Page 16 - SAMPLE LINKEDLAW DESKBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Dealing with Non-Communicative or Evasive Witnesses ................................................ 13-13
4. Protective Orders and Confidential Information ............................................................... 13-14
2. SAMPLE
5. Dealing With Objections or Interruptions of Counsel for the Deponent or
for the Adverse Party and Instructions Not to Answer Questions .................................... 13-14
6. Dealing with Presentation and Reference to Exhibits in Questioning ............................. 13-16
7. Dealing with Time Issues, Length of the Deposition, Recesses,
Adjournments, and Resumptions ..................................................................................... 13-17
8. Dealing with Communications Between Deponent and Deponent’s
Attorney – Proper and Improper ....................................................................................... 13-17
9. Waiver of Reading and Signing; Submission to Deponent for Reading and Signing ...... 13-18
G. Post Deposition ........................................................................................................................... 13-19
1. Ordering and Obtaining Whole Transcripts, Partial Transcripts, or
Foregoing Transcripts All Together – Cost and Other Considerations ............................ 13-19
2. Receipt of Original Transcript ........................................................................................... 13-19
3. Changes to Deposition Testimony by the Deponent on the
Certificate of Reading and Signing ................................................................................... 13-20
H. Expert Depositions ...................................................................................................................... 13-20
1. If Client’s Expert Is Experienced in Litigation, Little Preparation May Be Required ........ 13-21
2. If Client’s Expert Is Inexperienced in Litigation ................................................................ 13-21
3. Does the Attorney Want a Report From the Expert in Advance of
the Deposition? Is the Attorney Required by Procedural Rule,
Court Scheduling Order, or Agreement to Provide Such? ............................................... 13-22
4. Should the Attorney Write to the Client’s Expert Asking the Specific
Opinion Questions and Basis of Opinion Questions That He or She
Should Have in Mind, or Does the Attorney Do It Orally? ................................................ 13-22
5. Can the Discovery Deposition Be Offered in Evidence at Trial? ..................................... 13-22
6. Should Attorneys Have Their Own Expert Along When
Deposing an Opposing Expert? ....................................................................................... 13-23
§ 13.2 RESPONDING AND REACTING TO RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF TAKING A
CLIENT’S DEPOSITION OR A NOTICE OF AN INDEPENDENT WITNESS
DEPOSITION BY THE OPPOSING PARTY ......................................................................................... 13-23
A. Preliminary Considerations Upon Receiving Notice of a Deposition ......................................... 13-23
B. Scheduling Multiple Depositions ................................................................................................. 13-23
C. If the Attorney Wants to Quash the Deposition .......................................................................... 13-24
1. Negotiate a Different Time or Place and Be Prepared With Reasons ............................. 13-24
2. Sufficiency of Notice Under the Applicable Rule and as a Matter of Reason .................. 13-24
D. Motion for Protective Order – Supporting Memorandum of Fact and Law ................................ 13-25
E. Preparing the Deponent .............................................................................................................. 13-25
1. The Logistics of a Deposition ........................................................................................... 13-25
Attorney-Client Privilege and Concerns of Waiver ........................................................... 13-26
3. Anticipate Questions That Will Be Asked ......................................................................... 13-26
4. Know the “Make-or-Break” Questions .............................................................................. 13-27
5. Witness Who “Can’t Remember” ..................................................................................... 13-27