Take the mystery out of your deposition with this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a witness or an attorney, with Nolo’s Deposition Handbook you’ll learn useful tips for defending and conducting depositions, including a few “golden rules” for answering questions and a description of some of the trick questions lawyers often use to influence testimony. Includes information on navigating the new world of online depositions.

Getting deposed can seem as mysterious and complicated as the tango. What are the right moves? The subtle signals to send? Is it possible to make it through without getting stepped on? The new, easy-to-follow guide to the entire deposition process, The Deposition Handbook is one guide that won't leave users sweaty-handed.The Deposition Handbook addresses witnesses, parties, experts and non-experts who will have their deposition taken; providing all the information, tips and instructions they need whether or not they are represented by a lawyer. Packed with concrete suggestions and examples, the book explains how to arrange a convenient date, prepare for the deposition and respond to questions with aplomb. The Deposition Handbook even includes the three golden rules for answering questions and points out the trick questions lawyers often use to try to influence testimony. Finally, the book discusses the questions one can refuse to answer and how to testify at a videotaped deposition.The Deposition Handbook provides a separate chapter for experts, which explains the expert's involvement in helping the lawyer to prepare for the deposition. It also covers how the expert should prepare for the deposition and answer questions by the deposing lawyer; and how the other side will try to challenge the expert's opinion and establish that the expert is biased during the deposition. The Deposition Handbook also addresses anyone who is a prose- either a person who wishes to defend her own deposition or the deposition of another person; or to take a deposition herself. Once again, the book explains, with numerous concrete examples and suggestions, how to: schedule and prepare for the deposition; question the witness, make and respond to objections, respond to improper behavior by the other side's lawyer, depose the other side's expert witness, take a videotaped deposition and depose a witness favorable to his or her case to preserve deposition testimony for use at trial. Written by two UCLA law professors and attorneys, The Deposition Handbook enables anyone who has been deposed to sail through the deposition process smoothly, confidently--and with only one left foot.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

For people dealing with a personal injury claim, a landlord-tenant dispute, a small business scrape or any of the dozens of other possible legal muddles, this book points the way through the complex court system. The book also ncludes a chapter dealing with the specifics of handling a divorce, child custody or child support action.Written in plain English, Represent Yourself in Court breaks down the trial process into easy-to-understand steps so that you can act as your own lawyer -- safely and efficiently. Veteran attorneys Bergman and Berman-Barrett tell you what to say, how to say it, even where to stand when you address the judge and jury.Armed with the simple but thorough instructions in Represent Yourself in Court, you can be heard and taken seriously in any courtroom. Readers learn how to: „X file court papers „X handle depositions and interrogatories „X comply with courtroom procedures „X pick a jury „X prepare your evidence and line up witnesses „X present your opening statement and closing argument „X cross-examine hostile witnesses „X understand and apply rules of evidence „X locate, hire and effectively use expert witnesses „X make and respond to your opponent's objections „X get limited help from an attorney on an as-needed basis „X monitor the work of an attorney if you decide to hire one Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you confidently handle a divorce, personal injury case, landlord/tenant dispute, breach of contract, small business dispute or any other civil lawsuit.

Master the art of persuasion with lessons from the best speakers of our time. Throughout history, they have moved us. They have enlightened and inspired us. They are our nation's most influential speakers, gifted with the talent to change minds and hearts. What is the almost magical power they possess--and how can you harness it for yourself? The answers are here in this illuminating guide to unforgettable oratory. Complete with a ninety-minute CD featuring six great speeches in their entirety, this tool kit for speakers takes you through an in-depth analysis of these historically significant speeches and the secrets of their eloquent effectiveness. With close examination of each speech, you'll get lessons on how to: Address a difficult situation with help from the Great Communicator, Ronald Reagan Bring divergent interests together with effective arguments like Edward Kennedy Capture and hold your audience's attention by mastering General Douglas MacArthur's structual techniques Style a formal speech with the elegance of John F. Kennedy Maximize your delivery by studying the power of Barbara Jordan's voice Use Mary Fisher's special rhetorical tactics to sway even the toughest audience

Answers questions about the criminal court system, discussing the roles of lawyers, police, and judges, and covering such topics as bail, preliminary hearings, evidence, lineups, and sentencing.