Legal Issues: Depositions

Legal Issues: Legal Issues: DepositionsDepositions

Mary Penny ThompsonMary Penny ThompsonDENR General CounselDENR General Counsel

Case TimelineCase Timeline(with no extensions)(with no extensions)

From Petition to HearingFrom Petition to Hearing 5 months5 months From Hearing to FADFrom Hearing to FAD 10 months10 months Appeals process Appeals process YearsYears

Types of DepositionsTypes of Depositions

1.1. IndividualIndividual

2.2. AgencyAgency

SubpoenasSubpoenas Who Issues One?Who Issues One? What Does It Require?What Does It Require? When Does It Arrive?When Does It Arrive? Where Is It Served?Where Is It Served? Why me?Why me?

Bonus: Who do you call?Bonus: Who do you call? Double Bonus: How can I negotiate?Double Bonus: How can I negotiate?

PreparationPreparation MaterialsMaterials AttorneyAttorney Opposing CounselOpposing Counsel JudgeJudge ObjectionsObjections Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

1. Truth = 1. Truth = KnowledgeKnowledge

2. Stop, Listen and 2. Stop, Listen and ThinkThink

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

3. Look at Documents3. Look at Documents

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

4. Clarify the Context of 4. Clarify the Context of ConversationsConversations

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

5. Summarize First5. Summarize First

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

6. Never Characterize Your 6. Never Characterize Your TestimonyTestimony

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

7. Be Cool7. Be Cool

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

8. Stick to Your Answer8. Stick to Your Answer

As I said before...

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

9. Beware the After Lunch or 9. Beware the After Lunch or Late Afternoon Let DownLate Afternoon Let Down

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

10. Do Not Expect to Testify 10. Do Not Expect to Testify Without the Other Side Scoring Without the Other Side Scoring

PointsPoints

Top Ten TipsTop Ten Tips

1.1. Truth = KnowledgeTruth = Knowledge2.2. Stop, Listen and ThinkStop, Listen and Think3.3. Look at DocumentsLook at Documents4.4. Clarify the Context of ConversationsClarify the Context of Conversations5.5. Summarize FirstSummarize First6.6. Never Characterize Your TestimonyNever Characterize Your Testimony7.7. Be CoolBe Cool8.8. Stick to Your AnswerStick to Your Answer9.9. Beware the After Lunch or Late Afternoon Let Beware the After Lunch or Late Afternoon Let

DownDown10.10. Do Not Expect to Testify Without the Other Side Do Not Expect to Testify Without the Other Side

Scoring PointsScoring Points

Post Mortem CorrectionPost Mortem Correction RedirectRedirect Transcript ReviewTranscript Review Other TestimonyOther Testimony AffidavitAffidavit

Mary Penny ThompsonMary Penny Thompson

DENR General CounselDENR General Counsel(919) 715-0691(919) 715-0691

mary.p.thompson@ncdenr.govmary.p.thompson@ncdenr.gov