The Fearless Stenographers Conference is an annual event dedicated to empowering court reporting and captioning professionals. Organized by Steno in the City, the 2026 conference marks its fifth anniversary and will be held from April 16 to 18 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. This gathering serves as a platform for networking, collaboration, and inspiration within the stenography community.
The conference's theme, "The Evolution of Steno in the City," focuses on the resilience, progress, and innovation that define the profession. Attendees can expect top-tier seminars, inspiring speakers, and meaningful connections designed to reignite passion, elevate skills, and celebrate excellence in every form. Key topics include advancements in stenographic technology, best practices in court reporting, and strategies for professional growth.
In addition to educational sessions, the event offers ample networking opportunities, an expo hall featuring industry vendors, and notable speakers such as Amy Doman, Angela Grant, and Bethany Woodward. A highlight of the conference is the Black Tie Affair, an elegant evening celebrating excellence, leadership, and legacy within the profession.
The conference is ideal for court reporters, captioners, firm owners, educators, students, attorneys, judges, and policymakers seeking to enhance their skills, stay updated on industry trends, and connect with peers. Attendees can earn up to 1.45 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 14.5 Continuing Education Hours (CE Hours), pending approval from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) and the Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC).
Categories
Speakers(15)
Amy Doman
Freelance Stenographer
Amy Doman, RDR, CRR, CSR (CA/IL/TX/WA), CCR (MO), CRI, has been a freelance stenographer since 1990. Born and raised in Texas, she attended Iverson Institute of Court Reporting in Arlington. Amy has worked in high-profile criminal and civil cases, providing CART and corporate services. She has been a NCRA speed contest qualifier each year since 2021 and was the first recipient of the National Court Reporters Foundation Court to CART grant in 2023.
Angela Grant
Founder at Legacy Court Reporting, Inc.
Angela Grant, RDR, CRR, CRI, CSR, is a multifaceted leader blending excellence in court reporting with a passion for education and financial empowerment. With nearly three decades of experience across state, federal, and freelance settings, she helps court reporters strengthen their skills and adapt to new technologies. As the founder of Legacy Court Reporting, Inc., Angela has supported high-profile trials and complex proceedings with precision and professionalism.
Anna Mar-Lazo
Freelance Court Reporter
Anna Mar-Lazo, RPR, is a five-year freelance court reporter from San Antonio, Texas. She shares her journey on social media, offering insights into the freelance world both on Zoom and in person. Anna is an ACI graduate and holds her RPR certification.
Bethany Woodward
Freelance Court Reporter
Bethany Woodward, RMR, CRR, CRC, CSR (CA/OR), CCR (WA), RVR-M-S, has been a proud member of the steno community since 2018. She graduated from the Mark Kislingbury Academy of Court Reporting in 16 months and began reporting depositions in 2019. Bethany has reported over 1,000 depositions and is passionate about mentoring students.
Brenda Countz
Court and Congressional Stenographer
Brenda Countz, California CSR No. 12563, has celebrated a cumulative 55 years as a Court and Congressional Stenographer, captioner, and freelance realtime deposition reporter. She built a reputation as a daily copy reporter in several landmark cases and was an experimental writer in the early developmental phases of CAT technology.
Denee Vadell
Senior Court Reporter at New York County Civil Supreme Courthouse
Denee Vadell is a Senior Court Reporter at the New York County Civil Supreme Courthouse. She is recognized as a consummate professional with a genuine dedication to promoting the court reporting profession. Denee has garnered a substantial following on social media under the moniker 'StenoFluencer,' revolutionizing the industry through her viral TikTok and Instagram videos.
Elsa Hurtado
Court Reporter and Captioner
Elsa Hurtado, CA CSR, RPR, CVR-S, is a highly skilled court reporter and captioner with extensive experience serving courts, agencies, and communities throughout Southern California. She is proficient in providing real-time reporting for judicial officers, attorneys, and private clients, consistently delivering accurate, timely transcripts.
Heather J. Bautista
Official Court Reporter at Santa Clara County Superior Court
Heather J. Bautista, CA CSR, RPR, has been an Official Court Reporter with Santa Clara County Superior Court since 1998. She has reported in all areas of court proceedings, including criminal, juvenile, family court hearings, and civil.
Lindsay A. Stoker
Court Reporter and Captioner
Lindsay A. Stoker, RDR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CA CSR, has an 18-year career in the court reporting and captioning industry. She has provided live captioning for events hosted by technology giants such as Meta, X, Google, Sony, Microsoft, and GitHub, as well as major investment firms and government proceedings.
Lyndsay Levingston
Founder and Executive Director at SurviveHER
Lyndsay Levingston is the Founder and Executive Director of SurviveHER, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors and improving breast health outcomes for women. A seasoned multimedia personality, Lyndsay's career spans roles as a TV news anchor, reporter, and producer.
Marcus Johnson
Managing Partner and Financial Planner
Marcus Johnson is a Managing Partner and Financial Planner known for his exceptional expertise and unwavering commitment to the highest professional standards. He has earned a place in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Court of the Table and has been honored as a Top Producer in retirement planning since 2017.
Melinda Walker
Retired Official Reporter at US House of Representatives
Melinda Walker, CSR, RPR, CMRS, is a retired Official Reporter from the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Since retiring in August 2019, Melinda has been subbing in courts around the state and undertaking freelance assignments.
Nicole Bulldis
Freelance Court Reporter
Nicole Bulldis, RPR, FCRR, began her legal career in 2003 as a criminal defense investigator and then transitioned to a paralegal in civil litigation before becoming a court reporter in 2016. She is licensed in Arizona, California, and Washington and holds an RPR certification through NCRA and an FCRR certification through USCRA.
Tori Pittman
Court Reporting Professional at Pittman Stenography
Tori Pittman, BA, CVR-CM-M, RCP, RVR, FAPR, RDR, CRI (Ret.), has been reporting since 1999. She transitioned to solely voice writing in 2011-2012 due to bilateral tendinitis. Tori has a small-town reporting firm, Pittman Stenography, and a Teachable site, Beyond 225.
Tracy Thompson
Court Reporter and Educator at LearnToRealtime
Tracy Thompson, RDR, RMR, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, has lived and breathed court reporting for nearly four decades. She has built an extraordinary career across state and federal courts, excelling as both an official and a freelancer. Since 2020, she has been teaching various court reporting courses and is now leading at LearnToRealtime.
Event Details
- Date
- April 16-18, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Washington, D.C., United States
- JW Marriott Hotel
- Pricing
- $325 - $775
- Audience
- Court reporters, captioners, firm owners, educators, students, attorneys, judges, policymakers.
- CLE Credits
- Up to 1.45 CEUs/14.5 CE Hours, pending NCRA and JBCC approval.
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