Page 17 - SAMPLE LINKEDLAW DESKBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6. Witness Who “Can’t Prove It” ........................................................................................... 13-27
7. “Tell the Truth” ................................................................................................................... 13-28
B. SAMPLE
8. “I Don’t Know” Is Often Okay – The Witness Needs to Know Some
Things but Not All Things ................................................................................................. 13-28
9. Answer with the Right Number of Words, Not Too Many and Not Too Few .................... 13-29
10. Project a “How Can I Help You” Image to Interrogator .................................................... 13-29
11. Establish and Work Toward the Goal of the Interrogator Liking the
Client-Deponent Better Than His or Her Own Client and Fearing the
Judge or Jury Will Also ..................................................................................................... 13-29
F. Decide What the Attorney Wants the Client-Deponent to Disclose and Be
Alert to the Possibility of Including that Information in Answers to Questions
if it Fits, or Plan to Ask Some of the Attorney’s Own Questions ................................................. 13-29
G. Prepare the Client-Deponent for the Interrogating Attorney – Will That Attorney
Try to Bully, Intimidate, Charm, or Trick? – How to Respond to Such Tactics ........................... 13-30
H. Consider Tape Recording or Videotaping “Dress Rehearsal” Questions So
Client-Deponent Can See How He or She Appears .................................................................. 13-30
I. Conducting the Client’s Deposition ............................................................................................. 13-30
1. Can I/Should I Object to Surprise Videotaping of My Client’s Deposition? ..................... 13-30
2. Objections; Whether and How ......................................................................................... 13-30
3. Use of Direct Examination to Correct Errors .................................................................... 13-31
4. How to Handle Interrogator’s Confusing, Unintelligible, Harassing, or
Repetitive Questions ........................................................................................................ 13-31
5. Terminating Deposition in View of Improper Conduct of Interrogator or
Asking of Impermissible Questions – Terminate Deposition and Announce
Intent to Move for Protective Order and Sanctions, or in the Alternative,
Offer to Continue Deposition if Interrogator Goes to Different Subject Matter ................ 13-31
J. Depositions of Independent Witnesses ...................................................................................... 13-32
1. An Attorney Should Interview a Witness in Advance if Permissible and
Possible So the Attorney Knows What the Witness Will Say .......................................... 13-32
2. No Attorney-Client Privilege So Witness Can Be Asked What the
Attorney Talked About (“What Did He Tell You to Say?”) ................................................. 13-32
3. No Attorney-Client Privilege Is Applicable to Documents or Evidence
Shown to Independent Witnesses ................................................................................... 13-32
4. The Attorney Should Prepare Own Questions for Witness and Proceed
as if the Attorney Had Noticed the Deposition ................................................................. 13-32
5. Post-Deposition ................................................................................................................ 13-32
§ 13.3 TAKING DEPOSITIONS FOR PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE ........................................................ 13-33
A. An Attorney Should Consider Any Limitations Imposed by Rule or by Court
Order Upon Trial Testimony by Deposition ................................................................................. 13-33
Other Considerations .................................................................................................................. 13-34
§ 13.4 DEPOSITION TIPS & PITFALLS TO AVOID ........................................................................................ 13-34
A. Cost Considerations – Is Opponent Attempting to Kill Attorney’s Client With Expenses? ......... 13-34
1. Limiting Number of Depositions ....................................................................................... 13-35
2. Limiting Depositions of Specific Deponents ..................................................................... 13-35
3. Limiting Length or Subject Matter of Depositions ............................................................ 13-35