Dr. Abbie Maroño | Social-Engineer, LLC

Dr. Abbie Maroño is an internationally recognized behavioral scientist, named a top 1% expert by the U.S. Department of State. She has delivered specialized training to elite agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Abbie is the creator of The Upper Hand, a proprietary framework for influence and decision-making. Her expertise was recognized by the U.S. Secret Service, who invited her to teach this framework, and honored her with an award for her outstanding contribution to their forensic services.

Earning her PhD in Psychology, she became a professor at 23 and now serves as Director of Education at Social-Engineer, LLC. She contributes regularly to Forbes and Apple News and has been featured on BBC News, WIRED, and Forbes Breaking News. As a trusted expert witness, she has consulted on high-profile legal cases, including lawsuits involving A-list celebrities.

Dr. Abbie is also a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, coach, and award-winning academic reviewer recognized for her contributions to the global research community.

Karen Koehler | Stritmatter Law

Karen (“The Velvet Hammer”TM) Koehler is a managing partner at Stritmatter Law in Seattle, Washington. She represents plaintiffs in wrongful death, personal injury and civil rights cases. None of her verdicts have included punitive damages as Washington is a non-punitive state. Karen achieved a $123M verdict in a Ride the Ducks trial in 2019 and a $44 M verdict in a motorcycle crash case followed by a $3.5M wrongful murder verdict both in 2022.

She’s achieved numerous other verdicts and settlements including a $10M settlement for 50 BLM peaceful protesters against Seattle and a $3.5M settlement against the city for the wrongful death of Charleena Lyles, a victim of police violence whose name was often chanted in those protests. She is currently enjoying litigating against Amazon and its delivery program. Karen is a past trial lawyer of the year and president of the Washington Association for Justice. She is a past recipient of the Melvin Belli Award. Her Velvet Hammer tm podcast is in its 6th year. She has three daughters, three grandchildren and has practiced trial law for 40 years.

Gerald A. Connor | Margolis Edelstein

Gerald A. Connor is a partner and trial attorney in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, office of Margolis Edelstein, a full-service multi-state litigation provider to the insurance industry, major corporations, and governmental entities. He focuses his practice on casualty litigation, ranging from automobile and general liability claims to products liability, construction litigation, and workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Connor also has extensive experience in commercial litigation, insurance coverage and First Party claims, and employment law. He has handled dozens of trials, administrative hearings, and arbitrations to verdict, and is active at the appellate level in both state and federal court. Mr. Connor is a member of the Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania bar associations. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law and is a frequent lecturer at both the State and National level.

David H. Pikus | Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.

David H. Pikus is a principal at Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C., practicing in the firm’s New York City and New Jersey offices. He has been a litigator for over 43 years and conducted depositions spanning the spectrum of civil cases: commercial litigation, family and estate proceedings, bankruptcy examinations, securities, intellectual property, banking, shareholder litigation, administrative law and public utility and energy regulation. He previously co-headed the litigation department at one of New York’s largest law firms. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law, and a Special Master of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

Session I – Deposition Dos and Don’ts | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• What the deposition is
  • Securing and locking in a witness’s account
  • Clarifying uncertainties
  • Gaining insight into the opposing party’s case, whether favorable or unfavorable
  • Effectively addressing and incorporating documentary evidence
• What the deposition is not
  • A trial run or performance
  • A tool for intimidation
  • A showcase for the questioning attorney’s argument or case strategy

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Strategic Expert Depositions: Targeting Expert Credentials, Biases, Applied Methodology, and Hitchhiking Opportunities | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Extreme efficiency in expert depositions is under rated
• Match the style of taking the deposition to the specific goals of the case
• Consider the psychological aspects of how the expert forms to assist with later cross examination
• When to utilize “hitchhiking”

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session III – The Nonverbal Communication of Appearing Trustworthy | 3:20pm – 3:50pm

• How your body communicates trust before you speak
• The role of posture, gestures, and facial expression in cooperation
• Why these behaviors work: The science behind trust signals
• Behaviors that reduce perceived competence and how to shift into confident, trustworthy presence

Session IV – Legal Ethics in Depositions | 3:50pm – 5:00pm

• Identify the rules of professional conduct as they relate to depositions
• Highlight the distinction between preparing a witness vs. coaching a witness
• The critical etiquette tips necessary for a smooth deposition

Break | 4:20pm – 4:30pm

• Recent developments with the unique issues that arise in remote depositions