ZOOM DEPOSITIONS – What a Court Reporting Has Learned From Years of Experience

02 Apr ZOOM DEPOSITIONS – What a Court Reporting Has Learned From Years of Experience

REMOTE DEPOSITIONS are here to stay. At first reluctant to make the move to remote depositions some attorneys now see huge advantages in online depositions.

Travel time is a thing of the past and that equates to dollar savings for the attorneys travel and savings for their clients. Clients can attend remotely and with good technical support technical glitches are a drastically reduced.

Many stories abound of the dress code adopted by both attorneys and their clients. A business on top and party dress on the bottom – flip flops and shorts and collar and tie on top.

Remote online depositions are not just convenient and cost-effective, they are a great way to connect legal parties when geographic or health challenges exist. With our agency, and proper planning with the taking attorney, remote depos are practically in person and EASY!

Dress Tips:
Do not dress in the same color as your back-ground.
Dress professionally for the deposition. It lends credit to your level of professionalism and how serious you are taking the deposition.

Light Tips:
Do not sit in front of an open window as you will not be visible on Zoom.
Partially close window blinds etc., so that light source is not too strong.
Ensure you have good lighting by doing a test call for yourself so you can see how you look. Do not wait for deposition day.
Microphone Tips:
Many computer microphones are directional. This means that when you are not DIRECTLY facing the computer mic, your voice will lose power and clarity.

• Realize that when you look to your side or look down, your voice will taper off. Common error when attorneys start searching or looking for exhibits on their desks.

SOUND Tips:

• MUTE your microphones if you are not speaking.

• Non-participatory attendees need to mute to reduce using unnecessary bandwidth.

• If sound is still bad – call into the 1-800 number.

DEPO Tips:

• We RECORD all our online Zoom depositions. WHY? Attendees that speak over another speaker, creates issues for the reporter as she / he only hear the person interrupting and audio for the first speaker is cut off. This will reduce accuracy of the transcript – GOOD RULE to follow is if you did not hear the speaker, neither did the reporter.

• Remind all parties at onset of the deposition, to mute their microphones after questioning starts.

• Send your court reporting firm your EXHIBITS prior to the depo – our firm will present them for you at the depo. Most local firms will not. We also have means to electronically track and mark your exhibits.

• Do not interrupt the current speaker. Wait 2 seconds prior to asking a question.

• If not doing REGULAR Zoom depositions, make sure to test your equipment and connectivity.

Connect like you mean business:
Consider a hard-wired connection. Wireless is great, but has its iffy moments.
Invest in a high-quality microphone and take the time to set it up properly.
Get a headset. Get yourself a headset for better-quality audio and a GREAT jump in sound strength and clarity. OVER THE EAR headphones are best.

Location:
Pick a quiet place.
NOT the basement.

Call us if you need anything else. We can definitely help! Schedule at 801-691-1000.