Depositions are one of the most crucial and exciting stages of litigation. They clarify and illuminate the facts of your case, as well as the case of your adversary, in a way that documentation alone simply cannot. Depositions bring a case to life by placing faces with names. They provide a glimpse at what a trial may look like, in addition to highlighting any strengths and weaknesses of the case. A successful deposition may also lead to settlement, solidifying your grounds for summary judgment, and locking opponents into important positions for trial.
In this practical webinar, you will explore various strategies and techniques that will be beneficial toward maximizing your effectiveness at preparing for, taking, and defending depositions. Among other things, you will learn how to:
- Properly prepare for taking and defending depositions.
- Set the goals an attorney should be seeking to achieve in taking and defending depositions.
- Practice techniques for achieving these goals.
- Address difficult situations that may arise while taking and defending depositions.
- Define the difference between an individual and corporate deposition.
- Anticipate the special considerations that arise when taking and defending depositions of expert witnesses.
- Effectively conduct remote video depositions.
Upon course completion, you will be able to:
- Thoroughly prepare to take and defend depositions of individuals and corporate representative fact witnesses, as well as expert witnesses, including:
- Planning your document review with an eye toward depositions, summary judgment, and trial
- Learning what you know about the case and what holes need to be filled in through the depositions.
- Preparing timelines and outlines to guide you through the deposition and witness preparation process.
- Carefully reviewing an expert’s report and researching the expert’s background to find areas where he or she can be challenged in the deposition.
- Take effective depositions, including:
- Listening to the answers to questions and following where the deposition takes you, rather than reading from a script.
- Locking in admissions that will be helpful for summary judgment or impeachment at trial.
- Filling in holes in the narrative that you need to build your case and address any weaknesses.
- Knowing how to handle obstructionist counsel or witnesses.
- Defend depositions effectively, including:
- Expertly preparing your witness in advance.
- Knowing when to object during the deposition and what objections are proper.
- Knowing when and how to escalate disputes with opposing counsel who are behaving inappropriately.
Lisa Coyle
Robins Kaplan LLP
Lisa M. Coyle is a Partner in the Business Litigation group at Robins Kaplan LLP with over fourteen years of experience representing financial institutions, domestic and international corporations, foreign sovereigns, and individuals in a broad array of complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters arising under state law. She has defended and prosecuted numerous claims in a wide range of jurisdictions, including the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association, the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, the Delaware Court of Chancery, and multiple federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, and appellate courts. She has been named a “New York Rising Star” by Super Lawyers for six years in a row.
Rayna Kessler
Robins Kaplan LLP
Rayna E. Kessler is a Partner in the New York office of Robins Kaplan LLP whose practice focuses on representing individuals who are injured by dangerous drugs and medical devices, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic personal injuries. She was recently recognized as one of the Top Women in Law by the New Jersey Law Journal and selected by The Trial Lawyer as one of America’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers of 2016. Currently, Miss Kessler serves as liaison counsel in the In Re: Benicar (Olmesartan Medoxomil) New Jersey Multicounty Litigation, In re Taxotere Litigation New Jersey Multicounty Litigation, and In re Abilify Litigation New Jersey Multicounty Litigation. She is also a board member of Public Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers, as well as Collective Liberty, a nonprofit committed to eradicating human trafficking.
CLE Credits (Law)
| Credit | Value | Type | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
In some CLE states, the course will be submitted to the bar after you register. If for any reason the course is not approved, we will fully refund your registration fee. If a state is listed on this course, then we are confident the course fits that state's standards and already is or will be approved for credit.
What is a webinar?
A webinar is simply a seminar that you attend online. You either watch a live video feed of the speaker or listen to the speaker through your computer, tablet or phone’s audio. You see the speaker’s slides, videos, and other presentation materials on your screen.
Can I ask questions during the webinar?
Yes. During the live webinar, you may submit questions and comments and the speaker will respond verbally. For a recorded webinar, your questions will be emailed to the speaker. You will typically receive a response from the speaker within two business days.
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Do the webinars qualify for Continuing Education Credit?
Almost all of our webinars are approved for continuing education credit, including CLE (in all states), CCB, CPE, HRCI, IRS and SHRM credit. Unlike many providers, we don’t charge you any additional fee to process your credit. If you have specific questions, please call us at 703-372-0550 or contact us.
Can I still receive Continuing Education Credits if I view the webinar recording instead of the live presentation?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Recorded webinars are not eligible for CLE credit in the following states: AR, KS, MS, NE, and RI. In all other jurisdictions, recorded programs are eligible for credit. In addition, CPE credit is not available for recorded webinars. Please note that recorded webinars are only eligible for a certain period of time based on the jurisdiction. To ask about your specific type of Continuing Education Credit or the requirements in your jurisdiction, please call us at 703-372-0550 or contact us.
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How do I determine my states’s CLE requirements.
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How will I submit my attendance to receive CLE credit in my state?
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