This book provides comprehensive descriptions and concrete illustrations of effective strategies and techniques for taking and defending depositions. The book can serve as a text for a 2-4 unit stand-alone depositions course (either live client or simulated) or as a supplement to a civil pre-trial lawyering course. The book devotes separate chapters to such fundamental skills as obtaining helpful answers to critical questions, undercutting harmful testimony, obtaining a deponent's version of significant events, and obtaining information from evasive deponents. Other chapters include topics such as responding to inconsistent or implausible testimony, overcoming opposing counsel's objections and obstructionist tactics, and preparing a client to be deposed.