Anyone else dislike taking depositions? I like litigation and running a file, but can’t stand taking/defending depositions.

likesmart
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I used to love defending them when I was in private practice. Taking them (well) is harder by orders of magnitude though. Trick is to know exactly what you need the witness to say for your brief. I learned that the hard way but I had a boss who was a good mentor who finally after doing it the wrong way taught me how to take a good deposition. Defending them, you can just be a total ass and run out the clock. That can actually be kind of fun.

likehelpful

I always found defending to be far more tiring. You actually have to listen to what your knucklehead witness is giving away. Taking is easy, but I just feel that everyone reaches a point where they have no patience for the games anymore and that’s the point where you need to do something else.

likehelpful

Liked them in the beginning. Few hundred later I do everything I can to let my colleagues handle all of them. I have had a few really interesting witnesses over the years that were actually fun to speak with but that’s extremely rare.

like

Once you get good at taking depositions, where you have near full control over the witness and his or her lawyer, they can be fun (especially with experts) and they are much less stressful than your first several dozen. It’s definitely a skill set to learn and master as a litigator, and it’s a great way to bridge to trial skills!

like

100% agree- I love litigation but am not a huge fan of depositions. Especially Plaintiff depositions- they can be unnecessarily contentious. If I do have to handle one, I prefer defending or doing expert ones.
However, depos are good for easy billable hours.

like

Thanks for this insight! I’ve definitely gotten better at them over the years but last week I had a plaintiff depo where OC was unnecessarily contentious. I have 2 plaintiff depos next week so will definitely keep your advice in mind. Thanks!

Summarizing the depositions is the true bane of my existence.

like

Have you gotten a chance to do witnesses at trial and how do you like it? If you don’t like it I would suggest considering switching to a different area away from Litigation.

like

No trial experience and I think I plan on keeping it that way!

like

I hate it with a passion and avoid them at all costs

like

As a plaintiff PI attorney, I defend more than I take myself. Mainly I just find it excruciatingly boring, especially when OC insists on going into extreme detail on topics that are going to have little to nothing to do with affecting the outcome of the case. It can be quite tiring too even if I'm not saying or doing much because of the intense constant active listening required

like

Related Posts

Besides reporting it up the chain, advice for an associate in dealing with a support staff whose lack of motivation is affecting cases negatively?

like

Would SPG give me a comped bottle of wine at the hotel if I’m only gold status?

like

I will appreciate if anyone can answer my query.
I submitted the docs for background verification on Aug 22. Can anyone tell me how long does it take for IBM to process it for lateral hire and release the offer letter.

like

PSA Supermarket Sweep is on Netflix

likefunnysmarthelpful

Best place for modern looking high quality suits please?

like

Any Episcopalians here in the DMV? Which churches do you attend if so?

I want to make my way into Google. Any tips?

like

i just had sex with my wife after like 11 months (reason for the gap: pregnancy+new baby).

And. It. Was. Life-affirming.

likeupliftingfunny

Is it true for 1st year joiners you will get flat variable payout around 7.35%

like

What is a useful, comprehensive but not too long of a book for parenting toddlers?

LO is 16 months old, very sweet and social, at the park every day with other kids with either me or her nanny. Not in day care. Yesterday we had a play date and she slapped another baby on the head. Not hard and did not scare her, but the act of “aggression” took me by surprise and I felt terrible about it. I’d like to be more proactive about toddler psychology, what’s to come and how to react/ teach. TY!

like

Is E&Y better than LTI or Synechron??

like

How does bonus work at PwC?


Recruiter said there would be a 15% annual bonus based on performance. Is this something guaranteed? What factors determine this? When are bonuses paid out?PwC

likefunny

Does anyone know how to contact BAL to get the result of second H-1B lottery. I tried using COBALT, but it’s not letting me send a message to them.

How critical are off script conversations with current student ambassadors and admissions office employees?

like

Anyone here do work for very early stage startups? I do freelance and I got a new opportunity where I'd want to do a mixture of my hourly rate and equity. What's a good mixture or typical breakdown? I think this startup has potential but I also want to make sure I can be bringing in cash with it.

like

Can HCL provide 25LPA for 4.5 year of experience in React JS because holding offer of 23 LPA from Publicis Sapient

like

Drinks today near Chelsea/Midtown area? 32 - F
Pls share age/gender

like
like

Has anybody come up with a way to purge the words “like”and “you know” out of somebody’s speech patterns? I don’t want to be insulting, I truly want to help. It’s not a young person either

like
like

Additional Posts in Law

If you could do a regular job outside of the law what would you do?

like

Any loopholes to prevent Westlaw from logging out every 5 minutes? That’s not enough time to get all my tears out before going back to my 20 Westlaw tabs

like

EOY review time! Boutique firm with large workload. I’ve signed multiple clients and met my billable requirements in the months I’ve been here. Is a 20k raise request reasonable?

like

Why isn’t increasing the diversity of management / partners at big law firms considered an actual emergency? Promoting and retaining non-male and non-white lawyers really does not have to be hard.

like

Average time between interview and offer? If long (over a month), should you assume the opportunity is dead in the water?

like

I want to open up my own shop but worry about my ability to bring in business. I do securities law I don't want to go the plaintiffs route but really don't want to work for someone else any more. Any advice?

likehelpful

Any attorneys on here who make less than 6 figures and are 5 or more years out of law school?

like

Whoever said employers don’t care about grades and transcripts after your first job was a liar. Every lateral position that I’ve applied to as a 3rd year has requested transcripts. Why do we lie and tell grads that employers don’t check transcripts when they do. My coworker, a 5th yr, had to submit his transcripts also to lateral job. Side note - it speaks volume when multiple associates are trying to lateral at the same time

like

Anyone else in the second round of interviews with prospective employers finding it really hard to meet the hourly goals of your current job!?!

like

I am a Legal Director of Commercial at a later stage start up (series E). I have 6 years of legal counsel experience, 2 in my current role. I am due for a stock refresh for additional RSUs (I’ve been at my company for 3+ years) but not sure what’s market to ask for. Any ideas or resources to refer to?

likehelpful

Looking for a job in Omaha. Appreciate any leads!

like

I have to fill out a background check form for a position and it asks if I've ever been discharged from a job. Does getting "the talk" --i.e. being told your future isn't at the firm as a senior associate--count as being discharged? Any thoughts are much appreciated!

like

Which books would you recommend to a product counel for tech startup about strategy, management, and leadership?

like

Apps for keeping track of billable hours?

like

Should an employment lawyer consider getting a PHR/SPHR certificate? Is it worthwhile?
A lot of in house opportunities seem to be looking for them

like

Tips for starting a new job in the virtual environment?

likehelpful

Annual review coming up at the end of the month, any tips on preparation/requesting for raise?

like

Should your raise be equal to or more inflation?

like

Interested in hearing about so-called “lifestyle” firms. Names, typical hours, comp, markets, etc.

like

Folks who have transitioned from M&A to ECVC work, what did you think of the differences between the two? Was it a rough transition at all?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal