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Aptus Court Reporting Expands Team & Relocates San Francisco Office

May 6th, 2016, San Francisco, CA — Aptus Court Reporting, a leading provider of court reporting, videography and legal technology services, has added two new members to its San Francisco Bay Area team: Brook Braunschweig and Danielle Belonio.

Brook Braunschweig, who touts a decade of legal industry sales experience, will join Aptus’ San Francisco Bay Area team as a Director of Business Development. Prior to joining Aptus, Braunschweig worked at DTI as Director of Sales and Business Development for its Bay Area market. Before that, she focused on developing and maintaining long-standing client relationships as an Account Executive with Merrill Corporation.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Aptus family and working in an environment that I know will provide my clients with the best possible experience,” says Braunschweig. “My prior experience in the industry combined with a strong company like Aptus will provide clients with an unparalleled customer service experience. I view the opportunity to work with an innovative and forward-thinking company like Aptus as an excellent way to advance my expertise and growth within the legal industry.”

Also joining the company as Director of Business Development for the Bay Area market is Danielle Belonio. With 11 years of experience in sales and three of those years focused on legal services, Belonio brings a substantial skillset to the Aptus team. In her prior position, Belonio served as an Account Executive with legal processing outsourcing company DTI LLC. Prior to that, she served as an Account Executive with business solutions provider Merrill Corporation focusing on applying the company’s services to applications in the legal industry.

“The Aptus culture is transparent. What you see is what you get and what you will find is a team of enthusiastic, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, responsive, and service-minded individuals. I couldn’t ask for more. I am thrilled to be a part of the Aptus team and to expand our culture in the Bay Area,” says Belonio.

Braunschweig and Belonio will join Aptus’ current San Francisco Bay Area representatives Danette Rugg and Kaitlyn Shelly, who have over two decades of combined sales experience in the court reporting industry.

In addition to building out its sales team, Aptus Court Reporting has relocated its Bay Area office to One Embarcadero Center, Suite 1060 in San Francisco, CA. In March 2016, the company announced the launch of a new office serving the Greater Los Angeles market along with the addition of Lori Cheyne as the Director of Business Development for the region. Aptus CR serves numerous markets throughout California including San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento.

“We are thrilled to add the talent of Danielle and Brook to our growing Bay Area market. The addition of these two industry savvy individuals and the transition into our new office in San Francisco positions us extremely well to continue our business growth and expansion of the Aptus brand throughout California and beyond,” says Sandy Waite, Aptus’ Chief Operating Officer.

About Aptus Court Reporting:

Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company provides decades of combined experience in the court reporting industry and offers videography, transcription, and trial support among its list of services. Its company focus is “connecting testimony and technology” for clients internationally. With over 35 years of combined experience in the litigation support business, Aptus provides a one-stop solution for your deposition and trial needs. For more information about Aptus Court reporting, please visit https://aptuscr.com.

Rapidly Expanding Aptus Court Reporting Opens New Los Angeles Office

(Pr Web) Los Angeles, CA – Aptus Court Reporting, California’s premier deposition and court reporting service, announced today that it is expanding into the Greater Los Angeles market. Aptus’ Los Angeles office is conveniently located in Downtown Los Angeles at 1000 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1900.

Business Development for Aptus Court Reporting Los AngelesJoining the Aptus team and spearheading the company’s new market launch is Lori Cheyne, Director of Business Development. With nearly two decades of experience in the legal industry and 26 total years of sales experience, Cheyne is a seasoned professional who is ideally suited to oversee Aptus’ business development activities within this new market. Before joining Aptus, Cheyne served as a Senior Litigation Support Consultant for Network Deposition Services, Inc. in the Greater Los Angeles area. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President at Benchmark Deposition Reporters for 15 years.

“I am thrilled to join Aptus because it not only offers the most state-of-the-art technology, it has a people-focused ethos as well. They are real people who believe in putting the needs of their clients and colleagues first,” says Cheyne. “I have spent the last 20 years building relationships that last because I truly care about my clients and will always go the extra mile to ensure their expectations are not only met but exceeded.”

Working out of both Aptus’ Los Angeles and Irvine offices, Cheyne’s main objective will be to bolster Aptus’ already strong reputation throughout California and to cultivate Aptus’ place as a deposition support services leader in the LA and OC markets. Cheyne will also focus on creating new business relationships while ensuring that existing clients continue to receive unparalleled deposition and court reporting services.

“We are all thrilled that Lori is joining our Aptus family. Her experience, skill set, and most importantly her interpersonal skills are a perfect fit for our team,” says Aptus President Derek Berg. “It is exciting to have a presence in Los Angeles with Lori heading up the task. I have no doubt she will excel in her new role and touch the lives of the many folks with whom she will work.”

Since launching in San Diego in 2011, Aptus has expanded its market reach throughout California and beyond, with additional offices in San Francisco, Sacramento, Irvine and Riverside. Combined with a new website launch debuted in August 2015 and a number of key hires, the company has demonstrated a trajectory of continued growth and achievement.

About Aptus Court Reporting:

Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company provides decades of combined experience in the court reporting industry and offers videography, transcription, and trial support among its list of services. Its company focus is “connecting testimony and technology” for clients internationally. With over 35 years of combined experience in the litigation support business, Aptus provides a one-stop solution for your deposition and trial needs.

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Aptus Court Reporting Continues Rapid Expansion with Acquisition of Brunson Court Reporters

[Press Release] San Diego, CA – Aptus Court Reporting announces its acquisition of Brunson Court Reporters, a prominent staple in the court reporting industry with over 50 years of experience. This merger continues to solidify Aptus’ commitment to expansion on a global scale, building on the Aptus brand of quality court reporting and innovative solutions.

Founded in the 1960s by Harrell W. Brunson and his wife Patricia, Brunson Court Reporters have provided quality court reporting services to clients across the San Diego area. An adaptor to change, the company has withstood challenges and celebrated growth. After retiring in the early 2000’s, the company has been owned and managed by Mary Rouse since 2008.

The blending of both companies continues to help position Aptus Court Reporting as a major force in the court reporting industry. Their rapid expansion efforts have resulted in the acquisition of powerhouse organizations that enhance their advancements in technology, dedication to superior customer service and focus on longevity.

“Brunson Court Reporters has survived off loyalty and superb reporting,” says former owner Mary Rouse. “Our motto at Brunson Court Reporters has been ‘Everything you need at OUR fingertips,’ as the business has been run by reporters since its inception. This merge is exciting for everyone involved because we’re combining the allegiance and trustworthiness of an established firm with the advancing technology and ambition of Aptus. Even more, the Aptus team is diligent in balancing personal relationships with superb work product, emphasizing a perfect match for our reporters.”

Ashley Walton, a co-founder of Aptus Court Reporting, expresses the team’s excitement about the merger. “The Brunson team saw an opportunity to offer further client focus and technology through Aptus and we are thrilled to be working with Mary, Doreen and their clients.”

ABOUT APTUS COURT REPORTING

Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company provides decades of combined experience in the court reporting industry and offers videography, transcription, and trial support among its list of services. The company focus is “connecting testimony and technology” for clients nationwide. For more information about Aptus Court Reporting, please explore our website at https://aptuscr.com.

ABOUT BRUNSON COURT REPORTERS

Brunson Court Reporting was founded in the 1960s and has been a consistent staple in the San Diego legal community providing quality service and thorough court reporting.

Aptus Court Reporting Co-Founder, Ashley Walton, Receives Nomination in San Diego Women Who Mean Business

Our company is proud of the strides and accomplishments it has made since its inception. Our co-founder, Ashley Walton has been recognized by the community as a mover and shaker that gets things done, and has been nominated for the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award. A seasoned contributor to the industry, Ms. Walton co-founded Aptus Court Reporting in January 2011, with the first office opening in March of the same year. A well-known figure in legal circles, she has been intimately involved in building relationships with top reporters in the industry. Instrumental in key employee hiring, Ashley has also been the top revenue producer at Aptus, and is a major supporter of the Lawyer’s Club and ABTL.

“We are so very proud of Ashley’s nomination and equally grateful to have her as part of our team!  She exemplifies the spirit of our great organization and is always focused on creating an amazing experience with everyone she comes into contact with,” says Co-Founder and President, Derek Berg.

A Force Of Her Own

Ashley Walton“Being nominated for this award by one of my clients means a lot to me. I feel so incredibly blessed that I get to do what I love with people that I love each and every day. So, being nominated for an award for that is proof to me that I am where I am supposed to be,” says Walton.

A philanthropist and contributor to the community, Ashley serves on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run San Diego; served as the co-host of the Annual Food From the Bar Silent Auction; and hosted the first annual charity golf tournament on behalf of Aptus/Girls On The Run.

Our company has had and will continue to have tremendous growth because of our team. There is not a group of people in our industry that cares more about serving others than we do. We salute Ashley for her efforts in making Aptus Court Reporting an entity that is recognized in the field. Being led by such a dynamic individual continues to work to our benefit as we grow as a company. It takes vision and leadership to attain the goals we have in such a short period of time, and we give kudos to our co-founder for her tenacity and drive to make Aptus a force to be reckoned with.

With five west coast local offices, Aptus has the capability to provide global court reporting services, expanding into areas of videography and other technologically advanced initiatives that will streamline workflow. We have Ms. Walton’s contributions to thank for these innovations, and for that we say thank you and congratulations!

Aptus Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Aptus Court Reporting would like to invite you to a fun event to raise money for Girls on the Run®. We are hosting the first annual 3 Club, 9-hole golf competition at The Loma Club – Liberty Station on Thursday October 15th at 3pm.

Girls on the Run® is a non-profit organization focused on “…inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” The organization has set up a dynamic curriculum that incorporates life skills programs, interactive lessons, and running games in small groups of girls grouped by grade level. This curriculum is facilitated by trained and certified Girls on the Run Coaches and reinforces social, physical, and psychological skills through inspiration and motivation. Additionally, the program is on 42 campuses in San Diego County and is offered to all girls regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

The Loma Club is located at Liberty Station and is a par 3 Executive Course (short and sweet). We will have a shotgun start at 3:00 pm and hope to be off the track no later than 5:00 pm to launch the festivities. Each golfer is required to play with 3 clubs only, so be sure to choose your weapons wisely!Aptus Charity Golf TournamentWe would like to thank all our gracious sponsors listed below for helping us put together this wonderful event: Coastal Payroll Services, Simpson Delmore Greene, Inventus, The Rider Elite Team, Leventhal Law, Thomas Giglio Events, Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Juskie LLP.

Aptus Court Reporting offers hassle-free and experienced court reporting solutions globally. We allow our clients to focus on their litigation by reducing their burden with cutting-edge technology solutions and expertise in court reporting. Learn more about our Services. 

Aptus Court Reporting Continues Expansion in Northern California, Establishes Sacramento-based Office

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) June 30, 2015 – Aptus Court Reporting announced that it has continued its expansion efforts by opening an office in California’s capital city, Sacramento. The new Northern California office will provide superior deposition and trial services to the extensive network of law firms in the region.

Located in Downtown Sacramento, Aptus’ Northern California office will continue to exemplify the company’s dedication to contracting highly skilled, client-focused court reporters and videographers who understand the rapid growth of technology and how it affects litigation support.

Leading the expansion effort is Johnny Bateman, who has over 13 years of experience working in Sacramento’s legal field. Bateman looks forward to utilizing his extensive industry connections and up-to-date knowledge of technological innovations in the court reporting field to provide high-quality service to the region’s legal professionals. “I am thrilled to head-up this expansion in a city that I have called home for over thirty years. Sacramento’s legal field has always been dynamic and rich with opportunity, and that sentiment is true now more than ever.”

The greater Sacramento area is home to many international, national, and boutique law firms that provide a wide array of legal services. Some of the most prominent legal practices include construction defect, administrative law, labor and employment, environmental law, and corporate law.

Aptus President Derek Berg adds, “Like many major cities, Sacramento and its outlying areas experience a heavy volume of litigation, that absolutely requires reliable, efficient, and effective litigation support. With this new location, we are confident that the expertise we provide and the client relationships that we build throughout the region will prove successful.”

Aptus Court Reporting also recently opened a Riverside office to service clients needing court reporting services in the Inland Empire. The company now handles international operations from offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange County and Riverside.

About Aptus Court Reporting:

Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company provides decades of combined experience in the court reporting industry and offers videography, transcription, and trial support among its list of services. Its company focus is “connecting testimony and technology” for clients internationally.

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Aptus to Prioritize Digital Video Recording

Digital Depo

“Excuse me, we have about five minutes left on the tape.” Every attorney that’s attended a video deposition has heard this phrase or some variation. It seems harmless, right? Five minutes is plenty of time to find a good place to stop. Think again. As any attorney knows, the deponent may give an answer that opens the door to a whole new line of questioning, and if you have to stop for a tape change, that can kill the momentum of the depo.

 

At Aptus Court Reporting, our in-house video equipment is completely digital. This means NO NEED TO BREAK FOR A TAPE CHANGE. The only breaks that occur are the ones requested by counsel or the deponent. I’ve been recording depositions digitally for nearly three years. I’ve noticed something – depositions are actually quicker! “Let’s take a quick break to change the tape” can actually turn into a 20-minute break. As mentioned above, this can negatively impact the flow and momentum of the depo.

 

Aptus Court Reporting is making a big push to ensure that all of our videographers around the country are making the improvements and upgrades to digital technology. While there are many who still capture to DVDs, we will continue to provide the best possible videographer at your depositions to ensure the quality you should expect from Aptus Court Reporting.

 

About the Author: Mike Tisa is the Director of Litigation Technology for Aptus Court Reporting. He is a Certified Legal Video Specialist through the National Court Reporters Association. Mike has been in the legal field since 2007 and is continuously researching advancements in the legal technology industry. For more on Mike’s background, visit his LinkedIn profile. http://www.linkedin.com/in/miketisa/

 

 

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Optimizing Your Web-Based Video Conference – Part II

OPtimizing Web-based video conferencingIn a previous blog, I outlined some steps to take in order to optimize you web-based video conference (Click here for previous article). Since then, I thought it best to add a few more so all your bases are covered.

6.) Make sure your laptop has anti-virus software. The other day while conducting a test, I saw a little notification pop up reminding me to check my anti-virus software. This isn’t like ignoring an oil change or an overdue library book. No, this is serious! Without the proper anti-virus protection, well, in a word – VIRUSES! Yeah, probably not a good idea to conduct a deposition with privileged information being exchanged when the possibility of cyber hackers exist.

7.) Use external speakers. Laptops come in all shapes and sizes and so do the specifications. One might have a superior camera but limited gain when it comes to volume. Pick up a set of desktop speakers in case you have a soft-spoken speaker or in case the acoustics of the room interfere with the sound.

8.) Disable face-tracking on your webcam. The face tracking does what the title implies, tracks your face. That means every time you move, it will follow your face wherever it goes. So if you’re conducting a deposition and you keep looking down at your notes, the camera will follow your face as you look down. This can make the other participant frustrated and even dizzy with all the movement.

9.) Check your Power Save settings. In order to save power consumption and avoid screen burnout, most computers will either go dark or go into Screen Saver mode. This is common when there is no activity for a predetermined time. Unfortunately, only having a browser window open doesn’t count as activity. In order to avoid having your screen go dark or show pictures of your family vacation while conducting a deposition, consult with your IT professional about changing your Power Save settings during your session.

About the Author: Mike Tisa is the Director of Litigation Technology for Aptus Court Reporting. He is a Certified Legal Video Specialist and a Trial Presentation Professional through the National Court Reporters Association. Mike has been in the legal field since 2007 and is continuously researching advancements in the legal technology industry. For more on Mike’s background, visit his LinkedIn profile. http://www.linkedin.com/in/miketisa/

Aptus Court Reporting Continues Expansion in Southern California, Acquires Industry Veteran Fivecoat & With

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 13, 2015

Aptus Court Reporting announced that it has united with Fivecoat & With, a San Diego-based court reporting agency with nearly 40 years of experience in the legal industry. The joining of these two organizations will preserve an excellence in client service and advancement in technology within Aptus’ catalog of national services.

Founded in 1970, Fivecoat & With has provided court reporting services to clients across southern California. Services include videography, repository, telephonic transcription, and scanning/imaging with added features such as e-transcript and digital delivery.

As of January 1, 2015, Fivecoat & With will be operating from Aptus’ downtown location. Both companies have set a standard in the California legal industry by contracting highly-skilled, client-focused court reporters and videographers who understand the rapid growth of technology and how it affects litigation support.

Jan Crawford, Fivecoat & With’s Administrator, looks forward to offering her “26 years of office administration experience in court reporting to the newly-combined firm” and is “very excited to be able to provide our existing clients with online scheduling and an online document repository, in addition to the litigation support products and services Fivecoat & With currently offer.”

Aptus President Derek Berg adds, “With the swift change of technology continually affecting the legal industry, we want to solidify our national presence and power ahead in the future. As our company continues to grow with Fivecoat & With’s industry experience, we are confident that the expertise we provide and the client relationships we build together will prove successful.”
Aptus Court Reporting will continue its national operation from its main office in San Diego, CA with additional offices in San Francisco, CA and Orange County, CA.

About Aptus Court Reporting:

Aptus Court Reporting is a full-service court reporting firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company provides decades of combined experience in the court reporting industry and offers videography, transcription, and trial support among its list of services. Its company focus is “connecting testimony and technology” for clients nationwide. For more information about Aptus Court reporting, please visit http://www.aptuscr.com.

About Fivecoat & With:

Fivecoast & With is a court reporting company founded in 1970. It has been a consistent presence in San Diego’s legal community by providing service with attention on open client communication and an excellence in customer service. For more information about Fivecoat & With, please visit http://www.fivecoatwith.com.

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Optimizing Your Web-Based Video Conference

As litigators turn to more cost effective ways to conduct out of town depositions, web-based video conferencing is becoming increasingly popular. As an alternative to traditional video conferencing, web-based video conferencing allows more flexibility requiring only a high speed internet connection and a computer equipped with a webcam and microphone. This eliminates the somewhat difficult task of locating two locations that are equipped with traditional video conferencing systems. So if all you need is a computer, internet, webcam and microphone, everything should be set to go, right? Think again…

While having all those items are paramount in order to proceed with your deposition, there are some preliminary steps to consider and take. Here are my top tips for conducting a smoother web-based video conference:

 

1.) Verify that both locations have high speed internet, not just internet. A hardwired connection is usually the best source for the fastest bandwidth. Since this is an increasingly popular way to conduct depositions, some law firms have dedicated WIFI networks designed specifically for this type of service. This is a luxury and not common, especially at hotels. Make sure your scheduling coordinator asks for a high speed, hardwired internet connection.

 

2.) Make sure your computer monitor is big enough or at least has multiple outputs. You probably wouldn’t want both the deponent and opposing counsel to have to huddle around a tiny laptop screen. Make sure the monitor is big enough to allow both parties to comfortably participate or use one of your outputs to connect to a larger monitor or TV.

 

3.) Be prepared by having an audio backup through the phone. As we all know, the internet has a mind of its own. Even with traditional video conferencing systems, freezing and audio dropouts can AND DO occur. Nothing is more frustrating to all parties, especially the court reporter, to be in mid-answer and lose the rest due to poor connectivity. If you are unsure of the internet connection, try setting up an audio backup that integrates the phone with the video. This allows you to see the witness and hear them through the phone while the audio and video sync up with virtually no latency.

 

4.) Test, test and test again. There is no such thing as over testing when it comes to technology. Have both parties sit at different angles and talk to see where it might be best to place the deponent to ensure they are both seen and heard. Also, try to test using the equipment you will actually be using for the deposition. One computer might work great and the other might require a little tweaking. DO NOT put yourself in the position of having to troubleshoot on the day of the deposition, especially when it could have been avoided.

 

5.) Make sure the deponent is a good candidate for conducting a deposition this way. While this can be a great and cost effective way to conduct a deposition, it might not be the best way. If the deponent is hard of hearing or soft spoken, it could make for a potentially long day. Constantly asking a deponent to repeat his answer and having them constantly ask counsel to repeat his question can become extremely tedious. It also might sacrifice the quality of the record because more than likely if you are having trouble hearing the witness, the court reporter is also having trouble.

About the Author: Mike Tisa is the Director of Litigation Technology for Aptus Court Reporting. He is a Certified Legal Video Specialist and a Trial Presentation Professional through the National Court Reporters Association. Mike has been in the legal field since 2007 and is continuously researching advancements in the legal technology industry. For more on Mike’s background, visit his LinkedIn profile. http://www.linkedin.com/in/miketisa/