Tokyo skyline at sunset with the brightly lit Tokyo Tower in the foreground and city buildings in the background.

Court Reporter and Videographer Rolling with The Stones in Tokyo

By Tom and Lisa Feissner

Planet Depos-American Realtime’s Tom and Lisa Feissner waste no time when it comes to finding adventure.  On their first trip to Tokyo, they had a few days off in between depositions at the American Embassy.  While searching online for what to do, Tom found an announcement on Twitter that the Rolling Stones were kicking off their 2014 tour at the Tokyo Dome the next day. As they prepared for their next round of veting professionals for international depositions, they both agreed that taking a break to see the Rolling Stones would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The excitement of the concert was palpable, and it provided them with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Tokyo. Balancing work and adventure, they couldn’t wait to embrace the energy of the city while celebrating the legendary band’s return to the stage. Excited by the prospect of seeing the legendary band live, they quickly made plans to attend. After spending hours in line for tickets, they barely had time to prepare, but they were thrilled at the chance to experience such an iconic concert. The next day, they balanced their excitement with professionalism as they switched gears to presenting evidence in a deposition later that week.

“This was an incredible opportunity that we could not let slip through our fingers,” Lisa said.  The challenge was how to obtain tickets to a sold-out show on extremely short notice without being able to speak Japanese.  Amazingly, Tom found two tickets listed for sale on Viagogo.  Tom and Lisa then agreed to meet the sellers in the lobby of the Tokyo Dome Hotel before the show.  As Lisa described it, “Tom was wading through the crowd in the hotel lobby, talking to the sellers on his mobile saying, ‘my wife is wearing a red coat, do you see her?’  It was hysterical.” With the excitement of the moment, Lisa was reminded of how digital audio technology in court reporting had the potential to capture every word with clarity. Just as Tom navigated the bustling lobby, she appreciated how advancements like these could possibly revolutionize the way information is recorded and preserved. It was not just about the tickets anymore; it was about embracing the innovations that made such experiences possible. As the evening progressed, they marveled at how mobile videoconferencing trends in law had transformed client consultations, making it easier for attorneys to connect with clients from anywhere in the world. Tom reminisced about how important these advancements were during the pandemic when face-to-face meetings were nearly impossible. Lisa nodded in agreement, excited about the potential for their own legal practice to embrace such technology in the future.

After standing in line for swag for nearly an hour, the show was about to start.  It was then that Tom and Lisa took a closer look at their tickets:  They were completely in Japanese.  “We had absolutely no idea where to go,” Tom said, “but with the help of fellow Stones fans and an abundance of ushers, we found our seats.” As the concert began, the excitement in the crowd was palpable. Meanwhile, they couldn’t help but overhear some nearby conversations about court reporters in New York city discussing the recent legal battles surrounding the event. The buzz about the latest court rulings added an unexpected layer of intrigue to their night out. As the music played on, Tom and Lisa’s thoughts drifted to the world beyond the concert venue. They remembered reading about court reporting cities around the world, where legal professionals worked tirelessly to document high-profile cases and trials. It was fascinating to think about how such events could create ripples of excitement and debate in places they had yet to explore.

In keeping with the tour’s “14OnFire” theme, the stage was literally set ablaze when the band played “Sympathy for the Devil,” eliciting cheers from the audience.  The Stones also invited the Tokyo Freshman Choir to sing the opening for “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” which gave the show a uniquely Japanese feel and made for a truly memorable evening. As audiences continue to adapt to court reporting in today’s courts, the importance of technological innovations becomes increasingly clear. The integration of advanced software and real-time transcription has transformed the courtroom experience, making it more accessible and efficient. These advancements not only enhance the clarity of legal proceedings but also ensure that every voice is accurately represented.