Courses

Discusses the components of typical force majeure clauses, including the definition of a force majeure event, excusal of non-performance, and the parties’ obligations if an event occurs.

Discusses what implied warranties are and why sellers disclaim them in their agreements. Walks through a sample provision and explains which language is important to each party.

Explains the function of limitation of liability provisions in agreements. Also examines a sample clause and discusses its important concepts, including limits on types of damages, limits on the amount of damages, how caps work, and carve-outs.

Looks at the function of reps and warranties in agreements and transactions, different types of reps and warranties, and how and why parties qualify them.

Describes why agreements have amendment and waiver provisions, and the concepts and language these provisions generally include.

Explains what survival clauses do, the reasons provisions in an agreement might need to survive, and the language typically used in these clauses. Also examines which sections of agreements are usually included in survival clauses.

Describes term and termination provisions, including effective dates, terms and renewals, different ways a contract can terminate, effects of termination, and termination as a remedy for breach.

Explains what assignment provisions do, why certain language is included, and how change of control relates to assignment.

Examines a sample waiver of jury trial provision, discussing the scope of the waiver and enforceability considerations.

Looks at reasons parties might elect arbitration, what they typically include in their arbitration clauses, and why. Walks through and explains a sample arbitration provision.

Explains what counterparts provisions are, why they’re used, and the main concepts these clauses typically include.

Discusses the types of information that parties put in schedules, and why schedules and exhibits clauses are used in agreements. Also looks at a sample clause.

Explains the purpose of entire agreement clauses, when they become important, and the language they generally include.

Discusses what a severability clause says, why parties include them in their agreements, and how these clauses are treated by courts.

Considerations for taking, defending, and preparing for a remote deposition, including technology challenges, ethical issues, handling exhibits, and prepping a witness for the remote format.

Tips and strategies for taking a deposition, including starting the deposition off right, asking questions effectively, dealing with a difficult witness or opposing counsel, and ending the deposition well.

Discussion of how to conduct a witness prep meeting, focusing on making the witness comfortable with how the deposition will work, explaining how depositions differ from ordinary conversation, and giving the witness tips on how to answer questions.

Discussion of how to conduct a witness prep meeting, focusing on preparing the witness for the substantive aspect of the deposition—reviewing the substantive topics and potential exhibits with the witness, and conducting mock questioning.

Discussion of ethical rules and obligations about influencing the witness’s testimony and strategies to navigate this important ethical issue.

The importance of reviewing your transcript after the deposition, things to look for, and how to learn from your mistakes.

Checklist of things to confirm, bring and know before taking a deposition.

Discusses the standard objections and when they would be used, objection procedure and different rules on speaking objections.

Discussion of the role of the defending lawyer, ways to protect the witness, rules on counseling the witness during the deposition, correcting testimony, and re-direct.

Strategies and procedures for defending a corporate witness, including what to do when your witness doesn’t know the answer, questions outside the scope of topics, and rehabilitating the witness through re-direct.

In-depth look at effective deposition questioning, including open versus closed questions, the funnel approach, strategies for getting admissions, cross-examination, and testing case theories.

Strategies and tips for asking questions and getting testimony that is clear and usable after the deposition.

A look at common missteps when taking a deposition, and how to avoid those mistakes in your questioning.

Rules about correcting the transcript, the format and content of an errata sheet, and procedure for preparing an errata sheet and signing the deposition transcript.

Strategies, rules, and procedures when taking a corporate deposition, and obtaining information responsive to a deposition topic.

Examination of a corporate deposition notice and drafting tips.