Learning Options:
Live webinar with chat, includes 60 day replay
9:00 am – 10:30 am (Pacific)
10:00 am – 11:30 am (Mountain)
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Central)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (Eastern)
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Atlantic)
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (Newfoundland)
*This program features real-time audio and video of the presenter with synchronized presentation slides, and a chat feature that allows for live Q & A. SK attendees please verify whether you align with Central (MB) or Mountain (AB) time based on season and location.
Seminar Partners is an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario and a pre-approved CPD Provider of the Law Society of British Columbia.
*The circumstances under which CPD credit will be recognized for watching archive programs vary by province. If you are viewing the recording of the live webinar, please verify with your law society the circumstances under which they will recognize CPD hours for the recording.
Technical Information
Live webinars allow you to hear faculty and see their presentation slides, and ask questions by chat. There is no video feed of the presenter(s). You will need a current web browser (Chrome (Chrome works best), Safari, Firefox), a wired (better than wireless) connection to the Internet of at least 2 Mbps. You can test your internet speed/bandwidth here. If you miss the live program, you can access the archive, at your convenience, for 60 days.
Satisfaction Guarantee
At Seminar Partners, we’re proud of the quality of our programs and presenters. An overwhelming 98% of our participants say they would recommend the program they have taken to their colleagues. If, after having attended a program in its entirety, you are not satisfied that the program has enhanced your understanding of the subject, and you notify us of this in writing the same day, we will give you a credit toward another program of comparable price.
Who Should Attend
This intermediate to advanced level program is for lawyers who want to move beyond the basics of deposing witnesses to a new level of proficiency.
About the Program
Every litigator knows that depositions can make or break a case. The answers you get from a witness often increase the likelihood of winning your case or push the opposing party towards settlement. But what happens when you meet a witness whose sole task is to test your patience and skill? The ability to effectively deal with these witnesses is what separates a great litigator from a good one. This highly practical, focused presentation with experienced litigator Michael Lesage will show you how to stay in control and get the information you need from difficult witnesses. Drawing on personal experiences and publicly available transcripts, Michael will address common recurring witness behaviours, including hostility, forgetfulness, obfuscation and evasiveness. By the end of the program, you’ll have fresh ideas to help you:
Every litigator needs a plan for navigating difficult situations in discovery. Don’t miss this opportunity to get lawyer-tested techniques for getting the most from difficult witnesses during deposition.
Meet Your Presenter
Michael Lesage is the founder and principal of Michael’s Law Firm, with offices in Niagara, Hamilton, and Toronto. After receiving his B.A. in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, he attended law school at the University of Pittsburgh, and worked for a large litigation boutique on matters ranging from complex class actions to medical malpractice to personal injury cases. After graduating from law school, Michael practiced commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance and personal injury law at a prominent Florida litigation firm. There he achieved the coveted “Peer Reviewed” rating from Martindale Hubbell. In 2012, Michael returned to Ontario as counsel for one of Toronto’s largest injury firms. He subsequently started his own firm, doing primarily business and commercial litigation. Michael speaks and writes on law and litigation related topics, including for Canadian Lawyer, Law Times, The Lawyer’s Daily, Advocate Daily, and as author of Chapter 3, in The Oatley-McLeish Guide to Personal Injury Practice in Motor Vehicle Cases 2018.