MTCRA 2026 Annual Convention Agenda

September 11 & 12, 2026 — The Pollard — Red Lodge, Montana

Total Continuing Education: .95 CEU

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Friday, September 11

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. — Early Registration Reconnect with colleagues while enjoying appetizers and drinks.

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. — Montana Innocence Project Part II (.15 CEU) Attorney Colin Stephens will update us on recent expansions within the Montana Innocence Project to include novel assaults on the American system of justice and The Project's mission of ensuring due process for all, as well as current cases the group is working on. (Section 3.02 (c) and (e).)

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Saturday, September 12

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7:00 – 8:00 a.m. — Registration & Continental Breakfast

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8:00 – 10:00 a.m. — The Montana Constitution Roadshow: A Shared Heritage (.20 CEU) Presented by Upper Seven Law, this session invites you to explore the fascinating story behind Montana's foundational document. Ratified in 1972, the Constitution was created by Montanans, for Montanans, to reflect the values, priorities, and hopes of our state's people.

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Led by a trained Upper Seven Law staff member, this traveling presentation will:

• Uncover unique features of the Montana Constitution, including the right to know and the right to hold the government accountable;

• Explore its historical context and lasting importance in protecting the rights of all Montanans; and

• Highlight the interplay between our state's three branches of government through stories, insights, and an engaging visual presentation.

Designed to welcome everyone — whether you're a history buff, a curious learner, or simply interested in what makes Montana special. Come ready to be informed, inspired, and proud of this remarkable part of our state's heritage.

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10:00 – 10:15 a.m. — Break

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10:15 – 11:45 a.m. — Fraud in Focus: What You Need to Know (.15 CEU) Join Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich for an informative session on the various types of fraud affecting our community, from traditional schemes to emerging threats such as cryptocurrency scams. Learn how to spot warning signs, protect your personal information, and report suspicious activity. With recent fraud cases in Billings making headlines, this timely program will equip you with the tools and knowledge to stay safe in an increasingly complex digital world.

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12:00 – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch and Business Meeting Swearing in of officers; update from NCRA Representative Shellene Iverson; NCRA news.

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1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Technology Series — Shellene Iverson, NCRA Director (.10 CEU) As AI and technology reshape the legal landscape, court reporters must understand both the tools and their irreplaceable role. "Technology: AI, Digital Workflows, and the Future of Human Expertise" provides practical strategies for AI readiness, realtime, security, and branding — reinforcing why court reporters remain the gold standard for the legal record.

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2:30 – 2:45 p.m. — Break

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2:45 – 3:45 p.m. — Tweak Your Writer (.10 CEU) Bring your Stenograph writer and learn how to adjust it to work for you! Karen Wolson from Stenograph will walk through detailed changes you can make to your writer to clean up your translation rate and ease any struggles you may have with your writer, now or in the future.

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4:00 – 5:30 p.m. — Training Record Makers (.15 CEU) Ever get frustrated trying to explain to a non-reporter what we do? Ever get tongue-tied describing what "making a good record" means to a new judge or law clerk — or that expert witness or amped-up police officer? This interactive seminar covers assisting court reporters in training lawyers, judges, litigants, and witnesses on how to make a great record.

Melody Jeffries will go over the presentation she regularly delivers to the Alexander Blewett III School of Law in Missoula; JoAnn Corson will discuss training the whole federal courthouse family; and Kim Marchwick will lead discussions on ideas for educating future record makers — so you can walk away with a few more tools in your pro reporter toolbox.

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5:30 – 6:30 p.m. — History in the Making — Becoming Montana's Next Article III Federal Judge (.10 CEU) Honorable Kathleen S. Lane is the newest Article III federal judge for the State of Montana, replacing outgoing Honorable Susan P. Watters, who took Senior Status on June 8, 2026. Judge Lane will walk through the process of how she became the youngest federal judge to be appointed and share the journey she took to get here.

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7:00 p.m. — MTCRA Annual Dinner — Marli's