Mentorship Program
AAERT is pleased to offer this program to members at every stage of their professional development, whether you are just beginning your career, working toward certification, or looking to build on skills you have already developed.
This program pairs you one-on-one with an experienced professional in the digital court reporting and transcription community, someone who understands the realities of this profession firsthand and is committed to supporting your growth.
The Mentorship Program is organized around a few core areas of support:
• Answering questions you may not know where else to bring
• Providing feedback on your work and professional goals
• Preparing for certification examinations
• Building confidence in courtroom or deposition settings
• Navigating the business side of freelance work
• Determining your next professional step
Our mentors represent a broad range of backgrounds and specialties. The matching process is conducted with care, with the goal of connecting you with a mentor whose experience is directly relevant to your area of focus.
Enrollment in each cohort is intentionally limited. Not all applicants will be selected for every session. This decision reflects a deliberate commitment to quality over volume. Smaller cohorts allow the Subcommittee to make thoughtful matches and give each participant the attention and experience this program is designed to provide. Applicants who are not selected for a given cohort are encouraged to apply again in a future session.
Mentors and mentees are matched on a one-on-one basis. The program is open to all AAERT members regardless of experience level. Participants must maintain active AAERT membership for the duration of the program.
The more thoroughly you complete your application, the better positioned we are to make a match that will be meaningful to your career.
Program Details
• Open to all active AAERT members, regardless of experience level
• Active AAERT membership must be maintained for the duration of the program
• Each cohort runs approximately three months, meeting once per week for approximately one hour
• Participants will also have access to Pumble to continue conversations throughout the week
• Each cohort will have access to the Best Practices Guide, with discussions guided by the Blueprint
• A nominal fee applies upon acceptance into a cohort
A NOTE ON ENROLLMENT: Enrollment in each cohort is intentionally limited. Not all applicants will be selected for every session, and this is by design. Smaller cohorts allow the Subcommittee to make thoughtful, meaningful matches and ensure that each participant receives the quality experience this program is built to deliver. If you are not selected for a given cohort, we warmly encourage you to apply again in a future session.
The more thoroughly you complete your application, the better positioned we are to make a match that will be truly meaningful to your career.
We look forward to supporting your professional journey.
Application & Enrollment Process
Ready to take the next step in your professional journey? The Mentorship Program begins with a short application designed to help us understand your goals and match you with the right mentor.
To apply, simply complete our Mentee Application Form. This is your opportunity to share your experience, areas of interest, and what you hope to gain from the program. The more thoughtful and detailed your responses, the better positioned our mentors are to make a meaningful connection.
All applications are carefully reviewed by members of our mentor group, who bring firsthand industry experience and insight into the matching process. Because cohort sizes are intentionally limited, not all applicants will be selected for each session. Applicants will be notified once the review process is complete.
If selected, you will be invited to confirm your participation by submitting a $30 enrollment fee. Your place in the program is secured upon receipt of payment and confirmation of active AAERT membership.
We encourage all interested members to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity for personalized guidance and professional growth.
Meet the Mentors
Ilene Watson
Ilene Watson is co-founder of Access Transcripts, LLC and Access Transcripts Pro, bringing over two decades of expertise in the transcription industry. She holds the AAERT CET, CER, and CDR certifications and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Named AAERT's 2022 Professional of the Year, Ilene chairs the AAERT Professional Development Committee and serves on the AAERT Certification Committee, contributing directly to the standards that govern the profession. Her combination of certifications, national recognition, and years of hands-on experience make her an invaluable resource for transcriptionists at every level.
Lisa Luciano
Lisa Luciano is co-founder of Access Transcripts, LLC and Access Transcripts Pro, bringing over two decades of expertise in the transcription industry. She is certified by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts and holds two AAERT certifications, CET and CDR. Lisa serves on the AAERT Executive Board and volunteers on multiple committees, making her a recognized authority and leader in the industry. Her combination of certifications, board-level leadership, and years of hands-on experience make her an invaluable resource for transcriptionists at every level.
Liz Dwyer
Liz Dwyer is a Senior Customer Success Manager at Rev with over 20 years of experience in the court reporting industry. She specializes in building strong client relationships, driving customer success, and delivering tailored solutions for clients. Previously, she was Vice President of Operations at Advanced Court Reporting, LLC, where she improved operations and expanded services. Liz also serves on the board of AAERT, supporting industry standards and professional development, and holds a CER certification from AAERT. She holds a certificate in court and conference reporting from The New England School of Court Reporting and brings a customer-focused, strategic approach to her work.
Aimée Robinson
Aimée Robinson is the Quality Administrator for Access Transcripts. She holds a CET certification and was named AAERT's 2023 Transcriber of the Year. Her career began when a mentor set her on the path to success — an experience that inspired her to pay it forward ever since. Aimée began training new transcribers in 2018 and contributed to the development of the Newbie Program at eScribers and the Quality Scores program at Access Transcripts, because after almost two decades in this industry, supporting the next generation of transcribers remains her greatest passion.
Heidi Jolliff
Heidi Jolliff is the Production Coordinator for Access Transcripts and has been transcribing since 2006. She made the move to exclusive legal transcription in 2022 and earned her CET certification through AAERT in January 2024. Because she's gone through the process recently, she knows firsthand what the current testing procedures look like, what's expected, and what it actually feels like to push through to certification. Heidi transcribes and proofreads full-time every day, and she's genuinely excited to use that experience to guide and support others on their own certification journey.
Dena Farbman
Dena Farbman stumbled into the legal transcription industry in 2006 when she began transcribing as a way to work in English while living overseas. She served as Quality Control Manager for eScribers for 13 years, supporting hundreds of transcribers both seasoned and new to the industry via group emails, one-to-one mentoring, proofreading, and by creating a huge body of resources for the team. She retired from corporate work and returned to her transcription roots in 2023. Dena has been AAERT-certified since 2010 and has served the organization as a board member, a presenter, and a committee member on various committees.
Emily Rivera
Emily Rivera is a freelance digital court reporter who holds CER and CDR certifications from AAERT. She specializes in depositions and hearings, and has prior experience with in-court proceedings. She transcribes her own work, bringing a level of consistency and accountability that clients and attorneys can count on. Emily is an active contributor to the AAERT community, currently serving on both the Unity Summit Planning Committee and the Mentorship Committee, and is furthering her professional development through steno school, a testament to her dedication to growing alongside the field.
Tori Lawton
Tori Lawton is the founder of Willow Reporting & Transcription. She is a certified court reporter (CCR) with the State of Georgia and is an official court reporter for the Honorable B. Alison Sosebee of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. She began her extensive career in legal transcription back in 2001 and earned her CET in 2015, CER in 2019, and CDR in 2022. Tori has been on the Board of Directors for AAERT since 2024 and serves as the chairperson for the Membership Committee. She is also a member of the Georgia Court Reporters Association.
Michelle Busby
Michelle Busby is a seasoned transcription professional with over 30 years of experience, beginning her career in 1993 as the founder of a medical transcription service she operated for two decades. She transitioned into legal transcription in 2014 and currently serves as a Transcript Operations Coordinator and Senior QC Editor at Prevail.ai, where she ensures transcript accuracy while supporting efficient workflow delivery of high-volume operations. She earned her AAERT CET certification in 2024 and is actively pursuing CER and CDR certifications through continuing studies. Passionate about mentorship and professional development, she has trained and supported new transcribers and is honored to contribute to AAERT’s Mentorship Committee to help guide and elevate the next generation of professionals.