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(22)
Amy Doman
RDR, CRR, CSR (CA/IL/TX/WA), CCR (MO), CRI
Amy Doman has been a freelance stenographer since 1990, working across the country in high-profile criminal and civil cases, as well as providing CART and corporate services. She was the first recipient of the National Court Reporters Foundation Court to CART grant in 2023.
Angela Grant
RDR, CRR, CRI, CSR at Legacy Court Reporting, Inc.
Angela Grant is the founder of Legacy Court Reporting, Inc., with nearly three decades of experience across state, federal, and freelance settings. She is dedicated to empowering court reporters through education and financial literacy.
Anna Mar-Lazo
RPR
Anna Mar-Lazo is a freelance court reporter from San Antonio, Texas, who shares her journey and experiences in the freelance world on social media, aiming to assist court reporting students in non-traditional ways.
Bethany Woodward
RMR, CRR, CRC, CSR (CA/OR), CCR (WA), RVR-M-S
Bethany Woodward has been a member of the steno community since 2018, earning multiple certifications and reporting over 1,000 depositions. She is passionate about mentoring students and advancing the profession.
Brenda Countz
RPR, CSR (CA)
Brenda Countz has over 55 years of experience as a court and congressional stenographer, captioner, and freelance realtime deposition reporter, including work in landmark cases and early CAT technology development.
Denee Vadell
RPR, CCR-NJ, NYACR
Denee Vadell is an official court reporter in New York, recognized for her advocacy and promotion of the court reporting profession through social media and various initiatives.
Elsa Hurtado
CA CSR, RPR, CVR-S
Elsa Hurtado is a California Certified Shorthand Reporter with experience in court reporting and captioning, providing services across various legal settings and to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Heather J. Bautista
CSR (California, Texas, Oregon, & Washington)
Heather J. Bautista has been a court reporter since 1998, working in various court proceedings and transitioning to freelance reporting in 2018. She is licensed in multiple states and is a Certified Realtime Reporter.
Janyce W. Booth
RPR, RMR, CRR, CCP, Florida Notary Public at Beacon
Janyce W. Booth has over 40 years of experience as a state official court reporter, freelance court reporter, CART provider, and captioner, mentoring court reporters at every stage of their journey.
Kairisa J. Magee
Court Reporter
Kairisa is a second generation court reporter, so she feels like she’s been in the industry all of her life. Starting in 2004 while in court reporting school at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois, she has worked her way through school as a proofreader to scopist. She then took a brief hiatus to nurture her family as it grew. When she returned to the industry, she took a position as an apprentice court reporter in Northwest Indiana, eventually becoming a part-time freelance court reporter. In 2015 the Magee family took a leap of faith and moved to Tallahassee where Kairisa worked as a full-time freelance court reporter with several firms covering criminal and civil matters as well as council meetings and arbitrations. In 2021 Kairisa became a realtime provider which led to a period of time where she was honored to become a federal court reporter. In 2024 Beacon Court Reporting Agency, LLC began and Kairisa finally reached her goal of becoming a court reporting firm owner.
Kerry Murphy
Freelance Reporter
Kerry Murphy has been a Southern California freelance reporter for 15 years with experience in being a CART provider as well as a Central District Grand Jury reporter for several years. She has also protemed in San Bernardino and Los Angeles County courts. She loves mentoring and helping new professionals find their footing. When she's not reporting, she's being a boy mom and enjoying the fruits of her labor with a bit of travel adventures.
Kimberly Pruitt
Realtime Deposition Reporter and Captioner
Kimmy is a realtime depo reporter and captioner based in St. Petersburg, Florida. She started reporting in 2012, later spent several years focused on realtime captioning, and now enjoys a mix of both. She is licensed in Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California, as well as being a Certified Realtime Captioner and Certified Realtime Reporter. Having mentors played a big part in helping her build that variety into her career, and she has since been paying it forward by mentoring students pursuing both court reporting and CART captioning.
Kristina Weaver
Court Reporter
With over 30 years of experience as a court reporter, I have dedicated my career to capturing the record in Georgia’s courtrooms. After completing my education in South Florida and relocating to Georgia in 1994, I have worked in multiple counties, including DeKalb, Fulton, and now Gwinnett County Superior Court. Throughout my career, I have reported on several high-profile cases, including the recent YSL trial in Atlanta. Each of these experiences has deepened my expertise and commitment to the integrity of the court record.
Lindsay A. Stoker
RDR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CA CSR
Lindsay A. Stoker has an 18-year career in court reporting and captioning, providing live captioning for major technology companies and high-profile events, and serving in leadership roles within the industry.
Lisa M. Franko
Court Reporter
I am a wife, mother of four, and a committed professional who has served as a court reporter for 28 years — with the last 12 proudly spent in the Southern District of New York. My Christian faith guides my life and work, grounding me in purpose and compassion. Beyond the courtroom, I hold a deep passion for health coaching and empowering women to live their best lives — physically, mentally, and spiritually. Whether in the courtroom or in conversations that inspire transformation, I am dedicated to serving others with excellence, integrity, and heart.
Lyndsay Levingston
Keynote Speaker 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.
Marcus Johnson
Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Johnson Capital Planning, LLC
Marcus Johnson is the founder of Johnson Capital Planning, LLC, empowering clients with personalized financial strategies and serving on various community boards.
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
RPR, FCRR
Nicole Bulldis began her legal career in 2003 and became a court reporter in 2016, working in state courts and freelancing, and is licensed in Arizona, California, and Washington.
Tori Pittman
BA, CVR-CM-M, RCP, RVR FAPR, RDR, CRI (Ret.) at Pittman Stenography
Tori Pittman has been reporting since 1999, transitioning to voice writing in 2011, and operates a reporting firm and a Teachable site, volunteering on national association committees.
Tracy Thompson
RDR, RMR, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI at LearnToRealtime
Tracy Thompson has nearly four decades of experience in court reporting, earning multiple national certifications, teaching various courses, and leading at LearnToRealtime.
Victoria L. Pittman
Reporting Professional at Pittman Stenography
Tori Pittman is an accomplished reporting professional who has performed in many subspecialities in the field (but not captioning!). She has been reporting since 1999 when she started as a machine writer and officially transitioned to solely voice writing in 2011-2012 when her bilateral tendinitis caused her to be unable to use the machine any longer. Tori has a small-town reporting firm (Pittman Stenography) and a Teachable site (Beyond 225) and is currently volunteering on two committees at the national association. Additionally, she is a member of her local chamber of commerce and participates as a member of the Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival committee. Tori is a retired FAPR, RDR, CRI and currently a CVR-CM-M, RCP, and RVR. Tori loves all things court reporting and is honored to be a mentor, trainer, and presenter when offered the opportunity.
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.