Remote depositions are here to stay, so what are you waiting for?!

The current COVID-19 pandemic has led to major changes in the legal industry. Across the country, courts are cancelling in-person depositions and hearings, opting instead for virtual meetings on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, and Cisco WebEx. 

With the spike in coronavirus cases, it looks like social distancing—only going out when necessary and other precautions we have been taking for several months—are here to stay. One of the new norms emerging from this pandemic is a shift to remote depositions.

There are several reasons remote depositions will continue for the foreseeable future:

• COVID-19 cases are still on the rise throughout the country

• Traditionally sized conference rooms are not set-up to properly social distance

• Increased safety! Remote participation keeps the deposition on track and most importantly, keeps you safe.

• Judges have stopped granting discovery extensions. In New Jersey, a Judge issued an order compelling the plaintiff in a slip-and-fall lawsuit to submit to a remote deposition via teleconference, brushing aside her protestations about lacking technical knowledge. Remote depositions will continue to be a viable solution for keeping cases on track for the foreseeable future.

• Depositions can easily be conducted 100% remotely. Unlike many industries which have stopped providing products and services, depositions can still be done.

So, why haven’t you participated in a remote deposition? What’s holding you back?

There are many obstacles you or your clients may be facing which prevent you from proceeding with remote depositions. Luckily, Fortz Legal is prepared to help you conquer any challenges you might face.

Here is a list of potential difficulties and our solutions:

Obstacle: You or your clients are unfamiliar with the Zoom or like platforms 

Solution: Fortz Legal has extensive training and experience with Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms. Our technicians are prepared to walk you through the remote deposition process 1:1, and we test extensively with each participant to ensure a successful virtual deposition.

Obstacle: What if something goes wrong? What about troubleshooting?

Solution: We provide real-time support during your deposition, and are here to make sure it goes smoothly.

Obstacle: How am I going to present exhibits?

Solution: Fortz Legal has a custom workflow for remote exhibit presentation! Click here to watch our video on how we get it done.

Obstacle: My client doesn’t have a laptop or computer with a webcam!

Solution: These days, it seems like most people at least have a smartphone. While a laptop or computer with a webcam is ideal, we have seen witnesses conduct remote depositions from a tablet or smartphone.

Obstacle: How can we make sure our deposition goes off without a hitch?

Solution: Testing, testing, testing! - Fortz Legal diligently tests with each participant prior to the deposition to ensure everyone is connecting properly.

Okay, we’re ready to start conducting remote depositions, what’s next?

Fortz Legal is here to support you with your remote trial needs. We’ve been identified as an industry leader in the field of virtual depositions, presenting our groundbreaking webinar to the Michigan Defense Trial Council, the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association. 

Not only has Fortz Legal Support been identified as the expert in conducting remote depositions by bar associations, we’ve also been invited to present at the NALS National Conference to thousands of legal support professionals. 

So what makes Fortz Legal an industry leader? What makes us successful in championing this shift in legal technology? Why are we well equipped to proceed with remote depositions with ease? We have advantages which most law firms and litigation support companies do not: experience and expertise. 

Remote depositions are nothing new for us—we have perfected our workflow for everything from connection testing to exhibit presentation. Our experienced litigation support specialists are extensively trained in the Zoom platform and are here to support you with conducting your remote depositions. 

If you’re interested in taking advantage of our expertise for remote depositions and trial preparation, contact scheduling@fortzlegal.com, or call 1 (844) 730-4066.