Professional Ethics and Business Practices
Ethical core
The professional ethics code centers on confidentiality, impartiality, competence, and integrity. A reporter is a neutral officer of the proceeding, not an advocate for either side. Do not give legal advice, do not discuss testimony with parties, and do not accept gifts or favors that could compromise independence. Transcripts must be accurate and unaltered; corrections follow proper procedures and are noted, never made by changing meaning.
Business practices
Know per-diem versus page-rate billing, cancellation and rush fees, estimates, retainers, collections, and contract terms. Understand transcript production deadlines, delivery formats, exhibit handling, and record retention. Independent contractors must manage scheduling conflicts, subcontracting, and insurance. Continuing education and certification renewal are ongoing obligations.
Traps
Questions often pose a tempting "helpful" action: clarifying a witness's answer, editing a transcript for readability, or sharing a transcript with someone who was not entitled to it. The ethical answer is usually the conservative one: preserve the record, disclose conflicts, and get instructions on the record.
Worked example
After a deposition, a litigant asks what you think the testimony means for the case. Decline politely: you cannot give legal opinions, and the transcript speaks for itself. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, protect the record and the appearance of impartiality.