The LACCRA Seminar Committee is pleased to present the 2025 Seminar Series!

The Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association has earned a well-deserved reputation for sponsoring stimulating and worthwhile education for court reporters in California. We look forward to seeing you at the LACCRA Seminars!

We are the Gold Standard!

Please note: 2025 Seminars will be held online via GoToMeeting.
Click here for more information regarding GoToMeeting.

Seminars through LACCRA are one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to get your Continuing Education. While LASC reporters are required to self-report for hours and request reimbursement, LACCRA reports your attendance to the NCRA where applicable (some seminars may not apply and/or may not apply to students).

The LASC Court will reimburse registration fees (while funds last), under the continuing education fund SEIU and LACCRA have negotiated with the Court (MOU Article 42, Section 1).

 The net cost to you as a LACCRA member is $0. LASC Court reporters are mandated by the Judicial Council to have 8 hours of continuing education hours every two years. As well, LACCRA reports NCRA CEUs where applicable. Attendees must indicate NCRA member numbers for the NCRA reporting.

Seminar topics offered in 2025 are:
Eclipse
CRR
Voicewriting
ProCat
Those Pesky Commas
Windows: Hotkeys Beyond Your CAT
Macros
CaseCATalyst

    
1.    Seminar Name: Eclipse: Latest and Greatest
Presenter: Michael Starkman
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 9 am to 12 pm (3 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC Hours; 0.30 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $125
Non-Member $145
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: Everything Editing.  Editing shortcuts and tips that will help you get those transcripts produced faster and easier!

Explore a variety of time and labor-saving features that span multiple versions for the purpose of learning how to reduce labor, save time, and increase rates of production.

Regarding answering Vox questions: if they're related to editing the presenter will answer them, however, if they are related to translation, the presenter cannot answer.
 
Outline:
Paste field: Copy and paste most of your title page
            -Update plug in manager
            -Download/enable plug in
            -Blank field modifications
            -Customize toolbar
            -Demonstrate usage
Picklists:  Create databases
            -Demonstrate
            -Create basic pick lists for days of week, months, etc.
            -Create pick list for attorneys
            -Create pick list for complete firm information
Macros:  Learn how to create your own editing shortcuts for repetitive tasks.
            -Explain basic concept
            -Basics of creating a macro
            -Create macros
Auto-replacements:  Learn how to create typing shortcuts for repetitive vocabulary
            -Introduction to existing shortcuts
            -Create shortcuts for user-specific problem areas
            -Create shortcuts for areas of repetitive typing
            -Job-specific replacements
Miscellaneous editing tips:
            -Navigate transcript faster
            -Automate block files
            -Word endings
            -Quick Google searches
            …and more
Boost On Demand - The best feature ever?
What's new in Version 11
Python Plug ins - A Major Enhancement
                -What are they?
                -Setup
Let's Dive in and start using these shortcuts!
                -Paste Field
                -Label Exhibits
                -Federal Format
                -Boost Edit Assistant
                -Extended Clipboard
Auto-Brief Enhancements
                -Expert theory hints
                -Display options
 
Note to Attendees: Writers are not required. Please have access during the training to the computer that runs Eclipse.
 
Bio: Michael Starkman is a certified advanced Eclipse software trainer with 26 years of experience presenting and teaching Eclipse. During this time, Michael has done countless seminars, including regular presentations at the ESP Network Meetings (the Eclipse Users Group), for Eclipsewebinars.com, as well as appearances as a speaker at both NCRA national conventions and state conventions.  He has also provided many training seminars in the Mid-Atlantic region, as well as countless hours of private, one-on-one training.

2.    Seminar Name: CRR Stands for Confidence, Rewards, and Rejuvenation
Presenter: Anissa Nierenberger
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 1.5 LASC Hours/.15 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $80
Non-Member $100
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: CRR Stands for Confidence, Rewards, and Rejuvenation
Maybe you’ve taken the CRR once or twice or… more? What is keeping you from passing it? The bad news is that practice does not fix realtime. However, Anissa has great news! You will learn from her what does fix realtime and how to obtain your best realtime skills! Realtime is the future and having CRR behind your name will lead to a more productive, efficient, joyful career!
 
Note to attendees: It would be helpful if they had their writers handy, but it is not required
 
Bio: Meet Anissa Nierenberger: Your Realtime Guru & Steno Language Innovator!
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 programs have empowered over 2,300 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!

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 realtime success!
 
3.    Seminar Name: Voicewriting: They said WHAT?  How Proper Practice and Proper Prepping for Realtime and Translation Emergencies Is Your Pathway to Success
Presenter: Caryn Broome
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 12  (3 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC Hours; .30 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $125
Non-Member $145
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: Showing new voice writing and steno reporters (and even seasoned reporters) how to properly prepare for the unexpected and still produce realtime.  Also showing them how doing this saves more than just their translation.  It could equal time for a vacation!

Note to attendees: Laptops would be beneficial. The presenter uses Eclipse and Dragon, however, this is a mixed class of steno and voice, so if you use Eclipse or other CAT systems, then a notebook to take notes will suffice.
 
Bio: Caryn M. Broome, CCR, CVR-M, CM, RCP-M
 
In 2010 Caryn Broome went to Brown College of Court Reporting to start a career in court reporting.  They showed her and her husband the two realtime methods available: stenography and voice writing.  When Andy realized the second method was dictating into a mask, he said, “You mean she can get paid to talk?  She’ll do that one.”  And what started as a joke between them turned into a career and passion that Caryn has pursued ever since.
 
Over thirteen years of captioning, training, and volunteer leadership experience later, she has served as the President of GCRA and the Vice President of NVRA, was a founding member of the Global Alliance, and currently is a presenter for both national and state associations across the country on best practices for voice writing using Dragon Professional and Eclipse CAT software.
 
She has captioned for murder trials and juvenile cases, for almost every branch of the US government, including the White House, Department of Homeland Security, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, major companies and non-profits, dozens of colleges with every class imaginable, and was very honored to caption for the Pope once.
 
Her specialties include building, training, and leading captioning teams, caption ethics understanding and implementation, serving as an agent of change in promoting voice writing, mentoring students and new captioners, public speaking, and continuous self-improvement in her writing skills.
 
She is the owner/president of CMB Reporting Services, and while occasionally Caryn captions in court on behalf of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, it is CART Captioning and mentoring/training that keeps her busy these days.
 
Caryn believes that realtime voice writing continues to provide superior service for captioning the world and hopes to help others enter this exciting field!
 
4.    Seminar Name: ProCat: Maximizing Efficiency: A Training Seminar for Success
Presenter: Rick Louie

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (3 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC Hours; .30 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $125
Non-Member $145
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives:
1. Optimize Workflow Efficiency – Teach strategies and best practices to streamline daily transcription tasks and reducing production time.
2. Leverage Technology for Productivity – Demonstrate how to utilize ProCAT Winner 2025 and its latest features, such as Media Gateway to enhance efficiency.
3. Maximize Income Potential – Explore new revenue streams, including offering transcript summaries and expanding service offerings.
 
Note to attendees: You will need your writers and software up and running – and your laptop


Bio: Rick Louie holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from Long Beach State but discovered his passion for court reporting while working in technical support at Stenocat. He pursued court reporting studies at Southcoast College of Court Reporting, reaching 180 WPM before advancing into IT roles. In 2022, Rick joined ProCAT as a Client Success Manager, where he has mastered the ProCAT Winner software, conducts client training, and contributes to special projects. Known for his dedication and expertise, Rick is committed to helping clients optimize their workflow and succeed in their careers.
 
5.    Seminar Name: THOSE PESKY COMMAS
Presenter: Margie Wakeman Wells

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (2 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC Hours; .20 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $90
Non-Member $110
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: The session will begin with an analysis of how to condense the several hundred comma rules into a workable guideline, including a discussion of recent changes in the rules.
 
•    The remainder of the session will cover comma rules that are often confused or misunderstood, including punctuation for the word so, sentences that start with and or but, the Oxford comma in series, the understanding that in dependent clauses, appositives with parentheticals, and more. There will be time to address additional questions from attendees.
•    That the attendees leave with a better understanding of how to separate the two basic comma rules.
•    That the attendees are more easily able to handle some of the “problem” rules for commas.
 
Bio: Margie is in her seventh decade of teaching, 49 of those years in court reporting education. She has presented, under the auspices of NCRA and state organizations, over 300 seminars for reporters, teachers, and students on English-related topics.
 
Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation is her best-selling reference text, which has an accompanying Workbook with 250 pages of exercises to practice the rules. She recently released Just Grammar, a text that explains basic English grammar and offers exercises to practice the concepts. She has also published Word Pares, Pears, Pairs, and All Things English, a practice book on English skills.
 
Margie operates Margie Holds Class, her online school for live and recorded classes; answers questions on the popular subscription site Margie’s Gurus; and sponsors Margie’s English Corner, a free Facebook group.
 
6.    Seminar Name: Windows: Hotkeys Beyond Your CAT
Presenter: Jean Kim

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. (2 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC Hours; .20 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $90
Non-Member $110
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: Learn keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 and commonly used applications in the reporting field in order to perform essential functions quickly and without having to look for your cursor on the screen. Like keyboard maps in CAT systems (CAT4kbd in CATalyst/Hyperkeys in Eclipse), there is an entire world of keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity beyond transcript production.
 
By the end of this session, participants will be able to implement keyboard shortcuts across Windows 11 and common reporting applications to increase efficiency and reduce reliance on mouse navigation.
 
Note to Attendees: This is a software-agnostic class. This is simply a Windows shortcut keys, so just a laptop is needed.
 
Bio: Jean Kim is a seasoned freelance court reporter based in Los Angeles, California,
covering all varieties of depositions, arbitrations, meetings, hearings, and trials. As a Certified Independent Training Agent with Stenograph, she demonstrates her commitment to technological advancement in the field by providing both in-person and remote training on CaseCATalyst software to court reporters at all experience levels. Jean Kim's training approach emphasizes practical application, focusing on real-world scenarios and time-saving features that immediately benefit working reporters. She can be found online at jeankimcourtreporter.com.
 
7.    Seminar Name: Basic Macros to Edit on the Fly
Presenter: Mark Kislingbury

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Time: 9 to 10:30 a.m. (1.5 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 1.5 LASC Hours; .15 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $80
Non-Member $100
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: Mark Kislingbury will share his favorite ways to edit on the fly while providing realtime, using macros. These kinds of macros can turn good realtime into great realtime, and great realtime into nearly perfect
realtime!
 
Learn the most important macros to begin to work into one's writing so that the reporter's realtime gets better and better.
 
Note to attendees:  Depending on which software you are one, some of these are already in your software and you just need to find out how to do them; others you may need to make yourself or request your CAT software provider to make them.
 
Bio: The Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting:
Mark started his school in 2011 and today has over 300 students who are a combination of on-site and online.  With several dozen graduates, a large number of them graduated in two years or less, and many in just over two years.  Mark believes his brief-intensive, short theory, the Magnum Steno Theory, is the key to helping students gain speed quickly and achieve graduation speeds and beyond.  His students are performing well in the court reporting field, many of them already providing realtime in their daily work.
 
8.    Seminar Name: Hidden Gems of CaseCATalyst
Presenter: Jean Kim

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (3 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC Hours; .30 NCRA CEUs

Click here to register!
Registration Fees:
LACCRA Member $125
Non-Member $145
Student $25
 
Description/Objectives: Don't miss this opportunity to maximize CATalyst’s potential and boost your productivity with features you may not have known existed or haven't fully utilized! Join Jean Kim in this three-hour remote seminar as she uncovers powerful yet often overlooked features in CaseCATalyst designed to boost your reporting efficiency. Learn how to automate orphan control to maintain text integrity, discover and implement options for bylines, and efficiently recycle global definitions and fields from previous jobs. We'll also dive into table manipulation techniques, with special emphasis on achieving proper alignment for YesLaw efiling of appeal transcripts. Whether you're a seasoned CATalyst user or relatively new to the software, this session will enhance your workflow with practical tools you can implement immediately.
 
By the end of this session, participants will master essential CATalyst features including automated orphan control, byline configuration, global definition recycling, and table alignment for YesLaw efiling - all designed to streamline transcript production.
 
Note to Attendees: This is a seminar designed for CATalyst users, but no writers are needed.
 
Bio: Jean Kim is a seasoned freelance court reporter based in Los Angeles, California, covering all varieties of depositions, arbitrations, meetings, hearings, and trials. As a Certified Independent Training Agent with Stenograph, she demonstrates her commitment to technological advancement in the field by providing both in-person and remote training on CaseCATalyst software to court reporters at all experience levels. Jean Kim's training approach emphasizes practical application, focusing on real-world scenarios and time-saving features that immediately benefit working reporters. She can be found online at jeankimcourtreporter.com.
 

Attendance verification: Attendees will be required to pre-register. Attendees will be required to enter their first and last names into the GoToMeeting platform. The GoToMeeting platform keeps records of the timing of sign-on and sign-off. Attendees are required to keep cameras on. The administrator will download attendance from the GoToMeeting platform.

Seminar Information

How to Self-Report Attendance to the LASC & Request Reimbursement

Please note that your invoice/proof of payment can be found in an email once you register or in your member profile. Please find agendas for all seminars posted in the seminar listings. Verification of attendance will be emailed to you.
NOTE: Reporters must self-report and request reimbursement within 30 days from the date of the seminar.

Click here for the PDF: SumTotal Learner User Guide

Click here for the PDF: Submitting a Self-Reported Training Request in SumTotal Learn - QRG

Click here for the SumTotal Form

Click here for the Reimbursement Form on Sharepoint

Click here for the Quick Reference Guide for the Reimbursement Link

*The vendor number used for seminar registration fee reimbursement is the same number used for your CSR reimbursement - The E vendor number. Please note, that this is new and was not always the case. If you are unsure of your E vendor number, please ask your manager. Thank you!

Seminar Presenter Disclaimer

All information presented by the speakers at the LACCRA Benefits Seminar or through any other medium provides general information only. In presenting the material, neither the Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association nor its directors or consultants has taken into consideration any individual's benefit objectives, financial situation, or particular needs. All attendees should seek independent professional advice as to the suitability of any information provided to fit their personal benefits profile and goals.

Seminar Minimum Attendance Disclaimer: 

For live seminars, LACCRA must attain the minimum number of paid attendees of 12 to hold a seminar. If attendance drops below 12, registrants will be notified 48 hours in advance of the seminar cancellation and may elect to either receive a registration fee refund or a registration credit towards a future seminar.

For online seminars, LACCRA requires a minimum number of paid attendees to cover the cost of the seminar. If the minimum requirement is not met, registrants will be notified 48 hours in advance of the seminar cancellation and may elect to either receive a registration fee refund or a registration credit for a future seminar.

Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association
Seminar Policy:

LACCRA must receive an attendee’s (member or nonmember) registration payment no later than 7 days before the event. If not timely received, the reporter will be treated as a “walk-in” as described below.

Walk-ins (member or nonmember) will be allowed only if the attendee calls the LACCRA no later than the Thursday morning before the Saturday seminar to request permission to attend if there is still space available. The registration fee is due at the time the request to attend is made.

A paid registrant must call the LACCRA office no later than the Thursday morning before the Saturday seminar to cancel their attendance. If such a call is not timely received, the attendee will forfeit the registration fee of the seminar.

If an attendee does call the LACCRA office no later than Thursday morning (before noon) before the Saturday seminar, the amount paid to LACCRA will be refunded, minus a fee of $25.00. No refunds after noon on Thursday.

Attendees will not be allowed entry 15 minutes after the commencement of the seminar.

LACCRA reserves the right to cancel a seminar if the minimum number of paid registrants is not met and/or due to unforeseen circumstances whereupon a cancellation is deemed necessary. Upon notice of cancellation, paid registrants will be given the option to either apply their registration fee to a future seminar or to be given a total refund.

Unless otherwise indicated, the subject matter of each technology seminar is the latest version of the software. The software must be preloaded and operational.

Special Accommodation:

Facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require special accommodation and plan to attend this event, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. Please allow as much advance notice as possible to ensure we have ample opportunity to meet your needs.