영문목차

THE SCOPE OF THIS BOOK=III

TABLE OF CASES=XXVII

PART ONE DEPOSING ADVERSE WITNESSES

Chapter 1. Three Primary Deposition Goals=3

1. Goal #1―Obtain an Adverse Witness' Version of Significant Events=3

A. The Benefits of Obtaining an Adverse Witness' Version of Events=5

B. The Risks of Obtaining an Adverse Witness' Version of Events=6

2. Goal #2―Searching for and Confirming Helpful Evidence=8

3. Goal #3―Uncovering and Undermining Harmful Evidence=9

4. The Order of Inquiry=11

5. Goals When Deposing "Neutral" Witnesses=12

Chapter 2. Obtaining Complete Information : The T-Funnel Questioning Pattern=13

1. The T-Funnel Questioning Pattern=13

A. An Illustration of the T-Funnel Pattern=15

B. Using a Series of T-Funnels=16

C. T-Funnels and Note-Taking=20

2. Benefits of the T-Funnel Pattern=21

3. Avoiding Problems in T-Funnel Questioning=23

A. Problem #1 : Failure to Go to the Bottom of a T-Funnel=23

B. Problem #2 : The T-Funnel Is Too Vague or Too Broad=27

4. Consciously Omitting Closed Questions at the Bottom of the T to Limit Damaging Testimony=29

5. Inverted T-Funnels=31

6. Common T-Funnels=33

A. "Everything That Happened During a Given Event" T-Funnels=33

B. "Clumped Events" T-Funnels=35

C. "Everything That You Did or Said" T-Funnels=39

D. "All the Reasons" T-Funnels=40

E. "Basis for a Conclusion, Opinion or Belief" T-Funnels=40

F. "Reactions to an Occurrence or Event" T-Funnels=41

G. "Do You Have Information to Help Prove My Case" T-Funnels=42

H. "All the Documents" T-Funnels=45

Chapter 3. Obtaining Complete Information : The Timeline Questioning Pattern=47

1. What Are Timelines?=47

2. The Basic Timeline Questioning Pattern=48

3. An Illustrative Example of a Timeline Pattern=50

4. Benefits of Eliciting a Timeline=53

5. Refining Your Timeline Techniques=55

A. Problem : The Subject of Your Timeline Is Vague or Too Broad=55

B. Problem : The Deponent Does Not Understand That You Want a Timeline (i.e. a Chronology About a Specific Subject)=56

C. Problem : Creating Timeline Gaps When a Deponent Mentions a Future Event=60

D. Problem : Becoming Sidetracked into Non-Timeline Subjects=61

E. Problem : Uncertainty About a Timeline's Beginning=63

F. Problem : Uncertainty About a Timeline's End=64

6. Eliciting the Details of Timeline Events―Combining Timelines and T-Funnels=65

7. Abandoning the Timeline When the Deponent Can Not Remember the Order in Which Events Occurred=71

Chapter 4. Obtaining Helpful Answers=77

1. Leading Questions=78

2. Plausibility Chains=78

A. An Illustrative Example=79

B. Common Features of Questions in a Plausibility Chain=82

C. Accepting Less-than-Perfect Answers=83

D. Plausibility Chains and Prior Statements=85

1. Deponents' Prior Written Statements=85

2. Deponents' Prior Oral Statements=90

3. Statements of Third Persons=92

3. Exploiting Bias=95

4. Risks of Plausibility Chains and Exploiting Bias=99

5. Masking―Obscuring the Significance of Questions=100

A. Masking During Background Questioning=103

B. Combining Masking and Plausibility Chains=110

C. Masking to Create an Opportunity for Impeachment=113

6. Preparation Versus Seeking Admissions on the Fly=116

Chapter 5. Cementing Helpful Answers=117

1. Cementing Defined=117

2. Benefits of Cementing=119

3. Potential Risks of Cementing=120

4. Basic Cementing Techniques=120

A. Isolate Cemented Testimony=120

B. Occasionally Use Non-Leading Questions=126

C. Obscure Your Purpose by Cementing "Surrounding Evidence"=127

D. Obscure Your Purpose by Delaying Cementing=129

E. Cement in the Deponent's Own Words=130

F. Offer a Neutral Explanation for Cementing=130

G. Obtain an Evidentiary Foundation=131

5. Cementing "That's All"=132

6. Responding to an "Asked and Answered" Objection=133

Chapter 6. Undermining Harmful Answers=135

1. Strategy #1―Challenge Accuracy=135

A. Inconsistent Behavior=136

B. Absence of Corroborative Evidence=137

C. Inability to Recall=138

1. Routine or Fungible Events=138

2. "Ancient" Occurrences=141

3. No Reason to Recall=142

D. Unable to Provide the Details of Unique Occurrences=143

E. Inability to Perceive=144

F. No Reason or Motive for Behavior=145

G. Special Bias=146

H. Conclusion=148

2. Strategy #2―Attack the Inference=149

3. Strategy #3―Aggrandize the Lie=150

4. Undermining Opinions and Conclusions=154

5. Undermining Conclusions About Conditions or Behavior over Time=156

6. Delaying Attempts to Undermine Harmful Evidence=158

7. Undermining with Conflicting Witnesses and Documents=158

Chapter 7. Responding to Inconsistent Statements=161

1. A Deponent's Testimony Conflicts with the Deponent's Prior Statement=162

A. Option #1―Ask the Deponent for an Explanation=162

B. Option #2―Ignore the Inconsistency=165

C. Option #3―Aggrandize the Lie=165

D. Option #4―Encourage the Deponent to Affirm the Helpful Statement and Recant the Other One=167

2. Deponent's Deposition Testimony Conflicts with Another Witness' Statement=171

Chapter 8. Responding to Implausibilities=177

1. What Makes Testimony Implausible?=177

2. Magnifying Implausibilities Through the "Especially When" Technique=178

3. Defer Inquiries into Topics That Might Magnify an Implausibility=179

4. Checking for Explanations=180

Chapter 9. Responding to Evasive, Forgetful or Uncertain Deponents=183

1. Evasive Deponents=183

A. Non-Responsive Answers=183

B. "Hints" in Lieu of Complete Answers=184

C. "What Do You Mean by..." Answers=186

D. Overly Literal or Hyper-Technical Deponents=188

1. Use a Series of Questions Containing Synonyms=189

2. Ask for Information from All Sources=191

a. Ask "Are You Aware of Any Information from Any Source That Might Indicate..."=192

b. Ask Separately About "See" and "Hear"=193

c. Potential Risks of Asking for Information from All Sources=194

2. Forgetful and Uncertain Deponents=195

A. Probing for Recall=197

1. Convey an Expectation That Recall Is Possible=197

2. Bracket to Obtain a Best Estimate=198

3. Use Documents=201

4. Use Closed or Leading Questions=202

B. Probing for Alternative Sources of Information=203

3. Responding to "I Don't Know" Answers=205

Chapter 10. Using Documents and Diagrams=207

1. Maintaining a Clear Record=207

A. Use Exhibit Numbers and Precise Segment References=207

B. Provide Copies of Documents to Opposing Counsel=210

2. Common Uses of Documents=211

A. Laying a Foundation for Later Use of Documents in Pre-Trial Motions or at Trial=211

1. Authentication=211

2. Satisfying Evidentiary Requirements=213

B. Memory Stimulation=214

C. Develop a Deponent's Version of Events=215

D. Explanations of Words and Phrases=219

E. Preparation and Distribution History=221

F. Obtaining Helpful Answers=222

3. Diagrams=224

Chapter 11. Questioning Tips=229

1. Ask for Hearsay=229

2. Ask "Why" Questions Concerning Deponents' Own Behavior=230

3. Ask "Why" Questions Concerning a Third Person's Behavior=232

4. Ask "Have You Now Told Me Everything?"=234

5. Elicit the Bases of Conclusions and Opinions=235

6. Seek Out Opinions=237

7. Elicit the "Details" Rather than the "Substance" of Occurrences=238

8. Don't Conflate Discrete Occurrences=239

9. Seek Examples of Behavior over Time=240

10. Clarify Ambiguous References and Physical Gestures=242

11. Be Solicitous of the Court Reporter=242

Chapter 12. Communicating Arguments=245

1. Communicating Arguments by Marshaling Evidence with Leading Questions=246

2. Deciding Which Arguments to Communicate=250

3. When to Communicate Arguments=255

Chapter 13. Beginning and Concluding Depositions=257

1. Beginning Depositions=257

A. Stipulations=257

B. Admonitions=259

C. Questions Regarding a Deponent's Preparation=272

1. Documents a Deponent Used to Refresh Recollection=272

2. Persons with Whom a Deponent Talked=276

D. Background Questioning=276

1. Employment History=277

2. Educational Background=278

2. Concluding Depositions=279

Chapter 14. Civility and Rapport=283

1. Civility Towards Deponents and Opposing Counsel=283

2. Building Rapport with the Deponent=287

Chapter 15. Responding to Objections and Other Actions of Opposing Counsel=291

1. Instructions Not to Answer=291

A. The Propriety of Instructions Not to Answer=291

B. Responding to Invalid Instructions Not to Answer=292

1. On the Record, Ask Your Adversary to Withdraw the Instruction=293

2. Put the Deponent's Refusal to Answer on the Record=294

3. Complete Your Questioning with Respect to the Subject Matter of the Question the Deponent Refuses to Answer=294

C. Obtain an Order Compelling an Answer=302

2. Responding to Objections=305

A. Step One : Obtain an Answer=305

B. Step Two : Decide Whether a Valid Objection Is Curable=308

3. Objections Commonly Raised at Deposition=313

A. Common Objections That Can Often Be Cured=313

B. Objections That Usually Need Not Be Cured=320

4. Objections to Improper Answers=322

A. The Answer Is Non-Responsive=322

B. The Objection to the Answer Raises a Potential Problem with the Question=323

5. Responding to Inappropriate Behavior by Opposing Counsel=324

A. Disruptive Statements or Objections=325

1. Ignore the Improper Tactics and Obtain an Answer=328

2. Cure a Valid Underlying Objection=329

3. Cite the Rules and Threaten to Seek a Protective Order=330

4. Offer to Stipulate That "All Objections Are Preserved"=332

5. Terminate the Deposition and Move for a Protective Order=334

B. Attempts to Coach the Deponent=335

1. Speaking Objections=335

2. Conferences with a Deponent=338

3. Conferences with the Deponent During a Recess=341

C. Resolving Disputes via Telephone=343

D. Visually Recording Depositions=344

E. A Cautionary Note About Protective Orders=344

PART TWO PREPARING TO DEPOSE ADVERSE WITNESSES

Chapter 16. Deposition Preparation=349

1. Step One―Identify Crucial Factual Contentions=350

2. Step Two―Identify the Topics, Events and Documents to Explore at the Deposition=353

A. Technique #1―Review Documents & Deposition Transcripts=353

B. Technique #2―Review a Case Chronology=355

1. Create a Case Chronology=355

2. Review Your Case Chronology=358

C. Technique #3―Brainstorming=359

1. Brainstorming with Historical Reconstruction=359

a. Breaking Historical Reconstruction into Multiple Time Periods=361

2. Brainstorming with Generalizations=362

D. Technique #4―Use an Expert=364

E. Technique #5―Undermine Existing Harmful Evidence=366

F. Technique #6―Use Direct Inquiries=366

G. Technique #7―Anticipate Your Cross Examination=368

H. Technique #8―Anticipate Your Important Arguments=369

I. Technique #9―Use a Pre-Fab Checklist=370

J. Technique #10―Computer Searches to Gather Background Information About the Deponent=371

3. Organize a Deposition Outline=372

A. How Should You Organize Your Outline?=372

B. What Questioning Techniques Should You Use for Important Areas of Inquiry?=373

C. Should You Include Questioning Prompts or Specific Questions in Your Outline?=373

D. Should You Omit Topics to Avoid Educating Your Opposition?=376

E. Should You Avoid Putting Harmful Evidence on the Record?=377

F. Might You Enhance Settlement?=378

G. Do You Need to Prioritize to Comply with the Seven-Hour Rule?=379

Chapter 17. Arranging for Depositions=381

1. Whom May You Depose?=381

2. Number of Depositions=381

3. Length of Depositions=382

4. Necessity of a Notice=382

5. Contents of a Notice=383

6. When You May Take Depositions=385

7. Where You May Take Depositions=386

8. Securing a Deponent's Attendance=387

9. Who May Attend=388

10. Arranging for Document Production=388

A. Production at a Deposition=388

B. Production Prior to a Deposition=389

11. Ensuring a Presiding Officer's Attendance=390

12. Ensuring That a Deposition Is Recorded=391

13. Waiving FRCP Requirements=391

PART THREE SPECIAL DEPOSITIONS

Chapter 18. FRCP 30(b)(6) "Subject Matter" Depositions=395

1. Why Take a Subject Matter Deposition?=396

2. How Many 30(b)(6) Depositions Can You Take?=397

3. The Importance of Comprehensive 30(b)(6) Notices=397

4. Questioning 30(b)(6) Designees=398

A. Is the Designee Knowledgeable?=398

B. Inquire About an Entity's Actions Rather than a Designee's=403

5. Going Beyond the Subjects in a Notice=404

6. Can You Depose a 30(b)(6) Designee Twice?=404

7. Using a 30(b)(6) Deposition to Obtain the Bases for an Adverse Party's Legal Contentions=405

Chapter 19. Inquiring About Practices and Policies=409

1. Distinguishing "Practices" from "Policies"=410

2. Purposes of Practice and Policy Inquiries=411

3. Whom to Depose=412

4. Questioning Strategies Regarding Practices=414

A. Responding to "It Depends" Answers=414

B. Inquire About Exceptions=416

C. Inquire About Prior and Subsequent Changes=419

D. Distinguish Between the Entity's Practice and That of the Deponent=420

5. Questioning Strategies Regarding Policies=421

6. Inquiring About Discrepancies Between Practices and Policies=424

7. Inquiring About Discrepancies Between Practices & Policies and What Happened in Your Client's Case=424

Chapter 20. Deposing Experts=425

1. Mandatory Disclosures=426

2. Beginning Adverse Expert Depositions=428

A. Give Admonitions=428

B. Confirm That You Have All Relevant Documents=429

C. Elicit Background Information=430

3. Elicit a Chronology of Case-Related Activities=432

4. Elicit All Opinions=437

5. Elicit the Basis for Each Opinion=439

A. Elicit the Evidentiary Basis for Each Opinion=440

B. Elicit the Specialized Knowledge Underlying Each Opinion=442

6. Undermining an Expert Opinion=443

7. Challenge #1―An Expert's Specialized Knowledge Is Inadequate=444

8. Challenge #2―"Exceptions" Detract from an Opinion's Accuracy=448

9. Challenge #3―Conflicting Authorities Undermine an Opinion=452

10. Challenge #4―An Opinion Is Based on Inaccurate Information from Third Parties=453

11. Challenge #5―Undermine the Results of Scientific Tests or Technical Procedures=457

12. Challenge #6―An Investigation Is Incomplete or Untimely=460

13. Challenge #7―An Expert Is Biased=461

14. Garner Support for Your Expert's Opinion=462

15. Opposing Party's Duty to Supplement Expert's Deposition Testimony=464

16. Preparing Your Own Expert for Deposition=464

17. Deposing Percipient Experts=465

Chapter 21. Deposing Your Own Witness or a Neutral Witness=471

1. Pre-Deposition Preparation=472

2. Questioning Strategies and Techniques=473

A. Elicit Background Evidence=474

B. Elicit a Selective Chronology=475

C. Elicit Important Testimony Through Open Questions=477

D. Emphasis Techniques=478

1. Incorporate Important Evidence into Subsequent Questions=478

2. Front Load Important Testimony=480

3. Elicit a String of Denials=481

E. Help Forgetful Deponents=482

1. Follow a Closed/Open Questioning Sequence=483

2. Use Documents to Refresh Recollection=486

F. Consider Steering Around Unfavorable Testimony=488

3. Redirect Examination=490

4. Responding to Objections=491

Chapter 22. Visually Recorded Depositions=495

1. Ground Rules for Visually Recorded Depositions Under the FRCP=495

2. Advantages of Visually Recording Depositions=497

A. Adds Impact to Impeachment at Trial=497

B. Adds Impact to an Adverse Party's Helpful Deposition Testimony=499

C. Adds Impact to Preserved Testimony of a Friendly, Unavailable Witness=499

D. Adds Impact to Demonstrations or Re-Enactments=500

E. Creates Illustrative Exhibits for Trial or Settlement=501

F. Discourages Inappropriate Behavior by Opposing Counsel=501

G. Reduces Deposition Costs=502

H. Improves Feedback from Mock Jury Trials=503

I. Improves Your Witness' Trial Testimony=503

3. Disadvantages of Visually Recording Depositions=504

A. The Visual Recording of Your Witness Will Be Available for Your Adversary's Use at Trial=504

B. The Visually Recording of an Adverse Witness May Be Available for Your Adversary's Use at Trial=505

C. Technological Risks=506

D. Increased Expense=507

E. Inconvenient to Review=507

4. Strategies for Preparing Friendly Deponents=508

A. Visually Record a Practice Session=508

B. Show a "Good" Performance=509

C. Discuss What to Wear=509

5. Strategies for Taking Visually Recorded Depositions Effectively=510

A. Complying with FRCP 30(b)(4)=510

B. Bring an Assistant to the Deposition=513

C. Monitoring Your Own Conduct=513

6. Strategies for Defending Visually Recorded Depositions=514

A. Visually Record a Practice Session=514

B. Ensuring Fair Visual Recordings=515

C. Avoid Conferences While on the Record=517

D. Make Objections as You Would Before a Jury=517

E. Take Adequate Breaks=518

F. Prohibit Improper Use of the Recording=518

PART FOUR DEFENDING DEPOSITIONS

Chapter 23. Preparing Deponents=521

1. Your Pre-Meeting Preparation=521

A. Review the Validity of Document Requests=521

B. Review Pertinent Documents=522

C. Prepare a Case Chronology=522

D. Help Identify FRCP 30(b)(6) Deponents=523

E. Arrange to Meet the Client=523

2. Tell Clients What Documents to Review=524

3. Conducting Preparation Meetings=525

A. Explain What a Meeting Entails=525

B. Review a Client's Version of Events=526

C. Briefly Explain What Will Occur During the Deposition=528

D. Conduct a Practice Session=529

1. Devote Practice Questioning to Selected Topics=529

2. Explain the "Golden Rules" for Answering Questions=530

3. Ask Questions as Deposing Counsel=533

4. Improve Answers with Feedback and Advice=534

E. Concluding Preparation Sessions=540

1. Explain Objections and Instructions Not to Answer=540

2. Final Instructions=541

4. Preparation Meetings with Non-Clients=541

Chapter 24. Defending Depositions=545

1. Defending Depositions of Your Witnesses=546

A. Objections=546

1. Purpose of Objections=546

2. "Curable" and "Non-Curable" Objections=549

a. Objections That Commonly Are Curable=550

b. Common "Incurable" Objections That You Can Raise Later Even if You Don't Make Them at Deposition=558

3. Objections to Deponent's Improper Answers=560

4. Objecting to Improve a Deponent's Answers=562

5. Forgoing Objections=563

6. Phrasing Objections Properly=565

B. Instructions Not to Answer=567

1. Instructions Not to Answer to Preserve a Privilege=568

2. Instructions Not to Answer Based on a Prior Court Order=570

3. Instructions Not to Answer to Suspend a Deposition to Seek a Protective Order=570

4. Risks of Improper Instructions Not to Answer=571

5. An "Early Warning System" Alternative Strategy=573

C. Consulting with Deponents=575

1. Conferences During Deposing Counsel's Examination=575

2. Conferences During a Recess or Break=578

D. Resolving Disputes via Telephone=578

E. Should You Ask Questions?=579

1. The Deponent May Be Unavailable at Trial=580

2. The Deponent's Answers Have Been Inaccurate=580

a. Explicit Reference to Incorrect Testimony=582

b. Cover Same Subject Matter=583

3. Bringing Out Helpful Evidence=585

2. Defending Non-Party Clients=586

3. Defending Depositions When You Do Not Represent the Deponent=588

A. Making Objections=588

B. Instructions Not to Answer=589

C. Consulting with a Neutral Witness During the Deposition=590

D. Should You Question a Neutral Witness?=590

4. Defending an Adversary's Deposition to Preserve Testimony=592

5. Terminating a Deposition That Exceeds the "One Day of Seven Hours" Time Limit=594

6. Requesting That the Deponent Have a Right to Review the Transcript=597

7. Supplementing Deposition Testimony After the Deposition Is Signed=597

INDEX=599