THE SPEAKER

Sybil Dunlop
Greene Espel PLLP
Minneapolis
Sybil is a partner with Greene Espel PLLP in Minneapolis, where she handles complex litigation for local and international clients. She is a passionate and uncommonly persuasive advocate who helps clients resolve commercial and intellectual property disputes. Her litigation practice affords her substantial first-chair trial and arbitration experience. Sources share that “she is brilliant, responsive and seeks to understand business objectives” as well as a “go-to solution for complex disputes.” (Chambers USA, 2022 and 2024). Minnesota Lawyer has recognized her three times as “Attorney of the Year.” Bringing her skills to bear, Sybil successfully leads teams in litigations around the country and she has taken and defended hundreds of depositions. She is also an experienced and well-reviewed instructor, teaching courses on litigation tactics, depositions, legal writing, and trial strategy to audiences around the country. Audiences applaud her “passion and enthusiasm for mastery” and share that she provides the “the perfect balance of general information while also going into nuanced issues for more experienced practitioners.” Sybil Dunlop is a faculty member of The Professional Education Group.

THE SCHEDULE

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:05 – 10:35 a.m.
PART I

How to Prepare Your Witness – What the Latest Research Says
Learn best practices for preparing your witness including the use of documents during preparation and the latest research to help your witness feel comfortable and perform at his or her best.

How to Draft and Use Outlines – Prepare to Be Flexible
While you never want to be tied to your outline, advance preparation allows you the flexibility to move beyond the outline in a deposition. We’ll review several outline templates to identify the styles that will work best in different circumstances.

10:35 – 10:50 a.m.
BREAK

10:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
PART II

How to Take and Defend Depositions – Mastering the Fundamentals
Whether conducting a discovery deposition, a trial deposition, a hybrid or defending your own witness, the fundamentals are crucial. Additionally, learn tips and tricks to elevate your performance. 

How to Make Effective Objections
When defending a deposition, the objection is your primary tool. This section covers everything – from teaching your witness about depositions to effectively using them to preserve your record.

12:20 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
PART III

How to Take and Defend Expert Depositions
The expert has likely been deposed before – explore special considerations for expert depositions, including how to set up a Daubert motion, your trial cross-examination, or even increase your chances of settlement.

Identifying Your Deposition Style – Play to Your Strengths
Playing to your own strengths will help you achieve your deposition objectives (and feel comfortable while doing so). Identify your own deposition style by examining a showcase of various successful models.

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAK

2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
PART IV

How to Properly Use Deposition Technology
The court reporter is an officer of the court. Your ethical interaction with the reporter as well as the proper use of technology, including video, Realtime, and electronic exhibits increase your likelihood of a successful deposition.

Ethical Pitfalls to Avoid in Depositions
1.0 ethics credit applied for
When there is a transcript, there is room for error. This section reviews recent case law providing deposition guidance and offers advice for avoiding ethical missteps.

LIVE IN-PERSON
Friday, January 10, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Friday, January 31, 2025
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$295 MSBA members / $295 paralegals / $345 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.

Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 6.0 civil trial specialist credits.