(Webcast) Taking & Defending Depositions: Strategic Tips & Techniques

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Register for the Live Webcast

Program Chair:

Steven H. Holinstat
Proskauer Rose LLP


  • Depositions are one of the most crucial and challenging stages of litigation. They permit a skilled examiner to fill in critical gaps in the documentary record, elicit vital judicial admissions that can shape the outcome of dispositive motions and trials, and provide keen insights into how witnesses will likely react to the crucible of cross-examination at trial and how such witnesses will be perceived by others, principally the jury or a judge in a bench trial. In many cases, depositions will make or break a case. Whether you are a junior associate taking your first deposition or a seasoned litigator, come join our panel of skilled and experienced and diverse litigators for a discussion of strategies and techniques for maximizing your effectiveness at preparing for, taking, and defending depositions.

    Program Fee:
    $199 for Members | $299 for Nonmembers
    Small Law Firm: $59 for Members

    Members who are Law Students, Recent Law Graduates, Newly Admitted Lawyers (admitted for the first time in any state or country 2019-2021), In-House/Corporate Counsel, Judges, and attorney members who practice within the Government, Academic or Not-for-Profit sectors attend this program for free.

  • Scott Himes
    Kishner Miller Himes P.C.

    Christina Lewicky
    Corporate Litigation Attorney

    Shivani Poddar
    Herrick, Feinstein LLP

    Yasuhiro Saito
    Saito Law Group PLLC

    Brent M. Tunis
    Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC

  • 2:00 pm – 2:05 pm
    Introduction

    • Introduce panelists and identify the perspectives of attorney taking deposition and attorney defending deposition

    Steven H. Holinstat

    2:05 pm – 2:35 pm
    Preparation for Taking Depositions

    • Know your case
    • Goals of deposition
    • Identification and review of relevant documents
    • Identification and review of prior relevant deposition and other testimony
    • Creation and usage of deposition outlines

    Shivani Poddar

    2:35 pm – 3:05 pm
    Preparation for Defending Depositions

    • Review of deposition notice/subpoena
    • Witness Prep
    • Review of documents & prior testimony
    • Education of witnesses
    • Note-taking & other crutches for the witness
    • Highlighting of privilege issues

    Christina Lewicky

    3:05 pm – 3:35 pm
    Corporate and Experts Depositions

    • Special consideration for corporate depositions
    • Special considerations for expert witnesses

    Brent M. Tunis

    3:35 pm – 3:50 pm
    Break

    3:50 pm – 4:20 pm
    Conduct of the Examination

    • Videotaping of Deposition
    • Who May be in the Room and Their Respective Roles
    • Objections
    • Handling Obstructionist Counsel/Witnesses
    • Post-Deposition Follow-Up
    • Special preparation for taking remote depositions

    Yasuhiro Saito

    4:20 pm – 4:50 pm
    Virtual Depositions

    • The “Virtual” deposition
    • Court and other ground rules regarding virtual depositions
    • Special preparation for taking remote depositions

    Scott Himes

    4:50 pm – 5:00 pm
    Questions & Answers
    Panel

  • New York: 3.0 Skills
    New Jersey: 3.0 General
    California: 3.0 General
    Pennsylvania: 2.5 General
    Connecticut: Available to Licensed Attorneys

  • Sponsoring Association Committee:
    Litigation, John M. Lundin, Chair

    Sponsorship Opportunities are Available! Please Contact:
    Angie Avila, Manager, Membership Outreach and Sponsorships | (212) 382-6608 | aavila@nycbar.org

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