In a world where the overwhelming majority of cases never make it to trial, depositions take on outsized importance. They will almost certainly be the only in-person testimony either party has the opportunity to elicit and the only opportunity for live cross-examination. That means every deposition requires careful preparation.
Corporations and other entities have unique obligations regarding the depositions of corporate designees pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30(b)(6) and its state cognate, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 4007.1(e). An entity must prepare a designated witness to answer its adversary’s questions, and the designee’s answers bind the entity in the litigation. Avoiding costly mistakes and discovery sanctions requires that both in-house and outside counsel for such entities take care to prepare for such depositions and understand the rules that govern them.
