O’Brien & Bails isn’t just another court reporting firm. We are made up of individual people who happen to be Michigan court reporters. We thought we would take some time to let you get to know our court reporters.
Nicole Roe is one of our court reporters in Jackson, Michigan.
How long have you been a court reporter?
Seventeen years
Where did you grow up?
Jackson, Michigan
What changes have you seen in the industry since you became a court reporter?
When I first started court reporting, I was REAL busy. The last few years have not been so great. As of the last six months, I’m as busy as ever again, and I love it.
The software and writers are much better today. Email has been a huge benefit allowing us to work for other firms outside of the town you live in. The Internet has made research a whole lot easier for court reporters, too.
What is the best part of being a court reporter?
When your work is done, it’s done. You don’t have to sit around at a job watching the clock. Editing in your pajamas by the fireplace or proofreading in a lounge chair by the pool isn’t so bad either.
What is the most challenging part of being a court reporter?
Scheduling your everyday life around depositions that may or may not call in or confirm.
As a court reporter, what is your biggest fear?
Equipment malfunction.
What has been your most challenging deposition?
I don’t know if this is my most challenging, but it’s the one that sticks out in my mind today. Just yesterday the attorney and the witness were real fast talkers, and they wouldn’t wait for each other to finish their questions or answers. That’s very frustrating, especially when you’re there ALL day and they won’t listen to you when you tell them to stop.
Do you have any tips about work/life balance?
I always try to put my kids first. When the kids were babies, I just took one or two jobs a week. I did my best not to get overwhelmed with juggling a family and work. I was able to keep my sanity and enjoy being a mom. That time goes by fast. Now my kids are older and I take a lot more work. I have more free/quiet time to work on transcripts, and I appreciate it. I get my work done when the boys are in school, and if I have a rush, I’ll wait until they go to bed. Court reporting has really been the perfect job for me and my family.
If you would like to schedule a court reporter in Jackson, Michigan for your next deposition, go to our online Deposition Scheduler found here.