The ability to leverage video and audio conferencing for remote depositions could have a real positive impact on your family law firm’s bottom line. Your clients will also benefit from this service, giving them another reason to be pleased with your service – and happy to refer clients to you for future matters.
By Jason Richmond, Business Development Executive
The COVID-19 pandemic has advanced the adoption of technology utilization by attorneys by at least a decade. And many lawyers are saying they will never go back to the old ways after seeing how various software and video conferencing platforms helped streamline their law practice.
One change that’s having a big impact on overhead is the use of remote depositions. Legal technology software can completely change the game by saving law firms — and their clients — big money. As technology integrates more thoroughly into the legal lexicon, watch for the remote deposition to become an accepted practice for small and large firms.
Obviously, law firms want to take the best approach to strengthen their case. Using legal technology software to conduct remote depositions is a cutting-edge way to balance cost and efficiency with a compelling and effective witness story.
While there are certainly times when a traditional deposition is most appropriate, a remote deposition can save clients thousands of dollars. This is an important point for lawyers seeking a competitive advantage; when you can save your client unnecessary fees and costs, you bring real value to the relationship.
Why Remote Depositions are Essential Technology for Family Lawyers
There are tactical advantages to adding this type of technology for lawyers as well. Here are three reasons why remote depositions are compelling, powerful tools to consider:
1. A Video Deposition Captures the Human Emotion Behind the Statement.
A written deposition is one thing, but the power of video is something else entirely. When a witness or a proxy reads a witness statement, it may come across as flat, awkward, and not compelling. Having a voice, face, body language, and the human element together in a video make a very powerful statement
2. A Remote Deposition Documents Unspoken Communication.
So much can be said with the shifting of eyes or squirming in the witness chair. Video captures this in a way that text cannot. A remote, recorded deposition allows you to rewind, pause, and replay the statement, carefully observing the witness even though they are miles away.
3. Electronic/digital Exhibits Are Accessed Quickly in Real-Time.
The days of digging through banker boxes for paper records during the remote deposition have become a relic of the past. Attorneys can retrieve all of their securely stored case exhibits in just a few mouse clicks. And with remote depositions, multiple files can be reviewed at once and out of sight of others.
Other Benefits to Remote Deposition Legal Technology Software
Additionally, other tasks like arbitration and mediation can be conducted from the same technology platform, saving time and money, as well as eliminating a number of court dates and in-person appearances. Attorneys can spend more time on lawyering and less on travel, photocopying, and document shipping or storage. More lawyers and their firms can better protect health concerns, lower expenses, and enjoy a more productive legal process.
From one technology platform, lawyers are now able to see their clients, opposing counsel and their clients, case documents and related video, everything they need in one place, from the comfort and safety of any location with quality internet access.
From a financial and operational perspective, remote depositions are game-changing for law firms. For example:
- Travel costs are cut, both for attorneys, staff, and clients or key witnesses.
- Shipping costs can be cut for documents and exhibits.
- Printing and paper costs can be reduced by using digital exhibits.
- Court reporter fees are reduced, eliminating exhibit scanning and copy fees.
- Time spent traveling, sitting in an airport, searching for documents and preparing, can be cut or eliminated.
- Productivity for the legal team can be improved.
- Scheduling is easier when a witness doesn’t have to add in travel time.
- Work/life balance for attorneys can improve by avoiding unnecessary and time-consuming travel.
While your ethical obligation to serve the client hasn’t changed, the technology and tools used to do the work have. Using a remote deposition is one more way to meet the needs of your clients while improving workflows and cutting costs.
The ability to leverage remote video and audio conferencing for depositions will potentially have a real and positive impact on your law firm. Firms of all sizes can enjoy the benefits of this reliable, effective method for capturing even the smallest of details on video. Your clients will also benefit from this service, giving them another reason to be pleased with your service – and happy to refer clients to you for future matters.
Jason Richmond is the president of LiveLitigation. For the last 15 years, he has educated thousands of legal professionals on technology in the workplace. Richmond spent his college years working at a large Los Angeles-based law firm before spending 10 years in investment banking. Helping attorneys and other legal professionals through technology has been a perfect fit for him. Richmond takes pride in being a part of the legal technology evolution and the ongoing pursuit of technology excellence. www.livelitigation.com
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