The practical mechanics of depositions are changing in real time. Rather than discovering testimony ambiguities days later during transcript review, attorneys can now flag unclear answers immediately and adjust questioning on the spot. Some depositions now include remote experts observing testimony live and offering suggestions to examining counsel. This transforms depositions from static recorded events into dynamic, interactive proceedings. The full scope of how courts will evaluate competence under these new conditions remains unsettled.
Attorneys should anticipate that technological proficiency will become a measurable component of competence standards. This means understanding not just how new tools function, but their risks and limitations—including transcript admissibility, data security, and the need for human oversight. Firms that treat these technologies as optional rather than core competencies may face exposure. The profession is gradually but meaningfully redefining what it means to be prepared, and that definition now includes the ability to deploy and manage litigation technology responsibly.