On this episode of The Litigation War Room, host Max Goss speaks with seasoned trial lawyer, professor, and author Shane Read about his book, Winning at Deposition, and about what it takes to master deposition strategies and techniques.

"One of the most important things I tell lawyers is that a deposition testimony equals trial testimony and to treat it that way." - Shane Read

Max and Shane break down high-profile (and entertaining) cases involving President Bill Clinton and Microsoft founder Bill Gates to highlight common pitfalls and best practices for depositions. Their conversation covers the crucial importance of depositions in modern litigation, the strategic reasons for taking or not taking a deposition, and how best to prepare for a deposition. Because, as Shane makes clear, winning at depositions means having a clear case strategy and a bottom line message from day one.

00:20 Guest Introduction: Shane Reed

00:33 Discussing Deposition Strategies

01:36 Shane Reed's Background and Career

03:19 The Crucial Role of Deposition Testimony

04:53 Reasons to Take or Not Take a Deposition

07:11 Effective Deposition Techniques

17:00 The Role of Preparation in Depositions

20:22 Handling Forgetful Witnesses

24:47 The Importance of Preparation

25:36 Bill Gates's Antitrust Testimony

27:52 The Art of Persistent Questioning

31:33 President Clinton's Infamous Deposition

34:31 A Heated Exchange in a Deposition Room

38:18 Common Mistakes Lawyers Make in Depositions

40:09 Insights on Remote Depositions

43:16 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Shane Read bio page

ShaneRead.com

Winning at Deposition

Turning Points at Trial

Shane Read on X

Shane Read on LinkedIn

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The Litigation War Room is hosted by litigation attorney Maxwell Goss. Max represents clients in intellectual property and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.

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Deposition Mastery with Shane Read