Industry advocates call for expanding methods of capture to solve crisis in legal systems across US

New York, April 10, 2025 – The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) today released findings of the 2025 Court Reporting Industry Trends Report, highlighting new research that reveals a critical need nationwide for more court reporters and the growing role of digital court reporting as a reliable solution to ensure accurate and timely legal transcripts and maintain access to justice for all litigants.

For over a decade, courtrooms and legal proceedings have faced a mounting workforce crisis foretold by industry experts. The 2025 Court Reporting Industry Trends Report shows that number has declined by 21 percent over the last decade, with just 23,000 stenographers remaining.

Further declines are expected due to continued retirements and fewer recruits entering the profession. In fact, the industry report shows, enrollment in stenography schools has plummeted by 74 percent, and nearly half of stenography programs have closed altogether. As a result, legal systems across the country are struggling to produce a verbatim record of proceedings, whether in court or in depositions, threatening litigants’ fundamental right to due process.

“This labor shortage is more than a workforce issue; it’s a growing constitutional crisis,” said AAERT Executive Director Matt Riley. “Accurate, timely transcripts are essential for fair trials, appeals and the overall integrity of the legal system. With the supply of stenographers continuing to decline, it is well past time to embrace all certified court reporters regardless of method to ensure access to justice.”

Key Findings from the Report:

• Severe Workforce Shortage – The stenographer workforce is shrinking, with just 23,000 stenographers remaining, and further declines expected.
• Legal System Impact – 76 percent of legal professionals surveyed cite scheduling difficulties as the biggest challenge due to the shortage, while 55 percent report increased costs, making court reporting services less accessible.
• Digital Reporting as a Solution – Digital court reporters provide accurate, reliable capture of the legal record, can be trained quickly, and leverage technology solutions that are continuing to evolve and improve.

The Rise of Digital Reporting

The report underscores the growing acceptance of certified digital court reporters, who use advanced technology, rigorous preparation, and real-time oversight of hearings to ensure accuracy. Like stenographers, digital reporters undergo specialized training and certification to maintain the highest standards of accuracy and quality in legal proceedings, which the report indicated was the most significant key performance indicator (KPI) of court reporting by 96 percent of respondents.

"Digital court reporting isn’t a compromise—it’s a necessary expansion of the industry,” said Riley. “With proper training, rigorous certification and regulatory support, digital court reporters can bridge the workforce gap while maintaining the integrity of the record.”

Call for Regulatory Action

The 2025 Court Reporting Industry Trends Report urges legal stakeholders to support regulatory updates that remove barriers to digital reporting and other methods of capture, expand certification programs and modernize court reporting infrastructure. By adopting a balanced approach that integrates stenography, digital and other methods of capture, the legal industry can ensure the sustainability of court reporting and protect access to justice for all litigants.

“These findings aren’t about replacing anyone or any method,” said Riley. “This is a wake-up call for the industry to confront a growing crisis and commit to effective solutions. We need to land on a collaborative approach that integrates all capture methods so courts can keep proceedings on track, ensure timely access to justice, and uphold the high standards the U.S. legal system demands.”

Read the Executive Summary here and a report brief here.

About AAERT

Founded in 1993, the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) is the leading certifying body for professionals engaged in digital reporting and transcription. AAERT advocates for the expansion of court reporting methods to ensure all litigants have access to a complete and accurate record. Learn more at https://aaert.org/.