By now, most litigators have engaged in remote depositions and other courtroom proceedings. COVID-19 has created a massive shift in how the legal practice operates—and even when things go back to “normal,” it’s likely that remote proceedings will continue to happen across the country. They’re convenient, and they save time and money. However, it takes some preparation and practice to help them go smoothly. Here are our best tips for a successful remote deposition in Phoenix, AZ:
- Test your internet connection: The most important consideration for any remote deposition is your internet connection. Slow connections will freeze or distort the images and audio, lag and otherwise make it difficult to communicate. Your internet connection should be able to handle five megabytes per second, both up or down, at a minimum.
- Pay attention to your background: Sit in front of a clutter-free background when conducting remote depositions. Excessive décor and objects are distracting and unprofessional. Counsel your clients to do the same.
- Mute all alarms and other distractions: When you’re getting ready to conduct a remote deposition, close out all your unnecessary browser tabs and mute your phone and any other alarms. Chimes and alerts can be very distracting and may throw off the pace of the deposition.
- Make a practice call: It’s good practice to test everything ahead of time. Have some of your associates or the court reporter help you test your software, the connection and how you’ll present exhibits. That way, you won’t get any surprises when you’re conducting the actual proceeding. (No technological surprises, that is.)
- Establish ahead of time how exhibits will be handled: Before the proceeding, the parties and the court reporter should decide how to handle exhibits. You might wish to email them and pre-mark them before the deposition, or share them on the screen at the time of the proceeding. If you decide on the latter, save all exhibits with clearly-marked file names in one folder.
- Practice not cutting off witnesses or other attorneys: It’s easy to accidentally talk over someone during a remote proceeding. Practice with your coworkers and your own witnesses to learn what kind of pacing works best. This will ensure your court reporter gets accurate testimony, too.
- Ensure that the oath can be taken remotely: In your deposition notice, you should specify that the proceeding will occur remotely. Be sure that all parties are aware of this, and be sure that your state allows witnesses to take the oath remotely.
With a little practice and finesse, you’ll soon be conducting successful remote depositions in Phoenix, AZ, too. Follow these remote deposition tips to ensure that you have a smooth experience. The more you prepare for the things that are most likely to go wrong, the less fazed you’ll be if something actually does.
Need a court reporter for your next remote deposition? The highly-skilled court reporters at Bartelt | Nix Reporting, LLC are well versed in remote proceedings. Call us today to learn more about our services and areas of expertise.