After three decades of depositions and cross-examinations, Islip-based Suzanne Hand & Associates remains one of New York’s most trusted court-reporting agencies. And through the teeth of the worst economic crisis since breadlines and Hoovervilles, President Suzanne Hand continues to parlay that strong reputation into successful spin-off ventures. Her latest is global videoconferencing hub Video Connect, with more on the way.

How many businesses do you own now?
Just two, the court reporting business and the videoconferencing business. But I’ve started four in my career and I’m about to launch my fifth: It’s another court-reporting business, tailored to a different clientele – this one will cater primarily to the insurance industry. Read the rest of this entry »

The evolution of court reporting can best be traced through technology. Always there’s been the need for official documenting legal matters; always there’s been the documentarian’s quest for efficiency and accuracy. What’s changed over time is the tools reporters use to track and transcribe.

This is true in all industries and pursuits, what we humans proudly call “progress.” But with litigation support and most especially live reporting, technological advancements are a mixed blessing, solving old problems while creating new ones for the reporters who must master them.

As law and commerce became more involved throughout the 19th century, the need for precise record-keeping grew exponentially. There always was (and always will be) reporters who track such things with pen and paper, but faster, neater typing machines were soon in demand. Various contraptions were patented by European and American inventors throughout the 1800s, and many were promising – but most were slower and more cumbersome than handwriting. Read the rest of this entry »

Jamie Ree has something to show you.

If you’re an apprentice court reporter, you know your associate’s degree requires 40 hours of intern-level observation and practice. You should therefore know Jamie, who presides over the finest court reporter-training program in the land.

In short: She’ll show you how it’s done

For more than a decade, Jamie has trained select court reporting students in the finer points of their craft. As continuing education coordinator for Suzanne Hand & Associates (one of many hats Jamie wears at the agency), it’s both her duty and her passion. Read the rest of this entry »

Suzanne Hand is on a roll. And in keeping    with the finest traditions of her long-trusted court reporting business, that’s the literal truth.

The president of Suzanne Hand & Associates recently directed the evolution of a new, cutting-edge enterprise that lengthens her business’ fantastic services. And to celebrate, she geared up and hit the road for May 2’s Five-Boro Bike Tour, one of 32,000 cyclists wheeling their way through the Big Apple.

Attracting riders from around the world, the Five-Boro was a Bike New York event sponsored by TD Bank. The Bike New York organization promotes cycling and bicycle safety through education and events, and the Five-Boro is its crown jewel. “It’s more than just a cycling experience, it’s a cultural festival,” says Bike New York President Ken Podziba, gushing about the tour on YouTube.

Designed as a leisurely 42-mile roll through New York City (“doable for cyclists of all levels,” according to the Bike New York website, the trek was actually closer to 50 miles, Suzanne notes. “They had us park about five miles away,” she says, adding this was her first-ever bike tour and easily the longest ride of her life. Read the rest of this entry »

Wow, the more things change, huh?

Welcome to the very first post of Short Hand Notes, the official blog of Suzanne Hand & Associates. Our professional, interactive blog debuts alongside our shiny new website and is, obviously, the most important court-reporting innovation since Miles Bartholomew patented the American shorthand machine in 1879.

OK, not quite that momentous – but notable nonetheless.

Over the last three decades, Suzanne Hand & Associates has grown into one of the New York metropolitan area’s most recognized and respected names in court reporting. Award-winning reporting, exceptional ancillary services (including transcribing and litigation support) and recent forays into critical parallel services (including video depositions and video conferencing) have propelled us to the top of our field, and frankly, we like it up here.

Our rise to prominence has always been fueled by the latest and greatest technologies. There’s always something new to learn, and by ensuring that our specialized staff is up to speed on the latest equipment and techniques, we ensure our clients get our very best, every time, no matter what service we’re entrusted to provide. Read the rest of this entry »