Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.
246.3 sec. 001 - Depositions (Spring 2021)
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
Mode of Instruction: Remote Instruction
Meeting:
Tu 3:35 PM - 6:15 PM
Location: Internet/Online
From January 19, 2021
To April 30, 2021
Course End: April 30, 2021
Class Number: 32265
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 17
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 18
As of: 05/08 05:45 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. Student court reporters will transcribe the testimony, and law 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 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.
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, January 22, 2021, the last day of the first full week of spring semester classes.
If you have any questions, please contact Professor Hecht by e-mail (hhecht@law.berkeley.edu).
The textbook for the course can be purchased as an ebook directly from the ABA at a 25% discount.
Price will be $112.46 plus tax and shipping (lowered price to reflect 25% discount)
No discount code is needed, but mention you are a student in Depositions with Professor Henry Hecht at Berkeley Law School
Students can order by calling the service center (800-285-2221, M-F 9am-6pm ET) or ordering online (you will need to create a webstore account): https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/214908/
Real-time attendance at the first 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
If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment to this page.
Readers:
No reader.
Books:
Required Books are in blue
- Effective Depositions
Henry L Hecht
Edition: 2nd Edition
Publisher: American Bar Association
ISBN: 9781604429060
e-Book Available: Unknown
Copyright Date: To Be Determined
Price: $149.95
Note: prices are sampled from internet bookstores. Law-school Bookstore prices are unavailable at this time.