Witness testimony impacts a case early on and influences all phases of the litigation process. Poor witness performance often provides leverage for the opposition; increases vulnerability and financial exposure; and creates potentially heavy casualties for clients and attorneys. The effectiveness of a witness` testimony hinges on principles of psychology and communication science.
The conclusions jurors reach about witnesses are critical to success in the deliberation room. Jurors assess witnesses` verbal and nonverbal behavior, from deposition and live testimony, to determine whether they are credible, honest, and trustworthy - and ultimately, to evaluate the conduct of the parties.
This seminar reviews fundamental components of witness effectiveness, gleaned through scientific study spanning the last 20 years. The presenter will address the importance of combining didactic education and experiential training for witnesses to identify, develop, and enhance specific cognitive and behavioral strategies that are vital for success in deposition and trial testimony.
Key topics for this informative presentation include:
-
Components of deposition and live witness testimony training
-
Strategies of the use of themes or psychological organizing principles to help witnesses structure their testimony
-
Approaches to dealing with difficult witnesses
-
Techniques to identify and resolve psychological barriers to effective witness training
-
Common mistakes witnesses make in deposition and at trial