An Interview with Marsha J. Naegeli, NAEGELI Deposition & Trial Founder and CEO: Our Outstanding Services Combined with our Expertise in Complex, High Profile Litigation have Exceeded our Clients’ Expectations for Over Four Decades

“We constantly research the current rates in the field to ensure our rates are some of the best in the country.”

NAEGELI Deposition & Trial is an innovative court reporting and trial support corporation pushing the boundaries of technology and exemplary service. NAEGELI is trusted by some of the most prestigious attorneys in the nation to provide strategic, case winning solutions.

The company was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Portland, OR.

Marsha J. Naegeli, NAEGELI Deposition & Trial Founder and CEO, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Q. Explain your services in brief.

NAEGELI is a full-service court reporting and litigation support firm that provides clients with an outstanding portfolio of court reporting, videoconferencing, and trial support services specifically designed to give them a competitive advantage in their legal cases. Our technology-driven products and client-centric culture allow us to maintain high standards while providing personalized service. We support clients at every crucial point, from the initial filing of their case to the final verdict. Our outstanding services, combined with our expertise in complex, high-profile litigation, have exceeded our clients’ expectations for over 40 years. We offer court reporting, videography, remote depositions, videoconferencing, language interpreters, transcription, copy and scanning, trial presentation, and trial consultation services. Our twelve locations nationwide offer complimentary conference rooms, and we can provide services across the entire nation. We are available 24 hours a day to provide you with the support necessary for the most efficient and accurate service. Our clients receive on-time delivery of precise transcripts — every time.

Q. You need experts in the house to provide the highest level of legal services. How did you manage to form a team of qualified professionals?

Since NAEGELI has been serving the legal industry for over 40 years, we have had the time to polish a nationally respected team with decades of experience in their respective fields. We stand a cut above the rest by exemplifying the highest standards of quality, client service, professionalism, and accuracy. Our steadfast adherence to core principles and ethics has been the driving force in creating this outstanding team of professionals. By striving to be the best, we attract only the best and most exceptional employees for our staff.

Q. Clients expect more services at a lower rate. As an experienced legal services professional, how do you manage to deal with the pressure to become more specialized with an eye on affordability?

Our technology-driven products and our client-centric culture allow us to maintain high standards while providing personalized service at competitive prices. We constantly research the current rates in the field to ensure our rates are some of the best in the country.

Q. Describe a time you had to make a tough decision. What did you do and what was the result?

Most obviously, my response to the pandemic and the effect it had on the business environment. The decision whether to or not to close the company when the pandemic first hit was one of the most crucial decisions in my career. We had three options:

1) Close the doors;

2) Run on a skeleton crew;

3) Stay open and move forward at full force.

Everyone was against the decision to stay open at full capacity. This is where leadership and gut instinct comes into play. I went home that evening and spent time alone and it was very clear to me to ‘PRESS ON’, which ended up being incontrovertibly the right decision for our corporation and the legal community. I am now pleased to report we are back in a profitable state. One of my favorite statements is, ‘every leader must learn to stand alone’; this was a circumstance where I stood alone, and it was the correct answer. One never knows the quality of their decision until they see the results.

Q. What other CEOs do you look up to? Why?

I look up to David Markowitz of the Markowitz Herbold Law Firm. I always found it very odd that he rarely spoke. Although, after meeting him, I learned about the most effective leadership behavior: Listening. He is a man of very few words, but they are very calculated and wise when he does speak, which is why I look up to him and cherish our friendship.

Q. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting, what would it be?

Work hard and be careful who you trust. Surround yourself with people of excellent character who desire to achieve greatness.

Q. What do you think is the most memorable moment in your career?

Most people would say the memorable moments are when they win accolades, awards, and recognition. For me, not! The most memorable ones for me have been the times when I was able to overcome severe adversity. There were times when I had to work for years, but ended up with no income. I held on; thereby, making inroads into solving the problem.

Marsha J. Naegeli: A Reliable Leader

Marsha J. Naegeli is a small-town girl who grew up in the quaint town of Tillamook, Oregon. To this day, she lives on a gentleman’s ranch with horses, goats, and Texas longhorns. Over 40 years ago, with a $2,000 loan and home office, NAEGELI Deposition & Trial was born. She may not have started with much, but she had an incredible drive and vision! Over the years, with her industry wisdom and adaptability, she has guided her company to be the driving force for cutting-edge litigation technology -- something that has proven vital during the current pandemic. Through the use of Remote Deposition technology, NAEGELI is proving that the judicial system can adapt and change so cases can continue to move forward no matter what obstacles attorneys face.

“We stand a cut above the rest by exemplifying the highest standards of quality, client service, professionalism, and accuracy.”