2025 Symposium: Presenter Bios

Jennifer L. “Jen” Thompson, CCR, CVR-M

Jennifer Thompson has established a remarkable career in the legal industry since she began as a paralegal in the late 1980s. In 1993, Jennifer transitioned to the role of a court reporter, marking the beginning of her significant contributions to the profession. Recognizing the scarcity of voice writing schools and the growing demand for such education, she co-founded the first voice writing court reporting school in South Carolina in 2000. This pioneering effort significantly impacted the industry by providing essential training and resources. Throughout her career, Jennifer has worn many hats, including owning a court reporting firm, instructing court reporting students, and working as a freelance court reporter.

Her leadership abilities have been widely recognized, as evidenced by her service as President of the South Carolina Court Reporters Association. She is also a long-standing member of the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA), reflecting her commitment to the profession on a national level. Additionally, Jennifer is licensed in Georgia and actively participates in the Georgia Court Reporters Association. Renowned as one of the industry’s leading experts in voice recognition, Jennifer has assisted and created realtime training curriculum for a number of voice writing schools across the country, conducts private training sessions, online webinars, and various educational programs. Her expertise is further solidified by her certification as an advanced-level EclipseVox™ trainer. Jennifer frequently shares her knowledge at technology seminars, workshops, and association conferences, where she is a sought-after speaker and presenter.

Jennifer’s seminars and conferences have attracted a diverse clientele, including:

  • Advantage Software
  • Eclipse Software Professionals
  • South Carolina Court Reporters Association
  • North Carolina Court Reporters Association
  • Georgia Court Reporters Association
  • Arkansas Court Reporters
  • Virginia Court Reporters Association
  • Missouri Courts
  • Kansas Courts
  • Court Reporting School of South Carolina
  • The Vox Academy
  • The United States Military JAG Reporters

Jennifer Thompson’s career is a shining example of how dedication, innovation,and leadership can drive substantial progress and recognition in the legal industry. Her contributions have not only advanced the field of court reporting but have also ensured the continued education and development of future professionals.

Mary Ann Ridenour, RPR

Mary Ann has been a freelance firm owner in Charleston, SC, since 1992. She served on the SCCRA board as director, secretary, and vice president. She served three terms as president.

Her past experience with NCRA includes being one of the original RAINmakers. She also served two consecutive terms as chair of NCRA’s Committee on Professional Ethics.

She has presented on a wide range of topics at both the state and national levels.

Deidre Osborne

My name is Deidre Osborne. I have an associate’s degree in court reporting and have obtained my Registered Professional Reporter certification. I have been a freelance stenographer since 2010. I am a firm owner and have good standing in the court reporting community.

Amanda Clidence

Amanda graduated in 2012 with a degree in secondary education and spent several years teaching English grammar and composition before transitioning to scoping and editing for court reporters. Amanda is a full-time scopist and has used DigitalCAT as well as Eclipse software, and she works as a freelancer and subcontractor for reporters and agencies alike.

Amanda has never stopped her love of learning and has returned to school for a double major in English and Data Analysis, and she hopes to one day hold a PhD in English. Amanda is a voracious bibliophile and has read over a thousand books in the last decade. Amanda also volunteers as the Director of Marketing and Social Media for a private school.

Being engaged in her community, Amanda is working on establishing a nonprofit for the homeless in 2025 in her town, with a portable shower and laundry trailer ministry as well as a food pantry. Amanda has also adopted two dogs, one cat, and the Oxford comma.

Katie Hallmark

Katie is a PDF proofreader and an avid reader. After moving to Aiken from Massachusetts in late elementary school, she came to Columbia to study English at the University of South Carolina. Katie spent several semesters as an editor on the university's creative magazine, the Garnet and Black Magazine. She also spent a semester in Chile working on her Spanish minor. She interned with the Aiken Standard newspaper and a small online publisher during college and then, after graduating, worked different jobs, including as a proofreader with a different online publisher for several years. She spent several years at the local office of a national law firm as an administrative assistant before leaving to be a full-time transcript proofreader. When she isn't hunched over her computer proofing, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family and church community.

Dr. Tim Losby

Dr. Tim Losby graduated Salutatorian from Life University in 2015. After that, he moved to Columbia to practice with his sister-in-law Dr. Sarah Losby and brother Mark Losby, owners and founders of Max Living Columbia. One year later, they opened Max Living Lexington to extend their reach to another area. Their vision is to make the chiropractic lifestyle mainstream in the Midlands.

Dr. Tim studied Exercise Science and played football during his undergraduate at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. While playing football in college, Dr. Tim first started receiving regular chiropractic care, and he was amazed at the difference spinal correction made on the field, in the weight room, and especially in the classroom. He and his wife, Marcela, have a beautiful daughter, Emma. Dr. Tim is a member of the International Pediatric Chiropractic Association and loves helping babies, kids, and pregnant women experience Life to the Full.

Nadine Garrett

Nadine Garrett is a highly experienced freelance court reporter serving the Columbia, South Carolina area. Following in her mother's footsteps, Nadine now has 19 years in the field and possesses a comprehensive understanding of all facets of court reporting, handling a wide range of proceedings with professionalism and expertise. Nadine's dedication to the profession is evident in her past leadership roles serving as Director, Secretary, and currently President of the South Carolina Court Reporters Association. She is also a member of the National Court Reporters Association.

Nadine recently attended NCRA’s Boot Camp.

Katie Graff

Katie Graff is a voice reporter out of Summerville, SC. She is following in the footsteps of her mother, Jan Hayward, and taking over her freelance business of 30 years in the Lowcountry. Katie has served as the secretary and is now the vice president of the SCCRA. Being a nurse for 10 years prior to changing careers, Katie loves a med-mal case and helping bring justice to the State of South Carolina.

Katie recently attended NCRA’s Boot Camp.