Legal Transcript Proofreading

Step-by-Step Process for a Smooth Workflow

Your transcripts, polished with precision—delivered on time, every time. 

Step 1: Initial Contact and Preferences

• Reach out via email, LinkedIn, or my website to confirm availability.

• New clients fill out a Court Reporter Preferences form or provide their own. Your preferences take priority for consistency.

Step 2: Submission Details

• Email fully scoped transcripts in PDF format (not ASCII or .txt files) with information on deadlines, page count, and preferences.

• If you don’t have a PDF printer, free options are available online.

• Currently, I do not accept audio files nor do I proofread directly in your software.

• Occasionally, a transcript may not have been thoroughly scoped and polished as usual. In these cases, I can perform what’s known as a 'scoof'—a deeper level of proofreading that involves addressing multiple minor errors per page, typically around four or five on approximately 90% of the pages. Because this process is more time-intensive, an additional charge will apply to the standard pricing. 

• For large jobs (over 150 pages) or expedited/immediate turnaround jobs, please notify me in advance so I can schedule sufficient time. Once scheduled, send in approximately 50-page sections for timely completion. Notify me promptly of any changes to previously communicated deadlines.

Step 3: Turnaround Options and Rates (USD, as of 01/01/2026)

Standard (48-72+ hours / 2-3 business days): $0.55 per double-spaced page (25 lines).

Rush (24-47 hours / 1-2 business days): $0.70 per page.

Expedite (12-23 hours / 1 business day): $0.90 per page.

Immediate (less than 12 hours / same day): $1.10 per page.

Additional Charges:

Medical/Technical/Dense Content: +$0.10 per page.

Messy Transcripts: +$0.10 per page for excessive errors (confirmed before charged assessment).

Rough Draft/"Scoofed" Transcripts: +$0.50 per page to standard pricing.

26+ Lines per Page: +$0.03 per page.

* Upcharges are for more extreme scenarios. Fully scoped and spell-checked regular transcripts shouldn't incur an upcharge.

Step 4: Turnaround Time

• Specify your preferred turnaround time when submitting a job.

• Turnaround time is based on the timestamp of your email unless received outside working hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET). In that case, the job will be considered received at 9 a.m. the next business day. Weekend work is available as needed, excluding Sundays. Federal holidays and Sundays are not counted as business days.

  • Example 1: A standard rate job received at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday will be returned no later than 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.

  • Example 2: A standard rate job received at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday will be returned no later than 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday unless a Rush Rate ($0.70 per page) is applied for delivery by 3 p.m. ET on Monday.

Step 5: Receipt Confirmation

• I will confirm receipt of your transcript, applicable rate, and delivery date via email. If you do not receive confirmation within a reasonable time, send a follow-up email without attachments.

Step 6: Proofreading Process

Checks include:

• • Spelling, punctuation, capitalization.

  • Consistency (names, numbers, terms).

  • Word Use (misused, misplaced, missing, and transposed words).

  • Numbers (format for dates, percentages, decimals, addresses).

  • Formatting (by-lines, Q&A, parentheticals, spacing, keep-togethers, indexes, certificates).

  • Cross-checks (exhibit numbering, attorney names, firm details, dates).

  • Research (brand names, industry-specific terms, business names, medications).

Resources used:

• • Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation by Margie Wakeman Wells

  • Wick's: The Essential 99 Punctuation Rules for Court Reporters

  • The Gregg Reference Manual

  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary

  • Online research tools like Google

Step 7: Transcript Return

• Only annotated pages are returned unless requested otherwise. 

• Annotations: Proofreading is completed using iAnnotate or similar software. Suggestions will be made in red, and unclear areas will be highlighted in yellow. Ensure use of the latest version of Adobe to view corrections.

• Final Decisions: Your name is on the transcript, so all final decisions on corrections are yours. Reviewing the returned PDF will allow you to choose the corrections for your final transcript.

Step 8: Invoicing and Payments

• Regular Clients:  Itemized invoice of the previous half-month’s work will be sent on the 1st or 15th of the month; payment due within 14 days.

• New Clients: Invoiced immediately after the first completed job; payment due upon receipt. Subsequent work will follow regular invoicing.

• One-Off Jobs: Invoiced immediately after completion; payment due upon receipt.

• Late Payments: To keep things running smoothly, timely payments are appreciated. A 10% late fee applied after the due date. Interest at 1.5% is added monthly until paid. No new jobs will be accepted if an invoice is past 30 days overdue.

• Accepted Payment Methods: Secure Wave app payment via invoice by using bank payments (ACH)/credit/debit card, or through Zelle.

Professional Certification and Expertise

I hold advanced training in transcript proofreading through Proofread Anywhere Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice. 

This comprehensive course covers:

• 64 lessons across multiple modules.

• Over 3,100 practice pages in 50+ transcripts of varying difficulty and topics.

• Certification is earned by:

  • Successfully passing a mid-term exam.

  • Successfully passing a final exam.

  • Demonstrating thorough expertise in transcript proofreading.

Have questions or ready to solve the mystery of flawless transcripts?

Reach out today and let’s uncover the evidence to ensure your transcripts are polished and professional.