Marisa Munoz- Vourakis
Marisa Munoz-Vourakis is a highly experienced court reporter and the president of Munoz-Vourakis & Associates, Inc., a freelance court reporting firm she has led since 2003. Based in North Carolina, Marisa specializes in civil depositions across a wide spectrum of cases, including medical malpractice, personal injury, trademark disputes, and expert-witness testimony. Her work emphasizes accuracy, integrity, and professionalism, ensuring that attorneys and clients receive precise and timely transcripts for legal proceedings.
Marisa began her career as a federal court reporter in the Southern District of New York, where she worked from 1992 to 2003. There, she gained invaluable experience covering both civil and criminal trials and learned from some of the most respected professionals in one of the busiest courthouses in the country. Her time in Manhattan instilled a strong work ethic and deep respect for the legal process, which she has carried into her freelance career.
A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with an Associate of Science in Court Reporting, Marisa has earned the prestigious Registered Merit Reporter designation, reflecting her speed and accuracy as a court reporter. Beyond her professional work, she is an enthusiastic and positive presence in the industry, participating in professional associations like the National Court Reporters Association and mentoring aspiring reporters. Marisa attributes her success to dedication, curiosity, and a love for the variety and challenges that each new case brings.
• Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)
• Notary Public
• Stony Brook University
• Johnson & Wales University- A.S.
• Magna Cum Laude
• Earned the Registered Merit Reporter designation
• North Carolina Trailblazers Women's Hockey Team
• National Court Reporters Association
What do you attribute your success to?
When I started in federal court, I was very naive and young, but I wound up working with some of the most respectable, amazing court reporters, and I learned from them. Many of them were older than me and had been in federal court for a long time, and they just took me under their wing. I really gained a great work ethic working in that courthouse, because it's one of the busiest in the country. Those mentors really influenced me and shaped my approach to the profession. I learned the importance of discipline, precision, and continuous practice. Getting my speed up to 260 words a minute for the Registered Merit Reporter designation was one of my proudest achievements - I used to practice all the time, even watching the news to keep up with how fast they speak. The foundation is having the basic theory of the machine, and then practice is the key. Practice, practice, practice. That's what I did, and that's what allowed me to thrive in this field for 39 years.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from mentors in the court reporting community who demonstrated excellence, precision, and calm under pressure—lessons that guided me as I transitioned from federal court work to building my own successful freelance practice.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be to just work hard and be open to learning about the new technology that's being utilized out there. Continue to listen to older peers, you know, mentors, if you will. The biggest challenge is being able to get that speed in order to work in our profession - it's tough on the machine to write that quickly. But if you have the foundation, which is the basic theory of the machine, you'll be able to thrive, and practice is the key. Practice, practice, practice. I used to practice watching the news, because they have to get all the segments in and speak so fast. That's how I built my speed. Also, if you feel you can't handle a certain job, be upfront with your agency and say, look, this isn't for me. People tend to lack that integrity and honesty these days, so that's important - honesty and integrity in everything you do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is being able to get that speed in order to work in our profession. It's very tough on the machine to write that quickly. But if you have the foundation, which is the basic theory of the machine, you'll be able to thrive, and practice is the key. Practice, practice, practice. I used to practice watching the news, you know, because they have to get all the segments in and speak so fast. That's how I built up my speed over the years. Another important aspect is being open to learning about the new technology that's being utilized out there. The field is evolving, and staying current with technology is essential for success in court reporting today.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I feel the values that I try to live by are integrity and honesty. If you feel you can't handle a certain job, be upfront with your agency and say, look, this isn't for me. People tend to lack that integrity and honesty these days, so that's important to me - honesty and integrity in everything I do. In my personal life, I value staying active and engaged. I play ice hockey with the North Carolina Trailblazers, a recreational women's hockey group that I joined about 13 years ago, and I play every Sunday. I also play pickleball regularly - that's a big hobby of mine as well. I love the camaraderie and the physical challenge of these activities. Even though I started hockey very late in life, after moving to North Carolina in 2003, I've committed to it fully. My husband and I took lessons together, and while he didn't want to be bothered with all the equipment and commitment, I embraced it. Being active and maintaining those commitments is really important to me.