Virtual Depositions 101: A Complete Guide To Virtual Depositions

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Virtual Depositions

Virtual Depositions have become a growing trend in the legal industry over recent years as a cost-effective way for legal professionals to depose witnesses from anywhere in the world.

However, the recent events pertaining to Covid-19 have accelerated the use of virtual depositions from a matter of convenience, to a matter of necessity. Attorneys, law firms, insurance companies and other legal professionals across the nation are now adopting the latest litigation technology in order to conduct depositions virtually.

At Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, we provide our clients with 100% HIPAA compliant virtual deposition services with no charge for the video connection. If you are considering virtual depositions for your law practice, then you have come to the right place.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Virtual Depositions including:

What Is A Virtual Deposition?

Virtual Litigation Solution

A virtual deposition, also known as a “remote deposition,” allows all parties involved in a deposition to participate from an online virtual environment through the use of a laptop or mobile device with internet connection.

For attorneys, this means that you can now depose witnesses, follow along with realtime transcripts, introduce electronic exhibits, collaborate with team members and carry out all of your depositions from anywhere in the world – all through a completely secure virtual environment.

Key Features

Our virtual deposition solutions come with all of the features needed to conduct a professional deposition including:

Live Video Conferencing Platform: Our easy-to-use video conferencing platform allows for one-way or two-way video conferences using any standard web camera. This means that you can conduct face-to-face questioning during depositions, analyze a witness without being seen during the discovery process, or simply connect with colleagues to collaborate.

Interactive Realtime Streaming: With our interactive realtime streaming feature, all participants of a remote deposition can follow along with a court reporter’s transcript in realtime.

Paperless Electronic Exhibits: Our virtual deposition solutions allow participants to introduce, mark up and collaborate on electronic exhibits at any time during the deposition.

How Does A Virtual Deposition Work?

Virtual Deposition Transcript Software

By working with a qualified virtual deposition provider like Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, legal professionals can easily conduct all of their important depositions (and other litigation events) in realtime from anywhere in the world.

At Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, we make the entire process of setting up and hosting remote depositions very simple.

Virtual Deposition Requirements:

  1. A laptop or mobile device with an internet connection, webcam and microphone.
  2. A free video conferencing app installed on your computer or mobile device.
  3. A list of email addresses for all deposition attendees.

How To Set Up A Virtual Deposition:

Our Scheduling Department will forward an E-mail with a link to access. For your safety and privacy, a password will be sent with the invitation in your email which will allow you to enter the secure video conference deposition.

When you open the link, if you did not already download the required video conferencing application, you will be prompted to do so. Five minutes prior to the deposition, click on the link, which will launch the secure video conference platform. Once it opens, simply follow the on-screen instructions by joining the virtual deposition with audio and video. At this time, you will have joined the virtual deposition.

Please have your exhibits pre-marked and downloaded onto your computer. Exhibits may be shared from your computer seamlessly and shown to all parties’ computers during the deposition by clicking on the “Share Your Screen” button. At the conclusion of the deposition, click on the “End of Meeting” button.

Frequeuntly Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is there a charge for this service?

A. No, it is complimentary indefinitely.

Q. Can the virtual deposition be recorded?

A. Yes, upon request, the virtual deposition can be recorded, uploaded either to the cloud or our computer and sent to the parties for viewing in the future.

Q. What equipment do the parties require?

A. A laptop or desktop with an embedded  or external webcam, good internet connection, microphone and speaker.

Q. How many participants can join in the video conference call?

A. The number of participants is unlimited.

Q. Is the use of the video conference technology safe and secure?

A. Yes, safety and privacy is not a concern, as a password will be sent with your invitation in your email allowing you to enter the secure video conference deposition.

Q. Can exhibits be shown and uploaded for the virtual deposition?

A. Yes, documents/exhibits should be downloaded to your computer prior to the deposition. They can then be shown to all participants within the deposition in real-time.

Schedule A Virtual Deposition With Us Today!

Virtual Deposition Attorney

Do you need to host an important deposition from a virtual environment? At Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, we offer 100% HIPAA compliant virtual depositions and provide all of the technical services needed throughout the process at no charge!

At your request, we can provide a free online demonstration and answer any questions you may have about our virtual deposition services.

Please contact us today by calling 1-877-KLW-DEPO (1-877-559-3376) or simply schedule your virtual depositions through our easy-to-use online deposition scheduling tool here.

Ready to schedule your virtual deposition?

Call Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters now to schedule by phone or use our online deposition scheduling tool to schedule a virtual deposition through our website.

+1 (877) 559-3376
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3 Legal Technology Trends For Law Firms In 2020

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Legal Industry Technology

*Updated: April 4, 2020

From artificial intelligence for law firms, to cyber security and mobile apps for lawyers, the legal industry is constantly pushing forward with innovative solutions.

The following article covers the latest legal technology trends of 2020 being adopted by attorneys, law firms and corporate legal departments across the United States.

1.) Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

 

Law Firm Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI), also known as machine learning, is defined as the theory and development of computer systems that are able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

Artificial intelligence has been around for a while, but recent advances in AI have made the technology much more practical for businesses of all sizes. As a result, this revolutionary technology is being adopted by a growing number of organizations across a wide variety of industries, and the legal industry is no exception.

Law firms, corporate counsel and insurance companies across the country are beginning to use artificial intelligence for a variety of internal processes including due diligence, research, client acquisition, billing and more.

Legal GavelSome firms are even using machine learning to predict the outcome of certain cases.

A recent study “fed” 750 cases to an AI-driven program and gave those same cases to 100 lawyers who were tasked with predicting the outcomes of the cases.

In the end, the AI program was able to predict the outcomes with 82% accuracy while the lawyers were only correct 67% of the time.

2.) Cyber-security Solutions For Law Firms

Cyber Security Technology

Cyber security, also known as information technology security, refers to the implementation of technology and processes designed to prevent the theft or damage of hardware, software and electronic data.

Attorneys and law firms are particularly targeted by cyber attacks due to the sensitive nature of the data and documents that they deal with. In fact, research from security consulting firm Mandiant estimated that 80% of the top 100 largest law firms in the United States had been subject to a malicious computer breach.

Some of the biggest cyber security risks faced by law firms include phishing, hacked email accounts, ransomware and data leaks.

The significance of implementing effective cyber security measures is not necessarily a new concept in the legal industry. However, the importance of cyber security has once again come to the forefront of the conversation in the United States after several major data breaches occurred involving large corporations, such as Facebook, in the past year.

Many attorneys, law firms and corporate legal departments are now taking actions to significantly enhance their cyber security efforts in the wake of these recent cyber attacks.

Email encryption, spam filters, anti-spyware and intrusion detection software are just a few of the fundamental cyber security measures being taken by many organizations in the legal industry.

3.) Mobile Apps For Lawyers

Lawyer Using Smartphone

A recent study by the American Bar Association (ABA) found that nearly 100% of lawyers are currently using mobile apps for at least some aspects of their law-related tasks.

Until recently, however, most attorneys had simply been using the generic mobile applications available to them and tried to make those apps fit their needs as best as possible. For example, many legal professionals used “Evernote,” a popular note-taking app, to record notes and manage to-do lists for their legal tasks.

Fortunately, many mobile apps and software solutions have been developed in recent years which are specifically designed for the legal industry. These innovative mobile apps help legal professionals with everything from client billing, to scheduling and managing depositions on the go.

Mobile App For LawyersFor example, many trial attorneys and corporate counsel are turning to cutting-edge solutions like the EZ-Litigation App by Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe in order to more effectively handle all of their litigation needs.

This all-in-one mobile application makes it easy for attorneys and legal support staff to accomplish a variety of important litigation tasks while on the go.

Want to know more about the EZ Litigation app? Call KLW at 877-559-3376 today!

The Future Of Legal Technology

Law firms, corporate counsel and insurance companies have all benefited from the development of innovative technology over the past few years. While there is no telling what the future will hold, those organizations in the legal industry that continue to implement cutting-edge technology will continue to benefit going forward.

Leave a comment below to let us know how your law firm is using technology and what you think the future holds for legal tech!

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3 Ways Law Firms Are Reducing Litigation Costs With KLW

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Technological advancements have helped to revolutionize the way that we conduct business in countless ways over the past decade. In particular, the legal industry has seen a significant improvement in technology on many fronts in recent years.

A growing number of legal professionals are now embracing the latest innovative solutions to become more efficient while significantly reducing the costs associated with litigation.

The following article explains how law firms, corporations and insurance companies have been able to significantly reduce costs while improving litigation processes with the help of KLW’s LiveLitigation Services.

1.) Remote Litigation Events In Realtime

LiveLitigation iPads

The travel that is often required to attend litigation events can be very time-consuming and expensive for law firms. As a result, a growing number of legal practices and insurance companies are turning to KLW’s LiveLitigation Services to take advantage of the convenience, as well as the cost-savings, associated with streaming real-time litigation events remotely.

By remotely streaming litigation events attorneys and claims representatives are now reclaiming countless hours of time that was previously spent traveling to depositions, and other litigation events, while law firms are seeing significant bottom line growth due to reduced travel expenses.

With LiveLitigation Services from KLW, attorneys and corporate counsel are now able to host and attend all of the important litigation events that they need to in real-time from anywhere in the world. Legal professionals can use a laptop or mobile device to access all of their important legal proceedings including depositions, trials, hearings, witness prep and more.

Attorneys and insurance personnel can follow along with a court reporter’s transcript in real-time during a live litigation event. Additionally, the Interactive Realtime Streaming services allows remote attendees to search for keywords, highlight text and make notes, all of which can be used for reference later.

2.) High Quality Video Conferencing

LiveLitigation Video Conferencing

The use of video conferencing technology has seen massive growth in the legal and insurance industry lately as more and more firms begin to understand the benefits of this technology.

However, many of the video conferencing solutions available to legal and insurance professionals can be unnecessarily complex and often do not integrate with other technology solutions being used to conduct business.

As a result, more and more law firms, corporations and insurance companies are turning to KLW’s LiveLitigation which has high quality web-based video conferencing built into the platform and easily integrates with other technology solutions.

The easy-to-use video conferencing platform allows attorneys and insurance claims representatives to conduct one-way or two-way video conferences using any standard web camera. This means that they can conduct face-to-face questioning during a deposition, analyze a witness without being seen during the discovery process, or simply connect with colleagues to collaborate.

You can learn more about KLW’s Remote Depositions Services here: https://klwreporters.com/remote-deposition-services/.

3.) Paperless Electronic Exhibits

Electronic Exhibits On Mobile Devices

As an all-in-one litigation event solution, KLW’s LiveLitigation platform also includes a user-friendly feature that allows for collaboration on electronic exhibits through a secure cloud-based connection.

Litigation professionals can use the electronic exhibits feature to digitally introduce, manage, and collaborate on exhibit files. Exhibits can be time-stamped, marked-up in real-time, and simultaneously shared in multiple locations.

In addition to eliminating the disorganization that comes with paper files, using electronic exhibits also allows the storing of important documents online in an easily accessible, organized manner. In fact, many clients of KLW use this particular feature to review witness videos, collaborate on various types of exhibits, and create a paperless exhibit resource.

Contact Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters

Want to learn more about the technology solutions and litigation support services offered by Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters?

Visit our homepage at klwreporters.com to discover all of our products and services. You can also call us at 1-877-KLW-DEPO (877-559-3376) for a free consultation to find out how we can help your law firm, corporation or insurance company handle all of your litigation needs.

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An Attorney’s Guide To Safe Passwords

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Attorneys often have access to a great deal of confidential information that must be kept secure for clients and colleagues. As many firms are now paperless, important files and documents are often stored electronically, and cybersecurity has become essential. While the need for a secure password may seem obvious, shocking quantities of people have low quality passwords, and reuse the same one on multiple sites. Unfortunately, the use of low quality, unoriginal passwords make you a prime candidate for hackers.password login portal

Cyber safety begins with having secure passwords for all accounts or files. There are three primary hacking methods:

  1. Brute Force: Brute force attacks involve a program that attempts to guess a user’s password by trying various combinations of characters, symbols, and numbers on a keyboard, until finding the correct combination. The best form of protection against a brute force attack is the utilization of a long, complex password. For example, a password that contains letters and numbers, and surpasses 8 characters, will take at least two years to crack.
  2. Guessing: Many people use passwords that include personal information such as their phone number, birthdate, or child’s name, for example. Passwords that contain personal information are not safe, as these are the types of words or numbers that a hacker, particularly one who is or was close to you, will try first. Beyond obvious personal information, many resort to using common phrases, such as ‘password,’ ‘iloveyou,’ ‘12345678,’ and ‘letmein.’ While passwords such as ‘password’ may seem too obvious for anyone to guess, in reality this isn’t the case. Look here for a complete list of the most commonly used passwords.
  3. Trusting the wrong person: The most common method of hacking occurs when one trusts the wrong person with their account information. As a general rule, don’t give out your account information, regardless of how much you trust the person in question. If sharing a password is absolutely necessary, be sure to find a new password when the second party no longer requires access.

Creating A Strong Password

The standards of what constitute a strong password are constantly shifting. While once an eight character password was considered acceptable, experts now suggest expanding length even just one character, to nine.Lock symbol

  • According to the Georgia Institute of Technology, eight character passwords may be cracked in as few as two hours. While increasing the character count to nine is enough to make a difference, experts suggest the safest character count is twelve. As hacking capabilities continue to increase, twelve character passwords put you a few steps ahead.
  • Make sure your password includes an uppercase, lowercase, number, and symbol.
  • While passwords shouldn’t contain personal information, you can turn personal information into an acronym, which may then be used as a password. For example, a phrase such as ‘I’ve lived on Maple Street since March 3, 2008’ could be turned into: Ilomss3/Mar,8. Deriving a password from a factual or memorable phrase may make a seemingly complex combination of characters easier to remember.

General Tips For Maintaining Secure Passwords

Don’t repeat passwords: Regardless of how secure a password may appear, repeating passwords on multiple sites or programs is never a good idea. If a hacker manages to gain access to one account, duplicate passwords ensure they will have access to other accounts as well.

Memorize passwords: With so many passwords, memorization may seem like a terrible chore. However, there is little point in developing complex, hack-proof passwords if they are left lying around for prying eyes. If you must have a written copy of your passwords, keep it somewhere inaccessible to others, such as within your wallet. Even better, store them on a password manager. When using a password manager, you only have to memorize one very strong password, which grants you access to the rest of your passwords. Some password managers also offer additional services, such as password generation.

Don’t share passwords with others: Regardless of how much you may trust someone, it’s never a good idea to share passwords. The more people that know a particular password, the weaker the password.

Change passwords periodically: Passwords should be changed every so often, some suggest as often as every 3 months.

 

An Overview Of Cloud Computing For Your Law Firm

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Our last blog post discussed the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud storage, as well as some basic security tips to keep in mind while storing information on the cloud. The cloud is a virtual storage space that allows you to store data on a remote server, rather than your own PC. However, the cloud can refer to more than a storage space. Cloud storage is one component of a larger online service called cloud computing, which can provide services beyond storage capabilities.

The Top 3 Categories Of Cloud Computing

Essentially, a third party host makes software and hardware resources available to clients via the internet. Cloud computing has many levels of service that can be tailored to fit the needs of your law firm. The three main categories are SaaS, Iaas, and Paas.Components of cloud computing

  • SaaS, or Software as a Service, involves renting access to software hosted by a remote third-party server.
  • PaaS, or Platform as a Service, provides tools and a virtual platform for you to build and host your own applications.
  • Iaas, or Infrastructure as a Service, involves renting hardware, which includes storage, data center space, and servers, and keeping them off-site, on the virtual cloud.

All of these services are made available through the internet, so essentially, the cloud is the internet.

Advantages Of Cloud Computing For Your Law Firm

Depending on what services your firm makes use of, advantages can include:

  • Cloud computing typically employs a pay-per-use  billing system, so there are no large monetary investments made up-front.
  • As services are shared rather than purchased, not having to install certain software or purchase additional hardware for your office computers can be more cost efficient. Furthermore, there’s no need to purchase and install new software every time a new employee is hired.
  • You are allowed greater flexibility, as the ability to do work relies on having internet access, rather than physically being in the office.
  • Tasks are streamlined for greater efficiency within the workplace. Less people needed on staff can save costs.
  • Software is updated automatically.
  • As applications are run on the cloud, less stress can be placed on office computers

Disadvantages For Your Law Firm:

  • Your ability to access a cloud computing system is only as good as your internet connection, so there is always the risk of downtime.
  • There is always a possibility of technical difficulties, and many feel that tech support for cloud computing, though often free with subscription, is not as prompt as they would hope. Of course, customer support quality will depend greatly on the service provider you select.
  • The biggest disadvantage of cloud computing are concerns of security and vulnerability. Putting data on the cloud requires the entrusting of a third party to keep data protected and secure. Storing information on a remote server is concerning for many lawyers, as one of their main duties is to keep client information confidential and secure.

Should Your Law Firm Use Cloud Computing?

There’s no black and white answer to this question. Various state bars have published their opinions, but the American Bar Association is still mulling over the topic, as there’s so much to consider. For now, it’s up to your law firm to decide whether the advantages of cloud computing outweigh the disadvantages. For now, the best idea is to listen to the needs of your clients, and don’t make use of any technology that makes them uncomfortable.

A Law Firm’s Complete Guide to Going Paperless

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Go Green With A Paperless OfficeMaking the transition to a paperless office is becoming increasingly common for law firms around the country. The ability to access a document in a matter of moments is one of the many reasons people find going paperless so appealing. There is no doubting the long term benefits of this transition make the process worthwhile, but it doesn’t happen overnight.

Benefits to a Law Firm of Going Paperless

  • Greater Efficiency: Transitioning to a paperless office paves the way for a more efficient use of your company’s time and resources. Traditionally, law offices generate a great deal of paper which must be filed and organized accordingly. Valuable time is often wasted in the process of filing and searching for documents tucked away amongst stacks of paper. Electronic filing systems organize documents according to your preferences. Beyond making documents easier to find when needed, electronic filing systems allow you greater flexibility as documents may be accessed anytime, anywhere.

 

  • Cost Effectiveness: There are many costs associated with the process of filing hardcopies that can be reduced in a paperless office. A 100% paperless office saves money by eliminating the need for printing supplies, mailing supplies, filing cabinets, folders, and storage space.

 

  • The Environment: According to the EPA, on average a U.S. office worker prints 10,000 pages each year. A paperless office is more environmentally friendly than the traditional office, as less paper and printing supplies are wasted. As you can now sign a document using an electronic signature, the need for hard copies is decreasing.

 

Developing a Plan for a Law Firm

Transitioning to a paperless office is a process, so developing a plan is essential to staying organized.

  1. Select a date, some months away, after which all documents received will be scanned and electronically filed, and commit to it. Most firms find it unnecessary to scan documents generated prior. The months building up to the big day are important, as they give employees the chance to gradually adjust to the change. Although it is likely that many employees will ultimately prefer working with an electronic filing system, time should be accounted for training and acclimation. Depending on the size of your office, some suggest hiring a third party to train employees.

    2.  

  2. Consider the technicalities, such as what type of equipment will work best for your office, and what type of back-up system you would like to use.

    3.  

  3. Making this transition gives your office the opportunity to become extremely organized. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, develop a general protocol that will be followed in scanning and saving documents.

 

Predictive Coding: When Is It Ideal To Use It?

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What It IsPredictive Coding

It is safe to assume that at this point most litigators are familiar with the term predictive coding. It is touted as a cure for most of what ails the discovery process and criticized as a symptom of legal commoditization. However, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. When used under the right circumstances, it can honestly improve the quality of document review and significantly reduce costs. To realize those benefits Stephanie “Tess” Blair and Tara S. Lawler of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, share great insight in *The Legal Intelligencer, on the importance of understanding what predictive coding can and cannot achieve, as well as understanding when and how to use it in any particular case.

Blair and Lawler explain that predictive coding automates the document review process. That is, it uses technology to identify relevant documents in order to reduce the volume of data that needs to go through costly and time-consuming manual review. Currently, this automation is only partial. Some manual human review is still needed, and the mathematical algorithms powering predictive coding must be tested and verified through data sampling. Additionally, the use of predictive coding is not and cannot be used as a substitute for judgment. For now, knowledgeable people control the technology and are the key to a successful outcome.

When To Use It

The decision to deploy predictive coding for a particular case should include several factors such as data volume, collection methods and type of data being collected. Firstly, data volume is possibly the most important because predictive coding algorithms operate better with more input, a case involving a large data volume is essential. They go on to explain that if a case has a small number of documents (e.g., fewer than 10,000), the number of documents that must be reviewed manually in order to train and validate the algorithm may make up the majority of those collected, thereby refuting any potential cost savings. However, a matter involving a large volume of documents will maximize the benefits of predictive coding technology and will, in turn, make the review more efficient and less costly.

Furthermore they mention that a case can also be affected by the document collection method used. Some organizations have sophisticated collection tools in-house that allow for targeted collection of potentially relevant information, while other organizations have limited collection capabilities that may result in the collection of larger wholesale data sets. According to Blair and Lawler, the former (targeted rich collection) is less likely to yield substantial cost savings using predictive coding, while the latter is often ideal for predictive coding. Likewise, custodial self-collections, whether attorney-guided or self-directed, may not be good candidates for predictive coding. Many custodians organize their mailboxes and other documents in a manner that allows them to identify the specific information that may be potentially responsive. These types of targeted collections normally result in smaller volumes of rich data being collected for review, which, in their opinion, is not best suited for a predictive coding workflow. In terms of the type of data being collected for review they agree that because predictive coding is dependent on machine learning, electronic text is essential. This is best found in documents that originated in electronic form rather than those that originated on paper. They detail that even if scanned hardcopy documents are put through optical character recognition, or OCR, there can be a high error rate in the OCR and results may not be ideal for predictive coding. For electronic data, they say predictive coding works best across a universe of similar data types, such as emails and attachments, whereas image files or other non-text-based file types, such as CAD drawings and audio files, are not suitable for predictive coding.

Making It Make SenseWhen To Use Predictive Coding

To make sense and use of the factors outlined above, they advise seeking help from an experienced e-discovery lawyer or technologist who will assess these factors and advise on whether predictive coding is appropriate for a particular matter. In using predictive coding they also recommend the use of a defensible predictive coding workflow. This defensible predictive coding workflow should have set levels of recall and precision. They go on to explain what precision and recall are: Precision measures the fraction of responsive documents found in the database as identified by the computer. Recall measures the number of documents ultimately tagged as responsive. Both precision and recall metrics need to be tracked and provided regularly as reports to all stakeholders (client, co-counsel and colleagues).

To conclude, Blair and Lawler see predictive coding, when used correctly, as a valuable tool to help sift through a lot of data. They see predictive coding as having applications well beyond traditional document production if deployed properly. They correctly state that it can be used effectively to sift through a pile of documents received from an opposing party, to finding possible issues as part of an internal audit, for trial preparation or to dispose of expired records as part of an information governance program. Finally it should be noted that predictive coding is the use of computing power to improve the knowledge and proficiency of those who know how to use it.

*The full article on predictive coding can be found in The Legal Intelligencer, Special Section, February 2014

Top 5 Uses for an Online Deposition

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Even in the legal world technology is rapidly becoming a necessity. As attorneys find themselves being pulled in Online Depositionseveral directions at once while paying out exuberant travel costs, the need for a cost-effective solution for depositions is evident. Online remote depositions offer attorneys the secure solution they need.

Online depositions are an integral part of the well-informed attorney’s office in this day and age. Not only do they allow for a busy attorney to be in two places at the same time, but they also allow you to record and create a legal video that can be used in court to influence the jurors. The top five uses for online depositions are:

Top 5 Uses:

1. Use It to Conduct the Deposition of a Witness

If a witness can’t travel to your location and time doesn’t permit for you to travel to theirs, conducting an online deposition is the ultimate solution. It will save you from having to set aside an entire day while you travel and wait for the parties to arrive, all for a one hour deposition. By conducting the deposition from the comfort of your office you can communicate in real-time while avoiding the traveling and waiting time. Other attorneys who you have invited to the event can also watch the deposition and ask questions through the private messaging system while it is in progress.

2. Use It to Conduct the Deposition of an Out of State WitnessOnline Deposition For A Witness

If you need to conduct a deposition of a witness who is out of state you might have to spend days away from home and out of the office to get the deposition. The inconvenience is immense from having to rearrange your schedule, to getting other attorneys to handle your other cases, to booking your travel arrangements and hotel rooms. It’s so much easier just to do the deposition online without leaving your office and save yourself the headaches, the time, and the expenses associated with traveling. Those who attend remotely can support the on site attorneys and ask questions through the private messaging system.

3. Use It to Attend an Out of State Deposition

If the opposing counsel is taking the deposition on an out of state witness that you would like to or need to attend, it is always daunting to figure out the details. You need to make all of the travel arrangements, deal with the expenses, delegate your caseload, all just to ask a couple of questions. Instead, you could opt for the time efficient and cost-effective online deposition approach, allowing yourself to avoid the time and expense associated with travel. Anyone invited to the deposition will also be able to attend the deposition and ask questions through private messages while it is in progress.

4. Use It For A Client To Attend A Discovery Deposition

When clients want to review discovery depositions, but for one reason or another they are unable to attend your office, online depositions offer them a great platform to view those depositions. They are able to watch them securely without having to worry about downtime or travel expenses.

5. Use It To Meet With Clients and Review Documents

Instead of having to travel to meet with clients, using online depositions give you a private and secure platform where you can discuss information of a confidential nature and review documents. Offering this service saves both you and your clients time and money. This gives you an excellent opportunity to meet with your clients and ask questions in a face-to-face atmosphere without ever leaving your office.

A Valuable Resource

The technology of online virtual depositions is a valuable resource for any law firm. It offers you a time-saving and cost-effective means to obtain and review depositions without having to leave your office. This cost saving strategy provides you more time to better serve your clients, and a happy client is worth its weight in gold.

Digital Exhibits

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Digital ExhibitsComputer-generated presentations are becoming the ever-growing norm for complex cases. Transcripts in ASCII or e-Transcript format are not as powerful a tool as Video or digitized exhibits. These advances improve both the efficiency of trials and credibility of testimony.

How To Present

Having one presentation with all sources of media linked together improves efficiency and keeps the courtroom engaged. As recognized by the Federal District Court in New Jersey, “incorporating a video deposition into such software to impeach the witness at trial will ordinarily be less time consuming and more effective than fumbling back and forth referring the witness to lines and pages of transcript.” Fanelli v. Centenary College, 211 F.R.D. 268, 271 (D.N.J. 2002). All other areas of a deposition will benefit from this preparation. Digitized exhibits are a powerful tool both in and out of the courtroom. An exhibit is digitized by scanning a transcript and converting it into a digital picture. There are many uses of video in the courtroom, from recording witness testimony to showing the conditions of remote locations. For example, by digitizing the deposition and syncing the video to the deposition transcript, a lawyer can pull up specific segments of a video deposition at a moment’s notice and allow the judge and jury to hear and see the deponent while simultaneously reading the transcript.

What We Do

At Kaplan, Leaman and Wolfe we recognize that each deposition is best fitted with its own unique selection of our services. We work hard to provide all the latest technology and maintain high standards for our team and equipment. With more than 30 years of experience we look forward to providing you with court reporting and litigation support services.

Technology That Gives A Competitive Edge In The Courtroom

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Court Reporting TechnologyCourtroom technology comes about slowly, but once it arrives, there is no stopping this technology from altering the legal landscape. Today’s courtroom holds a number of technological advances over courtrooms just a few years ago. As a Philadelphia Court Reporter, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe’s clients who take advantage of our advanced technology will have a competitive edge in the courtroom.

E-Transcripts

E-transcripts are a safe and fast way of delivering a transcript by email. Security is an important feature to the files as they are encrypted, password, and virus protected, to enable quick delivery via electronic means. This means lawyers will get their transcripts as soon as they are complete. E-transcripts have saved lawyers countless hours in reading through testimony to find a specific reference, thanks to the interactively linked and searchable word index. Further, E-transcripts have the ability to concisely print up to 8 pages per sheet, or full-sized transcripts for your trial notebook, assisting you in being organized for trial.

Live Internet Streaming

This court reporting technology is one of the most exciting innovations currently available. It enables an unlimited number of people to view testimony as it happens, from any location. Live internet streaming has saved the legal industry a lot of money on travel expenses, since they can participate in legal proceedings from their office anywhere in the world.

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Wireless Internet Use

Having wireless internet available in courtrooms creates some concerns about people being able to communicate with others from inside the courtroom. Still many courtrooms now are coming to terms with this technology, and no one benefits more than those involved in a case due to the instant availability of information, research, and data.

Networked Exhibit Display

As an add-on to the use of wireless internet, some courtrooms now have the ability to allow attorneys to use networked monitors to display exhibits. With this kind of system, the jury will have a large screen to view exhibits, and the judge, witness, and opposing counsel will have monitors available as well. Digital exhibits are easier to display and take less time for set-up than physical models.

Realtime Transcription

Realtime transcription is a highly sought after service in the courtroom. It enables litigators to analyze testimony on a notebook or tablet computer as it happens in the courtroom so they can adjust their line of questioning, or seek further clarification on a matter, without having to request a read-back. It ensures that testimony given was delivered as it was intended to be. We have seen lawyers use Realtime Transcription to great effect in legal proceedings, and it is another important tool in an attorney’s kit for leveraging their litigation skills.

Above is just a short list of technological advancements that have resulted in a dynamic courtroom environment where parties can gain a competitive edge through using technology. Feel free to add some more advancements that you feel helped you in the courtroom. If you have any questions on the above technologies, particularly Realtime Transcription and Live Internet Streaming, feel free to contact us.