Seminars and Events Committee
Chair: Lorraine Romin
What We Do:
The Seminar and Events Committee organizes professional development seminars and assists other committees with event logistics. We coordinate speakers, schedules, and promotions for events that benefit our members.
Interested in Joining?
Want to help plan our next big event? Email us at [email protected].
LACCRA SEMINAR SERIES 2026
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: 2026 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 2026 are:
Case CATalyst: Macro Magic
Eclipse
Tough Love
Windows
Happy Punctuating Part 1
Happy Punctuating Part 2
Case CATalyst: Pane Management
ProCat
Voicewriting
Do you have a seminar topic or presenter you would like to hear from? Please email [email protected] with your ideas!
Seminar Registration Fees
4 hours $85members and $110 non-LACCRA members
3 hours $80 members and $105 non-LACCRA members
2 hours $75 members and $95 non-LACCRA members
1.5 hours $70 members and $100 non-LACCRA members
Students may attend seminars for $30.00 per seminar
Seminar Name: Case CATalyst: Macro Magic
Presenter: Jean Kim
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC hours/.30 NCRA CEUs (pending)
Description/Objectives: Ready to take your editing efficiency to the next level? This 3-hour class goes beyond CATalyst's built-in editing macros to help you edit faster. You'll learn how to automate repetitive tasks and build your own time-saving shortcuts that work exactly the way you need them to. No programming experience required—just a willingness to work smarter, not harder!
Note to attendees: This is a seminar designed for CATalyst users, but no writers are needed.
Meet Jean Kim: 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.
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Seminar Name: Eclipse: What's New - Latest Eclipse Innovations
Presenter: Michael Starkman
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 9 am to 1 pm (4 hours)
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
CEUs/Hours: 4 LASC hours; 0.40 NCRA CEUs (pending)
Description/Objectives: 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.
We'll explore the exciting advancements and innovations in the latest versions of Eclipse
Outline:
• All-new audio sound system in Version 12
• New globalling from steno machine procedure
• New system for marking spots in transcripts
• Boost OnDemand
• Database building
Note: Some of those topics in and of themselves can take 45 minutes to an hour or more, such as Boost On demand and the new global from steno machine procedure.
Note to Attendees: Writers are not required. Please have access during the training to the computer that runs Eclipse.
Meet Michael Starkman: 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.
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Seminar Name: Tough Love with Depoman
Presenter: Mike Miller
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC hours/.20 NCRA CEUs (pending)
Description/Objectives: Join Mike for a frank and in-your-face assessment of the current state of court reporting. Topics will include best practices, proofing techniques, and utilizing your software to help minimize errors. Bring your sense of humor and prepare to be educated, shocked, amused, and possibly offended when “Depoman” takes the stage.
Meet Mike Miller: Michael E. Miller, FAPR, CSR, CCR, RDR, CRR, CLR, certified in Texas, California, and Louisiana, is considered one of the premier realtime reporters working today. Over his 25-year career, he has developed considerable expertise in all areas of litigation, including large corporate bankruptcies, intellectual property, pharmaceutical products liability, environmental contamination, and myriad business disputes. Mike's in-demand realtime court reporting skills and technical expertise have garnered him considerable experience working abroad, from Bangkok to Brussels and Stockholm to Seoul. Additionally, as one of the foremost experts on realtime reporting technology, he was chosen as a developer and lead instructor for the National Court Reporters Association Realtime Systems Administrator Certificate Program.
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Seminar Name: Mastering Windows Audio for Court Reporters
Presenter: Jean Kim
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC hours/.20 NCRA CEUs (pending)
Description/Objectives: Confused about input sources, output devices, and audio routing? This class cuts through the technical jargon to help you understand and optimize your Windows sound settings for court reporting. We'll cover how to manage multiple audio inputs (your recording devices, microphones, and backup sources) and outputs (speakers, headphones, and multiple playback devices), explore hardware solutions that give you better backup options and more flexibility, and troubleshoot common audio issues that can derail your workflow. Whether you're setting up for realtime, working with scopists who need audio, or just want reliable backup recording, you'll leave with a clear understanding of how to configure your audio setup for maximum reliability and efficiency. Say goodbye to audio anxiety and hello to sound confidence!
Note to the Attendees from the Presenter: This is a software-agnostic class. This is simply a Windows shortcut keys, so just a laptop is needed.
Meet Jean Kim: 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.
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Seminar Name: Happy Punctuating! Part 1
Presenter: Margie Wakeman Wells
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC hours; .20 NCRA CEUs (pending)
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.
Meet Margie Wakeman Wells: 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.
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Seminar Name: Happy Punctuating! Part 2
Presenter: Margie Wakeman Wells
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC hours; .20 NCRA CEUs (pending)
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 punctuation rules for the correct use of the semicolon and will include a discussion of punctuating the series in all its variations. Time permitting, we will cover some of the “problem areas” when punctuating the spoken word with time devoted to questions from the attendees.
Meet Margie Wakeman Wells: 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.
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Seminar Name: Case CATalyst: Pane Management
Presenter: Jean Kim
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 2 LASC hours; .20 NCRA CEUs (pending)
Description/Objectives: Panes shouldn’t be a pain to work with! In this class, you’ll learn what panes are available and how to position them. You'll discover how to access information quickly and easily when you want it and get it out of your way when you don't. We'll be focusing on Hotspots and Hidden Text panes in particular in this 3-hour class.
Note to Attendees from the Presenter:
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.
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Seminar Name: ProCat: Maximizing Efficiency and Boosting Income: A Training Seminar for Success
Presenter: Rick Louie
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC hours/.30 NCRA CEUs (pending)
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 presenters: You will need your writers and software up and running – and your laptop.
Bio: Rick Louie
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.
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Seminar Name: Voicewriting: How Proper Practice and Proper Prepping for Realtime and Translation Emergencies Is Your Pathway to Success
Presenter: Caryn Broome
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Online via GoToMeeting
Hours/CEUs: 3 LASC hours; .30 NCRA CEUs (pending)
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.
Meet 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 own 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 real-time voice writing continues to provide superior service for captioning the world and hopes to help others enter this exciting field!
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.
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