Amy Doman, RDR, CRR, CSR (CA/IL/TX,WA), CCR (MO), CRI

Amy Doman, RDR, CRR, CSR (CA/IL/TX/WA), CCR (MO), CRI, has been a freelance stenographer since 1990. Born and raised in Texas, she attended Iverson Institute of Court Reporting in Arlington. As much as she misses her family – and winters – in Texas, Amy has enjoyed working around the country as a freelance reporter based in Indianapolis. She’s had the opportunity to work in high-profile criminal and civil cases as the official and unofficial record, as well as providing CART and corporate services. She’s been a NCRA speed contest qualifier each year since 2021. Amy was the first recipient of the National Court Reporters Foundation Court to CART grant in 2023. When not working, Amy enjoys family time with her husband of more than 30 years, their four almost-out-of-the-nest children, and her Havanese, Lucy.

Anna Mar-Lazo, RPR

Anna Mar-Lazo, a five-year freelance court reporter from San Antonio, Texas, is a wife (Jose Lazo) and mother (Kat and Julian) who prides herself in helping court reporting students in a very non-traditional way. From being a single mom to quitting court reporting school to then being a SAHM of two on one income and certifying during COVID, Anna has shared her journey on social media for years. Using Instagram as her preferred platform, she now shares daily stories on being a new reporter in the freelance world both on Zoom and in person. Anna is an ACI graduate and holds her RPR.

Angela Grant, RDR, CRR, CRI, CSR

Angela Grant is a multifaceted leader whose career blends excellence in court reporting, empowerment through education, and a passion for helping others build stronger professional and financial futures. She is a court reporter, mentor, and a supportive leader who believes in equipping people with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a changing world. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience across state, federal, and freelance settings, Angela brings clarity and vision to an ever-evolving court reporting profession. She helps court reporters strengthen their skills, adapt to new technologies, and position themselves for success in the future of stenography.

As the founder of Legacy Court Reporting, Inc., Angela has supported high-profile trials, depositions, hearings, and complex proceedings with precision and professionalism. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for stenography and a passion for guiding court reporters as they grow, advance, and strengthen their place in the profession. Angela is also a dedicated advocate for financial literacy and Artificial Intelligence literacy, empowering professionals—especially women—to build wealth, understand emerging tools, and create long-term stability through modern skills and informed decision-making. Her mission is simple: to equip court reporters and professionals with the tools, confidence, and clarity they need to grow, thrive, and lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Bethany Woodward, RMR, CRR, CRC, CSR (CA/OR), CCR (WA), RVR-M-S

Bethany has been a proud member of the steno community since she started school at the Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting in 2018. Once she graduated only 16 months later, she went on to earn her RPR and California CSR and began reporting depositions in 2019. Over the past six years, Bethany has reported over 1,000 depositions and has most recently earned her RMR, CRR, and CRC. She is currently certified in California, Washington, and Oregon and is based in sunny Southern California. Bethany is passionate about this wonderful career and the steno community, and she loves mentoring students. She is honored to be a speaker at this year’s Steno in the City conference!

Brenda Countz, California CSR

BRENDA COUNTZ, California CSR No. 12563 has celebrated a cumulative 55 years as a Court and Congressional Stenographer, captioner and freelance realtime deposition reporter. During the 1970s in Washington, D. C., Ms. Countz built a reputation as a daily copy reporter in several landmark cases and she was an experimental writer in the early developmental phases of CAT technology. During the 1980s, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Corps of Reporters she covered committee and subcommittee hearings in 48 of the 50 United States. During those years she was also a wife, mother and active member of her community. In 1985, as the top producing reporter on the Corps of Reporters, she was rewarded with the assignment to report President Ronald Reagan's State of the Union Message. She was the first person of color to achieve that honor. This historic event was recently added to the U.S. House Of Representatives Oral History Project and Archives. https://history.house.gov/Oral-History/Women/Brenda-Countz/ After leaving the House Corp of Reporters and relocating to Southern California, she has been a freelance realtime reporter and has covered depositions in Asia, South America and Central America. She is currently living her best life in Los Angeles, California traveling the world and enjoying what she calls her encore career as an Inspirational Leadership Speaker, author and vocalist. As a lifelong learner and lover of steno, she still likes to take realtime depositions in complex litigation.

Cesar Hurtado, CA CSR

Cesar Hurtado began his path toward becoming a court reporter in August 2017 when he enrolled at South Coast College. After six years of rigorous training, he graduated in July 2023 and earned his California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) license in May 2024. Shortly after becoming licensed, Cesar launched his career as a freelance court reporter and established his own reporting business. He provides realtime services, produces expedited transcripts, and manages a team of scopists to ensure accuracy and timely delivery. For the past year and a half, Cesar has worked in courtrooms across California, covering a wide range of hearings and trials. His work reflects a commitment to precision, professionalism, and high-quality service to both the legal community and his clients.

Chelsea Mupier, Student

Chelsea Mupier is a current steno student working on speed building. In addition to being a steno student, she is a wife, mother of a toddler, full-time scopist, and competitive athlete who teaches physical fitness classes. Balancing family, work, school, and athletics, she will share real-life strategies to inspire steno students - especially those working while in school - to stay disciplined, resilient, and committed to their goals.

David Hurtado, CA CSR

David Hurtado is a professional stenographer with over a decade of experience in real-time transcription, CART services, and civil court reporting. He attended Sage College from 2012 to 2016, earning his certificate in court reporting—where he also met his wife, now his business partner. From 2015 to 2020, David provided CART captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students across Southern California and spent a year providing CART services at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. After earning his California CSR License in 2020, he expanded into remote depositions for a year. In 2022, David relocated to downtown Los Angeles where he works as a freelance civil court reporter, primarily at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse covering hearings and trials. In 2023, he and his wife founded Dream Team Court Reporting. They continue to serve the legal community with reliability and a shared commitment to excellence.

Denee Vadell, RPR, CCR-NJ, NYACR

Denee Vadell, a/k/a @StenoFluencer, is a highly skilled Court Reporter based out of New York City, boasting over a decade of experience as a CART provider and Realtime Captioner. She is certified on the national level as a Registered Professional Reporter, and on the state level as a Certified Court Reporter of New Jersey, and a New York Association Certified Reporter. Graduating from Stenotech Career Institute in Fairfield, NJ in 2012, she embarked on a career by providing CART services to students at Rutgers University. Subsequently, Denee transitioned to a broadcast captioning career at VITAC, the largest captioning company in the United States, honing her expertise before pivoting to court work. In 2018, Denee assumed the role of Official Court Reporter in Bronx Criminal Court. And in January of 2024 , she achieved a significant milestone in her career, earning a promotion to Senior Court Reporter at the New York County Civil Supreme Courthouse. Denee Vadell is recognized as a consummate professional with a genuine dedication to promoting the court reporting profession. Her impactful presence on social media under the moniker “StenoFluencer,” has garnered a substantial following. Revolutionizing the industry through her viral TikTok and Instagram videos, Denee is converting viewers into aspiring court reporting students. Her captivating content has also drawn the attention of national news stations, radio stations, podcasts, newspapers including The New York Times and on the cover of amNY Law, and on a Hulu series: “Diddy On Trial: As It Happened,” where she plays the role of the stenographer showcasing her and her steno machine’s impact on a broader scale. Beyond her professional endeavors, Denee serves as an Ambassador for the School of Court Reporting at Plaza College; is the Past-Chair of the Membership, Marketing, and Outreach Committee for the National Court Reporters Association; served as First Department Director for the New York State Court Reporters Association; and currently serves as a President-Elect for the New York State Court Reporters Association. As for her creativity, she is the creator of StenoFluencer and Steno Barbie; the co-creator of Steno Sport alongside Ms. Shaunise Day, Founder of Steno in the City; the organizer of Steno Social where she hosts pop-ups around NYC for aspiring stenographers and professionals to socialize; and the visionary behind Steno Vision, where she hosts annual virtual vision board parties for the court reporting and captioning community, welcoming their friends and families to join in the experience. As the Recipient of the 2023 Steno in the City People’s Choice Award; Recipient of the 2023 Women’s History Month Honoree Award by the Gender Fairness Committee - 12th Judicial District; Recipient of the 2024 Rising Star Award from Dallas Salutes Black Excellence in Stenography; Recipient of the 2024 Carl Sauceda Grant awarded by the National Court Reporters Foundation; Recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Advocacy Award from Plaza College's School of Court Reporting; Recipient of The 2025 Public Advocate Award awarded by the Office of the New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams; and Recipient of the 2025 Impact Award awarded by JoyTutor at the Celebrations of Courage event, Ms. Vadell is all talent and a lot of business, too. Despite her demanding career and extensive involvement, Denee remains devoted to her family, prioritizing her role as a proud boy mom and dog mom. For those seeking motivation, inspiration, and insight into the multifaceted roles of a stenographer in the field of court reporting and captioning, @StenoFluencer is the source. Denee Vadell’s passion and expertise illuminate the path forward in this captivating career.

Elsa Hurtado, CA CSR, RPR, CVR-S

Elsa Hurtado is a highly skilled and dedicated court reporter and captioner with extensive experience serving courts, agencies, and communities throughout Southern California. A California Certified Shorthand Reporter since 2017, Elsa also holds the RPR and CVR-S certifications, reflecting her commitment to elevating her craft and expanding her professional expertise.With a background spanning freelance work and official court reporting roles in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, Elsa brings deep knowledge across civil, probate, family law, criminal, juvenile, and dependency matters.Elsa has covered high profile celebrity trials. She is proficient in providing real-time reporting for judicial officers, attorneys, and private clients, consistently delivering accurate, timely transcripts and meeting demanding court deadlines. Elsa’s career also includes a strong foundation in CART and captioning services, where she has provided live real-time accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across colleges, courts, city meetings, webinars, medical groups, and large events. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she has supported diverse communities through Spanish captioning and real-time communication services. Known for her professionalism, precision, and dedication to growth, Elsa is continuously advancing her skills through additional certifications and active involvement in industry associations such as NCRA, NVRA, and CCRA. She holds an associate’s degree in Communications & Social Behavior and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in court reporting at Humphreys University. With over a decade of experience, a passion for service, and a commitment to excellence, Elsa brings valuable insight and real-world expertise to the court reporting and captioning profession.

Heather J. Bautista , CSR (California, Texas, Oregon, & Washington)

After completing court reporting school at West Valley College and passing the California CSR exam in November of 1997, I started as an Official Court Reporter with Santa Clara County Superior Court in January of 1998. I have reported in all areas of court proceedings, including criminal, juvenile, family court hearings, and civil. In November of 2017, I started freelancing as a court reporter half-time while still working with the court system half-time. In September of 2018, I left the court system and became a full-time freelance court reporter. I am licensed in Washington state, Oregon, California, and Texas.I am a Certified Realtime Reporter.

Janyce W. Booth, RPR, RMR, CRR, CCP, Florida Notary Public

Janyce has over 40 years of experience. She has worked as a state official court reporter, freelance court reporter, CART provider, and captioner. She has worked all across the country and even internationally. She has mentored court reporters at every stage of their journey providing insight into how they can take their skills to the next level. She is generous with her time and wisdom and Beacon is blessed to have her on our team. Her certifications speak for themselves, but although she is highly qualified and skilled, she never stops learning. Her understanding of the industry is vast, and she works to expand it at every opportunity. She has reported before politicians and celebrities and her records are always pristine. If she's giving you advice, you can take it to the bank. If your record is being taken down by Janyce, it’s literally in the best hands possible.

Jennifer Sebring, RPR, CCR

Jennifer Sebring is a meticulous and highly skilled Court Reporter with over a decade of experience producing precise, verbatim transcripts for a wide range of legal proceedings, including trials, depositions, hearings, and grand jury sessions. Renowned for her transcription accuracy and comprehensive understanding of courtroom procedures, she is proficient in all current real-time reporting software, adept at managing and safeguarding records, and skilled in maintaining confidentiality under strict legal and ethical standards. Jennifer’s career encompasses both freelance assignments and quality control positions, where she has consistently delivered accurate, timely, and professionally formatted transcripts for courts across Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Her work is characterized by exceptional attention to detail, the ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines, and a commitment to supporting the judicial process through clear, reliable, and impeccably documented records.

Jessica Borynack, CA CSR, RPR, CCG

Jessica Borynack attended Sage College of Court Reporting and has spent her career as an enthusiastic supporter of the profession. Her passion for reporting is palpable and infectious, as evidenced by her long list of accomplishments, both as a court reporter and as a CART captioner. She has served the profession well in a career that has spanned a variety of freelance work. Currently she serves on the California Court Reporter’s Association as a board member for District F and as the chair for CART captioning committee. Most recently, she has broadened her professional career even wider as an official for the United States Judiciary.

Judith Bellinger, RPR, CRR, CSR (TX, NM) CCR, CCR (WA)

Judith Bellinger, RPR, CRR, Texas CSR, New Mexico, CCR, Washington CCR has been a freelance court stenographer since 1984; graduated from the Academy of Court Reporting in Cleveland, Ohio. She taught at the Stenotype Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana, is Past President of the then Indiana Shorthand Reporters Association, and served on several committees with ISRA. She has provided realtime services for various high-profile depositions and trials throughout her career, including the NFL, NBA, NCAA, a ten-week murder trial in Indiana, State v. Camm, and most recently, the Depp v. Heard trial in Fairfax, Virginia. She also provides stenography services for several unions during their district board meetings, executive board meetings, and conventions, and has provided CART for students at IUPUI, Purdue University, the former Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, and The Indiana School for the Deaf. She considers her career a passion, not a job.

Kairisa J. Magee, RPR, Florida Notary Public, Realtime Provider

Kairisa is a second generation court reporter, so she feels like she’s been in the industry all of her life. Starting in 2004 while in court reporting school at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois, she has worked her way through school as a proofreader to scopist. She then took a brief hiatus to nurture her family as it grew. When she returned to the industry, she took a position as an apprentice court reporter in Northwest Indiana, eventually becoming a part-time freelance court reporter. In 2015 the Magee family took a leap of faith and moved to Tallahassee where Kairisa worked as a full-time freelance court reporter with several firms covering criminal and civil matters as well as council meetings and arbitrations. In 2021 Kairisa became a realtime provider which led to a period of time where she was honored to become a federal court reporter. In 2024 Beacon Court Reporting Agency, LLC began and Kairisa finally reached her goal of becoming a court reporting firm owner.

Kerry Murphy, CA CSR, RPR

Kerry Murphy has been a Southern California freelance reporter for 15 years with experience in being a CART provider as well as a Central District Grand Jury reporter for several years. She has also protemed in San Bernardino and Los Angeles County courts. She loves mentoring and helping new professionals find their footing. When she's not reporting, she's being a boy mom and enjoying the fruits of her labor with a bit of travel adventures.

Kimberly Pruitt, RPR, CRR, CRC, CCR, CSR (CA/TX), FPR-C, B.A.

Kimmy is a realtime depo reporter and captioner based in St. Petersburg, Florida. She started reporting in 2012, later spent several years focused on realtime captioning, and now enjoys a mix of both. She is licensed in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California, as well as being a Certified Realtime Captioner and Certified Realtime Reporter. Having mentors played a big part in helping her build that variety into her career, and she has since been paying it forward by mentoring students pursuing both court reporting and CART captioning

Kristina Weaver, RPR, CCR

With over 30 years of experience as a court reporter, I have dedicated my career to capturing the record in Georgia’s courtrooms. After completing my education in South Florida and relocating to Georgia in 1994, I have worked in multiple counties, including DeKalb, Fulton, and now Gwinnett County Superior Court. Throughout my career, I have reported on several high-profile cases, including the recent YSL trial in Atlanta. Each of these experiences has deepened my expertise and commitment to the integrity of the court record.

Lindsay A. Stoker, RDR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CA CSR

With an illustrious 18-year career in the court reporting and captioning industry, Lindsay Stoker (NCRA RDR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CA CSR) stands as a distinguished professional known for her exceptional expertise and unwavering commitment to the highest professional standards.As a sought-after speaker, Lindsay brings a wealth of insights drawn from a multifaceted career in captioning and court reporting. Her skills include live captioning for prestigious events hosted by industry-leading technology giants such as Meta, X, Google, Sony, Microsoft, and GitHub, as well as major investment firms, high-profile gaming conferences, and complex government proceedings. On the litigation support side, she has expertly covered secret federal grand jury proceedings, high-profile depositions in landmark cases, star-studded arbitrations, and has even made notable contributions to the Oscars. Beyond her professional achievements, Lindsay has played a pivotal leadership role within the industry, serving for many years on the NCRA CRC committee and ultimately chairing it. She has also contributed her expertise as a dedicated member of the NCRA STRONG and Skills Test committees. Her involvement highlights not only her technical mastery but also her passionate advocacy for professional excellence and continuous improvement in the field.With a passion for precision, a distinguished portfolio of certifications, and a reputation for excellence, Lindsay Stoker continues to be a leading voice and respected authority in the ever-evolving landscape of court reporting and captioning.

Lisa M. Franko, CRR, RMR

I am a wife, mother of four, and a committed professional who has served as a court reporter for 28 years — with the last 12 proudly spent in the Southern District of New York. My Christian faith guides my life and work, grounding me in purpose and compassion.

Beyond the courtroom, I hold a deep passion for health coaching and empowering women to live their best lives — physically, mentally, and spiritually. Whether in the courtroom or in conversations that inspire transformation, I am dedicated to serving others with excellence, integrity, and heart.

Marcus Johnson, Managing Partner and Financial Planner

Marcus Johnson: A Symphony of Strategy, Service, and Soul; In the heart of Nashville, Tennessee—a city known for its rhythm, resilience, and rich cultural roots—Marcus Johnson is crafting a story all his own. Not in the recording booths of Music Row, though he’s no stranger to the stage, but in boardrooms, living rooms, and every space where financial futures are shaped with intention and integrity. Marcus's journey begins at Tennessee State University, where he studied Economics and Finance—not just to earn a degree, but to decode the blueprint of economic empowerment. With licenses in Series 7, 66, life, and health insurance in hand, he stepped into the financial world not as a bystander, but as a disruptor. From the fast pace of Wall Street to respected regional firms, Marcus quickly learned that true financial success isn’t measured in dollars—it’s measured in impact. That belief became the cornerstone of Johnson Capital Planning, LLC, the firm he founded to do more than manage money. He built it to serve people. Since its inception, Marcus has empowered over 500 clients—families, professionals, dreamers—with financial strategies as personalized as their fingerprints. His mission: to ensure that every client receives the same thoughtful, strategic care he would provide for his own family.

Melinda Walker, RPR, RMR, CRR, CLR

Melinda Walker, CSR, RPR, CMRS, is a retired Official Reporter from the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Since retiring in August 2019, Melinda has been subbing in courts around the state, as well as undertaking freelance assignments when she has availability.

Nicole Bulldis, RPR, FCRR

Nicole began her legal career in 2003 as a criminal defense investigator and then transitioned to a paralegal in civil litigation before attending Green River College in Washington and becoming a court reporter in 2016. She started reporting in state court as an official and worked her way up to providing realtime in a capital courtroom before transitioning to freelancing in 2021. Nicole is licensed in Arizona, California, and Washington. She holds an RPR certification through NCRA and an FCRR certification through USCRA. Nicole's current form of serving the steno community has been through mentoring students and new professionals. In her free time, Nicole and her daughter are hardcore Swifties (having seen the Eras Tour twice in 2023). She is an avid reader, a fitness enthusiast, and loves exploring new places with her husband.

Tracy Thompson, RDR, RMR, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI

Tracy has lived and breathed court reporting for nearly four decades — and she’s only getting started. Since graduating in 1987, she has built an extraordinary career across state and federal courts, excelling as both an official and a freelancer. Along the way, she has earned an impressive lineup of national certifications — RPR (1992), CRR (2002), RMR (2003), RDR (2007), CRC (2017), and CRI (2025) — each one marking her as a professional at the very top of her field. But Tracy’s passion doesn’t stop at the steno machine. Since 2020, she’s been in the classroom, teaching everything from theory and speedbuilding to Medical and Latin Terminology, Courtroom Procedures, and Advanced Transcript Preparation. Her students know her not just as a teacher, but as a mentor who understands what it takes to thrive in today’s reporting world. Now, as she steps into leadership at LearnToRealtime, Tracy is bringing that same spark to every student. She knows the challenges, she’s lived the breakthroughs, and she’s ready to ignite change in the next generation of reporters. With her unmatched blend of experience, certification, and passion for teaching, Tracy is set to carry forward the legacy of LearnToRealtime and lead its courses into an even brighter future.

Victoria L. Pittman, BA, CVR-CM-M, RCP, RVR

FAPR, RDR, CRI (Ret.)

Tori Pittman is an accomplished reporting professional who has performed in many subspecialities in the field (but not captioning!). She has been reporting since 1999 when she started as a machine writer and officially transitioned to solely voice writing in 2011-2012 when her bilateral tendinitis caused her to be unable to use the machine any longer. Tori has a small-town reporting firm (Pittman Stenography) and a Teachable site (Beyond 225) and is currently volunteering on two committees at the national association. Additionally, she is a member of her local chamber of commerce and participates as a member of the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival committee. Tori is a retired FAPR, RDR, CRI and currently a CVR-CM-M, RCP, and RVR. Tori loves all things court reporting and is honored to be a mentor, trainer, and presenter when offered the opportunity.