Avoiding Ethical Impropriety Concerns in Virtual Depositions

A current concern regarding virtual depositions involves counsel and/or the party/witness trying to “game” the examination of a witness through covert coaching. Of course, an attorney has an obligation to prepare his or her client for deposition and may even prepare percipient witnesses (see, e.g., Section 116 of the Restatement of the Law Third, The Law Governing Lawyers). It is incumbent on the practitioner to be familiar with the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Rule 8.4 (based on the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct) makes clear that “[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to,” among other things.

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The Recorder