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Real Realtime
ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS HIGH ENOUGH?
When a reporter is writing, they don't just write the words, they also must indicate who is speaking. When a lawyer is picking the jury, for instance, they make a chart and quickly jot down the names so they can address them personally when they question them. Even though they get the jurors' names beforehand, even though they've jotted it down on their chart, they often ask someone to repeat their name, or have the clerk repeat the list of names.
When we're writing, we don't just write the words, we also must indicate WHO is speaking!
A reporter does the same thing with the half dozen or more attorneys sitting around a conference room table. And we work with different attorneys every single day! During colloquy, or when objections are being made, the reporter must note who's speaking before they speak, THEN write the objection. So of course you'll understand if we ask you to identify yourself "for the record," at least until we learn your name.
A special note on telephone depositions
Telephone depositions are always a challenge, but not because people are speaking too fast. There's rarely overlapping colloquy or testimony because phones simply cut off the speaker when two people speak at the same time. The parties and the reporter may not be able to tell someone's getting cut off. When there's a lot of back-and-forth, telephone depositions are difficult for us because voices, especially men's voices, can sound similar over the phone. Plus, we can't see you to know who you are! During a telephone deposition, always state your name before you speak. Always.