Preparing your client for their deposition
We must inform our clients about what happens during a deposition. I think it is our duty to prepare our clients for their depositions. Please realize that I am not saying you tell the client what to say. First, you can likely lose your license for telling your client what to say in a deposition. Second, your "prepared" response to specific questions will likely not be excellent, no matter what an outstanding lawyer you think you are.
I always tell my clients I can deal with a "bad answer" as long as it is the truth. I cannot fix a lie. See the adage, "I am a lawyer, not a fucking superhero."
I used to give my clients a talk explaining what a deposition is and outlining the questions they are likely to be asked. However, I no longer give my "deposition talk."
The reason is that I learned about a great video prepared and sold by the Wisconsin Bar Association named "Preparing for Your Deposition." The video likely does a better job than I ever did, and clients pay attention to the video and can rewatch it as many times as they’d like.
Below is a link to the video. I am not licensed in Wisconsin, so I must pay the non-member price of $149 for a thumb drive of the video and $3 for the companion pamphlet.
I have no connection to the Wisconsin Bar Association and have not yet traveled to Wisconsin. I am just passing on a helpful tip.
This video effectively streamlines my cases, allowing me more time to work on the important parts of my client’s case. Check it out.
