Deposition Summary Template

DEPOSITION SUMMARY

Table of Contents

1. Case and Deposition Information
2. Deponent Background
3. Summary Format Selection
4. Page-Line Deposition Summary
5. Topical Deposition Summary
6. Key Admissions and Testimony
7. Impeachment Material
8. Exhibits Referenced
9. Credibility Assessment
10. Follow-Up and Action Items

1. Case and Deposition Information

Case Name: [________________________________] v. [________________________________]

Case Number: [________________________________]

Court / Jurisdiction: [________________________________]

Deponent Name: [________________________________]

Deponent Role: ☐ Plaintiff ☐ Defendant ☐ Fact Witness ☐ Expert Witness ☐ Corporate Representative (FRCP 30(b)(6)) ☐ Other: [________]

Date of Deposition: [__/__/____]

Location: [________________________________]

Duration: [____] hours [____] minutes

Court Reporter: [________________________________]

Videographer (if applicable): [________________________________]

Transcript Page Count: [____] pages

Attorneys Present:

Summary Prepared By: [________________________________]

Date Prepared: [__/__/____]

Reviewed By (Attorney): [________________________________]

2. Deponent Background

Full Name: [________________________________]

Title / Occupation: [________________________________]

Employer: [________________________________]

Relationship to Parties: [________________________________]

Prior Testimony in This Case: ☐ None ☐ Yes — Date(s): [________________________________]

Prior Litigation Experience: ☐ None ☐ Yes — Details: [________________________________]

3. Summary Format Selection

☐ Page-Line Summary — Best for detailed trial preparation; references each key passage by page and line number.

☐ Topical Summary — Best for complex cases with multiple issues; organizes testimony by subject matter.

☐ Narrative Summary — Best for short depositions or quick overviews; provides a flowing summary.

☐ Combination — Uses page-line for critical testimony and topical for background information.

4. Page-Line Deposition Summary

5. Topical Deposition Summary

Topic 1: [________________________________]

Topic 2: [________________________________]

Topic 3: [________________________________]

Topic 4: [________________________________]

6. Key Admissions and Testimony

7. Impeachment Material

8. Exhibits Referenced

9. Credibility Assessment

Demeanor: ☐ Confident ☐ Evasive ☐ Nervous ☐ Combative ☐ Cooperative ☐ Confused

Overall Credibility: ☐ Strong ☐ Moderate ☐ Weak

Strengths as a Witness: [________________________________]

Weaknesses as a Witness: [________________________________]

Recommended Trial Use: ☐ Designate for trial (FRCP 32) ☐ Use for impeachment only ☐ Do not use ☐ Live testimony preferred

10. Follow-Up and Action Items

☐ Order errata sheet (FRCP 30(e) — 30-day review period)
☐ Cross-reference with [Witness Name] deposition
☐ Request additional documents identified in testimony: [________________________________]
☐ Prepare supplemental discovery based on new information
☐ Draft deposition designations for trial
☐ Prepare motion for summary judgment based on admissions
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Action Item Deadline: [__/__/____]

Assigned To: [________________________________]

Sources and References

• FRCP Rule 30 — Depositions by Oral Examination
• FRCP Rule 32 — Using Depositions in Court Proceedings
• Bloomberg Law — Master the Legal Memo Format