This program is eligible for 3 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 3.6 hours of CLE credit.. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Overview
Join three of the most dynamic litigators in the field for an interactive, high-energy workshop that will transform your deposition skills from adequate to exceptional. Sybil Dunlop, Faris Rashid, and Jenny Gassman-Pines bring their diverse trial experiences and distinct styles to deliver a program that's as entertaining as it is educational.
Session One: Setting the Stage
Jenny Gassman-Pines kicks off the day with her signature blend of wit and wisdom, helping you discover your authentic deposition persona. No more cookie-cutter approaches – learn how to leverage your natural strengths to command the room.
• Finding your deposition voice
• The art of the outline: From structure to spontaneity
• Technology tips that actually work (and won't make you look foolish)
Session Two: The Deep Dive
Faris Rashid takes the helm to explore the tactical side of depositions, including:
• Expert witness depositions: How to dance with the pros
• Objection mastery: When to speak up and when to stay quiet
• The chess game of defending depositions: Protecting your witness without obstruction
Session Three: The Human Element
Sybil Dunlop closes the day by focusing on the psychology of successful depositions:
• Witness preparation: Building confidence without creating robots
• Reading the room: How to adjust your approach on the fly
• Ethical challenges: Navigating the gray areas with confidence
Throughout the day, our presenters will share deposition examples and videos. Bring your war stories and thorny questions – this is a judgment-free zone where we learn from both successes and stumbles.
Perfect for both newcomers and seasoned attorneys looking to sharpen their skills. Come prepared to participate, challenge yourself, and maybe even have some fun along the way!
Recorded in December 2024.
Faculty
Sybil Dunlop, Esq.
Sybil is a passionate and uncommonly persuasive advocate who helps clients resolve commercial and intellectual property disputes. Her litigation practice affords her substantial first-chair trial and arbitration experience. Sources share that “she is brilliant, responsive and seeks to understand business objectives” as well as a “go-to solution for complex disputes.” (Chambers USA, 2022 and 2024). Minnesota Lawyer has recognized her three times as “Attorney of the Year.” Bringing her skills to bear, Sybil successfully leads teams in litigations around the country and she has taken and defended hundreds of depositions. She is also an experienced and well-reviewed instructor, teaching courses on litigation tactics, depositions, legal writing, and trial strategy to audiences around the country. Audiences applaud her “passion and enthusiasm for mastery” and share that she provides the “the perfect balance of general information while also going into nuanced issues for more experienced practitioners.”
Jenny Gassman-Pines, Esq.
Jenny Gassman-Pines is an experienced trial lawyer and fierce legal advocate. Clients hire Jenny to lead their trial teams, arbitrate multimillion-dollar disputes, and advise C-suite executives of large, multinational companies. They commend her in-depth mastery of the facts and the law, which enables her to develop winning case strategies and convince judges and juries to side with her clients. Jenny’s advocacy skills are matched by her ability to connect with clients and witnesses, particularly in matters involving sensitive issues or difficult personalities. Clients rely on Jenny for her expertise in taking depositions that uncover key evidence and lay the groundwork for successful trials. Jenny’s deposition skills allow her to deftly navigate complex legal and factual scenarios, extracting critical information from witnesses. Jenny has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for the past several years, including as Lawyer of the Year, and has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation, Minnesota Lawyer, and Minnesota Super Lawyers.
Faris Rashid, Esq.
Faris Rashid represents clients in technology, intellectual-property, and product liability disputes. A Fortune 100 client said that Faris’s “briefs sing, and he has won the praise of many state and federal judges for his composure and agility as an oral advocate.” Faris has a particular knack for learning complex issues and disputes and then teaching them to juries in a way that is educational but also “sneaky persuasive.” A credible advocate, judges routinely turn to Faris to understand what’s really going on. Clients also hire Faris to look around corners and spot strategy challenges at the earliest possible moment. As one client said, Faris “stands out among his peers for his ability to assess the business risks inherent in a case.” Faris has a particular passion for legal writing. He has served as an adjunct professor in legal writing and reasoning classes for several years, and has taught many courses on writing. Faris feels strongly that reflecting on, and talking about, legal writing is one of the best ways to get better at it.
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