The prospect of defending depositions can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be if you are properly prepared. How should you prepare for a deposition? As you become more seasoned, your answer to this question may change; however, in the meantime, I have compiled a short list of practical tips to assist your efforts.
As a new attorney, you want to develop good habits that will make defending depositions a breeze. What does this mean? This means you will need to invest time learning your case, inside and out, upside and down. That is before the deposition is noticed.
For example, what are the themes of your case? Who is the cast of characters? How does your witness fit in the case? More times than not, by the time a witness is noticed for a deposition, you will have an idea why the witness is being deposed. But make sure to do your due diligence; interview witnesses to establish their knowledge, get a sense of how they will testify, and identify and mitigate their weaknesses. Check mandatory disclosures and any other documents produced during discovery that may shed light on why your witness is being deposed. From there, think about creating an outline. This may help you focus on the big picture, including the information that opposing counsel hopes to glean from your witness.
In addition to self-preparation, you will also want to afford ample time to prepare your witness. Witness preparation can be exhausting, but it is a necessary evil. You would be surprised how often witnesses, even those who have been prepared, testify for the first time during the deposition about facts never brought to your attention. The only way to reduce the likelihood of this happening is to really know your witness. You may be able to accomplish this in as little as one meeting with the witness.
The goals of a witness preparation should include:
Most attorneys know to become intimately familiar with the Federal Rules governing depositions; however, familiarizing yourself with the rules of your jurisdiction is also a must. Such rules provide guidance on how counsel should conduct themselves during depositions, including prohibiting improper objections or how to create a record of inappropriate conduct during a deposition. Make sure to bring with you a copy of both sets of rules.
Make sure you understand the objections that can be properly invoked during depositions (e.g., privilege, form, calls for legal conclusions) and when to object. One of the most difficult aspects of defending depositions as a new attorney is learning to listen carefully to the testimony of your witness while swiftly making objections, but it becomes easier with practice (and of course, preparation).
