Some Of The Tech Mishaps Lawyers Have Experienced During Virtual Court Are Bonkers

Lawyers weigh in on virtual hearing and trial technology during the pandemic.

As we all know far too well, the coronavirus crisis has completely changed the justice system. Court hearings and trials are now done virtually, as are meetings of all kinds. The pandemic forced a once tech-averse profession to suddenly adopt and learn to how to use new technologies to function properly. But just how well have lawyers adapted to the new normal?

We polled more than 100 attorneys — with our largest cohorts of respondents hailing from Biglaw firms (31.18%), midsize firms (23.66%), and small firms (23.66%) — to find out how things haved worked out for them in their new technology-enhanced worlds.

Despite the fact that 60% of our respondents reported that they did not receive any training on their use of remote networking software, over half said that they now have a strong knowledge of that software (with almost 60% noting that they do not have support staff who oversee their use of it). The majority of respondents (77.78%) reported that Zoom is most often the software of choice for virtual depositions and courtroom hearings (Microsoft Teams came in at a far distant second place with 9.09%, with Webex in third, with 8.08%).

How often is your camera on for virtual hearings and depositions?

Almost 70% of respondents said their camera is always on for virtual hearings and depositions.

How often is your camera on for virtual meetings (not hearings)?

About 61% of respondents said that their camera is sometimes on for virtual meetings.

How often do you wear formal business attire for virtual hearings and depositions?

Almost 62% of respondents reported that they always wear formal business attire for virtual hearings and depositions.

How often do you wear pajamas or loungewear for virtual hearings and depositions?

The majority of respondents, about 80%, reported that they never wear pajamas or loungewear for virtual hearings and depositions.

Have you been involved in or witnessed a remote hearing mishap?

Responses were equally split between those who had and those who had not been involved in or witnessed a remote hearing mishap. Here are some of the best (and most outrageous) responses we received:

  • I’ve seen parties driving and parties in bed.
  • During a remote deposition, the court reporter lost audio and took 30+ minutes to get it back at a crucial point in the questioning. Also, CourtCall has been struggling for telephonic hearings and attorneys frequently lose connection or have poor audio quality.
  • A witness’s audio decisively failed in the middle of a trial… twice… also once accidentally showed notes during attempt to pull up exhibit on ShareScreen.
  • A lead attorney lost connection and couldn’t reconnect.
  • I saw a litigant who lit up a blunt.
  • I once saw a lawyer who had apparently been using his Zoom profile to troll for kinky sex with toys.

Would you be able to immediately turn off a cat filter if necessary?

There can be only one Cat Lawyer. Almost 60% of respondents reported that they would indeed be able to immediately turn off a cat filter if necessary.


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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