With more depositions being held via Zoom, it’s important to remind your client of some tips that will support successful testimony in this format.
1. We’ve all become used to the casual nature of Zoom
meetings in our kitchens and living rooms. However, when it comes to a
deposition, just because it’s Zoom, doesn’t mean you can testify in your
sweats. It’s important to dress professionally or conservatively, at least from
the waist up. So that means no bare arms for men or women, no vivid patterns
that would distract from the substance of the testimony, and that all clothing
be clean and pressed.
2. We’ve all seen the bloopers online from people on Zoom meetings who forgot to close the kitchen/living room/bedroom door, allowing errant children/pets to wander in. Or a spouse who’d forgotten there was a meeting going on and appeared in his/her PJs yelling a reminder of some chore or task. Tell your client to alert household members to the meeting, and close the door. Perhaps with a sign on it “Meeting in Session.” Bloopers are funny online, not so much when they disrupt the flow of a deposition.
More tips to come next month, stay tuned!
In the meantime, best wishes for Happy Holidays.
