NOW AVAILABLE
The Countdown
Practical advice to start the new year stronger.
Register Now
Pending 0.10 AAERT CEUs
DATE
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
TIME
7:00 PM Eastern | 4:00 PM Pacific
BUILT FOR
Court reporters, legal transcriptionists, students and career changers, agency owners and managers, and more!
Before the calendar turns, BlueLedge is sending you into the new year with advice you can put to work right away.
Join us for our final webinar of 2026, a lively countdown of seven practical tips from people who hire, mentor, and work alongside court reporters and legal transcriptionists every day.
From what employers really look for on a résumé to taking care of your health for the long haul, each tip comes with real stories and honest takeaways. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the next step in your career, there’s something here for you.
Expect real stories, a little friendly competition, and plenty of room for your questions.
How it works
01
Count Down With Us
We’ll move from tip #7 to tip #1, with our panel sharing the stories and lessons behind each one.
02
Collect the Letters
Every tip reveals a hidden letter, out of order. Jot them down as you go, because all seven spell a phrase.
03
Solve the Phrase
At the end, be one of the first to type the phrase in the chat. Winners will be announced live!
04
Share Your Top Tip!
Tell us your best advice for 2027 when you register. We’ll be sharing tips from our community throughout the hour.
Practical tips you can start using right away
Insights from people who hire and work alongside reporters and transcriptionists every day
Fresh ideas for growing your skills and your career in the year ahead
Simple habits to help you work smarter and with more confidence
Live answers to your questions from experienced professionals
A community of peers working toward the same goals
Continuing education credit (pending AAERT approval)
Who should attend
- Digital, voice, and stenographic court reporters, whether new or experienced.
- Legal transcriptionists and scopists at any stage of their career.
- Students and career changers exploring the field and wondering what employers look for.
- Agency owners and managers who support, hire, or contract reporters and transcriptionists.
- Anyone ready to head into 2027 with fresh ideas and a few new habits.
The people on screen
HOST | PANELISTS
PANELIST
Merritt Gilbert, CER, CDR, FPM
Director, BlueLedge
Merritt Gilbert has built her career in digital reporting and legal transcription, beginning at Orange Legal, one of Florida’s largest court reporting agencies, where she rose to Digital Reporting Manager overseeing training, project management, and client relations. She earned her CER certification in 2013 and joined BlueLedge in 2018 as Director and lead instructor. Merritt designs curricula and continuing education programs for aspiring and credentialed professionals and has trained thousands of practitioners across the industry.
PANELIST
Kevin Dehlinger
Director of Operations, LegalEagle
Kevin Dehlinger is the Director of Operations at LegalEagle, where he brings executive experience from a range of industries to supporting the professionals who serve LegalEagle’s clients. His background spans operations, marketing, strategic planning, project and event management, people management, and market research. Kevin holds an MBA and a certification in Competitive Intelligence, and he offers a business-minded perspective on what helps reporters and transcriptionists build strong, lasting careers.
PANELIST
Brittani Krantz
Director of Operations, CourtScribes
Brittani Krantz is the Director of Operations at CourtScribes, with a background spanning operations, human resources, and compliance. She partners closely with leadership to support both business goals and the people behind them, balancing clear structure with empathy. Brittani is currently pursuing her Juris Master in Employment Law and HR Risk Management at Florida State University College of Law, and she is passionate about employee experience, workplace culture, and building people-first practices that help teams thrive.