Last week, Thomas & Thomas Court Reporters spoke with Dave Sommers at the Omaha Bar Association to discuss how law firms can continue to conduct depositions during the current coronavirus outbreak. Below is the recording of said interview as well as an explanation of the benefits of remote depositions and our recommendations on how to successfully conduct one.
While the ability to conduct remote depositions have been around for a while, the advent of the coronavirus has put them in the forefront of the legal community. Having performed over 2,500 videoconferences, Thomas & Thomas has seen the benefits of remote depositions firsthand. For starters, it is easy to use. We generate a unique link and send it to all the participants. One simple click and you are in. Another benefit is you can connect from anywhere. Given the current climate, we have seen attorneys, deponents, and court reporters appear from businesses and homes, allowing flexibility to those who cannot or prefer not to be out in public. Our remote deposition platform, Zoom, also allows the participants to share exhibits in real time with all the other participants. This function ensures everyone is on the same page and can easily follow along. Zoom also works with almost all devices – PCs, Macs, and other videoconferencing units.
Benefits of Remote Depositions:
- Connect from Anywhere- Connect from your home or office
- Easy to Use- Simply click a link to connect
- Incorporate Exhibits- share your desktop to ensure all participants can see and follow the exhibits in real-time
- Universal Connectivity - Connect to PCs, Macs, and V/C Units
Even though remote depositions can be a great alternative to conducting an in-person deposition, the participants should be aware of the pitfalls and how to avoid them prior to conducting their first deposition. As with any technology, you should do your best to use current, up-to-date products that have the latest updates and security patches installed. As technology ages, they become less compatible with current software and devices and may not work properly. External devices, both webcams and speakerphones, are essential to a smooth videoconference. We recommend Logitech’s HD Pro Webcam and Jabra’s noise-cancelling USB speakerphone. You also want to ensure you have a stable internet connection. Make sure you conduct the deposition from somewhere with a constant, high-speed internet connection. Conducting a videoconference on a public network may be subject to varying internet speeds. If you can, hardwire the internet connection. If your device doesn’t have an ethernet port, try acquiring a USB ethernet adapter. Finally, you always want to test your system with the parties involved. Ideally, it will be the same setup and in the same location as the deposition. Thomas & Thomas always tests with each participant prior to each deposition to ensure the user knows how to connect and that there is a stable connection. Troubleshooting in advance ensures your deposition will get started on time and will be successful.
Recommendations for Conducting a Successful Remote Deposition:
- Use a stable, current device – desktop, laptop, or tablet
- Invest in an external webcam
- Use an external, noise-cancelling speakerphone or call in telephonically
- Use a hardwired internet connection whenever possible
- Test, test, test!
Thomas & Thomas Court Reporters has led the way in court reporting and litigation support technology for over 40 years, and now we welcome the opportunity to assist you with any need you may have. If you would like to learn more about remote depositions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would love to show you the multitude of services we have to offer. We look forward to making your life easier.