Deposition Day: How Litigators Question Witnesses

About this experience

Most civil cases never reach a jury, but nearly all of them go through depositions. Using a mock contract dispute built for teaching, Marcus shows you how he prepares a deposition outline, orders his topics and decides which documents to show the witness and when.

Then you run it. You take a short mock deposition of a witness played by a member of Marcus’s staff, with a court reporter setup in the conference room, and then switch sides to defend. Marcus stops the tape to explain objections, evasive answers and how to pin down testimony.

Your day

1. 9:30 AM

   Mock case review

   Read the case file and the key contract and emails with Marcus.

   45 min

2. 10:15 AM

   Build the outline

   Write a deposition outline by topic and pick the exhibits you will use.

   1 hr

3. 11:15 AM

   Take the deposition

   Question the mock witness for 30 minutes while Marcus coaches from the side.

   1 hr

4. 12:15 PM

   Lunch

   Lunch in the office conference room.

   45 min

5. 1:00 PM

   Defend and debrief

   Defend the witness, make objections and review the transcript excerpts together.

What’s included

• Mock case file and exhibit binder
• Lunch
• Sample deposition outline to keep

Good to know

• All work uses a mock case. No real client matters or privileged information are discussed, and you will sign a confidentiality agreement covering the office and staff.
• Business casual is fine; this session stays in the office.
• This is an educational experience and not legal advice.

Your curator

Marcus Bell, Esq.16 years as a trial attorney, 40+ jury trials

Marcus Bell spent six years as a county prosecutor before opening a small civil litigation practice. He has tried more than 40 cases to verdict, mostly contract and personal injury matters. He teaches trial advocacy workshops for newer lawyers.