Steno Allstar Keynote Speakers
Fancy Duffey, TX CSR | Francheska Duffey, a certified court reporter with 20 years of experience, exemplifies professionalism and dedication in her field. Based in Waco, Texas, she combines her expertise with a passion for personal growth and creativity. Beyond her career, Francheska engages a dynamic online audience by sharing her love for fitness, vegan living, fashion, and travel. Her motivational content encourages others to embrace self-improvement and cultivate a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle, making her a source of inspiration both in and out of the courtroom. |
Presenters
Alan Peacock | Alan Peacock began his reporting career in 1987 after he attended Biggers College of Court Reporting in New Orleans. In 1991, when captioning was in its infancy, Alan moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to work with Judy and Mike Brentano to provide live captioning on site at WXIA, one of the first stations to provide realtime captioning. While in Atlanta, Alan also trained as a CART provider, even using a 286 DOS computer. He also was one of the first reporters to provide realtime CAT in the deposition setting in Atlanta. Since that time, Alan has continued to stay focused in all three disciplines of stenography - captioning, CART captioning, and realtime reporting. He is past president of the Alabama Court Reporters Association and currently serving on the Alabama Board of Court Reporters, the governmental licensing body in Alabama. Alan is a Fellow in the NCRA Academy of Professional Reporters, or FAPR. He has also earned the RDR, CRR, and CRC certifications. He is also the recipient of the NCRA DSA (Distinguished Service Award) for his contributions to NCRA through teaching, writing and committee work over his career. In his spare time, Alan enjoys traveling and playing with his two dogs. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for…. Alan Peacock. |
Anna Mar-Lazo, RPR, TX CSR | Anna Mar-Lazo is a freelance court reporter in the San Antonio, Texas, area. As a student, Anna took to Instagram where she shared her court reporting journey. Using social media as an accountability tool, she was able to finish school and certify in 2021. Since then, Anna has continued to share her journey as a new reporter covering both remote and in-person depositions while also sharing her daily life, her family, and her financial milestones. Anna is the host of the Steno Talk podcast and has been asked to speak to students, reporters, and A-Z/Project Steno students on various topics. In the past, Anna has served on her local association board, spoken at the state level, and been asked to speak at the national level. Anna continues to help and encourage students through social media. |
Anissa R. Nierenberger, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, B.S. Realtime Reporting | Meet Anissa Nierenberger: Your Realtime Guru & Steno Language Innovator! We’re going to embark on a journey with Anissa (uh – NEE – SA) Nierenberger, a certified professional realtime trainer dedicated to enhancing reporters' skills with a dash of fun! From her fascination with typewriters as a young girl to pioneering the Dictionary Jumpstart software, Anissa's passion for steno has shaped her remarkable career. With over three decades of experience, including captioning for major tech giants like Facebook and Amazon, Anissa has honed her expertise in the industry. Her acclaimed training program has empowered over 1800 stenographers to achieve their realtime goals and certifications, propelling their careers to new heights. Discover Anissa's arsenal of tools, including her groundbreaking Dictionary Jumpstart program, featuring 10 modules and over 165,000 words designed to turbocharge your dictionary at an astonishing rate of 1,000 words per hour! But Anissa's impact doesn't stop there. As the author of four books on shorthand techniques and the mastermind behind STENOphonatic, the world's first English and steno word-building card game, she continues to innovate and inspire, helping reporters across the globe elevate their skills and reach new professional heights. When you're ready to elevate your career, turn to Anissa Nierenberger—your trusted partner in Success! |
Cinta Corbin, RPR, CSR | Cinta Corbin has been a certified court reporter for over five years. Based in Michigan, she is passionate about capturing the spoken word with precision and professionalism. Cinta holds certifications as a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) and Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR).With experience in depositions and arbitrations, Cinta prides herself on delivering accurate transcripts timely. She is always open to improving her skill set. When not working, Cinta enjoys sharing her passion for fitness with others. |
Jennifer Esquivel, CA CSR | Experienced and detail-oriented Official Court Reporter with 7 years of expertise in real-time reporting, |
Judith Bellinger, RPR, CRR, TX CSR | Judith Bellinger, RPR, CRR, 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 reported and provided realtime services for various high-profile depositions and trials throughout her career, including the NFL, NBA, NCAA, a 10-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 conventions and has provided CART for students at IUPUI, Purdue University, the former Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, and The Indiana School for theDeaf. She considers her career a passion, not a job. |
Kathryn R. Sweeney, FAPR, RDR, CRR, MA-CSR, NH-LCR | Kathryn Sweeney has been a stenographer for over 33 years. She holds the CSR in Massachusetts, LCR in New Hampshire, as well as her RDR and CRR designations from the National Court Reporters Association. She has won a realtime contest in Massachusetts, taken third place in the National realtime contest, and even became a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters. Kathryn has proudly served on the Massachusetts Court Reporters Association board and is currently President of the New Hampshire Court Reporters Association. She was the Chief Examiner on behalf of NCRA for 18 years and has given her CRR Boot Camp across the country for the past 15 years. |
Kristina Weaver, RPR, CCR | Kristina Weaver is a seasoned court reporter with nearly three decades of experience, having embarked on her career in 1994 after studying at Broward Community College in Florida. Throughout her journey, she has contributed her expertise to notable cases in Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton counties, including the high-profile Tex McIver and YSL trials. Beyond her professional achievements, Kristina brings a fun and casual vibe to her serious profession. She’s known for her approachable demeanor and unique style, often spotted in her beloved Chucks around the courthouse. Outside of her professional life, Kristina enjoys challenging herself with jigsaw puzzles and staying active through workouts on her Meta Quest virtual reality headset, making her a well-rounded professional. Her dedication to accuracy and detail makes her a respected figure in the legal community. |
Kyung Lee-Green, CSR | Kyung Lee-Green has over 20 years of experience as a freelance certified shorthand reporter in the state of California and is certified in the state of Washington. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a graduate from South Coast College of Court Reporting. She is a member of the California Deposition Reporters Association (DRA) and past member of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). Kyung is a frequent speaker at national, regional, and local conferences where she often teaches rate negotiation skills to freelance reporters and students and loves to talk about the business of being a court reporter. She is an advocate for working reporters on several different social media platforms and in professional associations. Kyung also runs a group on Facebook called Money Talks For Court Reporters. They discuss the business side of court reporting and all things related to money. Kyung enjoys sharing her experience as an instructor and mentor. She is a strong advocate for networking in person and online. My motto, less pages, more money and time for you to enjoy life. |
LaTanya "LT" Allen, Esq. | Attorney LaTanya “LT” Allen is the proud owner and principal attorney of LT Allen Law, PLLC located in Ridgeland, Mississippi. LT’s passion for helping others continues to make her a trailblazer in advocacy for children and families throughout the state. With more than 20 years of legal experience as a former Judicial Court Administrator, Nationally Certified Court Reporter, and Litigation Paralegal, LT pursued her dream of returning to law school and earned her degree cum laude at the University of Mississippi. LT excelled in law school serving as a 1L Senator, a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council, Co-Director of Academic and Professional Development of the Graduate Student Council, and as a student-attorney with the University’s award- winning Child Advocacy Clinic. LT also served as a Judicial Extern with the Mississippi Supreme Court. Since graduation, LT’s commitment to her community and families led her to start her own Family Law practice at LT Allen Law, PLLC. The firm specializes in adoptions, child custody, and some estate matters. LT also provides youth and parent defense services as a Youth Court Public Defender. LT is active with local organizations and assists with various committees including the former Chair of the Mississippi Association for Justice New Lawyer Division, the Mississippi Bar’s Young Lawyer Division Child Advocacy Committee, and Women in the Profession as well as the Bar representative to the Mississippi Board of Certified Court Reporters. LT also enjoys pro bono work and was recently honored as a member of the Inaugural Class of Mississippi Legal Ambassadors with the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. LT is a huge fan of the Arts and enjoys Zumba in her spare time. |
Max Curry, B.C.R., RPR, LCR, CRI, CCR | Max Curry, B.C.R., RPR, LCR, CRI, CCR, is a 35-year veteran real-time stenographic reporter, having reported his entire career in the state of Tennessee. Max has served in various positions on the board of the Tennessee Court Reporters Association over the course of 20 years, also assisting in the legislature with several legislative endeavors affecting the court reporting industry in Tennessee. Max completed his NCRA Board service in 2021, having served in 2019-2020 as NCRA President. He was the founder of Elite-Brentwood Reporting Services based out of Nashville, with satellite offices around the state of Tennessee, operating in Tennessee for over 30 years. Max is now retired from reporting. He and his spouse enjoy gourmet cooking, hiking, gardening, and traveling nationwide as well as internationally, currently looking at relocating to Portugal. |
Natalie Ruben, Steno Student | Natalie Ruben is a stenography student transitioning from school to the workforce. Throughout her journey, she has shared insights into the world of stenography on her TikTok platform connecting with a wide audience. As a passionate advocate for balance, she integrates yoga into her daily life to manage the demands of steno school, work, and personal growth. Yoga has enhanced her physical and mental well-being, and she is excited to guide attendees at Steno in the City New Orleans in discovering how movement and mindfulness can support their journeys. |
Phyllis Craver Lykken, FAPR, RPR, CSR | Phyllis Craver Lykken began her reporting career in 1980 as a freelance reporter. She is a former firm owner. She holds the nationally recognized certification of Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), and is certified to practice in WA and OR. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters (FAPR). At the national level, Craver Lykken served as chair and member of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) STRONG Committee. She has served on numerous other NCRA committees, on the National Congress of State Associations Governing Board, as an NCRA Regional Representative, and on the NCRA Boad of Directors. She’s presented at NCRA’s Annual Conference & Expo, numerous webinars, and multiple state association seminars. She was one of the authors of NCRA's White Paper on the risks emerging surrounding the use of AI/ASR in legal settings. At the state level, Craver Lykken has held many positions with the Washington Court Reporters Association (WCRA), including serving as president on three occasions and co-president once. She’s been a fierce legislative advocate, serving as WCRA’s Legislative Committee Co-chair for many years. She once appeared before the Washington Supreme Court (WSC) to brief a proposed court rule amendment. She played an instrumental role with WCRA, the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), and the WSC in enacting an emergency order to allow for remote oath administration during COVID. In addition, she was appointed by the WSC to serve on the WSBA Character and Fitness and Limited Licensed Technician (LLLT) Boards |
Renee Finkley-Grant, RPR, RMR, CRR, CLR | Bio pending |
Tamara Chapman, CRR, TX CSR | Tamara, a native Houstonian turned Austinite and a freelance court reporter since 1998, is a proud CRR and the driving force behind a well-regarded, tech-centric Facebook Group. She has become a pivotal figure in enriching the reporting community with her deep insights into technology, briefs, steno tips and tricks, audio setups, and remote reporting, and holds various workshops to share her knowledge with fellow reporters. Tamara is passionate about helping reporters integrate technology to improve efficiency and stay ahead of the curve. Beyond her professional endeavors, her commitment to innovation is matched by her zest for music, travel, and culinary explorations, reflecting a harmonious blend of technological prowess and life's simple pleasures. |
Shanna Gray, CA CSR | Shanna Gray attended Vanderbilt University, earning a degree in sociology in 2000. She graduated as valedictorian from Bryan College in 2011. After freelancing in the Greater Los Angeles area for eight years, she joined the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2019. As the current president of the Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association, Shanna is deeply committed to preserving the court reporting profession, enjoys working with students, and actively participates in various committees to support official reporters in Los Angeles. |
Shaunise Day, Founder of Steno in the City | Founder of Steno in the City, creator of the podcast Confessions of a Stenographer, Shaunise Founder of Steno in the City, creator of the podcast Confessions of a Stenographer, Shaunise Day’s many contributions to the court reporting profession have positioned her to be a valuable pillar in the steno community. Ms. Day was born and raised in Oakland, California, where she discovered stenography. Due to an unfortunate chronic hand injury, Shaunise has had to take a break in her journey of becoming a stenographer. However, her passion and excitement for the profession has persisted. And from here is where her vigorous advocacy for the court reporting and the captioning profession emerges. As host and producer of Confessions of a Stenographer, listeners worldwide have enjoyed learning of the stories and background of court reporters, the life challenges they’ve overcome, and how they transitioned to become stellar court reporting professionals. Introducing this podcast platform to the profession has been one of the many resources and inspirations Shaunise has created for the steno community. The Fearless Stenographers conference is a yearly conference aimed at uniting the profession, drawing together the guardians of the record, firm owners, judges, lawyers, and industry vendors, all to communicate on the importance of the keeping of the verbatim record. The conference has been a successful and exciting event that continues to draw and motivate students, court reporting professionals and captioners alike. Furthering the movement of bringing the career of court reporting to the forefront, Ms. Day implemented virtual career fairs during the height of a global pandemic in 2022. Students attended remotely, learning about the inner workings of the legal system directly from a judge, stenographer, lawyer, and a law enforcement officer. The participants had their first steno experience through this initiative, piquing their interest and making a lasting impression. The aforementioned endeavors, along with so many new ones in development, are all envisioned and created with the intent of adding value to the court reporting profession. Shaunise’s goal is to impress upon all that stenographers stand amongst the nation’s top-tier industries, forever an integral aspect to our justice system, as proud as they are highly-skilled to be guardians of the record. Ms. Day currently serves on the National Court Reporters Association PAC Governing Board, Brand Ambassador Council, and former Membership Committee and Student/Teacher Committee. |