246.3 sec. 001 - Depositions (Fall 2020)
Instructor: Henry L. Hecht (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Due to COVID-19, this class is remote for Fall 2020.
Mode of Instruction: Remote Instruction
Meeting:
Tu 3:35 PM - 6:15 PM
Location: Internet/Online
From August 18, 2020
To November 30, 2020
Course End: November 30, 2020
Class Number: 32233
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 18
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 18
As of: 12/07 09:41 AM
Over 98% of all civil cases filed in Federal court are resolved short of trial. When a litigator questions a witness today, it is far more likely to be in a law office at a deposition than in a courtroom at trial.
This skills course primarily uses "learning by doing" (role plays) to teach the art and science of preparing for, taking, and defending depositions. The role plays will be conducted in small groups with experienced litigators and the instructor as observers who will provide individual feedback to each student. In addition, the deposition role plays will be video recorded, and each student will have two individual video review sessions with the instructor. Undergraduates will play the role of the witnesses. Court reporters will transcribe the testimony, and students will receive transcripts of the depositions they take and defend.
Skills addressed include: preparing the fact (lay) witness; gathering information (discovery); gaining admissions; seeking evidence for impeachment; using documents; defending your witness; dealing with both obstreperous counsel and problem witnesses; and using depositions at trial.
Enrollment is limited to 18 students. All interested students, whether enrolled or on the wait list, must attend the first class in order to be admitted. Any student who does not attend the first class without prior permission of the instructor will be dropped from the class.
Due to both the use of simulation exercises throughout the semester and the need to determine the members of the class as soon as possible, the usual provisions of "Drop/Add" do not apply. If you wish to enroll, you must commit to remain in the course by no later than Friday afternoon, August 21, 2020, the last day of the first full week of fall semester classes.
If you have any questions, please contact Professor Hecht by e-mail (hhecht@law.berkeley.edu).
Due to the nature of this class, real-time attendance is required (without an alternative way to earn equivalent credit) except in cases of illness or emergency.
Real-time attendance at the first Zoom class is mandatory for all currently enrolled and waitlisted students; any currently enrolled or waitlisted students who are not present on the first day of class (without prior permission of the instructor) will be dropped. The instructor will continue to take attendance throughout the add/drop period and anyone who moves off the waitlist into the class must continue to attend or have prior permission of the instructor in order not to be dropped.
Prerequisites:
U.S. Civil Procedure at a U.S. law school. Although not required, completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, Evidence is recommended.
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Requirements Satisfaction:
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Exam Notes: (P) Final paper
Course Category: Simulation Courses
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Litigation and Procedure
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Readers:
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Books:
Required Books are in blue
- Effective Depositions
Hecht
Edition: 2nd Edition/2010
Publisher: American Bar Association
ISBN: 9781604429060
e-Book Available: No
Copyright Date: To Be Determined
Price: $149.95
Price Source: user provided