From the Court Reporter’s Chair: How ExhibitSuite™ Makes Depositions Seamless (and Saves My Sanity)

Let me tell you a secret:
As a court reporter, I love my job—but sometimes, it feels like my real role is part stenographer, part exhibit traffic cop.

I have been a court reporter for over 20 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat through depositions where the attorneys are shuffling papers, fumbling for exhibit numbers, whispering, “Wait, what’s next? Is this Exhibit 8 or 9?” while I sit there thinking, “I’ve been writing all the words, so you’re going to have to give me a minute to figure out this mess you’ve made.”

It’s not just the exhibit number chaos. It’s the part at the end where I usually say, “Please send me the exhibits,” and then spend the next week sending polite follow-up emails while praying they didn’t lose anything in their sea of paper.  And when I do receive them, they don’t all have stickers on them.  Joyful.

But then came ExhibitSuite™. And let me tell you—it’s like someone finally gave court reporters the gift we didn’t know we could ask for.

The Exhibit Number Game: Finally Solved

One of the most unexpected joys of using ExhibitSuite™ is that it tracks exhibit numbers for you.
I can’t emphasize this enough: This is life-changing.

No more:

• Attorneys skipping numbers accidentally (you know who you are).
• Digging through piles to check if you’ve already used Exhibit 12.
• Having to circle back mid-depo to say, “Actually, can we relabel that? I think we missed one.”

ExhibitSuite™ automatically knows the next number, keeps everything in order, and lets attorneys focus on asking questions instead of running a mental inventory of their exhibit stickers.

For me, that means fewer interruptions, fewer corrections, and a transcript that flows like it should.

Instant Access to Files = Instant Relief

Here’s another game-changer: At the end of the deposition, I get the files. Instantly. Right then and there.

I don’t have to:

• Send five follow-up emails begging for the final exhibits.
• Wait three days for someone to remember to scan and send them.
• Piece together mislabeled PDFs that somehow made their way to me at 10:30 PM.

ExhibitSuite™ makes it simple. Attorneys can instantly share the complete exhibit set with me through the platform. No paper, no hassle, no delays.

It’s like finishing a deposition and walking out with the whole package neatly zipped up and ready to go. Honestly? It’s a small miracle.

Less Paper, Less Chaos, More Accuracy

Let’s talk about paper for a second.

Attorneys: I love you, but I’ve seen some of the exhibit stacks you bring into depositions.
The crumpled edges. The handwritten sticky notes that don’t survive the trip from the printer. The unlabeled attachments that float around like rogue puzzle pieces.

When you use ExhibitSuite™:

• There’s no printing. Everything is digital.
• There’s no last-minute exhibit scramble. Everything is uploaded and labeled in advance.
• There’s no confusion. Files are neatly marked, shared, and easy to track.

And from my seat? That means smoother proceedings, cleaner transcripts, and less time chasing down stray documents.

Bonus: It’s Actually Easy

I’ve seen a lot of new technology rolled into depositions over the years. Some of it is, let’s be honest, more complicated than it’s worth.

But ExhibitSuite™? It’s so intuitive, even the most paper-loving attorney can figure it out in minutes.
There’s practically no onboarding. If you can click a file and type a label, you can use ExhibitSuite™.

For court reporters, that means I don’t have to troubleshoot tech mid-deposition (which, let’s be honest, is not in my job description).

The Bottom Line: A Smoother Ride for Everyone

When attorneys use ExhibitSuite™:

• Depositions run faster.
• Exhibit numbering is automatic.
• I get the files right away.
• The whole process feels way less chaotic.

It’s not just better for me—it’s better for everyone in the room. Attorneys stay focused. Witnesses stay engaged. (If my 81 year old father can read from an iPad, your senior witness can use ExhibitSuite™) And, I can keep doing what I’m actually there to do: capturing the record, not managing a paper parade.

So if you’re still clinging to those bankers boxes and paper stacks like a security blanket, maybe it’s time to upgrade. Trust me—your court reporter (and your future self) will thank you.

-Lori Warren, CCR, RPR