Comments from Dallas area attorneys who attended "Great! Adverse Depositions: Principles and Principal Techniques" and/or "The 25 Credibility Arguments for Deposition and Trial"
"Great! Adverse Depositions: Principles and Principal Techniques"
Musante is outstanding, entertaining, rapid-fire, killer! Light years better than other full-day seminars. Excellent use of Power Points and real life examples. Outstanding practical content.
Richard M. Roberson, 24-yr atty, 100+ adverse depos, Gardere, Wynne, Sewell, Dallas
Head and shoulders above the rest. Musante is excellent. I've never seen one able to be interesting all day! Good mix of media subject matter and passion in the instructor for the subject matter. I wish I had had this seminar 20 years ago!
Dot Culham, 21-yr atty, 100s of adverse depos, Dallas
Exciting and very educational. This seminar offered exemplary practical tips for taking an excellent deposition. Musante's command of the content, material and English language is impressive. I am convinced that taking a good deposition of an adverse witness can mean the difference in the entire outcome of a case. This seminar will make me 100 times better.
Anonymous, Gardere, Wynne, Sewell, Dallas
Best seminar ever. The practical value of this seminar is enormous. I wish I had had this fifteen years ago. It has changed my paradigm 180 degrees and will improve my depositions tremendously.
Mark Mathie, McKool Smith
Much better than other CLEs. Effective tools to use. Excellent tools and strategy to use in all future depos. Very good [instructor]. I've been taking ineffective depos before this seminar. I look forward to using these tools in my next depo.
Michael Lawrence, 7-yr atty, 200 adverse depos, Dallas
Could be the most valuable seminar I've taken. Excellent [practical content]. Excellent instructor.
Kenneth P. Kula, 6-yr atty, 25 adverse depos, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, Dallas
This CLE creates a monumental, cataclysmic dillema for all of my other CLE presenters: they must teach, inform and entertain me as much as Musante did. All of the abstract notions I had floating in my head are now concrete, firm, knee-jerk reactions.
R. Mark Oliver, 4-yr atty, 50 adverse depos, Brown Pruitt, Dallas
This seminar changes the way one views depositions; and changes the way I will approach every deposition. Musante is a great teacher…he realizes who his audience is and the best way to get his point across. This is the best seminar to date…energetic and thought-provoking. You actually learn instead of fed information.
Jason Bowman, 2-yr atty, 3 adverse depos
This seminar will be extremely useful information to improve the litigation practice. Helpful to see the mistakes from well-known cases. Musante does a very good job of incorporating real world examples with the techniques to be learned. A very good presentation and interaction.
Chris Norris, 5-yr atty
Very informative. Provides thought-provoking challenges to increase everyone's ability to conduct a very effective cross-examination. I look forward to putting these ideas into action.
Laura D. Schmidt, 12-yr atty, 500+ adverse depos, Downs & Stanford, Dallas
One of the few seminars that is really worth taking an entire day to attend. Mr. Musante is very engaging and his use of real situations to demonstrate his techniques is really effective. Provided me with a methodology to use -- a better way to organize my questions. The rules taught in this seminar will help me to be more focused and strategic when developing questions.
Aimee Cook, Gardere, Wynne, Sewell, Dallas
Outstanding!
William Sebesta, 11-yr atty, Cozen O'Connor, Dallas
Excellent seminar; excellent instructor.
Jason Fulmer, 2-yr atty, 1 adverse depo, Gardere, Wynne, Sewell, Dallas
Musante is a guru on depositions. The practical content changes your way of thinking about depos.
Steve Shoultz, 23-yr atty, 200+ adverse depos, Dallas
Great material, effectively presented, great use of "tivo'ed" materials to illustrate.
Stephen D. Wilson, 6-yr atty, 20 adverse depos, Locke Liddell, Dallas
Very instructive, to the point. Excellent instructor. Kept seminar moving while managing to stay on task.
Michael Moureau, 2-yr atty, 4 adverse depos, Godwin Gruber, Dallas
The seminar was great! It should be a requirement for all lawyers regardless of how many depositions one has taken, and regardless of how masterful one thinks they are at the art of the adverse deposition. Musante did a wonderful job. Very informative and very entertaining as well.
Jason A. Schmidt, 4-yr atty, 10 adverse depos
Very good and highly enjoyable seminar that teaches information and techniques the practitioner will actually use.
Scott G. Ball, 16-yr atty, 300+ adverse depos, Winchester & Assoc., Dallas
Lots of information. Entertaining. Liked how the power-points were used for examples.
David Vereeke, 29-yr atty, hundreds of adverse depos, Dallas
Informative and entertaining.
David Vassar, 10-yr atty, 20 adverse depos, Nesbitt & Vassar, Dallas
The best practical advice any litigator can get. Musante is entertaining and effective. This was a repeat for me ... it's always good to go back to school with regard to the important things.
Michael Scott, 6-yr atty, 15 adverse depos, Dallas
Unsurpassed. Outstanding. Excellent. Provides tremendous tools to maintain control over witness and value of depos to overall case.
Edward McHale, 25-yr atty, 500 adverse depos, Dallas
Outstanding, fast-paced, great practical advice. Musante is entertaining, informative and challenging. He turns "normal deposition technique" on its head. Has made me re-examine my technique and my goals in taking depos. Musante validated some of my techniques and made me aware of many more areas in which I can improve.
John Cummings, 8-yr atty, 40+ adverse depos, Law Office of Steven Laird, Dallas
This seminar brought what had been a piecemeal hit and miss process into a cohesive whole.
L. Darlene, Mitchell, 10-yr atty, 500+ adverse depos, Burt, Barr & Assoc., Dallas
Much more valuable than other CLEs -- I actually feel like this one will make a difference. [Value of practical content] absolutely fantastic. I worked until midnight several days this week to free up the time to attend and Musante made it worth the effort. Fantastic [instructor].
10-yr atty, 80+ adverse depos, Dallas
Well above average. More enjoyable and worthwhile than any other lecture seminar. Excellent practical content. Incorporates non-mainstream thoughts but incredibly logical and practical. Good choice of examples and effective use of subtle humor. Kept my attention the entire time.
Erin Royston, 2 1/2-yr atty, McKool Smith
Better than the best. Value of practical content: 100%.
Vance Stanton, 34-yr atty, countless adverse depos, Dallas
[Value of practical content] Strong -- worth the money.
Blake Beckham, 14-yr atty, 300+ adverse depos, Dallas
In light of the growing emphasis on depositions in my practice, this course has provided a concise and useful presentation of techniques (and errors) that both refreshed previous instructions I've received and (more importantly) taught me new tactics. [Regarding this seminar's set of deposition rules], although there is some overlap to my own rules, there are a great deal of different and seemingly more effective tactics.
Phillip Cannatti, 4-yr atty, 50-70 adverse depos, Dallas
Way better than others. The seminar has given me an added measure of confidence in taking a depo. Musante has great command of the material. Before this seminar, I was working without a net; this material will help improve all aspects.
Eric Tautfest, 3-yr atty, 1 adverse depo, McKool Smith
This seminar offered exemplary practical tips for taking an excellent deposition. Musante's command of the content, material and English language is very impressive. Convinced me that taking a good deposition of an adverse witness can mean the difference in the entire outcome of a case. This seminar will make me 100 times better.
Gardere Wynne & Sewell attorney
Excellent! Much better than most. Very helpful to hone skills and prepare; good rules re attacking credibility that can be incorporated into any deposition.
Lori Carr, 15-yr atty, 50+ adverse depos, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
The best solo performance by far and one of the very best overall. Excellent [practical content]; Superb [instructor].
Mary S. Black, 22-yr atty, 40 adverse depos, Dallas
Much more useful than other full-day seminars that I've been to. Teaches the logic that you did not realize you had not put together on how to take more effective depositions. Musante is energetic and engaging.. Will help me prepare better and plan my "attack" on an adverse witness, rather than focus only on information gathering.
Enz Lockridge, 3 1/2-yr atty, 10-15 adverse depos, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
One of best [CLEs] - up with Robert Hirshorn in "voir dire", H. Stein on cross. Extraordinary [instructor] - illustration of points with anecdotes, humor; oratorical gimmicks. [This seminar's set of deposition rules] revolutionary! (Not employed by some "hotshot" attorneys either.)
Robert G. Davis, 20-yr atty, 50 adverse depos, Dallas
Excellent [compared to other CLEs] - much more practical. Very good [practical content] - excellent examples. Very good [instructor]. Ties concepts to practical examples.
Ron Vollmar, 14-yr atty, Dallas
This is my first seminar on depositions -- it has been great! The rules are excellent, the content is very good and well-presented. The video clips and slides were used very effectively.
Jon Buli, 6-mo atty, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
Much better [than other CLEs]. All examples helped in understanding subject matter and made seminar interesting. [Regarding this seminar's set of deposition rules], I have never seen all the rules put together before in a complete way. I look forward to putting all the rules in practice on my upcoming depositions and "whacking" the deponents.
Greg Porter, 3-yr atty, 15-20 adverse depos, Dallas
Most informative in light of the fact that this was my first depo training. Very few day-long seminars have kept my attention all day long like this one. I hope it prepared me to take my first depo using this strategy from the get-go.
Aimee Blanchard, 5-mo atty, Gardere Wynne & Sewell
Enlightening; the logic makes sense.
Brent Lee, 1-yr atty, 12 adverse depos, Thompson & Knight, Dallas
Very good; lots of practical examples. Musante is very good, entertaining.
Ken Kirkpatrick, 4-yr atty, 3 adverse depos, Office of the Attorney General, Dallas
Very informative. Should be mandatory for all new lawyers, before they have the opportunity to develop bad habits. Mr. Musante presented the information in a clear, concise and entertaining format.
Anonymous, 1-yr atty, 1 adverse depo, Gardere, Wynne, Sewell, Dallas
Excellent seminar; excellent instructor. I do contract work in toxic tort litigation and take at least one plaintiff depo every day. I'm interested in applying these techniques to that practice and mastering the skills provided in the seminar.
Anonymous, 13-yr atty, hundreds of adverse depos, Dallas
Thought-provoking! Very good!
Anonymous, 13-yr atty, 250+ adverse depos, Dallas
Excellent seminar; outstanding instructor.
Anonymous, 4-yr atty, 15 adverse depos, Dallas
Very good! Brings the essentials to the forefront.
Anonymous, 15-yr atty, 100s of adverse depos, Dallas
Very good because specific examples were used. [Most useful aspect] Examples. Too many CLEs teach general principles with no framework for using them.
Anonymous, 3-yr atty, 7 adverse depos
Excellent. Gave names to techniques that I already use; tied them together; and, of course, taught me several new techniques and philosophies.
Anonymous, 3-yr atty, 50 adverse depos
Powerfully insightful and informative.
Anonymous, 2.5-yr atty, 6 adverse depos
Great. Very practical, useful and specific tips and advice. [Most useful aspect] Examples from video.
Anonymous, 1.5-yr atty, 4 adverse depos
Logical, insightful and full of basics to approach any deposition. More important, the fact that every depo is a snapshot for trial testimony. Because I came in believing my depo skills and reasons for taking depos were limited - how untrue since the depo is likely to be edited (video depo) and played at trial! [Most useful aspect] Practical approaches to "turning over rocks". You never know what's there or not there unless you turn them over!
Anonymous, 2-yr atty, 2 adverse depos
Musante is excellent, an engaging speaker. Informative and entertaining power-point presentation.
Anonymous, 12-yr atty, "many" adverse depos, Dallas
Provided new insight to methods of taking depositions and useful tools to prevent same bad patterns. Mr. Musante is very knowledgeable of subject and good ability to convey information.
Anonymous, 13-yr atty, 100+ adverse depos
Excellent presentation. Clear communication of essential points! Musante is an effective and engaging communicator.
Anonymous, 4-yr atty, 10 adverse depos, Smith, Underwood, Perkins, Dallas
More valuable because knowledge/skills can be immediately applied to each case "trial" I have going on right now! [Musante] gifted, energetic and persuasive in challenge to apply principles covered. [Seminar's set of deposition rules] more aggressive vs. "scaredy-cat" approach.
Anonymous, Dallas
"The 25 Credibility Arguments for Deposition and Trial"
Excellent seminar…excellent speaker. Musante's animation is motivating…a little like comedian Lewis Black. Good timing. I can't think of any witness I've deposed who couldn't be exposed with Musante's techniques.
Anonymous, 6-yr atty, 10-15 adverse depos
Seminar provides solid logical approach to taking a deposition. Musante is great…entertaining…a little fast at times. Video clips were very effective and perhaps, more importantly, very entertaining. Law school does not teach deposition taking skills. Watching a partner take a deposition only provides an example, but no analysis of the logic underlying the questions. This seminar fills a big gap for young lawyers.
Anonymous, 3-yr atty
Great stuff…this is what law school doesn't teach you and what partners are too busy to show you. Musante is good…solid.
Anonymous, 3-yr atty, 5 adverse depos
Excellent seminar…excellent speaker. The seminar made me see a new level of what can and should be done in depositions.
Walter Melendres, 34-yr atty
A very good seminar. I think Musante is a great and very passionate teacher…his enthusiasm has held my attention all day.
Felicia Norvell, 20-yr atty, 40 adverse depos
Seminar content is good…speaker is very passionate about topic and presents a well-reasoned discussion of material. The Simpson trial clips were very illustrative.
Jason Goff, 1-yr atty, 0 adverse depos
Fantastic seminar for anyone who litigates. Musante is very effective. This seminar helped me understand the techniques that I have and have not used well and where I can improve my techniques.
Mike Howell, 7-yr atty, 25 adverse depos
Excellent seminar…excellent speaker.
Roxanna Garcia, 30-yr atty, 10 adverse depos
Musante's points are practical and I believe will immediately improve my skills. Musante keeps the audience mentally "active"…he has a lot of energy and interesting visuals. His lecture points will help me better outline and work through the questioning necessary to build my case/assess its strengths and weaknesses.
Anonymous, 1-yr atty, 2 adverse depos
Great stuff--gives you a road map to uncover deception. Musante is dynamic. Video clips are good teaching tools to show the good and the bad. This seminar will greatly enhance my ability to paint the AD into the corner.
Phil DeFriend, 3-yr atty, 3 adverse depos
An enormously useful seminar…excellent speaker. Video clips were very helpful and interesting. Musante's seminars are the most useful I've attended in improving the quality of my litigation skills.
Anonymous, 21-yr atty, 100+ adverse depos
An extremely useful seminar. Musante is quick, but every word or statement is a valuable lesson. As a young lawyer, this seminar gives me the tools to depose witnesses as effectively as attorneys who have taken many depositions.
Leanora Costilla Ortiz, 2-yr atty, 5 adverse depos
Outstanding seminar…the logic of deposition is much more important than mere information acquisition. Outstanding speaker.