Part 3 Strategic and Practical Considerations (1.0 to 4.17)

Index

Section 1.0 I. Purposes Of Depositions
Section 1.1 A. Preservation Of Testimony
Section 1.2 B. Lock In Witnesses' Testimony
Section 1.3 C. Develop Evidence To Undermine Credibility
Section 1.4 D. Fact Gathering
Section 1.5 E. Document Authentication
Section 1.6 F. Preview Witnesses' Ability To Testify At Trial
Section 1.7 II. Analyzing The Case
Section 1.8 III. Framing A Discovery Plan
Section 1.9 A. Discovery And Adr
Section 1.10 B. Whether To Take Depositions
Section 1.11 C. Type And Number Of Depositions To Take
Section 1.12 1. Considerations
Section 1.13 2. Deposition On Written Questions
Section 1.14 3. Number Of Depositions
Section 1.15 D. Who Should Be Deposed?
Section 1.16 E. Depositions Of Corporations And Other Entities
Section 1.17 1. State Court
Section 1.18 2. Federal Court
Section 1.19 A. Interrogator's Perspective
Section 1.20 B. Defending Counsel's Perspective
Section 1.21 F. Testifying Experts
Section 1.22 G. Where Should Depositions Be Taken?
Section 1.23 H. When In Relation To Other Devices Should Depositions Be Taken?
Section 1.24 1. State Court
Section 1.25 2. Federal Court
Section 1.26 3. Commercial Cases
Section 1.27 4. Document Production
Section 1.28 5. Scheduling Order
Section 1.29 I. In What Order Should Depositions Proceed?
Section 1.30 J. Using Technology When Taking A Deposition
Section 1.31 1. Telephone
Section 1.32 2. Videoconference
Section 1.33 3. Videotape
Section 1.34 A. Reasons For Videotaping Depositions
Section 1.35 B. Using Videotaped Depositions As Part Of Powerful Trial Presentation
Section 1.36 C. Guidelines
Section 1.37 IV. Preparing To Take The Deposition
Section 1.38 A. Investigatory Phase—Expert Depositions
Section 1.39 1. Deciding Which Approach To Take
Section 1.40 2. Preparing For A Possible Expert Hearing
Section 1.41 B. Investigatory Phase—Witnesses In General
Section 1.42 C. Preparing Questions
Section 1.43 1. Possible Approaches
Section 1.44 A. Detailed Script
Section 1.45 B. Outline
Section 1.46 C. Alternative Approaches
Section 1.47 2. Integration Of Documents Into Questioning
Section 1.48 V. Preparing To Defend A Deposition
Section 1.49 A. Facts And Documents
Section 1.50 1. Scope Of Investigation
Section 1.51 2. Privileges And Protections
Section 1.52 3. Witness Preparation
Section 1.53 A. Scope
Section 1.54 B. Meticulous Preparation Is Crucial
Section 1.55 C. Consideration Of Individual Personalities
Section 1.56 D. Review Of Deposition Procedures
Section 1.57 E. Role Playing
Section 1.58 B. Words Of Caution And Advice
Section 1.59 1. Tell The Truth
Section 1.60 2. Answer The Question Asked
Section 1.61 3. Do Not Volunteer Information
Section 1.62 4. Do Not Guess
Section 1.63 5. Avoid Arguments With Counsel
Section 1.64 6. Do Not Answer Until The Question Is Completed
Section 1.65 7. If The Question Is Confusing, Say So
Section 1.66 8. Ask For A Question To Be Read Back If Necessary
Section 1.67 9. Correct Errors
Section 1.68 10. Avoid Sweeping Answers And Be Careful When Giving Precise Ones
Section 1.69 11. Ask For Breaks As Needed
Section 1.70 12. Special Considerations For Videotaped Depositions
Section 1.71 13. Understand The Place Of Objections In The Deposition
Section 2.0 I. Agreeing Upon Different Or Additional Ground Rules
Section 2.1 II. Role Of Examining Attorney
Section 2.2 A. Take Charge
Section 2.3 1. Pursue Answers Doggedly But Professionally
Section 2.4 2. Scope Of Questioning
Section 2.5 3. Objections
Section 2.6 B. Listen Closely To The Testimony
Section 2.7 C. Avoid Irrelevant Questions
Section 2.8 D. Use Of Documents
Section 2.9 1. General Approach To Questioning
Section 2.10 2. Discovery Of Additional Documents
Section 2.11 3. Refreshing Recollection
Section 2.12 4. Questions Based On Documents
Section 2.13 E. Handling Obstructive Behavior
Section 2.14 1. Speaking Objections
Section 2.15 2. Directions Not To Answer
Section 2.16 3. Other Forms Of Obstruction
Section 2.17 4. How To Respond To Obstructive Behavior
Section 2.18 III. Role Of Defending Attorney
Section 2.19 A. Listen Closely To Testimony
Section 2.20 B. Consulting With The Client
Section 2.21 C. Protecting The Witness
Section 2.22 D. Guidelines For Making Objections
Section 2.23 1. Manner Of Stating Objections
Section 2.24 2. Objections As To Form
Section 2.25 A. Speculative Questions
Section 2.26 B. Repetitious Questions
Section 2.27 C. Direction Not To Answer