Member of American Association of Notaries Registered Vendor with SAM.gov and State of Montana Accepts Credit/Debit Cards, Venmo and Cash App
Sarah E. Cobetto
Specializing in legal support and transcription services since 1995. Other professionals who use my services include consultants, small business owners, real estate brokers, professors, counselors, auditors, human resource managers, historians, and authors. Able to disseminate detailed information and instruction.
I also prepare resumes, cover letters, and specialize in the Federal job application process.
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Natural-born organizer with OCD attention to detail. Anything that can be organized, created, typed, formatted, proofed, edited, I can do…and probably already have!
Legal transcription:
Court proceedings, depositions, administrative hearings, interviews and statements, phone conversations, WATCHGUARD and ICOP video, 911 dispatch
Other transcription includes oral histories, lectures, meetings and minutes, panel discussions
Resumes and Cover Letters:
Industries include Healthcare, Financial, Education, Social Services, Law Enforcement, Trades, Energy, Office, Sales, Hospitality, Food Service and MORE (Military, Personal Chef, Museum Curator, Holistic Healer)
Other:
Grant writing, business plans, direct mail databases, HR materials, PowerPoint presentations, proofreading and editing
Notary Public
NO to bookkeeping–just don’t like it! But I can make a referral. And obviously I am not a professional website builder.
Legal Administrative Support:
Have prepared three Writs of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court and several appeals to the Ninth Circuit
Pleadings, correspondence, e-filing
Experienced in legal practice areas of criminal, corporate, commercial, oil and gas, divorce and family, adoption, estate planning, probate, personal injury, bankruptcy, water rights, malpractice
Federal Job Applications:
Ensures your resume matches the OF-612 Application for Employment, creates checklist of required documents, assists with utilizing applicable preference eligibility documentation, assists with online application submission process
Legal clients served*:
Federal Hearings Offices nationwide
Law Enforcement Offices statewide
State legal agencies and hearings offices
Attorneys in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, Hardin and Stanford
Private Investigators
Insurance Offices
Court Reporters
*Not specifically named for confidentiality purposes. For references, please call me.
Reviews
ReviewRevews
J.D. (2022): “Sarah helped an elderly friend of mine who was having trouble getting will/inheritance documents mocked up and officialized. Every step of the way, she was incredibly efficient, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Most impressive of all, however, was Sarah’s full scope of service. She took a menagerie of handwritten notes with verbal edits, transcribed concise documentation, suggested improvements and edits, arranged for printing, met with my friend and witnesses, finalized and notarized the documents on the spot (after a last-second edit) and did so all in about 4 days time. Sarah definitely knows what she’s doing.”
Tom Stinebaugh (2022): “Customer service and attention to detail was spot on. Will use and recommend this service to all.”
Ronnie Harris (2021): “Sarah is diligent and awesome!”
Rachelle Park (2019): “I contacted Sarah to have an interview transcribed and it was done the same day. Very simple, efficient, and easy to get the work done.”
Janine Eoff (2019): “So efficient and made my PowerPoint look perfect!”
Hanser Ranch (2018): “Sarah is always performing above expectations. She is quality in work and professionalism. She’s very busy but usually beats her estimated time of completion. My skills at writing are lacking and require a lot of clean up. She has consistently finished a very rough draft at a very high standard.”
Jaylynn Long (2018): “Sarah is amazing, smart, skilled, caring, and prompt!”
FAQs
Is a Legal Transcriptionist the same thing as a Court Reporter? No. Both the Transcriber/Legal Transcriptionist and the Court Reporter transcribe the spoken word, but court reporting requires state licensing/certification. As a transcriptionist, I take previously recorded information and make a typewritten copy. Recorded information used to be in form of tape cassettes—large and micro. Today with the advent of DSS files and media, recordings are usually done digitally. I utilize specialized equipment and software in order to play, rewind, speed up, or filter audio to ensure an accurate transcript. I also have software to convert video to audio for compatible use with my transcription equipment. For legal clients, I do a “certification” at the end of a transcript, like a Court Reporter, to verify that the parties are persons unknown and unrelated to me and that I represent the document to be a true and accurate transcript.
I have a 60 minute audio to be transcribed—how long will it take to transcribe and how much will it cost? 3-4 hours depending on audibility. For good audibility, I use the average of 3.5 hours transcription time for every 1 hour of audio. People talk at a speed of approximately 150-180-220 words per minute. I type 106 words per minute (certified), and rewind time must be considered with multiple speakers, background noise, etc. I charge $2.25 per audio minute. There are online companies that advertise $.99 per audio minute—not sure if their typists live in this country, how they make a living, or what kind of product the client receives.
I am an attorney—what happens if I request a transcript and the opposing attorney is one of your clients? It has happened. As soon as I am aware of that fact, I contact both attorneys (usually via email) for their “yes” or “no” in writing before I proceed. I want to ensure there is no perceived conflict of interest by either party. It has happened a handful of times and no one had a problem with it because I am a neutral, third party. One time it became obvious that I personally knew an attorney’s client—I stopped my work immediately, contacted the attorney to return the work, and permanently erased what e-files they had provided me. I love my job too much to jeopardize my reputation for confidentiality.
What is the difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Resume? A CV (Curriculum Vitae meaning course of life in Latin) is an in-depth document and contains a high level of detail about your achievements, a great deal more than just a career biography. The CV covers your education as well as any other accomplishments like publications, awards, honors, etc. Professionals who utilize a CV would be doctors, lawyers, professors, etc. The rest of us would use a resume, which is a concise document typically not longer than one page (maybe two). Research indicates it only takes 8 seconds for an employer to maintain/lose interest. The goal is to stand out from the competition. The resume should be adapted to the positions sought and tailored to the needs of the specific job opening. While there are guidelines to preparing a resume, there is no one “rule” to them. When we meet to discuss your past, present and future career objectives, I will be able to discern which style will be right for you.
Should I prepare a cover letter if the employer is not requesting one? Yes! Think of it as a marketing tool in which you have a chance to sell yourself and highlight your most attractive features as an employee. In this modern age of online resume submission, even if a cover letter is not required but there is a place to attach or upload it, do so. Research indicates that companies not requiring a cover letter will separate applicants—those who provided cover letters and those who did not. The employer will start their selection process with those who took the time and effort to write a cover letter.
Do you do bookkeeping? No, not good at it, do not like it—am right brain dominant. But I can refer you to a service that does contract bookkeeping.
Are you on social media? Yes, I have a Facebook page for Secretarial Services Sarah E. Cobetto. I don’t do social media, personally. Besides, it is a crazy world out there. You might not want people to know you know me (kidding!).
How did you get started in your business? It was a total fluke! While I have an independent nature, a “go-getter” attitude, and am determined when I get an idea, a lot of it was timing, coincidence, and positive reinforcement from others. First professional position was with a business acquisition firm where I learned all things real estate. Then went to work for and was trained by Attorneys Lawrence S. Cole and Michael G. Majerus—both now retired. When they parted ways, each of them, and other legal offices I networked with, wanted me to do work for them as needed or temp occasionally. I had an office downtown in Transwestern I for 25 years (dating myself). When COVID-19 hit, I was also caring for elderly parents. I moved my office home and have never looked back.
About Me or what you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask
Born in Hayden Lake, Idaho, but my family moved to Billings when I was seven so this is home. Graduated from Billings West High School and the Career Center with emphasis on office administration. Am always looking for ways to grow my knowledge in many areas (both personally and professionally) and have taken numerous night courses, attended lectures, and love Googling.
Married for 38 years to Chris—I was young and he tells people he had to finish raising me. He did. No children, but numerous cats throughout the years. Yes, think Crazy Cat Couple.
We love to travel. He plays guitar, I play the radio. And we make volunteer work a priority in our life.
www.legal-typing-services.com 