Reporters

Mary M. Cunha

Mary M. Cunha, earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration in 1975 from Bristol Community College. Following 19 years as a human resource specialist, she aspired to become a court reporter and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University in 2001. Mary began her court reporting career with Laplante & Associates, Inc., and has been affiliated with them since September 2001 covering depositions involving automobile accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, construction accidents, arbitrations involving real estate disputes, town meetings involving property disputes, and probable cause hearings, often reporting in realtime.

Mary and her husband Gil have one son and enjoy traveling, skiing, reading, movies, estate sales, art galleries, walking, dinner with family and friends, and spending occasional weekends at their lake house in Maine.

Sarah Harper

Sarah Harper, RPR, CSR, began working as a court reporter in 1994 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Court Reporting. She began working for Laplante & Associates right out of college where she still works today. Over the years, she’s worked with other agencies in the Boston, Taunton and Providence areas. She has her Rhode Island Commission which allows her to also take depositions in Rhode Island. She has reported deposition work covering all areas of law and disputes.

Charlene Jones

Charlene Jones graduated from Johnson & Wales College with an Associate’s Degree in Court Reporting. “My court reporting career began with Goudreau & Grossi Court Reporting Service in January of 1988. I reported in Probate Court, Superior Court, Juvenile Court, night hearings, and depositions.
I then joined Laplante & Associates in January of 1995.
I have been reporting depositions, trials and hearings for almost 20 years.
I am happy working for Laplante & Associates and enjoy my work. I am also
happily married and have four wonderful children. We enjoy skiing, camping and just spending time together.”

Paula Negalha

Paula Negalha, CSR, RPR, Associate’s Degree in Court Reporting, Massachusetts Bay Community College,16 years experience, 225 wpm. Born and raised in New Bedford by her two parents, Alfredo Silva and Violet Charbonneau, Paula is the youngest of four children. Paula is a New Bedford High School graduate and obtained her degree in court and conference reporting from Mass. Bay Community College in 1991. She thanks Mom and Dad for making the college years easy. “My parents always stressed that college was important. Mom’s biggest goal was to see that her children were financially independent and Dad made going to college easy on all of us. Thanks Mom for insisting I get a career and Dad for the financial support.” Paula has been with Laplante & Associates for more than 16 years working as a freelance reporter. (“They can’t get rid of me!”) She is a notary in Massachusetts and a Commissioner for the State of Rhode Island, allowing her to take sworn testimony in both states. Paula and her family reside in Fairhaven, Mass. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and is a mother of two boys; Kross is ten and Chance is eight. (“Great names, huh?”) “I enjoy being a freelance reporter because it gives me the flexibility I need and want so that I can be available to meet the needs of my children and family.” “After freelancing for so many years, I can’t imagine being confined to an office. We’ve got a great clientele and I enjoy meeting new potential clients. The change of who, where and when keeps it from getting boring. (“And you don’t have to worry about wearing the same suit again!)”

• Hardest Job Assignment: The First One. (Whew!)
• Favorite Place to Visit: Madeira, Portugal. (Beautiful!)
• Hobby: Photography. (Smile!)

Shaunna L. O’Connell,

Shaunna L. O’Connell, RPR, CSR Shaunna graduated from Massachusetts Bay Community College in 1995 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Conference and Court Reporting. Shortly after graduating, she passed the national certification examination. Shaunna’s first employment was with Laplante & Associates.

After three years with Laplante, Shaunna decided to venture out on her own. During the next seven years, she worked freelance for various agencies, attorneys, and courts. She gained a tremendous amount of experience in reporting cases involving medical malpractice, patent disputes, and advanced technology, to name a few. Shaunna also took on many demanding jobs such as arbitrations, town meetings, and Federal and Superior Court work.

To keep abreast of the latest technology and continually improve her reporting skills and knowledge, Shaunna regularly attends continuing education seminars.

Shaunna has brought back this wealth of experience to Laplante, where she says she feels right at home and is looking forward to her future here.

Sandra Raposa

Sandra “Sandy” Raposa graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Court Reporting from Johnson & Wales University in 1984. She also has pursued further education towards a Bachelor’s Degree.

Upon graduation, she began her career at Woods & Irons Court Reporting Agency, Providence, RI, taking depositions and proof-reading and editing for reporters in the agency. Sandy is a Rhode Island Superior Court certified reporter and has worked per diem in the Commonwealth Trial Court system, predominantly in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable Counties.

Her freelance experienced began at Goudreau & Grossi Court Reporting Agency which including working in Probate Court and District Courts for the agency.

In 1995 Sandy joined Laplante & Associates as a Freelance Court Reporter doing real-time court reporting using CaseCatalyst software provided by Stenograph.

Sandy is a Notary Public in Massachusetts and Commissioner of Rhode Island, enabling her to certify depositions in both states.