Deposition Tips Your Attorney Might Have Not Told You

Whether you are an employee or an employer, your deposition in a workplace harassment or wrongful termination lawsuit is one of the most important stages of your case. This is the opportunity for you to tell your story, to testify on your own behalf, and disprove your opponents arguments. 

It is critical to remember that just as important as the facts of your case, or even more important, is "how" your act at a deposition. It is critical that you come across as a likable person who is not emotionally destabilized easily, who doesn't get angry when disagreeing with his opponent, and who comes across as a reasonable and rational person. If the opposing and deposing attorney realizes that the jury will like you and thus is likely to be generous to you, it is likely to significantly increase the value of your claim and be very helpful in subsequent settlement negotiations. On the other hand, if you come across as an angry, hostile witness, the attorney deposing you will see that as an opportunity to not only make you say things on the record that you are going to regret later but to also prove to your own attorney that you are not someone who will do well at trial.  

Most trial lawyers know from experience that jurors don't really care about injuries and damages. They are generous toward those people who they like, and they are pretty tight fisted with those who they annoyed with. And, make sure that your read my deposition tips before you testify at your deposition.