Schmelz Named to National Reporters Board of Directors

Brenda Schmelz, Union, a certified court reporter and certified verbatim reporter-master, recently was elected to a two-year term on the board of directors of the National Verbatim Reporters Association at the organization’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Schmelz is employed as the official court reporter to Judge Gael Wood, Division I judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit. In her position, she is responsible for reporting verbatim all court matters of record and preparing transcripts upon request.

In addition to her court reporting work, Schmelz has taught computer-aided transcription and real time application classes at St. Louis Community College and law office procedures and legal document preparation at East Central College.

She is a member of the National Association of Court Reporters, the Missouri Court Reporters Association, Franklin County Legal Support Professions and the Missouri Association of Legal Secretaries.

Schmelz began her work in the legal field in 1974 working part time for attorney Tom Briegel, Union.

In 1976, she began working full time for Mittendorf & Mittendorf, Union, as a legal secretary, paralegal and office manager.

In 1983, she went to work for Eckelkamp, Eckelkamp & Wood, Washington.

She has worked as a court reporter since 2003 and has worked for Judge Wood since 2004.

Schmelz is a past president of the Missouri Association of Legal Secretaries, having previously received the Missouri Legal Secretary of the Year award in 1987 and the Franklin County Legal Secretary of the Year award in 1987 and 1996.

She has served on various committees nationally including two years as chair of the board of certification.

Schmelz has received special recognition for her outstanding service.

She has served on advisory committees at East Central College on various occasions and in 1998 was recognized for her role as a career mentor and for her commitment to helping adult students.

Schmelz said she loves working in the legal field and always does her best to ensure that her skills and knowledge are up to date by participating in professional organizations and educational opportunities.