DEPOSITION SKILLS (1) (ADV 451)

Professors Susan Abraham, Frank Bress, Mariana Hogan

Students in the course will learn the purpose of depositions; how depositions fit into an overall plan for case theory and development; the rules governing the conduct of depositions; how to begin a deposition and conduct preliminary questioning; how to elicit information from witnesses using the “funnel” approach and open-ended questions; how to seek admissions at depositions using leading questions; the role of defense counsel at a deposition; the goals and methods of preparing a client for a deposition; how to deal with an “obstreperous” defense counsel; and the ethical issues in representing an employee of a corporate client at a deposition.