Merritt Gilbert, CER, CDR, FPM, is the director and lead instructor of digital reporting and legal transcription at BlueLedge, a legal classroom. She became certified as a CER in 2013 while working as a digital reporter. At BlueLedge, she uses her expertise to build quality online training for those interested in becoming certified through AAERT and keeping their certification (CEUs).

Merritt has served on numerous committees at AAERT over the years, including the CDR task force, the nomination committee, professional development committee, and she now serves as the chair of the certification committee. Merritt has presented at numerous national industry \ conferences and will be presenting at the AAERT annual conference in June 2023.

During high school and summers during college, Merritt worked at the transcript binding table of Orange Legal, a large court reporting agency in Florida. After college, she started full time working in a variety of departments at Orange Legal, learning how to schedule jobs, assign the calendar, quality control transcripts, and legal videography. In 2012, she devoted herself fully to becoming a digital reporter and training other digital reporters for the company. While working as a digital reporting manager, she experienced many aspects of legal transcription, including training, project management, quality control, and client relations.

In 2018, she became an instructor for BlueLedge, an online training program for digital reporting and transcription. She brings her passion for this industry and passion for training to BlueLedge! Since her time at Orange Legal and now at BlueLedge, Merritt has trained thousands of professionals in this industry.

Merritt is an advocate for this profession and will continue to drive positive change for the court reporting community — working professionals and businesses alike!