Trauma-Informed Depositions: How to Prepare and Defend the Deposition of a Trauma Victim

Preparing and defending the deposition of a client who has been severing traumatized and suffers from PTSD requires more than the standard technique. Mishandled deposition and preparation of a client who suffers from trauma can cause further harm and result in disengagement. Melissa Hague of the Joel Bieber Firm examines how trauma affects memory, behavior, and communication, and what that means for how attorneys prepare and defend trauma victims in a deposition and the courtroom. The program covers trauma-informed strategies for witness preparation, recognizing trauma responses in real time, and adapting your approach to ensure an accurate record. Attendees will leave with practical tools for preparing a trauma witness and defending depositions of vulnerable witnesses effectively. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.