Connect Series: Meet Reporter Chris Linneman!
Chris has experience in reporting examinations for discovery, cross-examinations, hearings and arbitrations and has transcribed many chambers applications and days of trial proceedings. Chris has a particular interest in family law. When not working, Chris enjoys craft beer, board games, his two cats and most recently his new son, Emmett!
We recently caught up with Chris and asked him a few questions:
What do you like most about being a reporter?
The flexibility. It’s great when jobs end early and you have the rest of the day free! Well, most often I am working on transcripts, but having a five-month-old son, it’s a pleasant surprise when I finish work at 11:00 a.m. and get to spend time with him I wasn’t counting on. It’s also nice to be able to book days off and vacation to suit my lifestyle.
Did you find this career, or did it find you?
I found court reporting, oddly enough, by responding to an ad I saw on the SkyTrain! I had little to no knowledge about the career other than as a former online poker player I thought I would be good at thinking quickly and working in realtime. A few phone calls later (including a very motivational one to Christy) and I was signing up for the program.
At Reportex our core values of team, mentorship, equality, community and industry are central to what we do. Which of these values resonates most strongly with you and why?
I think I would pick mentorship. It always makes me happy to see new court reporters joining the field as to me it indicates our industry is alive and well. I know how much I appreciated learning from more experienced reporters when I was fresh out of school, and I think it is our responsibility as more senior reporters to offer guidance and encouragement to the newbies. I remember the jitters I had when I was a baby reporter, which was nerve-wracking but also exciting. Even the simplest slip-and-fall case has an air of importance about it in the formality of the legal setting, and I think feeling not only comfortable but at home in this setting is one of the most important hurdles for new reporters to overcome.
Holiday movies: yes or no? (If yes, do you have a favourite? If no, what’s your favourite movie of all time?)
No. My favourite movie has to be Rounders, which is cliché for a former poker player, but the performances of Edward Norton and John Malkovich are top-notch. In truth John Malkovich is always a delight, and I don’t think I’ve seen him in anything I didn’t love. For more John Malkovich I recommend Space Force and Being John Malkovich.
What three items are on your post-COVID bucket list?
First is to take my son to a pool or baby class — something to get him socializing with more people! He was born in the middle of the pandemic and so sadly spends almost all his time with his two parents.
Next is to visit with my mom, who lives in Toronto, who I haven’t seen since before the pandemic and who hasn’t met little Emmett.
Finally as a big fan of board games I have been forced to get my fix from online board-gaming since March, which doesn’t quite have the same appeal. Socializing online just doesn’t cut it for me, so I’m looking forward to the day when we can hang out normally again.
