Praise for Family Law Depositions:
"In an extraordinary act of organization, John F. Nichols, Sr. painstakingly categorized his past depositions in family law cases by topic. Part reference manual and part how-to guide, the book is an offering in the Juris Publishing Deposition Series. The authors, John F. Nichols, Sr. and Joe Phillips, are both well-respected and experienced litigators, with Nichols being particularly well-versed in family law cases.
Family Law Depositions contains much of value for both the new or general practitioner, as well as the more experienced family law attorney. For the new or general practitioner, the book provides a guide to pre-deposition preparation and strategy for both the attorney conducting the deposition and the attorney defending the deposition. It offers notes on discovery practice in addition to preparation of the attorney, the client and the witness (including expert witnesses). It even contains sample information sheets for clients to complete and a sample witness-instruction sheet. The book also delves into the very mechanics of deposition taking, including detailed question-and-answer forms from actual depositions conducted by the authors.
While the more experienced family law practitioner can certainly benefit from the sheer organizational force of Family Law Depositions, even more value lies in the numerous unusual fact scenarios covered in the book. These will provide a good "jumping off point" for preparing for depositions in more complex cases and those involving rarer causes of action. Family Law Depositions also contains helpful practice notes throughout, leading any practitioner through proper deposition practice, and providing background information, strategy, and supporting case law. For ease of reference, Family Law Depositions is organized both by topic--jurisdictional disputes, custody proceedings, property proceedings, marital torts and post-divorce actions--and by witnesses to be deposed--parties, experts, social workers, private investigators, teachers, tutors and more. Each possible witness in each topic is addressed with comprehensive, question-and-answer examples from real depositions. It is truly the kind of resource that can only come from experience.
According to the authors, Family Law Depositions is intended as a guidepost for the preparation, planning, and strategy for taking family law depositions. It succeeds, and it should be a part of every family law practitioner's library."
The Houston Lawyer, a publication of the Houston Bar Association
"John Nichols' excellent book fills a great lack in the family law field. Family lawyers frequently go into depositions without adequate preparation, perfunctorily believing they can wing it by keying their questions by scanning their pleadings. A serious mistake. Taking a deposition requires detailed preparation, using precise inquiries to elicit testimony under oath that is complete and lacks deception. Family Law Depositions gives the lawyer the tools to attain that objective and locks in the deponent's testimony. There is no better preparation ally for family law practitioners."
Philip Schwartz, Esq., Schwartz & Associates, LLC; Of Counsel to Shoun, Bach, Walinsky & Curran, PC. Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, Virginia State Bar Association Family Law Section. Former President and Vice President, respectively: International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
"I purchased Family Law Depositions and found it immensely helpful. I found the book to be comprehensive, well organized and easy to use. Congratulations on a great work!"
Kay Polk. Esq., Houston, Texas
