Conference Agenda
April 10, 2025 – April 12, 2025
Tentative Schedule
Total 1.4 CEUs
Thursday - April 10th
.15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC
Presenter: Tamara Chapman, CSR (Texas), RPR, CRR
Forget tutorials, courses, and technical training. These pre-made AI tools are ready to transform your transcript preparation process right now. Discover how a single click and one simple question can automate your most time-consuming tasks – from perfectly formatted appearance pages to comprehensive exhibit descriptions, these reporter-made tools come with built-in instructions and require zero AI expertise. Whether you’ve been skeptical about AI or tried it without success, this session will show exactly how to put these powerful tools to work immediately, freeing you to focus on what matters most – producing excellent transcripts while reclaiming those evenings and weekends for life beyond the job.
3:30 PM – 3:35 PM Break
.15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC
Presenter: Alan Peacock
Alan shares steno tips for faster writing, handling tricky phrases, and staying ahead under pressure. Gain insights from his experiences and learn techniques to navigate challenging depositions.
Pending Description
Friday - April 11th
(No CEUs)
Presenter: Cinta Corbin
Jumpstart your day with a high-energy fitness hour designed specifically for busy professionals! This session blends 30 minutes of invigorating HIIT cardio and 30 minutes of cool-down Pilates. This session will leave you feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. No matter your fitness level, join us for a sweat session that is as fearless as you are!
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter: Kyung Lee-Green
Take charge of your career by learning essential skills to thrive in the court reporting and captioning profession. This session will guide you through creating a professional rate sheet, understanding the nuances of working with a single or multiple agencies, and mastering negotiation techniques to secure better rates. Discover practical strategies to confidently communicate your value, make informed decisions, and set yourself up for long-term success in a competitive industry.
9:30 AM – 9:35 AM Break
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC (Ethics)
Presenter: Max Curry
This session dives into the dynamic relationship between agency owners and court reporters, uncovering the key ethical expectations and qualities that agencies value most. Participants will gain practical insights into fostering collaboration, optimizing workflows, and enhancing communication for shared success while maintaining ethical standards. Through actionable tips and real-world examples, this session emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, clear expectations, ethical decision-making, and teamwork. Together we’ll explore ways to build a supportive, empowered workforce that benefits both reporters and agencies alike, rooted in a foundation of professionalism and integrity.
10:35 AM – 10:50 AM Break
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter (Keynote): Francheska Duffey
Fearless and relentless, Fancy Duffy embodies unwavering determination and boldness. With a trailblazing career, she inspires others to overcome obstacles and pursue their passions without fear. Fancy’s keynote address will ignite your inner fire, challenging you to embrace change, seize opportunities, and transform adversity into strength. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and fearless spirit will empower you to push beyond your limits and achieve your true potential. Don’t miss her electrifying message at the Fearless Stenographers Conference.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch (On Your Own)
.15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC (ETHICS)
Presenter: Kathryn Sweeney
Kathryn has been a stenographer for over 33 years and an agency owner for 25 of those years. Join her as she shares her unique perspective on working as a freelance reporter for other agencies while running her own, with a focus on maintaining ethical standards. Let’s face it – being a stenographer can feel isolating. Who can you turn to when you have questions? Kathryn will cover everything she wishes she knew when starting out in this profession, including setting the pace of a deposition, finding your voice, managing vicarious traumatization, fostering personal reliability, choosing ethical agencies that align with your values, adhering to NCRA COPE guidelines, keeping accurate financial records, and navigating what to include in a record (and what to leave out). With a strong emphasis on ethics and professionalism, Kathryn will guide you toward a successful and principled career in court reporting.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Break
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter: Anna Mar-Lazo
Join Anna Mar-Lazo, a rising star in the steno community, as she shares her journey of professional and financial growth. As a relatively new court reporter, Anna is steadily conquering her goals one job, one quarter, and one milestone at a time. Known for her engaging “STENO firsts” on social media – some of which have gone viral – Anna brings a refreshing and relatable perspective to the challenges of managing a freelance business.
Through her authentic storytelling and educational approach, Anna offers valuable insights into the business side of court reporting. Her passion for family, career, and financial freedom fuels her dedication to saving money, eliminating debt, and achieving financial milestones.
In this session, Anna will reveal the tools and strategies that helped her and her husband pay off over $52,000 in debt since she became a certified stenographer. From practical tips like meal planning and budget meetings to smart credit card usage and making “free money,” Anna will teach you how to manage your finances effectively.
Whether you’re just starting your court reporting journey or looking to refine your financial habits, this session will empower you to take control of your finances and avoid the pitfalls of lifestyle inflation. Don’t miss Anna’s inspiring and actionable advice to help you crush your financial goals while thriving in your career.
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM – Mingle With Vendors
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Steno United: Cupcake & Cocktails
Saturday - April 12th
(No CEUs)
Instructors: Natalie Ruben, Shaunise Day and Denee Vadell
Join us for an exhilarating workout that combines high-energy cardio with the calming elements of yoga. This session blends jump roping, double Dutch, Chinese jump rope, and hula-hooping for a full-body workout to raise endorphin levels and tone the body. Designed for all fitness levels, this fun and dynamic class will get your heart pumping while building flexibility, balance, and mental focus. Start your day with a burst of energy, and leave feeling refreshed and alert to receive all the conference day will offer!
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast
.15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC
Presenters: Shanna Gray, Jennifer Esquivel & Phyllis Lykken
This seminar session focuses on distinguishing stenographers from digital and ASR/AI technologies and the ways you can recruit, retain, and motivate your fellow court reporters. Join us to learn how 2025 can be your strongest year yet!
Part 1 covers Jeopardizing Justice’s nationwide efforts to raise awareness of the risks of digital solutions and incorporating AI into courtrooms to capture the verbatim record, emphasizing outreach to decision-makers to advocate for licensed stenographers and protect the accuracy of the record.
Part 2 highlights California’s successful strategies, such as fostering collaboration with courts, title protection, and the upcoming 2025 license mandate, while showcasing how union strength and legislative advocacy can empower stenographers to adapt and thrive in evolving landscapes.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Break
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter: Anissa Nierenberger
As if real time isn’t challenging enough, we have boundary and stacking problems! Stacking always wins. Anissa is a pro stacker! She’s resolved over 400 issues in her 30-year captioning career, and she’ll show you how to fix common issues with “ago,” “to do” and many others. We will examine and fix the boundary issues that have been plaguing you!
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter: Judy Bellinger
This seminar sheds light on common misconceptions and misunderstandings attorneys may have about court reporters and their profession. Through interactive discussions, attendees will gain insight into the unique skills, responsibilities, and limitations of court reporting. We’ll explore how these misconceptions can impact the accuracy and reliability of the record and discuss practical strategies for improving communication between attorneys and reporters. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to foster stronger collaboration and ensure the integrity of the legal process.
Details coming soon.
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenter: Kristina Weaver
Join us for an in-depth session with the court reporter who reported on the Young Thug trial, one of the most high-profile cases in recent history. This seminar explores the unique challenges faced by court reporters in high-stakes environments, such as managing media scrutiny and maintaining accuracy under pressure. Learn specialized techniques and strategies, as well as the mental fortitude required to capture verbatim records in these intense scenarios. Gain valuable insights from a professional’s firsthand experience covering such landmark cases.
3:30 PM – 3:35 PM Break
.1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC
Presenters: Shaunise Day, LaTanya Allen, Max Curry & Renee Finkley-Grant
Join Shaunise Day for an engaging fireside chat inspired by the popular Confessions of a Stenographer podcast. In this intimate and candid session, Shaunise will reconnect with colleagues from the stenography world, inviting them to share their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs – both from their careers as stenographers as well as their lives beyond the profession. This panel discussion delves into the unique experiences of those who’ve navigated the ups and downs of a steno career, offering invaluable insights into opportunities that await after stepping away from the law firms and the courtroom. Whether you’re a seasoned reporter, a student, or new to the profession, this session provides a real and honest look into the world of steno professionals who’ve been there, done that, and are now reflecting on their journeys.
As the Fearless Stenographers Conference comes to a close, join us for a celebratory champagne toast and group photo. This final gathering offers a chance to commemorate the connections made, the unity shared, and the personal and professional growth achieved throughout the conference. Raise a glass with fellow stenographers, celebrate your accomplishments, and capture the moment with a group photo to remember the fearless moments and new friendships formed during this transformative conference.
Group Photos