Her Story
About Stephanie
Stephanie Barnes is an accomplished freelance court reporter, stenographer, and litigation support professional with approximately 10 years of experience in the field. She is the Owner and Stenographer of District Reporting Services, LLC, based in Woodbridge, Virginia, where she provides stenographic services to clients throughout Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Washington State, and on federal matters nationwide. Her experience spans a diverse range of legal proceedings, with a particular focus on contract disputes, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) matters, corporate arbitrations, and cases involving federal agencies. Known for her accuracy, professionalism, and timely delivery, Barnes is committed to providing clients with dependable reporting services and high-quality transcripts.
Barnes completed her court reporting education at Bryan University, earning an Associate’s Degree in Stenography. She holds the professional credentials RPR, RSR, and CCR and remains actively engaged in the advancement of the court reporting profession. She is a member of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), Maryland Court Reporters Association (MCRA), and Virginia Court Reporters Association (VCRA), and has served in leadership and professional development roles within the industry. Her involvement reflects her dedication not only to her own continued growth but also to supporting the next generation of court reporters and strengthening the profession.
Barnes attributes her success to persistence and grit, along with the determination to never give up on herself. She believes in learning from challenges, starting each day with a fresh perspective, and approaching her goals with a clear plan and renewed commitment. To aspiring court reporters, she encourages thorough research into educational opportunities, building relationships with experienced professionals, and seeking mentorship within the industry. She also emphasizes exploring the many career paths available, including officialships, freelance reporting, CART services, and captioning. In both her professional and personal life, Barnes values grit and being fully present, particularly when balancing her career with her family and making the most of each moment.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stephanie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, grit, and a commitment to never give up on myself. I recognize that setbacks and difficult days are part of the journey, and I allow myself a moment to step back, regroup, and recharge when needed. What matters most is that I return the next day with a fresh perspective, a clear plan, and renewed determination. I continually work to cultivate confidence in myself and trust that, with perseverance and a positive mindset, I can overcome challenges and continue moving forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never give up on myself. I also learned the importance of taking ownership of my work, especially early in my career, by scoping my own projects for at least the first year. Once I had developed my skills and built confidence in my abilities, I could strategically bring on a team of scopists and proofreaders. This approach has allowed me to grow professionally while working toward the ever-important goal of achieving a healthier work-life balance.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to do your research and take advantage of the many educational opportunities available, including the numerous online programs. I also encourage you to connect with professionals already working in the field, as many are generous with their time, knowledge, and mentorship. Explore the wide range of career paths available, from officialships and freelance work to CART services supporting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and captioning. There are so many opportunities within this industry, so remain open-minded, seek guidance, and find the path that best aligns with your interests and strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is the unrestricted push toward artificial intelligence and the idea that it could replace human court reporters. While AI can be a useful tool, it should never be promoted as a substitute for the skill, judgment, confidentiality, and human oversight required when dealing with people’s lives and highly sensitive legal matters. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities in the industry, including the strong availability of work, accessible online education programs that allow students to enter the profession more quickly, and a wide variety of career paths such as officialships, freelance reporting, CART services, and captioning. The profession also offers long-term flexibility, including the opportunity to build and sell a firm or continue working well beyond traditional retirement age.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are grit, presence, and commitment to my family. I believe in staying determined through challenges and continuing to move forward, even when things become difficult. While my children are young, I prioritize being fully present for them and making the most of each moment together. I carry that same mindset into my work by giving it my full attention and effort when I am there. For me, it is about being intentional with my time and making sure that when I am at work, I am fully engaged, and when I am at home, I am truly present with my family.
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