The top 7 best states to be a court reporter

The United States is one of the most litigious countries in the world. Every day, millions of Americans bring legal action against their fellow citizens, and while it might not be good for them, court reporters have reaped the benefits of all these court cases.


Yes, court reporters are in demand now more than ever, but some states feature more opportunities than others. The following is a list of the best states for court reporters in terms of the demand for their services (cost of living, quality of life and other issues have not been included in this discussion).

The seven best states to be a court reporter

1. California – The biggest state in the country is also the most litigious. Court reporters in California are always in demand around the major urban centers of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego and the countless small towns in between.

2. Florida – With its huge elderly population, Florida is also home to countless disputes over the estates of its deceased residents. That means there will be a call for court reporters to record depositions and court hearings regarding will, trusts and other estate planning matters.

3. New York – Inside New York State you’ll find Manhattan, and in Manhattan you will find the
most vibrant legal community in the world. Court reporters in New York can take on more work in the course of a day because of the physical proximity of all the law offices in Manhattan.

4. Illinois – Not much going on in Illinois…oh, except for Chicago – home to some of the most well-regarded legal minds in the country. Chicago court reporters may be called to work on Federal cases as well as those regarding the byzantine, always colorful local political scene.

5. Texas – Texas court reporters may find themselves working on a wide variety of case types
on any given day. The Lone Star State is home to immigration cases, large corporate anti-trust suits and even narcotics-related cases stemming the activity of drug cartels operating across the border in Mexico.

6. Nevada – The fastest growing state in the U.S., Nevada is a good place for a court reporter to set up shop. Because the population growth is such a recent occurrence, there is a chance for a court reporter to establish a comprehensive “network” as a trusted source on Nevada legal proceedings (as they pertain to court reporting and the filing of legal documents).

7. Louisiana – With Hurricane Katrina came a bevy of legal proceedings. Although it has been two years since the storm, there will likely be enough litigation in the New Orleans area alone to last for many years. Since many skilled professionals left the area after the Great Storm, there is a high demand for court reporters in the area.

For the best court reporters around the country, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Questions to ask if you’re considering a school for court reporters

Not all court reporting schools are created equal. Some are better equipped to help budding court reporters enter the competitive job market than others. But how do you know the difference between a top flight school for court reporters and a fly by night operation?

Here are five simple questions every prospective student should ask about their potential
training program.



1. What are the job placement rates? Ask about how many students have been placed into court reporting jobs in the past year or two.

2. How many students graduate from the program? Want to know if a program is worth taking? Simply ask about graduation rates and you’ll get your answer. If 90% or more people stuck it out until the end, you know there’s some value there.

3. Do the instructors have experience? You want to be taught by people who know the industry best, so always look for programs taught by people who are in the front lines of the court reporting business right now.

4. Do you have to bring your own steno machine? It may sound silly, but this is a perfectly legitimate question to ask up front. Steno machines are expensive, and eventually you will have to buy one if you pursue a career in court reporting, but many schools supply the device to its students for use in the coursework.

5. May I speak to some alumni? Graduates of the program are going to give you a more unbiased opinion about the school and whether or not it is worth investing in. Ask for an Alumni Guide, or access to some names and phone numbers of those who have completed the program.

For the best court reporters around the country, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.