Executive Summary

Challenge:

After decades of litigation experience, attorney Mike Marzban recognized that colleagues were often too shy to provide candid feedback on his deposition technique. He needed an objective way to evaluate his performance and identify potential blind spots in his questioning strategies.

Solution:

Marzban began using Transcript Genius for what he describes as "a blunt dialog about what I didn't get right." The AI provided the kind of direct feedback that many colleagues hesitate to give.

Results:

"Even if I don't ever take a deposition on this file again," Marzban explains, "if I think the bot is correct, then it will sharpen me for my further depos on other files." His process now includes:

• Identifying overlooked areas requiring follow-up discovery
• Developing more effective lines of questioning
• Transforming passive transcript review into active analysis
• Continuously refining his deposition techniques across cases

Introduction

In the legal profession, mastery comes from constant refinement of technique, rigorous analysis of performance, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. Yet finding objective feedback on deposition performance can be challenging. Even experienced attorneys can develop blind spots, and colleagues may hesitate to offer candid feedback. That's where artificial intelligence is changing the game.

When Mike Marzban started using Transcript Genius, he discovered something unexpected. Beyond its ability to analyze depositions and generate summaries, he found a powerful tool for elevating his practice that could provide the unfiltered feedback he needed to improve.

Q: How much does Transcript Genius cost?
A: Transcript Genius is included at no additional cost when you work with Steno for your court reporting needs. To learn more, visit steno.com/genius

Strategic Analysis: Uncovering Hidden Opportunities

Every deposition contains untapped potential–lines of questioning not fully explored, admissions not fully developed, and connections not immediately apparent. The challenge lies in identifying these opportunities systematically and learning from them. Modern AI tools can process vast amounts of testimony to surface patterns and possibilities that might otherwise remain hidden.

For Marzban, the true power of Transcript Genius lies in its ability to identify missed opportunities and areas for strategic improvement. After each deposition, he engages in a systematic review process to analyze questioning strategies and identify overlooked lines of inquiry.

"If I didn't ask the question, what makes you think I'll spot what I missed?" Marzban notes. "I do sometimes, but not all the time. That's where having an AI analysis becomes invaluable."

Q: Does Transcript Genius share my data to train any AI models?
A: No. We do not use Transcript Genius's conversations to train the AI language model. We do save your conversation within a "context window" or "thread", but only to enable you to ask additional questions  within the context of your previous questions. This thread is not shared to others.

Tactical Advantage: Strengthening Case Strategy

The most effective litigators understand that each deposition builds upon the last, creating a web of testimony that can strengthen – or weaken – a case. The key is identifying the crucial threads that connect different witnesses' accounts and understanding where additional discovery might reinforce your position. Legal AI tools excel at this type of pattern recognition and strategic analysis.

The platform serves as an objective analyst, helping Marzban identify potential weaknesses in testimony that require follow-up. "Now, if I take another deposition in the case, I can follow up on these different areas that maybe I left incomplete," explains Marzban. "I could follow up with special interrogatories, request for production documents – I could do the proper follow up."

Q: Can I upload any transcript for interrogation?
A: Yes. Transcript Genius supports the upload of 3rd party transcripts in .txt format.

Active Engagement: A New Approach to Transcript Review 

Traditional transcript review can often become a passive exercise in highlighting and note-taking. However, the most valuable insights often come from actively engaging with the material, questioning assumptions, and looking for deeper patterns. Technology is transforming this process from a solitary task into an interactive dialogue.

Marzban's experience with Transcript Genius has revolutionized how he approaches transcript review. As he describes it, it's an "active way of interacting with the transcript, almost like the AI version of active reading." This transformation from passive review to dynamic analysis represents a fundamental shift in how attorneys can engage with deposition transcripts, turning what was once a routine task into an opportunity for strategic insight and professional growth.

Q: How can I verify what Transcript Genius says?
A: Transcript Genius provides a side-by-side with the transcript, and each answer is cited with a link to the location it was found in the transcript. Human verification is a simple click away.

The Future of Legal Practice

The path to excellence in litigation requires more than just experience – it demands intentional practice and systematic improvement. While years of taking depositions naturally builds expertise, the most effective attorneys actively seek ways to refine their technique and expand their strategic repertoire.

Marzban's approach to using Transcript Genius demonstrates how technology can enhance legal expertise through:

• Objective Analysis: Getting unvarnished feedback about questioning techniques
• Strategic Planning: Using insights to prepare more effective follow-up discovery
• Pattern Recognition: Identifying recurring issues that might be missed in traditional review
• Efficiency Gains: Rapidly processing testimony to inform next steps

As the legal profession evolves, the ability to leverage technology effectively is becoming as crucial as traditional legal skills. The most successful attorneys will be those who can combine their expertise and judgment with cutting-edge tools that enhance their capabilities.

For attorneys considering new technology, Marzban's experience offers a compelling perspective on how AI can enhance legal expertise rather than replace it. His message to colleagues is clear and direct: "In today's day and age, you have to keep up. If you don't keep up, you fall behind."

Get Transcript Genius Today

To enable Transcript Genius, you can sign up for a personalized demo and our team will walk you through the set-up and ensure you are fully prepared to leverage this tool in your workflows.