Video Depositions - The Visual Advantage
I recently had the opportunity to attend a CLVS (Certified Legal Video Specialists) seminar in St. Louis. This is an outstanding group of video professionals who are certified in the correct methodology of preserving a deposition into a video format.
If your firm uses depositions for later presentation in court and you're not utilizing video you're missing a powerful tool that can provide a compelling and psychological advantage to your argument.
If you do use video I'd strongly suggest that you use a certified video specialist; they follow strict guidelines and are associated with the NCRA (National Court Reporters Association).
In the past few weeks there have been news reports on the sexual harassment lawsuit involving New York Knicks President and Coach Isiah Thomas.
The deposition of Thomas was videotaped and has been replayed in court (as well as the media) several times.
When is the last time you recall a deposition being "READ" over and over on a news program?
For impact on today's jury you need visuals.
Compare the dry, written transcript of his deposition with the visual dynamics of him actually speaking the words on camera.
I think you'll agree with the old saying that "a picture's worth a thousand words"; in this case the picture AND the transcript is a priceless combination - about 12 million dollars worth.
So - why aren't you utilizing this as a tool in your legal arsenal?
It can't be cost - a Certified Videographer's fees aren't that expensive, so it must be fear of the unknown - and of perceived courtroom catastrophes.
With the right presentation skills and current software you shouldn't be adverse to using new technology.
In the next few blogs I'll review a few of the solutions that can help you overcome any reluctance you might have regarding using 21st century solutions to win your cases.
This week I'll start with YESLAW...
So - what is YesLaw?
To quote from their website: " YesVideo provides a service for converting deposition videotapes onto CD, synchronizing them with the transcript, and delivering them with YesLaw software. This software allows attorneys to easily review deposition footage, find key segments, then create and export clips for use in trial presentation programs like Sanction®. Rather than focus on technology, the focus is on making law firms more successful in their use of video."
OK - well, that pretty much sums it up. I could go on for another few paragraphs but I'd be saying essentially, the same thing.
Used on a PC the program allows the viewer to search for pertinent testimony, locate the corresponding video and audio and then save it into a variety of existing software programs, like Sanction, Livenote, and, of course, Powerpoint.
In my opinion this is a great way to bring video into your firm; it's not rocket science and they've created a platform that is easily understood by almost everyone. The YesLaw viewer doesn't take any programming skills on the part of your staff - if they can load a CD they can load a synchronized text video deposition.
How do you get your video into the YesLaw format ?
SIMPLE - almost all Certified Legal Video Specialists have access to the service, just specify it when you set up your next deposition.
If you already have the video and the text in a file format you can go to the YesLaw website and locate an out fit (like Video Resources, Inc.) who will handle the conversion for you.
The conversion fee isn't expensive at all and the overall savings to your firm will outweigh the investment.
