“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” – William Arthur Ward
Having to complete your first career deposition is stressful enough. Having to do it while following social distancing guidelines is a whole new ball game.
How were you feeling going into your first deposition? Were you nervous?
I was pretty nervous. There were already jitters regarding taking a deposition, but to have to do it online created a few more stomach turns. The technology was what I was most concerned about.
What were some of the challenges of using Zoom?
Some of the challenges I faced included having a hard time with the sound lag and making sure we did not speak over each other. Another difficult challenge I faced was not being able to see the facial expressions made around the room. In addition to this, one of the attorneys was not able to work the software and had to dial in telephonically. Unfortunately, these are all very normal things to experience when people are working from home.
This is the new norm. In order to have a successful trial or deposition over Zoom one must:
- Prepare
- Plan
- Execute
How did you prepare for the Zoom deposition?
Prior to the call, I tested the Zoom software to ensure my camera and sound were working. I prepared for this case as I would with any in-person deposition by reviewing pleadings and procedural posture. I also created a deposition outline to make sure I covered every content area I needed.
What are the main differences between Zoom and in-person?
Zoom is going to create unknown challenges, so you have to be ready to roll with the punches and make the best of the situation; be able to stay focused regardless of the circumstances.
What would you do differently next time?
I would tweak my internet connection next time. I would probably restart my WIFI prior to the deposition because that may have caused my sound to be a little behind.