December 1, 2008 – Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a leading law firm with more than 500 lawyers and 8 offices across the United States is taking deposition preparation digital with “Deposition Testimony: 5 Simple Rules.” “Deposition Testimony: 5 Simple Rules” – published by New Media Legal Publishing – is the first and only witness preparation video that is available for viewing on demand by litigators and clients anywhere – anytime – on‐line via streaming video over the Internet.
“Manatt is a cutting‐edge firm that’s quick on the uptake,” said Jeff L. Williams, New Media Legal Publishing’s Executive Vice President of National Sales. “Immediately upon learning it could use the Internet for depo prep purposes, the firm collectively said ‘Why wouldn’t we?’ It really is a no brainer.”
For Craig J. de Recat, co‐chair of Manatt’s Trial Practice and a member of the firm’s board of directors, the best part about “Deposition Testimony: 5 Simple Rules” is that it “ gives witnesses the experience of seeing what can happen to them in a deposition or trial if they are not careful, thoughtful and prepared. The visual impact of watching a witness under a relentless cross‐examination because he or she didn't take the deposition seriously gives my clients an extra edge that ordinary witness prep doesn't. This video is a tremendously valuable witness prep tool." Andrew H. Struve, a litigator in Manatt’s Los Angeles, California office, is most impressed by the convenience of using the video on demand with clients. “Because we have the video available on an external Manatt website, I can e‐mail my clients a link and password and they can watch the video on‐line wherever they are and whenever they have time. It's extremely convenient both for my clients and for me," noted Mr. Struve.
Manatt is part of a growing group of leading law firms and companies who use “Deposition Testimony: 5 Simple Rules” that includes the Fox Entertainment Group (a division of News Corp.), Irell & Manella LLP, Katten Muchin Rosenman, LLP, O’Melveny & Myers, LLP, and Morrison & Foerster LLP, among others.