Provides descriptions and illustrations of effective strategies and techniques for taking and defending depositions. Designed to serve as a text for a 2-4 unit stand-alone depositions course or as a supplement to a civil pre-trial lawyering course. Devotes separate chapters to such fundamental skills as obtaining helpful answers to critical questions, undercutting harmful testimony, obtaining a deponent's version of significant events, and obtaining information from evasive deponents. Other chapters include topics such as responding to inconsistent or implausible testimony, overcoming opposing counsel's objections and obstructionist tactics, and preparing a client to be deposed.

Effective Depositions is a comprehensive, practical guide through every stage of the deposition process. It concisely covers the law of depositions and related discovery issues and gives you a clear, thorough understanding of the process and its practical challenges and pitfalls so that you can make the best use of the opportunities the process offers. It contains numerous case studies and clearly-explained examples, in addition to models, sample forms and checklists.

In its Sixth Edition, Deposition Rules remains the essential deposition handbook for busy practitioners: a ready and convenient, on-the-go reference, it provides quick access to the rules, procedures, and practices that govern deposition practice, and it answers the most commonly asked questions about depositions. Deposition Rules also provides "Practice Tips," which are drawn from the actual conduct of counsel in depositions, because modern deposition practice has evolved at least as much from "what works" as it has from "what is required." This Sixth Edition incorporates all amendments current to December 2014 to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as well as the Federal Rules of Evidence

The Cross-Examination Handbook teaches students the skills and strategies behind planning and conducting a persuasive cross-examination. This book offers step-by-step instruction and outstanding examples from illustrative trials. Two criminal and two civil case files, along with role-play assignments, give students practice actually planning and executing a cross-examination.

We live in an era when most litigation parties never see the inside of a courtroom. Cases are resolved by motion practice, by informal settlement, or by formal procedures such as arbitration and mediation. Rarely does an attorney get to say, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury . . . .” Does this change render deposition practice obsolete? Quite the opposite—depositions are more important than ever. Instead of a battle between attorneys who are trying to hide their evidence for trial, depositions are the place to put your best case forward, establish your case theories, explore the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and prepare your disposition strategy, be it a motion for summary judgment, a settlement offer, or mediation. Taking effective depositions in this changed environment involves a new paradigm, a whole new way of thinking about the discovery process. This book will guide you through that process, from interviewing and preparing your client through theory building and expert testimony. It also deals with concrete issues like creating a clean, understandable deposition record that will benefit your case throughout the litigation process. With its Q&A format and its many examples, The Deposition Tutorial will become the book you want on your desk for quick reference.