When considering a virtual mediation, hearing, deposition, or arbitration, we advise you to try using an associate, paralegal, or other assistant to help the presenting lawyer with the process. The additional tasks involved in a virtual event take focus and time that can distract the presenting lawyer from the substance of his or her legal argument or mental flow. Visitors will have to be allowed into the virtual event, perhaps more than once. Exhibits typically have to be uploaded or downloaded, labeled, and saved. Exhibits may have to be shown on screen using a screen share feature. Some mediations and hearings may not have much of this sort of activity. Depositions and arbitrations will. Ask someone to assist in handling these tasks so that your focus can remain on the substance of the proceeding.
Brian Gaudet, Susan Pangborn, and Burleigh Singleton are with Kilpatrick Townsend.