Dunn served eight years the California senate, from 1998-2006 before terming out last fall. Previous to this, he worked as a lawyer, helping to prosecute tobacco companies in the 1980s.

As such, he has worked extensively with court reporters. In his talk Thursday, he warned students of the dangers facing their profession.

Several times a year, he said, bills are introduced to begin recording court proceedings electronically. During his time in the legislature, he worked to defeat these bills and secure the court reporting profession. Dunn encouraged the students to learn more about the political process so they would be able to do the same.

“The fight is going to go on in Sacramento,” said Dunn as he encouraged students to get involved.

“The question is whether you’re going to join that fight.”

“Joe Dunn has been a tremendous advocate for the court reporting profession,” said Micki England, advisor for Cerritos College’s Court Reporting Club.

“Students need to hear of how their careers are affected by what goes on in the political arena. I feel that with what our students heard today, they are much more aware of their responsibility to themselves and their fellow students to be leaders in this area as they enter their careers.”

Cerritos College’s Court Reporting Program has existed at Cerritos College since 1972. It was the first college in the state to gain accreditation from the National Court Reporting Association, and also is accredited by the Court Reporters Board of California. The program currently serves approximately 150 students. For more information about the court reporting program or the court reporting club, please contact Micki England at ext. 2746 or at mengland@cerritos.edu.

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The Campus Connection Online, May 7, 2007

Cerritos College

Connections 2007

Former Senator Joe Dunn Speaks to Court Reporting Students