Run it Back, With Readback
Readback Deposition Service is a
Strategic Companion for This Attorney
By Jared Correia, Esq.
Founder, CEO of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting
Andrew Lacy, Esq.
Is all the hype around AI-supported, near-time reporting for depositions real? Attorney Andrew Lacy is a believer.
Andrew Lacy is an employment attorney and the founder of the Lacy Employment Law Firm in Pittsburgh. He’s a heavy Readback user and evangelist.
Andrew Takes Depositions Like Most People Change Socks
Andrew Lacy has managed a lot of depositions in his career, both before and after starting his own law firm. He estimates that his firm takes 4-5 times more depositions than the defendant attorneys on the other side of his cases. In 2024 alone, he personally handled 50 depositions. He’s taken over 100 depositions using the Readback tech-enabled service. It’s safe to say: he’s a hardcore, power user. Who better to intimately understand what a modern deposition process should look like?
When Andrew founded his law firm, he started using Readback right away – as he had been itching to do at his old firm – because he immediately saw the value of the tool. Plus, he loves the customer service, which he says “really sets [Readback] apart as a deposition solution.” Andrew’s favorite thing about working with Readback is engaging the support team, who are always professional, courteous and actively engaged. Plus, he always gets what he wants: “I’ve never had trouble getting a deposition scheduled, even on last-minute notice.”
Readback Tech Effectively Augments Andrew’s Legal Strategy
Andrew loves Readback’s features – including the live Viewer option, making the near-time deposition transcript accessible during proceedings, which he says he used to have to pay more for with other services. But, Andrew believes that Readback really shines because of what it allows him to do in augmenting his legal strategy – he’s able to get more accurate information, more quickly, which actually makes him a better lawyer. Andrew offers lots of use cases for how he leverages Readback’s features like a boss.
“[Readback] is a great tool. I am better [in depositions] with Readback . . . and I was already really good.”
“The biggest advantage is the recording, in my view. You get the recording for free…”
Let’s review:
Using Generative AI as an Assistive Technology to Build Better Deposition Questions
“I’ve been copying and pasting my [near-time] deposition transcript into AI, like ChatGPT [by Open AI] or Claude [by Anthropic], and asking if I’ve missed anything – and it spits out more questions!”
Using Readback to Gain an Advantage in Deposition Prep
“You get a deposition transcript same day. I’ve definitely used that, because I’ll schedule depositions back to back, and the other side can’t prep their witness in time [for the questions I can generate reviewing the prior deposition].”
Readback Means Andrew Never Has to Rely Entirely on His Own Memory
“[Sometimes] I get a really long answer and I can’t remember what that witness has said. When I have the near-time viewer, I will wait until the witness is finished and ask the witness to now go through every part of that answer [because I have it right in front of me]. Now, they’re stuck on those 4 or 5 points. Whereas, in the past, I would have just moved on [without pinning them down].”
Readback’s Audio Recording Enhances Andrew’s Trial Preparation
“The biggest advantage is the recording, in my view. You get the recording for free, so you don’t have to hire a videographer. If I’m at trial, I will use the recording like I use video and designate the deposition transcripts.”
Readback Lets Andrew Have His ‘Perry Mason’ Moment(s)
“Getting that quote for impeachment, there will probably be 5 or 6 opportunities in the whole entire case where you can get that exact quote and lock the witness in, and that can be a turning point at trial. In the past, those opportunities would come and go and you wouldn’t really know that you let it go, because you didn’t see exactly what the [witness] said in near-time.
And that’s a huge thing. It’s a ‘My Cousin Vinny’ moment.” (Or, ‘My Cousin Vinny’ sure.)
Attorney Lacy’s experience highlights some of the many ways that Readback can “de-risk” a deposition proceeding. A tech-enabled service like Readback allows lawyers to effectively remove the ambiguity present in traditional options where a near-time transcript is not available. Attorneys can also more effectively prepare for additional depositions, as well as maintain better control over proceedings in general. For more information on how Readback takes the risk out of depositions, review our comprehensive list.
Readback is a strong tech-enabled service, offering useful features aligned with compelling strategy. Don’t that beat all.
And while Readback is not available in every jurisdiction, the friendly and helpful Readback team stays on top of local rules and can provide references for any attorney who wants to understand the availability of services in their area.
Readback’s Flexibility Has Enhanced Andrew’s Deposition Strategy and the Reduced Costs Help His Bottom Line
Andrew enjoys the ability to take a deposition when and where he wants. “It’s nice taking a deposition with your dog in the room” – his dog is very well-behaved. But, he also finds that the option for web-based depositions helps his clients. As Andrew tells it: “Witnesses tend to be more relaxed when they’re in their home. Getting dragged into the office is a confidence killer for a witness.” He adds,
“But, you can do an in-person deposition with Readback.” Plus, in addition to the vibes, there are those cost-savings related to not having to access a physical space.
In sum, Andrew receives all of the foregoing benefits from Readback, at a much-reduced price-point versus traditional deposition options. He estimates that he saves between $200-$300 on each deposition compared to those traditional stenography services. At 50 depositions per year for his active practice – that’s a cost savings of between $10,000 to $20,000 each year.
Asked if he would go back to traditional deposition practice after experiencing Readback, Andrew has a one-word answer, kind of like ‘The Raven’: “Never”(more).
Andrew’s final word on Readback speaks to his view of technology in law practice, and how it can effectively support bright attorneys who deploy unique and novel trial practice strategies:
“[Readback] is a great tool. I am better [in depositions] with Readback . . . and, I was already really good.”
About Readback
Readback is a web-based deposition service, featuring ‘near-time’ display of deposition proceedings, available to all parties with the Active Reporting service tier. Readback’s live, online ‘Viewer’ technology broadcasts an ongoing record of the deposition transcript, that is built by AI & reviewed for accuracy by humans – allowing lawyers a new level of control over deposition proceedings. Live support, including a deposition “Guardian” (rather than a traditional stenographer) who actively oversees the deposition proceedings on behalf of Readback clients, offers a fail-safe against potential issues that can (and do) arise during any live event. Once the deposition is complete, an official transcript is delivered within 24 hours.
What you won’t hear is the sound of typing. What you will get is an entirely new deposition experience: clean, contemporary, compelling.
Against the backdrop of traditional stenography services (slow, unsteady, unpredictable), the Readback option is like trading in your horse-drawn cart for a new sportscar, with all the trimmings – all while saving you money & time.
Try Readback, and you won’t go back.