The California Court Reporters Board (CRB) has released an opinion cautioning against outcome-based payment models in court reporting—specifically those that tie compensation to the resolution of a legal case. These arrangements, often structured as delayed or contingent payments, present a risk to the perceived neutrality and ethical obligations of court reporters.
At First Legal, we believe the message from the CRB is clear and necessary. As trusted partners to the legal community, we fully support the Board’s commitment to upholding the impartiality of the court reporting profession. Ethical service delivery isn’t just an internal policy—it’s the foundation on which confidence in our legal system is built.
We are proud to maintain payment structures that support court reporters as neutral officers of the court. We do not engage in or endorse practices that could compromise their objectivity or the integrity of the proceedings they cover. Every member of the First Legal Depositions team, from schedulers to certified reporters, operates with transparency, fairness, and respect for both clients and the profession.
We stand with the court reporting community in supporting responsible, unbiased practices. And as new business models emerge, we encourage thoughtful scrutiny to ensure our shared standards remain intact.
If you have questions about our approach or would like to learn more about our court reporting services, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
