The Secret to Success: Using Witness Consultants to Prepare Your Client by Michael A. Mosberg, Esq.
[email protected] reparation of the client/witness is critical to the the reporter who may ask the client to repeat the success of a deposition or trial. Obvious, yes; answer, by the adversary who may interpose an objection, ignored, too often. One of the best and most or, in court or in arbitration, by the person or persons efficient and effective ways to prepare a witness presiding. Pfor deposition or trial is by hiring a witness consultant. Understanding the “Rules” of Testimony Why Use A Witness Consultant? Having provided the client with a basic understanding The witness consultant’s focus is singular in purpose. of the manner in which their testimony will be taken, While you are busy worrying about the law, the judge, the practical approach employed by a skilled witness your relationship with the other side, potential witnesses consultant then extends to a thorough, detailed review of and a bevy of other issues that naturally arise in any what I refer to as the “rules” of testimony. By “rules,” I single litigation (let alone the multiple other litigations mean the specific framework within which the client gains you may have going on at any one time), the job of the an understanding of his/her role and what you as the witness consultant is both simple and straightforward— attorney expect. Some examples of “rules” include: tell the help get the witness ready for his or her testimony. truth, listen to the question, do not guess, do not answer a question you do not understand, do not volunteer, do not Practical Approach speak in absolutes.