A few years ago, I represented a process piping subcontractor in a claim against the general contractor and the owner of a coal fired power plant in Massachusetts. While the case was unique and interesting in a number of ways, some of which may be the subject of future posts, one aspect that was new for me was taking a Rule 30(b)(6) corporate deposition of two individuals at the same time.
Rule 30(b)(6) depositions are depositions of a corporation or other business entity. It is the corporation that is testifying. These depositions can be helpful to obtain testimony of the corporation that will be binding on the corporation at the time of trial. They also impose an obligation to prepare and educate the individuals who testify on behalf of the corporation — to learn what information the “corporation knows” which is often beyond one person’s personal knowledge. The corporation designates individuals to testify for the corporation on a list of topics provided by the party noticing
