Practical insights and tools to build a business that thrives

MAY 7, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 PM ET

Want the panelists to share their insight and experience on a specific question? 

Join BlueLedge for a powerful, expert-led panel webinar designed to help court reporters and legal transcriptionists master the business side of their careers.

Whether you’re just starting out as a freelancer, looking to grow your existing practice, or dreaming of building your own agency someday, this session is for you. We’re going beyond the skills of the profession to tackle the real-world business knowledge that can make or break a sustainable career: taxes, pricing, contracts, client relationships, systems, and so much more!

This isn’t a lecture. It’s a conversation. Our handpicked panel of industry experts will share their firsthand experience, answer your questions live, and give you the practical, actionable guidance you need to build with confidence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in the most important asset in your business – YOU.

• How to shift from “employee thinking” to “business owner thinking”, even if you’re a W-2 employee
• 1099 tax essentials: self-employment tax, quarterly payments, and what to set aside
• What to consider when pricing your services
• Professional invoicing practices and strategies for getting paid on time
• Must-have contract elements and how to protect yourself legally
• Setting healthy boundaries with clients without burning bridges
• Building your reputation and becoming the go-to professional in your niche
• Systems and tools to streamline your workflow and scale your business
• What it takes to grow from solo freelancer to agency owner (if that’s your path)
• Continuing education and professional development resources to keep growing

Most professional development in this industry focuses on sharpening your reporting or transcription skills. That’s important, but it’s only part of the equation. This webinar focuses on the other portion: the business skills.

You’ll hear directly from a diverse expert panel that includes a CPA who works with freelancers, an attorney who specializes in small business and contractor law, a successful firm owner who’s built their business from the ground up, and BlueLedge’s own Merritt, bringing deep expertise in reporting and transcription professional development. Together, they’ll cover every angle of building a thriving freelance career or firm.

• Freelance court reporters and legal transcriptionists at any stage of their career
• Professionals in the court reporting industry exploring or building their freelance practice
• Current or aspiring firm owners evaluating how to grow or structure their business
• Anyone in the legal reporting/transcription field who wants to earn more, stress less, and build smarter
• W-2 professionals interested in growing their career mindset and understanding common industry practices

• Gain practical, real-world business knowledge from experts who’ve been in your shoes
• Get your specific questions answered live during the interactive panel Q&A
• Learn tax, legal, and financial considerations to consider as a freelancer in this industry
• Hear honest, firsthand stories from firm owners who built their business from scratch
• Connect with a community of professionals navigating similar career decisions

HOSTED BY

• Tamara (Tami) Candeloro | Enrollment Manager, BlueLedge | AAERT Membership & Finance Committee Member | LinkedIn

WITH PANELISTS:

• Merritt Gilbert, CER, CDR, FPM|Director, BlueLedge|AAERT Board Member|LinkedIn
• Shaylah Lynn Kiser, CER, CDR |Owner, Kiser’s Legal Support Solutions|AAERT Board Member|LinkedIn
• Margaret Lowry, CER, CDR, CET|Deposition Officer, ISI Claims|AAERT Board Member

BlueLedge is an AAERT-approved training provider, preparing students for national certification in digital court reporting and legal transcription.