Skills Workshop: Depositions

Catalog description

This one-credit workshop introduces students to the essential litigation skill of conducting and defending depositions. Since more than 90% of all civil cases are resolved prior to trial, the deposition stage of the case is critical to success. This concentrated skills course focuses on effective questioning strategies and techniques in deposition practice. Students will gain hands-on skills experience in taking and defending depositions through in-class simulations. Topics to be covered include comparing federal and state procedural laws on depositions, developing a deposition strategy, preparation of the deponent, defending a client, handling exhibits, dealing with difficult witnesses and adversaries, and furthering the case theory in depositions. The course will conclude with students conducting a deposition. Enrollment limited to 12 students.