Training Guide

Taking a Corporate Deposition

Training Guide

Taking a Corporate Deposition

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

What’s Covered

Differences between corporate and fact witnesses
Confirming the corporate witness’s understanding of their role
Questions about the corporate witness’s prep
Asking the corporate witness substantive questions
How to handle “I don’t know” answers
Asking a corporate witness about documents
Seeking more deposition time of a corporate witness

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/taking-a-corporate-deposition/attendee

Prepare Yourself

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

Course

Taking a Corporate Deposition

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

Taking a Corporate Deposition
PDF

During the Session

Part 1: Knowledge Check

Ask attendees these questions to ensure they understand the topic:

What are some differences between deposing corporate and fact witnesses?
What are some of the first things you want to accomplish at a corporate witness’s deposition?
In what capacity does a corporate witness testify?
How would you use documents at a corporate deposition?
What do you do if the corporate witness doesn’t have sufficient knowledge of important topics?

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.