them to bench or jury trial. On June 14, 1011, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego will offer a webinar presenting trial strategies and procedures that will help you successfully try your case while on a budget.  CASD offers ongoing programs on a variety of notable and practice oriented topics as well.

Coupled with what will be offered in this upcoming seminar, keep in mind the time and cost efficiences to be gained by working closely with your court reporting agency during the depostion/discovery stage.

First of all, are you aware that you can obtain online transcripts as well as deposition exhibits which can be viewed, searched, printed and then incorporated into a variety of trial presentation and related litigation software?  For example, CaseViewNet offers a free realtime viewer and transcript review program. Yes, "free." This program will easily reduce the time it takes to prepare your deposition summaries even providing you a method to draw out testimony by specific issues (i.e. impeachment, background, education, injury, etc.), as well as provide a user-friendly method to receive a realtime feed from the reporter.

Apple iPhone App Features U.S. District Court System

Alexandria, Va., June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/

Intellectual property law firm Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier &Neustadt, L.L.P., has launched an Apple iPhone application that features the U.S. district court system and offers many resources to assist and inform the firm's clients about current IP news and court decisions.

The iPhone app, "Oblon, Spivak's Guide to the U.S. District Courts" available as a free download on the iTunes application store, features interactive maps of the U.S. district court system and information on individual courts. It includes a national map and separate maps of each of the 11 U.S. court circuits, as well as state-level maps and district-level maps. Users can select a U.S. court circuit, view a map of that circuit, select a specific state and see all the U.S. district courts in that state. Selecting a specific court then provides details of that court, including its physical address, phone numbers, website address and judges and clerks. A similar resource can be found here on the firm's website.

Free Webinar: Why Lawyers Cannot Afford to Ignore Technology - June 16, 2011

Judges Panel: Why Lawyers CANNOT Afford to Ignore Technology – CLE Eligible*

Online:
June 16, 2011
1:30 – 2:30 pm ET
at Virtual LegalTech

Important White Paper Release: Secure Delivery of Transcripts Using Wireless and Internet

White Paper Released by NCRA's Wireless Task Force. 
The Wireless Task Force is pleased to announce that its white paper, titled The Secure Delivery of Transcripts Using Wireless and Internet-Based Realtime Methods, has been officially completed.
  
"This white paper is going to become the benchmark to judges, court administrators, IT professionals, and litigants, demonstrating that wireless and Bluetooth realtime are 100 percent secure," said Wireless Task Force Chair SueLynn Morgan. "We have found that the majority of federal and state courts have not yet broached the issue, and the task force wanted to be proactive and provide some certainty to the multitude of court reporters who provide a much-needed service in their courtrooms on a daily basis."

Federal Government Rolls Out a New Official Language of Sorts: Plain English

WASHINGTON
By CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press Calvin Woodward, Associated Press
Thu May 19, 6:47 am ET

That's right: Pursuant to regulations promulgated thereunder and commencing in accordance with a statute signed herein by President Barack Obama, the government shall be precluded from writing the pompous gibberish heretofore evidenced, to the extent practicable.

That sentence contains 11 new language no-nos.

Obama signed the Plain Writing Act last fall after decades of effort by a cadre of passionate grammarians in the civil service to jettison the jargon.

It takes full effect in October, when federal agencies must start writing plainly in all new or substantially revised documents produced for the public. The government will still be allowed to write nonsensically to itself.

Ahead then, if the law works,

Bank of America Agrees to Settlement in Fees Lawsuit

Bank of America has agreed to a $410 million settlement for their part in a broad class-action lawsuit filed by consumers against excessive overdraft fees. The lawsuit accuses many of the nation's banks of "manipulating debit transactions to maximize the fees they could charge customers who exceeded the balance in their accounts." Other defendants in the lawsuit include JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and Citibank Andrew Martin, The New York Times 05/23/2011

Read Article: The New York Times

First 'Skype Booth' Opens at Estonian Airport as Company Reaches 30 Million Simultaneous Users

By Vlad Savov posted Mar 30th 2011 2:57AM

Phone booths are old hat, we know that much for sure. But Skype booths? Tallinn Airport in Estonia's capital has become the first site to host a dedicated Skype station, which allows you to video chat with your friends or call them on their phones using Skype credit, exactly as you might do on your computer at home. There's a 22-inch touchscreen up front and a headset nearby, only thing you'll need are some actual friends you want to communicate with. The idea's being put into action by three Estonian companies, all of whom are quite happy to remind us Skype originated in their fine Northern European nation, and the plan is to roll the futuristic-looking booths out to other airports, hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, and the like. In the meantime, Skype usage keeps growing and the company recently recorded 30 million simultaneous users online, breaking its previous record by a trivial three million extra souls.

Honda Civics Recalled for Potential Fuel Leak

Automaker Honda has issued a recall of 1,156 Civics due to a problem with the vehicle's gas line that can pose a fire hazard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that a misalignment with the car's O-ring may lead to a fuel leak. The recall affects 2012 model year two-door and four-door Civics. Staff Report, United Press International 05/23/2011

Read Article: United Press International

OCWLA - Volunteers For Justice Annual Dinner - June 20, 2011

Join the OCWLA at the PLC "Volunteers For Justice" Annual Dinner
Monday, June 20, 2011 at 5:30pm
Hyatt Regency Irvine

Honoring: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, Law Firm of the Year; and Fermin Valencia, Attorney of the Year

Keynote Speaker: Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California

***Please contact the OCWLA at info@ocwla.org to reserve your place at the dinner. A discounted rate of $100 per ticket will be extended to all OCWLA members on a first-come-first-serve basis.***

Largest California False Claims Lawsuit Settled

Medical lab services provider Quest Diagnostics Inc. has agreed to a $241 million settlement in a whistle-blower lawsuit filed against the company over fraudulent Medi-Cal charges. The settlement was the largest in the state's history under the California False Claims Act. On top of the fraudulent charges, the lawsuit also alleges Quest "paid illegal kickbacks to doctors, hospitals and clinics that sent patients their way." Marc Lifsher, LA Times 05/20/2011

Read Article: LA Times

$7 Million Malpractice Settlement Approved

A $7 million settlement in a malpractice suit between four medical professionals at a Worcester, Mass., hospital and the mother of a disabled child has been approved. The suit alleged doctors and officials at the hospital failed to tell the mother of tests that could have been done to test her child for genetic disorders before she was born. The tests could have prompted the plaintiff to have an abortion "rather than carry her now-disabled child to term," her lawyer told the Boston Globe. Travis Andersen, Boston Globe 05/06/2011

Read Article: Boston Globe

West Coast Casualty Conference 2011 - A Success

Submitted by Jeff Koller, Client Services and General Counsel

We just finished our 15th year of attending the West Coast Casualty conference in Anaheim. This year's conference was dubbed the "best ever" and we agree.  It was great to see both existing clients and establish the first steps towards new relationships. Hats off to Dave Stern and his team for such a phenomenal job, and we look forward to the 19th annual conference a mere 360 or so days away!

In 1920 Court Deposition, Black Sox Player Hints that Cubs also Threw World Series

April 21, 2011 - Associated Press

CHICAGO - If the city has been willing to believe that a cow caused the Great Chicago Fire, maybe it will buy this one: The White Sox got the idea to throw the 1919 World Series after the Cubs did the same thing 1 year earlier.

That's the suggestion - more of a hint, really - from Eddie Cicotte, one of the infamous Black Sox banned from baseball after their tainted World Series against Cincinnati.

Blackberry Tablet Recalled over Faulty Software

Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) has announced a recall of 1,000 Blackberry tablets due to a glitch in the product's software. The company announced today that the glitch may cause the tablet's software to load incorrectly. The company said most of the affected products have not been sold to customers, but those with malfunctioning tablets should contact RIM. Hugo Miller, Bloomberg 05/16/2011

Read Article: Bloomberg

How Valuable is Your Data?

Some of it is critical

    o those digital pictures you’ve always intended to print but never got around to

    o those emails from family and friends

    o those documents you created and saved

Let’s think worst case

    o What would happen if disaster struck?

    o Your hard drive dies?

    o Your computer gets stolen?
    o A natural disaster strikes?

How would you feel if all of that data were to go away and never come back? If that strikes a little fear to the heart, you need to consider a backup solution.

Bill Jimenez, IT Director at Hutchings Court Reporters shares his suggestions for backing up your data.

Another View: In Real Life, Court Reporters Count!

From The Sacramento Bee - Published Sunday, May 1, 2011

Re: Court Reporters' Monopoly Must Come to an End" (Editorial, April 26)

The Bee's editorial sounds good on first blush: We are told California could save $100 million a year by switching from certified shorthand court reporters to electronic recording. Electronic recording works well for the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal. Why not our trial courts too?

The answer is simple: There is a world of difference between appellate and trial courts. In appellate courts, attorneys stand at a podium and give formal arguments, one person talking at a time. Factual findings were already made in the trial courts, where it is not unusual for several people to be talking at once.

The trial lawyer is not finished with her question but the witness is already answering; while opposing counsel interposes an objection. This happens every day.

Client Development 101 - May 24, 2011

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Presents: Client Development 101

WHEN: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 12:00 noon
WHERE: Reed Smith LLP, 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 2900, Los Angeles

Learning how to develop business has never been more important for lawyers - and it has never been more complicated.

This program offers a special opportunity for WLALA members and guests to learn about client development from one of the foremost experts in the field. In this program, client development coach Cordell Parvin, who works with lawyers at major law firms across the country, will share practical ideas that you will be able to make use of right away and for years to come. You'll learn how to put together a powerful business development plan, what kinds of activities are the most likely to help you generate new business, how to find time to develop new business, and how to get on track to reach your client development goals. More information about the speaker is available at http://www.cordellparvin.com/.

Sponsored by Reed Smith LLP
To register for this event online.
To add this event to your Outlook Calendar.

West Coast Casualty Conference - Anaheim, CA May 12-13, 2011

Hutchings Court Reporters has been a proud supporter of West Coast Casualty for 15 years

JPK West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar will be held on May 12 and 13, 2011 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim CA.  This construction defect seminar is the largest event of its kind worldwide focusing on construction defect and claims.

Approximately 2000 attendees will come from 35 U.S. states and several foreign countries to hear speakers' views on emerging issues of construction defects. Topics include prosecution, defense, coverage as well as new technologies and methods of dealing with construction defect related matters. Speakers include judges, attorneys, claims personnel and experts. The audience is traditionally made up of judges, attorneys, claims adjusters, experts, contractors, underwriters, MGA’s, wholesale and retail brokers. MCLE/CE credits available from 40 states (including ethics). More information

Taking a Deposition for the First Time

It’s easy to remember or imagine how stressful it can be to take a witness’s deposition for the first time. It has to be worse than making a moot court argument in law school or conducting a mock deposition where the witness is one of your buddies. 

Here is an article by Media, PA lawyer Michael Davey offering some tips to the first timer. It comes from “At Issue,” the online publication of the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The issue also offers an article by Drew Rothman on presenting and defending discovery motions. Thank you Legal Skills Prof Blog.

Comic Relief -- Carol Burnett Portrays a Court Reporter

There aren't many court reporters portrayed on television...but Carole Burnett must have had fun with this one!

TrialPad: Your Path to Streamline Litigation

Hutchings Court Reporters continues to present the latest information in technology as it's being introduced. The following piece, written by Donna Seyle in her blog post "TrialPad: Your Path to Streamline Litigation", is another example as she speaks of the benefits of using the iPad in trial. You may also be interested in an article we posted on our blog earlier, "What the iPad 2 Means for Lawyers".

Written on February 21, 2011 by Donna in Virtual Law Firm Practice, future of law, innovative law practice, law practice management, legal technology.

Legal Tech - West Coast - Coming to Los Angeles May 17-18, 2011

Legal Tech Show (West) at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles. May 17-18, 2011.

Hutchings has participated in this show for many years and will be there this year in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Bar Association. We look forward to seeing you there.

Prepare for Depositions With the iPad Deponent App

Law Technology News

Ted Brooks is a trial presentation consultant, author, and speaker, with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. E-mail: tbrooks@litigationtech.com. Blog: Court Technology and Trial Presentation blog.

- - - - - - - - -
The Deponent App, developed by Majority Opinion, is an iPad app designed to help legal professionals draft questions to prepare for a deposition. You can select from over 150 questions organized by category, such as Admonitions or Expert Qualifications, arrange their order of presentation, and customize the text for your witnesses. Each question can also be linked to an exhibit. You can modify the included questions and categories as well as create your own.

Earth Day 2011

Marking its 41st anniversary on Friday, April 22, 2011, Earth Day will be celebrated by millions around the world. I know my community has quite a few activities planned on Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 to increase awareness about recycling and energy efficiency. Living in a coastal town, we also have creek and beach clean-ups.

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day.

OMG! LOL: Internet Slang Added to Oxford English Dictionary

By Daniel Ionescu, PCWorld Mar 26, 2011 5:59 AM

Time-saving online abbreviations like LOL, OMG, and IMHO are now part of the official English language. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) announced the addition of several acronyms to its dictionary, adding some interesting trivia behind the origins of these Internet-associated expressions.

OED explained that although “initialisms” like OMG (Oh My God), LOL (Laughing Out Loud) and IMHO (In My Humble/Honest Opinion) are strongly associated with the language of electronic communications, their origins are surprisingly predating the Internet era.

For example, OED found a quotation for OMG in a personal letter from 1917, and FYI (For Your Information) originated in the language of memoranda in 1941. Also, apparently the LOL expression had a previous life, starting in 1960, denoting an elderly woman (Little Old Lady).

OED notes that some expressions like OMG and LOL are used outside electronic communication contexts as well, including print and spoken use, in the form of more than a simple abbreviation:

“The intention is usually to signal an informal, gossipy mode of expression, and perhaps parody the level of unreflective enthusiasm or overstatement that can sometimes appear in online discourse, while at the same time marking oneself as an ‘insider’ au fait with the forms of expression associated with the latest technology.”

If you’re not familiar with the online slang, you can always check out this Internet slang dictionary and translator. Just enter the text slang you want to translate and you’re done. TTYL

Looking for Attorney Volunteers - Power Lunch at Van Nuys Courthouse West

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles 

 

WLALA sponsors a program called "Power Lunch" with the LA Superior Court, which introduces high school kids to our judicial system. They're looking for attorney volunteers for their next Power Lunch program on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Van Nuys Courthouse West, which will host Grant High School. To volunteer for this Power Lunch.

The lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Typically, they introduce the volunteers, as well as court room personnel (e.g., bailiff, court interpreter) to give the kids a sense of the different jobs in our judicial system and our personal educational backgrounds. Then they have about 30 minutes to coach the kids for a "Legal Jeopardy" game that tests their knowledge of various subjects. The Power Lunch ends with the Legal Jeopardy game.

For questions, please email  or call (213) 892-8982.

CASD presents: Neuropsychological Diagnosis in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Consumer Attorneys of San Diego will co-sponsor an online seminar on this topic. April 21, 2011, 11:30 a.m., Pacific (2:30 ET / 1:30 CT / 12:30 MT).  The consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) are complicated and controversial. Appropriate diagnosis and management is often not provided in routine medical care and the outcome is quite variable from case to case. This program will provide an overview of the neuropsychological diagnostic issues in MTBI including the role of pre-existing conditions, co-existing diagnoses (e.g., depression), effort or symptom magnification testing, and determinants of long-term outcome. Credit provided. $99 for Association Member. $129 for Non-Members.  Register and learn more

Clara Foltz and the Role of Public Defender - MCLE presentation April 21, 2011

Clara Foltz was the first woman admitted to the California Bar and first to propose the creation of a public defender.  This (MCLE) panel presentation Thursday, April 21, 2011 5:30 pm at the Music Center in Los Angeles, will explore her vision of the public defender, the evolution of the office, and its role today.   Sponsored by the California Supreme Court Historical Society and presented by the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.  For more information and to register for this event, please CLICK HERE.

Hutchings Presents at LA County Bar Association's Nuts & Bolts Seminar

On April 7, Hutchings' Jeff Koller had an opportunity to present at the LA County Bar Association's annual Nuts and Bolts seminar. The seminar covers a wide range of basic litigation skills with the predominate audience being recent admittees to the bar.

Leading the 3-member panel titled Advanced Deposition Techniques were two very successful litigators Maria Cousineau and Gretchen Nelson. Topics covered ranged from noticing the deposition, counsel and witness preparation to actual examination techniques and strategies to consider.

Jeff's contribution was focused on the use of available technology tools to help manage the discovery facets of litigation including digital transcript and exhibit availability, video synchronization, as well as realtime and software such as CaseViewNet's free litigation program and integration with LexisNexis's program Text Map.

Videotaped Testimony Synchronized with Transcripts - A User-Friendly Tool for all Phases of Litigation

by: Jeffrey P. Koller, Client Services and General Counsel for Hutchings Court Reporters
and Marnie Levy, SkyBlue Video

One of the most powerful tools for utilizing videotaped depositions is synchronizing the video and transcript.

Simply put, “video-sync” links each line of a deposition transcript with the video deposition so they play simultaneously. As you might imagine, video testimony and the written transcript scrolling side-by-side is a one-two punch of credibility!

In addition, the video-sync software has multiple features that make it a convenient, economical, user-friendly method for organizing, sharing, and presenting testimony before and during trial, arbitration, or mediation.

Read more

SoCalPROS - Anthology Event

Submitted by Hutchings Court Reporters, SoCalPROS member

SoCalPROS San Diego chapter hosted their fourth annual “Evening at Anthology” for members of the San Diego legal community on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Guests enjoyed a fabulous evening of food, drink, and “Fine Tuned Music” at Anthology, one of San Diego’s premier dining and live music establishments. All proceeds from the auction go to the Tariq Khamisa Foundation which provides comprehensive school-based nonviolence programs to middle schools. Over $1,000 was raised at the silent auction.

GOLF GOLF GOLF -- The Season is Here

Hutchings Court Reporters was a proud supporter of two recent tournaments.

San Diego County Bar Association held its Annual Golf Tournament March 31 in Rancho Bernardo, California, and this event benefitted the San Diego County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the SDCBA.

The Easter Seals' Annual Invitational took place March 7, 2011 in Yorba Linda. In its 12th year, proceeds from the long-running tournament help support the many services Easter Seals provides locally for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Hutchings Supports ASCDC's Annual Seminar in March, 2011

Hutchings has been a proud supporter of Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC) for over 15 years.  Another successful attendance by Hutchings Court Reporters at their 50th Annual Seminar March 10-11, 2011 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

Hutchings Presents Deposition Tools & Technology

submitted by Jeff Koller, Client Services || General Counsel - Hutchings Court Reporters

Hutchings presented at the California State Bar's staff counsel litigation committee seminar on March 25. The focus of the joint presentation was technology in the office and courtroom. Presenting along with myself was Andrew Buckley from Nuance and Ursula Jimenez from Executive Presentations. The focus of Hutchings' segment was online deposition transcript and exhibit access, deposition exhibit linking, functionality of PDF full and condensed transcripts, videosynchronization and realtime technology utilizing Stenograph's free deposition realtime software, CaseViewNet. Hutchings provides complimentary State Bar approved CLE presentations throughout California.

Hutchings Mentor Program - Still Going Strong After 17 Years

submitted by Hillary Sackett, Hutchings Mentor Program Coordinator

Hutchings Court Reporters' Mentor Program is designed to give southern California students an exciting opportunity to receive practical and professional advice along with priority treatment for deposition apprentice hours.  The program complements the instruction of court reporting schools.

Participants shared their comments with us at the end of the 2010-11 session which concluded this past Saturday.  

• "The encouragement offered by your reporters and staff was wonderful.  It was like a shot of enthusiasm for me." 
• "School teaches us how to "write", your training and guidance teaches us how to "work." 
• "I so appreciate real-world learning.  This has been a wonderfully valuable experience, a confidence-booster that I could get no other way.  I especially liked being able to talk with real working court reporters.  I liked our discussions on various scenarios that might come up in a deposition and how to handle them, and how to interact with the attorneys and witnesses."

The application deadline for the 2011-12 Program is April 30, 2011.  The six-session program will begin in late June.

What The iPad 2 Means For Lawyers

Hutchings Court Reporters recognizes the value that tablet technology offers. There are several tablets being introduced currently and in the near future. Hutchings will be watching this technology as it unfolds and will post our thoughts as it pertains to using tablets for your depositions and case work.

Source: Jason Wietholter is the Technology Director at Opveon, a litigation support and consulting firm. Jason and the team at Opveon are making litigation more efficient and effective through the use of technology.


If you haven’t heard yet, Apple announced the iPad 2 on March 2, 2011. The iPad was a revolutionary product when it was first announced, and the iPad 2 continues on with some revolutionary changes of its own. Apple’s little iPad is growing up.

There are two major upgrades that make this iPad a much more effective and useful tool for attorneys and paralegals in virtually every aspect of the legal field. 

Is Skype Ready for Legal Videoconferencing?

submitted by Bill Jimenez, IT Director
Hutchings Court Reporters

Skype has been used to cheaply connect individuals over the Internet for years, initially as a strictly audio tool to call other Skype users in place of phones. Recently it has become popular as a videoconferencing tool.

Hutchings Court Reporters has noticed an increase in Skype requests from their clients, the most common being short, under-two-hour depositions, with witnesses at distant locations. We have used Skype to connect witnesses from Hong Kong, London, Taiwan, Chile to local attorneys. We’ve connected out-of-state witnesses to court hearings when they were unable to appear in person. Recently we used Skype to connect a homebound witness to two separate attorney’s offices located in different states.

With the latest version of Skype, you can easily connect up to 5 locations with standard Internet -- and if there is enough bandwidth available, you can connect up to 10 locations. The price for this? From Skype, you can purchase a day pass for $4.99 or you can pay $8.99 monthly. Skype software is free to download, but you’ll need a high-definition webcam, which are included with many newer laptops, or can be purchased separately between $50 to $70.

We Are In the Business of Words...

submitted by Martha Hutchings

I was told about the Washington Post's Style Invitational and couldn't resist sharing some of the winners. Court reporters love this!! I'm guessing the reporters accepting assignments from Hutchings could create lists of their own too!

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
2. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
3. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
4. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
5. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
6. Flibido: All talk and no action.
7. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

2011 Legal Market Expense Management Survey - Your Input is Needed

A new study commissioned by Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) with participation from professionals in the legal market of Los Angeles and Orange County, California, is open for participation from February 7 to midnight (PST) on February 21st, 2011. The survey is being conducted, analyzed, compiled, and will be published by Integrated Solution Design (ISD).

Let your voice be heard by responding to this survey, which only takes about 5 minutes to complete. Your input is vital. Please do not delay. Survey link: http://www.legalexpensesurvey.com.

From the answers received, "How the Legal Market Works with Expense Management Reduction" will be published March 1, 2011. Survey participants will be among the first to receive it!

About Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA)
Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), founded in 1992 and privately owned, is based in Carlsbad, California. Since its inception, ERA has grown to include 30 countries and performed more than 14,000 successful cost-reduction projects, and helped find an average savings of 20% in non-core expenses. ERA continues in confidence to serve a broad range of industries: professional services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, non-profits, education and government. ERA and ISD are SoCalPROS members. http://expensereduction.com/