Texas

Texas court reporting

Depositions, hearings, and trial reported by certified shorthand reporters — with Rule 203 signature, certification, and delivery handled the way the rule actually reads.

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Coverage

Where we work in Texas

Statewide, with particular attention to the districts that carry the patent docket.

Western District — Waco and Austin

The W.D. Tex. patent docket and the Austin technology corridor, where national counsel travel in and the schedule leaves no room for a transcript that has to be corrected afterward.

Eastern District — Marshall and Tyler

The E.D. Tex. venues that carry an outsized share of patent filings relative to their size, including multi-day expert and inventor depositions.

Dallas, Houston, and remote

Commercial, employment, insurance defense, and energy matters across the major metros, plus remote coverage statewide.

What you get

Rule 203 handled correctly

Signature process run properly

The original transcript goes to the witness — or to the witness's attorney where the witness was represented — with the 20-day return window tracked rather than assumed.

A complete certificate

The sworn certificate covers the oath, the accuracy of the record, submission and return dates, delivery under 203.3, per-party time, and the charges the clerk taxes as costs.

Exhibits annexed on request

Originals produced during examination marked for identification and annexed to the transcript under Rule 203.4, including heavy technical exhibit sets.

Texas rules

Questions Texas counsel actually ask

Who certifies court reporters in Texas?

The Judicial Branch Certification Commission, under Chapter 154 of the Texas Government Code, which governs court reporter certification and shorthand reporting firm registration. The JBCC recognizes machine shorthand, written shorthand, and oral stenography, and both reporters and firms can be verified through the JBCC public search.

What does Rule 203.1 require after the deposition?

The deposition officer provides the original transcript to the witness for examination and signature — or to the witness's attorney if the witness was represented at the deposition. Changes are made in writing on a separate sheet with reasons, never by erasure or obliteration of the original, and the witness signs under oath and returns it within 20 days of the date the transcript was provided.

What has to be in the officer's certificate?

Under Rule 203.2 the officer files, serves, and attaches a sworn certificate stating that the witness was duly sworn and that the transcript is a true record; that the transcript was submitted to the witness or the witness's attorney, when, and whether it was returned; that delivery was made under Rule 203.3; the time used by each party; and the officer's charges for the original transcript, which the clerk taxes as costs.

How are exhibits handled?

Rule 203.4 provides that, at a party's request, original documents and things produced for inspection during the examination are marked for identification by the deposition officer and annexed to the transcript or recording.

Can the signature requirement be waived?

Yes. Rule 203.1 does not apply when the witness and all parties waive the signature requirement, to depositions on written questions, or to nonstenographic recordings.

Do reporting firms have to register in Texas?

Yes. Court reporting firms as defined by the JBCC Rules must register with the Commission before offering court reporting services in Texas, and Chapter 154.111 lets the Commission reprimand, fine, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a firm's registration after notice and hearing. Both the individual reporter and the firm should be verified through the JBCC.