Endurance, strength, and resilience. 

REGISTER HERE

   “Promoting Excellence in the Court Reporting Community”

April 13, 2024 Spring Seminar

Green River Community College

12401 SE 320th Street

Auburn, Washington 98092

Remote $150/In-person $125

CCR 6 hours/NCRA .6 CEUs

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome & Introductions

 Jennifer Pollino, WCRA President

8:45 – 10:15  Why a Verbatim Record is Important

Presented by Ann Joyce

10:15 - 10:30 Break

10:30 – 12:00  Dressing for Success

Presented by Joyce Conner

         12:00 - 1:30  Lunch/Scholarship Presentations  

 1:30 – 3:00  Mastering Court Reporting: Ron’s Secrets to Success

 Presented by Ron Cook

3:00 – 3:15 Break

3:15 – 4:45  Hindsight is 20/20

Presented by Gwen Brass

Why a Verbatim Record is Important

Ann will speak on the importance of making an accurate verbatim record and why our justice system depends on us as unbiased certified court reporters to uphold the integrity of legal proceedings, ensure due process, and preserve an indisputable record of events and testimony.

Ann began her career as a legal secretary at the Snohomish County Public Defender in 1991. The immersion into criminal law and working with the committed attorneys there provided an education unmatched and sparked my passion for social justice.  She left the Public Defender after 3 years, along with two attorneys, to open the Washington Appellate Project - a firm committed to maintaining the integrity of our justice system and dedicated to ensure all are treated fairly. The Project, under her leadership, has grown immeasurably since its inception, not only in numbers but in its outreach and positive change in the courts.

In addition to managing the office (17 attorneys and 3 administrative staff), she prepared case summaries and pleadings, worked with county clerks all over the State, provided training to the legal community, and offered support to attorneys. She continues to be a resource for those new to the appellate process and those in the public seeking information.     

I left the Project in 2021 to work as a consultant with the Washington State Office of Public Defense. I provide education and training on appeals and am on the Senate Bill 5046 team. 5046 is a bill passed by the legislature in 2023 to provide funding for post-conviction representation.

How to Dress for Success Without Breaking the Bank

A transformative presentation designed to elevate your style without emptying your wallet.  Learn savvy shopping tips, discover budget friendly fashion hacks, and master the art of creating a polished wardrobe on a budget.  Join us on a journey to redefine your style without compromising your financial goals.  Dress smart, look sharp!

Joyce Conner has over two decades of experience in the retail sector, including a notable tenure at Nordstrom’s, after which she transitioned into entrepreneurship and established a successful real estate appraisal business that has thrived for 20 years.

Mastering Court Reporting:  Ron Cook’s Secrets to Success

Join Washington’s own celebrity reporter, Ron Cook, as he shares his passion for reporting with both aspiring and practicing court reporters. Ron will share his blueprint for building a rock-solid foundation essential for advancing your professional path, debunking the myth that success is solely measured by monetary gain.  Discover the art of creating flawless transcripts and the power of effective communication with reporting agencies.  You’ll learn the importance of skill refinement and that the perpetual quest for improvement is the hallmark of a true professional.  Don't miss this chance to learn from one of our industry's best on how to unlock your full potential as a court reporter.

Ron has been reporting for over 45 years, and is certified in California, Washington and Nevada.  He was unofficially recognized as the guru of realtime reporting in the Pacific Northwest and was one of nine reporters to pass the first-ever CRR, in 1992.  He routinely competes in the NCRA speed and realtime contests and has won the Q&A portion of the realtime contest twice, in 2012 and 2016.  He also competes in the California Deposition Reporters Association realtime contest, winning it all in 2018 and placing in the top three regularly.  As a bucket list item, in 2019 Ron was able to travel to Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, and compete in the Intersteno competition, finishing 7^th in both the speed and realtime competitions.  Ron has given numerous seminars on miscellaneous topics, including how to be the best reporter you can be, both on the state and national level, and was an officer of the Washington Court Reporters Association for a number of years, in addition to being a member of NCRA since 1976.

 Hindsight is 20/20:  Navigating Your Career Adventure with Wisdom

Running against the wind?  Wishing you knew then what you know now?  Are there things you would have done differently?  Join us for an engaging discussion led by Gwen Brass, a freelancer with 42 years of experience.  Embracing the philosophy that we're "Better Together," we'll dive into a collaborative exploration of past experiences. Together we’re stronger, wiser, and better equipped to tackle the challenges ahead.  By tapping into our collective wisdom, we'll unlock a treasure trove of knowledge to enrich your present and future practices. Get ready for a fun and insightful journey toward professional growth!

Gwen Brass is a freelance reporter licensed in Washington since 2001 and California since 1982.  Throughout her career she has balanced the demands of work and family amidst relocations, grueling commutes, the ever-evolving landscape of technology from electronic recording to AI, and attorneys who talk faster with each passing year.  Despite the challenges along the way, she is still eternally grateful for a career as a reporter but would have done a few things differently if she had only known.