Deposition Skills Academy

MCLE Credits: 9.5
Ethics Credits Included: 0.0

Live Zoom:	Thursday, September 7 *AND* Friday, September 8 SOLD OUT
Program Schedule for Both Days:	September 7: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. September 8: 9:00 a.m.–2:15 p.m.
Registration Deadline:	Friday, September 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
MCLE Credit:	9.5
Live-Interactive Credit:	9.5
Designation Credit:	9.5 Trial Practice/Litigation (Designations Information)
Registration Fee:	$599

Information
Schedule
Faculty
Locations, Dates and Fees

Information

Why Attend?

If you want to improve your deposition skills, look no further! This remote, interactive program is for you.

Receive instruction to develop essential deposition strategies from a faculty of experienced litigators
Improve your skills by practicing in our remote, interactive workshops and receive real-time coaching from the instructors
Gain confidence that can translate into success in your legal practice

Registration for this program is now closed.

Please note: Virginia CLE^® Online+ Bundle credits and Unlimited Online Passes may NOT be used to register for this program.

Live, Remote, Interactive 2-Day Program

Deposition skills are essential to all of your cases. They are especially critical to case assessment, preparation for trial, and strategies for settlement. Are you equipped with the right questioning techniques to get the information you need? What is your objective in taking the deposition? Have you adequately prepared your witnesses for what they will experience? Do you know how to properly object to opposing counsel’s questioning? Whether you have taken many depositions or only a few, coaching throughout this program will help you to develop your skills and confidence, positively impacting the outcome of your cases and enhancing your litigation abilities.

Our experienced faculty of trial lawyers will provide you with useful guidance and best practices with an interactive, hands-on approach. Over the course of two days, you will receive training on deposition techniques and then participate in simulated depositions with your fellow program participants. You will receive immediate, individual coaching on how to improve your skills and focus based on the methods taught throughout this course.

The course will cover:

Developing techniques for preparing, taking, and defending depositions
Working with lay and expert witnesses
Using exhibits and demonstrative aids
Coaching with individualized guidance and advice to improve your skills

Zoom Requirements: You must have an Internet connection and the ability to use Zoom for this program. Please click here to see Zoom system requirements. A webcam is also required; you cannot dial-in without video and receive MCLE credit for this course.
After registration, you will be sent an email with more details on accessing the program and receiving program materials.

Discounts: This program is not eligible for general Virginia CLE^® discounts. Two discounts are available, however, for eligible registrants:

New lawyers in their first 5 years of Virginia practice may use the coupon code NEWLAWYERDEPO at checkout to take 50% off regular registration for this program.
Lawyers in private practice law firms of 1–15 attorneys, including solo practitioners, may use the coupon code SMALLFIRMDEPO at checkout to take 20% off regular registration for this program.

These discounts cannot be combined.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation requests for a full refund will be honored until Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Cancellation requests received between Friday, August 18, 2023, and Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. will be charged $100. Cancellations made after Thursday, August 31, 2023, are not eligible for refunds.

Questions: For more information about this program, please contact the Program Planner, John Rotman, at jrotman@vacle.org.

Schedule

COURSE SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 7

9:00	Introduction (no MCLE credit)
9:10	Deposition Strategies: Goals and Techniques What is the game plan of the deposition? Preparing your client or witness Types of questions to ask Questioning techniques
10:30	Break
10:45	Deposition Strategies: Defending, Outlines, and Objections Making and dealing with objections Strategies and tips for outlining a deposition How to prepare a deposition outline
11:30	Break into Small Groups: Introductions, Logics, and Q&A (no MCLE credit)
12:00	Lunch Break
12:30	Hands-on Deposition Workshop—Lay Witnesses Participants will take turns deposing a fellow participant based on a hypothetical case and receive hands-on instruction in deposing lay witnesses based on the lecture and prepared written materials and feedback from the faculty
2:00	Break
2:15	Hands-on Deposition Workshop—Lay Witnesses (continued) Participants will take turns deposing a fellow participant based on a hypothetical case and receive hands-on instruction in deposing lay witnesses based on the lecture and prepared written materials and feedback from the faculty
3:45	Workshop Reviews (no MCLE credit)
4:00	Adjourn

Friday, September 8

9:00	Depositions: Goals and Techniques—Experts and Exhibits
10:15	Break
10:30	Hands-on Deposition Workshop—Exhibits with Depositions Participants will take turns deposing a fellow participant based on a hypothetical case and receive hands-on instruction in deposing lay witnesses based on the lecture and prepared written materials and feedback from the faculty
12:00	Lunch Break
12:30	Hands-on Deposition Workshop—Expert Witnesses Participants will take turns deposing a fellow participant based on a hypothetical case and receive hands-on instruction in deposing expert witnesses based on the lecture and prepared written materials and feedback from the faculty
2:00	Program Review and Closing Remarks (no MCLE credit) Review of Day 2 workshops Review of program concepts, goals, and techniques Closing remarks
2:15	Adjourn

Faculty

FACULTY

Edward Everett Bagnell, Jr., Spotts Fain, PC / Richmond
Heather K. Bardot, McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen, and Katz, PC / Fairfax
Sheila M. Costin, Holmes Costin & Marcus, PLLC / Alexandria
Ashley T. Davis, Allen Allen Allen & Allen / Richmond
Hugh M. Fain, III, Spotts Fain, PC / Richmond
Tate C. Love, Timberlake Smith / Staunton
John Merrick, Merrick Brock PLLC / Richmond
Rand Robins, Lantz & Robins, PC / Richmond
Brian J. Schneider, Schneider Law Group / Richmond
Robert J. Stoney, Blankingship & Keith PC / Fairfax

Program Director:

Melissa Hogue Katz, McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen, and Katz, PC / Fairfax

Melissa H. Katz is a principal at McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen, and Katz, PC. Her practice focuses on personal injury defense. She obtained her B.A. from the University of Virginia and J.D. from the University of Richmond. Before joining her present law firm, she clerked for the late Chief Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Ms. Katz is the Immediate Past President of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and is presently serving on the Virginia Model Jury Instructions Committee. She is recognized by both Washington, DC, and Virginia Super Lawyers and honored in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Inaugural Class of Influential Women of Law 2019. She is a fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation.

Deputy Program Director:

Kasey Hoare, Spotts Fain, PC / Richmond

Kasey Hoare is a litigation associate attorney at Spotts Fain, PC, a mid-sized business law firm in Richmond, Virginia. She represents clients in commercial and business litigation in Virginia’s state and federal courts. Prior to joining the firm, she had the honor of serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Beverly W. Snukals for the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond after graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2017.