Ethics and Gift Giving
Omega Reporting, your Memphis certified court reporters, adhere to the NCRA Ethics First Program and are strong proponents of said program. We believe
that the practice of providing gifts, rewards, or incentives to
attorneys, clients, or their representatives or agents undermines and
dilutes the integrity of the reporting profession and the status of the
reporter as a neutral and impartial officer of the court. Giving
excessive gifts and incentives can create in the eye of the public the
appearance of partiality or favoritism on the part of the reporter
towards the recipient.
The best course of action is to always hire your next certified court reporter based on their skill, ability, and credentials. Our reporters have been certified by testing and hold some of the highest certifications offered by NCRA. The commitment to education and certification by testing also ensures our clients that the highest level of professionalism is consistently met.
"The Ethics First program was created as a positive and proactive effort to encourage reporters, firms, and the clients they serve to promote the impartiality and the neutrality of the reporting profession and avoid inappropriate gift giving and gift acceptance. When used correctly, the Ethics First trademark is designed to instill public confidence in and support for the court reporting profession."
The National Court Reporters Association has recently published a video to educate the public and legal professionals regarding how gift giving may impact your firm, and it is included below for reference. Legal professionals and attorneys adhere to and uphold their own ethical obligations.
By attorneys and/or their staff accepting gifts and incentives from court reporters, there may be unintended consequences for your case:
- attract attention of the Internal Revenue Service
- jeopardize the victory of your case
- possible ethical violations of attorneys
