The Deposition Edge
“The Deposition Edge” is a practical playbook for litigators who understand that the outcome of a case is often determined long before trial begins.
Drawing on decades of experience handling some of the nation's most consequential commercial disputes, nationally recognized trial lawyer Trey Cox explains how and why depositions are one of the most powerful, and often underutilized, tools in litigation. After all, depositions are where the record is built, witnesses are tested, and the narrative that will ultimately reach a jury begins to take shape.
In this clear, strategic guide, Cox breaks down the deposition process the way practicing litigators actually experience it: through preparation, execution, and use. Readers learn how to plan depositions that serve a clear litigation objective, question witnesses in a way that produces precise and admissible testimony and transform transcripts and video into persuasive evidence at trial.
“The Deposition Edge” is designed as a training manual for lawyers who want to improve their craft. Through practical examples, case studies, annotated transcripts, and real-world practice tips, Cox shows how skilled litigators use depositions to lock in admissions, expose weaknesses in opposing cases, shape settlement leverage, and position their story for the courtroom.
The book is written for lawyers at every stage of practice, including in-house counsel who want a clearer view of how deposition strategy can shape the trajectory of a case.
At its core, “The Deposition Edge” teaches a simple but often overlooked truth: depositions are not merely a discovery exercise. They are the beginning of trial. And the lawyers who master them gain a decisive advantage long before a jury is ever seated.
“The deposition is not just a discovery tool; it is a weapon. Used correctly, it determines what evidence the jury hears, how it is presented, and whether your adversary ever makes it to trial.”
“A deposition is not only a fact-gathering exercise. It’s also your opening act for trial. Every question shapes the record. Every answer becomes evidence. But more important than what you ask is how you ask it—and how you listen when the answer comes.”
About the Author
About Trey Cox
Cox is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and one of the country’s leading advocates in complex business and commercial litigation. He is Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s global litigation practice and Co-Partner in Charge of the firm’s Dallas office. Over the course of his career, he has represented companies and executives in high-stakes disputes involving business torts, trade secrets, fiduciary duty claims, and other complex commercial matters in courts across the United States.
Widely respected for his strategic approach to litigation and skill in the courtroom, Cox has tried and arbitrated significant cases and is frequently called upon to handle disputes where the financial stakes and reputational risks are substantial. His practice often places him at the intersection of litigation strategy, corporate governance, and risk management—areas where questions of attorney-client privilege, work-product protection, and attorney immunity regularly shape the outcome of disputes.
The Deposition Edge is available from the following booksellers: