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Goal:     Participants learn the critical skills used in depositions – obtaining and confirming information, securing admissions, and testing theories.  Participants are encouraged to experiment and stretch their questioning techniques to discover a style that best fits their personality.

Length: 2 ½ days

Deposition Skills

• Preparing the witness
• Developing and executing a questioning formula for obtaining complete information (funnel approach)
• Using simple language
• Creating a clear record of the deposition
• Formulating concise questions
• Listening carefully to the answers
• Making and dealing with objections
• Using exhibits during the deposition
• Dealing with obstreperous defending counsel

Techniques

• Lecture
• Discussion
• Live demonstrations by faculty
• Simulated deposition
• Several opportunities to serve as deposing attorney
• Several opportunities to serve as defending attorney
• Witness preparation
• Line of questioning development
• Critique of simulated deposition