Name: Lynette L. Mueller, FAPR, RDR, CRR
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Member since 1981
NCRA Board of Directors: 2024-2027
JCR | How did you learn about court reporting?
LM | I first heard about court reporting in high school. I was sitting in history class, scribbling notes as fast as I could, when my teacher paused and said, “You’re a fast notetaker. You should look into court reporting.” It seemed like just a passing comment at the time, but it stuck. That little spark of encouragement showed me there was a career where my speed, focus, and attention to detail could truly matter. That’s how my journey began! And the rest, as they say, is history.
JCR | Why do you serve on the NCRA Board?
LM | Before court reporting, my lessons started in my family’s steel shop in North Dakota. By the age of 12, I was cutting, shaping, and bolting steel, while my siblings were welding. My dad was tough. “Perfect” wasn’t optional; it was expected. Those long hours taught me the importance of precision, preparation, and taking pride in a job well done. They became the foundation of my work as a court reporter. Serving on the NCRA Board is my way of giving back to the community that shaped my career and helping ensure that those same values – accuracy, order, and excellence – continue to guide the next generation of reporters.
JCR | Tell us something fun about yourself.
LM | While other kids spent summers at the pool, I was working in that steel shop, learning to organize chaos and making sure every piece was ready for assembly. Sunflower pans, snowblowers, toolboxes, tanks — we built it all! Essentially, I was a steelworker. It might not sound “fun” in the traditional sense, but I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything. Looking back, those long hours in the shop taught me more than work. Those lessons became the cornerstone of my career as a court reporter and continue to guide me on the NCRA Board. I want NCRA to be a trusted companion for the next generation of reporters, helping them embrace the same commitment to excellence that has shaped my journey from the shop floor to the deposition room.
