Training Guide

Defending a Corporate Deposition

Training Guide

Defending a Corporate Deposition

Topic: Depositions
Duration: 1 hr
Format: Remote or in person

What’s Covered

What to aim for while defending a corporate deposition
What to avoid while defending a corporate deposition
What to do if a corporate witness doesn’t know an answer
Dealing with questions outside the scope of the corporate deposition
Dealing with confidential and highly confidential topics at a corporate deposition
Using re-direct at a corporate deposition

Before the Session

Prepare the Attendees

Send the attendees an invitation for the session. Include this link, which has the videos and exercise they’ll need to prepare.

https://www.hotshotlegal.com/trainings/defending-a-corporate-deposition/attendee

Prepare Yourself

Watch the videos and read the exercise so you’re familiar with the Hotshot material.

Course

Defending a Corporate Deposition

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.
Exercise

Defending a Corporate Deposition
PDF

During the Session

Part 1: Knowledge Check

Ask attendees these questions to ensure they understand the topic:

What is your role when defending a corporate deposition?
What outcomes do you want to avoid when defending a corporate deposition?
What are your options if a corporate witness doesn’t know the answer?
How do you deal with confidential and highly confidential information at a corporate deposition?
How would you use re-direct at a corporate deposition?

Part 2: Group Exercise

Lead a group discussion based on the exercise. To encourage collaboration, divide the attendees into groups to discuss the exercise, then have a representative from each group summarize their views to the larger group. Call on people to share their thoughts and ask others to respond.

Tip for remote sessions: use your web conferencing system’s breakout room feature to divide people into groups.

Part 3: War Stories and Firm Specifics

Share your own experiences and guidance, including:

Anecdotes and war stories (e.g., about a near-disaster or a tough negotiation)
General practice tips (dos and don’ts)
Firm-specific guidance and practices

After the Session

To continue their learning, attendees can check out related courses in Hotshot’s Depositions topic.

About Hotshot

Hotshot helps lawyers develop their legal, business, and technology skills through short videos, quizzes, and summaries, and we help law firms and law schools plan and deliver engaging training programs. Our customers include Am Law 200 firms, top law schools, and regional and international firms.