Official & district court reporters

Learn about court reporting careers

Court reporters play a critical role in the judicial system. The following resources will help you learn more about the various techniques used to perform this important function and how you can train to serve as a court reporter in the Wisconsin Court System. Please check back frequently as more content will be added over time.

Court reporters: Who they are, what they do, and where to apply!

The following video and corresponding flyer provide an overview of working as a court reporter in the Wisconsin Court System.

(3:48) | Video transcript Adobe PDF

Court reporters: Who they are, what they do, and where to apply! flyer

Adobe PDF format Adobe PDF

10 tools for a digital court reporter

(4:37) | Video transcript Adobe PDF

Requirements & specifications

Candidates for Official or District Court Reporter vacancies with the State of Wisconsin Court System must meet one of three minimum professional standards to be considered eligible for hire: (1) Graduation from a court reporting school approved by either the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), or (2) Successful completion of the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) examination administered by the NCRA, or (3) Successful completion of the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) examination administered by the NVRA. Salary is based on level of qualification and documented previous court reporting experience. Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package, including a retirement program; optional health, life and disability insurance; plus paid vacation, sick leave, personal days and holidays.

The court system's Human Resources Office maintains a roster of eligible court reporters who are interested in Official and/or District Court Reporter positions throughout the State of Wisconsin. For additional information about court reporter positions contact the Human Resources Office, Wisconsin Court System, 110 E. Main St., Ste. 430, Madison, WI 53703-3356; telephone (608) 266-9795; FAX: (608) 261-8293; 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Certain locations in the Wisconsin Circuit Courts have been selected for the use of (State-owned) digital audio recording equipment to take the record. In these locations a Digital Court Reporter operates in place of a stenographic or voice writing court reporter. Digital Court Reporter hiring qualifications are distinct from the qualifications for stenographic and voice writing reporters listed above.

Freelance court reporting services

Each of the nine judicial administrative districts of the Wisconsin Court System contracts separately for freelance court reporting services. Freelance reporters provide supplemental, contract services on an as needed basis and are not employees of the court system. Since freelance services are based on the needs of a specific judicial district, there is no guarantee of placement or assignment for freelance court reporters.

Court reporters who provide freelance services are not required to meet the eligibility requirements for hire as an official or district court reporter, however, an additional per diem is paid for court reporters who have passed a recognized certification exam.

If you are interested in exploring freelance assignments, please contact the District Court Administrator's Office of the district (see map) where you would be interested in providing service:

District 1 (Milwaukee County)

Tracy Klappenbach, Manager Court Reporter Services
Ph: (414) 278-3995
Email: tracy.klappenbach@wicourts.gov

District 2

Louis Moore, District Court Administrator
Ph: (262) 636-3133
Email: louis.moore@wicourts.gov

District 3

Michael Neimon, District Court Administrator
Ph: (262) 548-7210
Email: michael.neimon@wicourts.gov

District 4

Jon Bellows, District Court Administrator
Ph: (920) 424-0028
Email: jon.bellows@wicourts.gov

District 5

Theresa Owens, District Court Administrator
Ph: (608) 267-8820
Email: theresa.owens@wicourts.gov

District 7

Patrick Brummond, District Court Administrator
Ph: (608) 785-9546
Email: patrick.brummond@wicourts.gov

District 8

Thomas Schappa, District Court Administrator
Ph: (920) 448-4281
Email: thomas.schappa@wicourts.gov

District 9

Susan Byrnes, District Court Administrator
Ph: (715) 842-3872
Email: susan.byrnes@wicourts.gov

District 10

Christopher Channing, District Court Administrator
Ph: (715) 245-4105
Email: christopher.channing@wicourts.gov