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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Who Should Be Deposed: When, Where and How

§100  Depositions: The Myth and the Reality

§101   Who, When, Where and How?

§110  Should You Take a Deposition?

§111   Goals of Taking a Deposition

§112   Alternatives to Taking a Deposition

§113   Failure to Disclose Information

§120  Who Should Be Deposed?

§121   Adverse Parties and Coparties

§122   Independent Witnesses

§123   Expert Witnesses

§124   Use of Rule 30(b)(6) Designation of Witnesses

§125   Limitations on Taking Depositions

§130  When and Where Should Depositions Be Taken?

§131   When Can Depositions Be Taken?

§131.1  Taking Depositions When a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction Has Been Filed

§131.2  Discovery in Aid of Judgment or Execution

§132   Priority of Depositions

§133   Sequence of Deposing Witnesses

§134   Strategy of Timing and Sequence of Depositions

§135   Depositions for Use as Substantive Testimony

§136   Where Should the Deposition Be Taken?

§137   Locale in Which to Take the Deposition of a Nonparty

Sample:    Motion for Leave to Take Deposition More Than 100 Miles From Witness’s Residence, Place of Business, or Transaction of Business

§138   Locale in Which to Take the Deposition of a Party

§138.1  Multi-Jurisdictional Practice

§139   Stipulations Among Counsel

§140  What Type of Deposition Should Be Taken?

§141   Video Depositions

§142   Telephone Depositions

§143   Audio Depositions

§144   Video Conference Depositions

§144.1  How Video Conference Technology Works

§144.2  Specific Uses for Video Conference Depositions

§145   De Bene Esse Depositions

§150  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 2 Procedures for Setting Up a Deposition

§200  Procedures for Setting Up a Deposition

§210  Setting Up the Deposition of a Party

Sample: Notice of Deposition

§210.1  Opposing Date of Deposition

Sample:    Motion Opposing Date of Deposition

§210.1.1    Does the Filing of a Motion for a Protective Order Automatically Stay the Deposition?

§210.2  Opposing Location of Deposition

Sample:    Motion Opposing Location of Deposition

§210.3  Opposing Deposition on Ground That Witness Lacks Relevant Information

§211   Noticing the Deposition of an Officer, Director or Managing Agent of a Party

Sample:    Notice of Deposition of Officer, Director or Managing Agent of a Party

§211.1  Opposing the Taking of a Deposition of an Officer, Director or Managing Agent of a Party

§211.2  Corporate Officers

Sample:    Motion Opposing Deposition of Corporate Officer

§211.3  Deposing Party Attorneys

§212   Noticing a Deposition Pursuant to Rule 30(b)(6)

Sample:    Notice of Deposition Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6)

§212.1  Objecting to Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition

Sample:    Motion Objecting to Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition

§212.2  Outline for Beginning a Deposition of a Witness Designated by Organization Under Rule 30(b)(6)

§213   Requesting Production of Documents From a Party Deponent

Sample:    Notice of Deposition and Request for Documents

§213.1  Objecting to a Notice of Deposition Requesting Production of Documents

§213.2  Responding to a Request for Production of Documents in a Notice of Deposition

§214   Checklist for Setting Up the Deposition of a Party

§220  Setting Up the Deposition of a Nonparty

§221   Using a Subpoena Duces Tecum to Compel Production of Evidence or to Permit Inspection

Sample:    Motion for Relief With Respect to Subpoena Duces Tecum

Sample:    Subpoena Duces Tecum

§222   Serving a Subpoena

Sample: Acceptance of Service

§223   Failure to Serve a Subpoena

§224   Subpoenaing a Nonparty Under Rule 30(b)(6)

§225   Expert Witnesses

§226   Checklist for Setting Up the Deposition of a Nonparty

§230  Miscellaneous Deposition Situations

§231   Setting Up an Audio or Videotaped Deposition

Sample:    Notice for Recording Deposition by Videotape

Sample:    Stipulation for a Videotaped Deposition

Sample:    Order for Recording Deposition on Oral Examination by Videotape

§231.1  Opposing Videotape of Deposition

Sample:    Opposition to Motion for Order Permitting the Reporting of a Deposition on Videotape

§232   Setting Up a Telephone Deposition

§233   Setting Up “Foreign” Depositions

§234   Using an Interpreter

Sample: Order Appointing Interpreter

§240  Costs of the Deposition

§241   Costs of Expert Witnesses

§242   Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses of Depositions

§243   Fact Witness Costs and Expenses

§244   Offering Inducements to Secure Cooperation of Fact Witnesses

§250  The Court Reporter

§251   Using Computerized Deposition Transcripts

§260  Stipulations With the Opposing Attorney and Nonparty Witnesses

Sample: Stipulation Pursuant to Rule 29 for Taking a Deposition

§270  Discovery Conferences

Sample: Discovery Conference Order

Sample: Report of Parties’ Planning Meeting

§280  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 3 Who Can and Should Attend a Deposition

§300  Who Can and Should Attend a Deposition

§310  Who Can Attend a Deposition

§311   Attendance of Multiple Attorneys for a Party or a Witness

§320  Rules Governing the Exclusion of Spectators From a Deposition

§321   Rule 26(c) Motions to Exclude Spectators From Attending a Deposition

Sample:    Motion Under Rule 26(c) to Exclude Spectators From Attending a Deposition

§322   Rule 615 as Parallel Authority for Excluding Spectators From a Deposition

§323   Rule 29 Stipulations to Exclude Spectators From Attending a Deposition

§330  Excluding Parties and Other Individuals From Attending a Deposition

§331   Excluding Parties From a Deposition

§332   Excluding the Public and Press From a Deposition

§333   Excluding Spectators to Protect Confidential Information and Trade Secrets

§334   Excluding Spectators in Antitrust Actions Brought by the Government

§335   Excluding a Corporate Party’s Representative From Depositions

§340  Procedures for Obtaining a Protective Order

Sample: Motion for Order Excluding Witnesses From Depositions

§350  Who Should Attend the Deposition

§360  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 4 Preparing to Take or Defend a Liability or Damages Deposition

§400  Preparing to Take or Defend a Liability Deposition

§410  Preparing to Take a Deposition

§411   Defining the Key Areas for Examination

§412   Reviewing Key Pleadings and Applicable Law

§413   Reviewing Prior Discovery and All Factual Information at Your Disposal

§414   Preparing a Chronology of Key Fact Events, a Cast of Characters, and Witness Files

§415   Discussing the Upcoming Deposition With Your Client and Cooperative Witnesses

§416   Discussing the Upcoming Deposition With Opposing Counsel

§416.1  Visit Site

§417   Defining Your Objectives

§418   Preparing Exhibits for the Deposition

§419   Consideration of Opposing Counsel

§419.1  Creating a Deposition Outline

§420  Preparing to Defend a Deposition

§421   Procedural Issues

§422   Preparing Yourself to Defend the Deposition

§423   Preparing to Assert Privilege

§430  Preparing Your Witness to Be Deposed

§431   Introducing Your Witness to the Deposition Process

§432   Techniques for Preparing Your Witness to Answer Deposition Questions

§432.1  Homework for the Witness’s Preparation

§432.2  Emphasize the Form of the Answer to the Question

§433   Using a Checklist for Witness Preparation

§434   Refreshing Your Witness’s Recollection

§435   Conducting a Practice Examination

§436   Representing the Witness

§436.1  Representing the Corporate Employee

§437   Timing

§438   Preparing the Problem Witness

§438.1  Avoiding the Dangers of Assumed Facts

§438.2  Handling the Untrustworthy Witness

§439   Preparing for the Video Deposition

§440  Hints for Handling the Tricky Examiner and Tricky Questions

§441   Examples of Tricky or Objectionable Questions

§450  Preparing Specific Witnesses for Their Depositions

§451   Preparing a Party to Be Deposed

§452   Preparing a Friendly Nonparty to Be Deposed

§453   Preparing a Corporate Officer to Be Deposed

§454   Preparing a Deponent Designated Under Rule 30(b)(6) to Be Deposed

§454.1  Attorney-Client Privilege and the Rule 30(b)(6) Witness

§455   Preparing to Defend the Deposition of an Uncooperative Witness

§456   Preparing an Expert Witness to Be Deposed

§460  Suggested Source Materials

§470  Liability Witness Deposition Outlines

§471   Preparing Your Deposition Examination

§472   Order of the Deposition Proceedings

§473   Sample Outlines

§473.1  Outline for Deposing the Plaintiff—Automobile Case

§473.2  Outline for Deposing the Defendant—Automobile Case

§473.3  Outline for Deposing Eyewitness—Automobile Liability Case

§473.4  Outline for Deposing Plaintiff—Premises Liability Case

§473.5  Outline for Deposing Defendant Owner or Occupier—Premises Liability Case

§473.6  Outline for Deposing Defendant City’s Superintendent of Streets—Premises Liability Case

§473.7  Outline for Deposing the Defendant Physician—Medical Malpractice Case

§473.8  Outline for Deposing the Defendant’s Design Engineer—Product Liability Case

§473.9  Outline for Deposing Plaintiff—Tenant in Residential Mold Case

§480  Damage Witness Deposition Outlines

§481   Outline for Deposing Injured Plaintiff on Damages

§482   Outline for Deposing Treating Physician

§490  Outline for Deposing Plaintiff in a Land Use Case to Establish Lack of Standing

§495  Outline for Deposing Defendant-Judgment Debtor on Income and Assets Under Fed. R. Civ. P. 69(a)

Chapter 5 Procedures for Taking and Defending a Deposition

§500  Procedures for Taking and Defending a Deposition

§510  Setting the Stage for the Deposition

§511   The First Moments

§512   Objecting to Persons Present

§513   Proceeding When Counsel for Deponent Is Not Present

§514   Working With the Reporter

§515   Using Exhibits

§516   Video and Audio Depositions

§516.1  Procedures for Audio Visual Depositions Under the Uniform Audio Visual Deposition Act

§517   Telephone Deopositions

§518   Discovery Deposition vs. Deposition for Use at Trial

§520  Beginning the Deposition

§521   The Oath

§522   Stipulations and Orders

§530  Introductory Examination

§531   Explaining the Deposition Process

§532   Identifying Documents Produced by the Witness

§533   Discovering Impediments to Answering Questions

§534   Asking About the Witness’s Preparation for the Deposition

§534.1  Strategic Considerations Affecting Scope

§535   Rule 30(b)(6) Witnesses

§540  Procedures During the Deposition

§541   Going Off the Record

§542   Recesses

§542.1  Recesses Under Rule 30(d) and Rule 37(a)(1)

§543   Length of Deposition Days

§544   Using an Interpreter

§545   Obtaining Court Orders During the Course of the Deposition

§546   Marking and Identifying Exhibits

§547   Procedures for Dealing With the Problem Defending Lawyer

§548   Maintaining a Clear Record

§549   Instructions Not to Answer

§550  Concluding Your Examination

§551   Cross-Examination and Redirect Examination

§552   Post-Deposition Matters

§553   Arrangements for the Exhibits

§554   Closing the Deposition

§560  Finalizing the Deposition

§561   Corrections and Signature

§561.1  Correction Sheets

Sample:    Correction Sheet

§561.2  Corrections to a Rule 30(b)(6) Deposition

§561.3  Corrections by the Deposing Attorney

§561.4  Reopening a Deposition for Examination With Respect to Correctional Amendments to the Deposition Transcript

Sample:    Motion to Redepose Witness Concerning Deposition Corrections

§562   Certification and Filing

§563   Indexing

Sample:    Deposition Summary

Sample:    Issues/Subject Deposition Summary

§564   Supplemental Answers

§565   Protective Orders

§566   Index to Deposition Videotape

Sample:    Index to Deposition Videotape

§570  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 6 Techniques for Taking an Effective Deposition

§600  Techniques for Taking an Effective Deposition

§610  Techniques for Questioning the Witness

§611   General Techniques for the Substantive Examination

§612   Obtaining a Broad Picture of the Witness’s Knowledge

§613   Pinning Down the Witness

§614   Summarizing the Witness’s Testimony

§615   Special Situations

§615.1  The Evasive or Argumentative Witness

§615.2  The Forgetful Witness

§615.3  The Talkative Witness

§615.4  The Neutral Witness

§615.5  Language Difficulties

§616   Questioning About Exhibits

§620  Your Demeanor During the Taking of the Deposition

§621   The Witness’s Demeanor

§630  Dealing With the Defending Attorney

§631   Dealing With Objections

§632   Dealing With Narrow Objections

§633   Dealing With Instructions Not to Answer the Question

§634   Dealing With an Obnoxious Defending Attorney

§635   Motions to Compel Answers

Sample:    Motion to Compel Answers at Deposition

§636   Examination Upon Assertion of Attorney-Client Privilege

§637   How to Deal With Requests for Recesses

§638   Examination of Witness Upon Assertion of the Work Product Privilege

§640  Concluding the Deposition

§650  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 6A Techniques for Deposing an Expert Witness

§600A  Techniques for Deposing an Expert Witness

§610A  Legal Research of Issues

§620A  Written Discovery of Expert Witness Opinions

Sample: Interrogatory to Identify Expert Witness and Opinions

§621A Expert Witness Document Discovery

§622A Expert Work Product

§622.1A    In-House Experts

§622.2A    Asking Expert Opinion Questions of Lay Witnesses

§623A The Expert’s Preservation of Evidence

§630A  General Outline of Expert Deposition

§631A Qualifications Under Federal Rule of Evidence 702

§632A Impeachment of Qualifications

§632.1A    The Expert’s Process for Preparing the Expert Report

§633A The Expert’s Understanding of Case Related Facts

§634A Differing Factual Assumptions

§635A Basis for Each Opinion of the Expert

§636A Scientific, Technical or Specialized Knowledge Under Federal Rule of Evidence 702

§637A Authoritative Treatises

§638A Expert Opinions

§638.1A    Support for Your Expert’s Opinions

§639A Scope of Examination of Expert Witnesses

§639.1A    Examining a Party as an Expert Witness

§639.2A    Scope of Expert Witness and Consultant’s Privileged Knowledge

§639.3A    Putting it All Together Into a Deposition Outline

§640A  Sample Outlines

§641A Outline for Deposing Expert Engineer—Product Liability Case

§642A Outline for Deposing Medical Negligence Defense Expert

§643A Outline for Deposing Accident Reconstructionist—Automobile Negligence

§644A Outline for Deposing Architect—Premises Liability

§645A Outline for Deposing a Real Estate Appraiser

§646A Outline for Deposing Environmental Professional—Disposal Site Remediation

§650A  Preparing Your Expert Witness for His or Her Deposition

Chapter 7 Making and Responding to Objections

§700  Making and Responding to Objections

§710  Scope of Witness Examination: Relevance to Claim or Defense of a Party

§711   Court Imposed Limits on the Allowable Scope of Discovery

§712   Inquiry Into Insurance Coverage

§713   Inquiry Into Preparation for the Deposition

§714   Inquiry Into Matters of Credibility

§715   Rule 30(b)(6) Scope of Examination

§720  Objecting to the Deposition Procedure

§721   Objecting to Notice and Qualifications of the Reporter

§722   Objecting to Completion and Return of the Deposition

§723   Objecting to Requests for Production of Documents

§730  Objecting to Improper Questions

§731   Objections That Are Waived if Not Made

§732   Objections That Need Not Be Made Before Trial

§733   Objections to Summaries of Evidence

§734   Objections to Hypothetical Questions

§734.1  Objections to Questions Eliciting Expert Testimony Prior to Disclosure

§740  Instructing a Witness Not to Answer the Question

§741   Techniques for Dealing With Instructions Not to Answer

Sample:    Motion to Compel Answers at Deposition and for Sanctions

§742   Instructing a Witness Not to Answer as a Bar to Testimony at Trial

§743   Certifying Questions for the Court

§750  Objecting to Questions Beyond the Scope of Discovery

§751   Objections to Embarrassing or Harassing Questions

§752   Objections by the Attorney for the Nonparty Witness

§753   Objections by Multiple Attorneys

§754   Objections by the Examining Attorney

§755   Objections to Questions Outside the Scope of the Rule 30(b)(6) Designated Subject Matters

§760  Objections Based Upon Privilege

§761   Attorney-Client Privilege

§761.1  Was the Purpose of the Communications to Obtain Legal Advice?

§761.2  Were the Communications Kept Confidential?

§761.3  Has the Privilege Been Waived?

§761.4  Tactics for Dealing With Assertion of Privilege

§762   Work Product Privilege

§762.1  Documents Reviewed Prior to Deposition

Sample:    Motion to Compel Deposition Preparation Materials

§762.2  Practical Considerations Regarding Work Product Objections

§762.3  Communications Between Insured and Insurer

§763   Privilege Against Self-Incrimination

§764   Discussions With the Witness in Preparation for Deposition

§765   Other Objections Based on Privilege

§766   Contesting an Asserted Privilege

§770  Checklist of Objections

§771   Form of Objection and the Response

§780  Suggested Source Materials

Chapter 8 Defending the Deposition

§800  Defending the Deposition

§810  Final Preparation for the Deposition

§811   Reviewing Your Objectives in Defending the Deposition

§820  Preliminary Matters at the Deposition

§821   Before the Deposition Begins

§822   Audio and Video Depositions

§823   Stipulations and Orders

§824   Handling Requests for Documents at the Deposition