Taking Effective Depositions

Depositions are a critical part of discovery but are often not as effective or efficient as they might have been. This is more common with less experienced attorneys who begin to take depositions before they have extensive experience with how deposition evidence is used substantively down the road, whether in connection with summary judgment motions or at trial. As a result, depositions may not be as sharply focused as necessary to obtain critical admissions. Similarly, opportunities to preemptively avoid later substantive evidentiary objections may be missed.

This program is intended for attorneys at any level who do not have extensive deposition experience. This program will provide an overview of the rules of evidence and how they shape and guide the taking of a deposition, practical suggestions as to how to prepare for a deposition and structure the examination, and how to establish the admissibility of documentary evidence by preemptively avoiding later authenticity or hearsay objections.