When a corporation is compelled to testify on certain issues before a court, it must designate the appropriate individual or group of individuals employed by the company to speak and testify on those issues before the court.
Rule 30(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure basically says that in litigation, public and private corporations, associations and government entities speak through their designated representatives (whether as a party or as a non party witness). This circumstance is slightly different from the instance where an individual is involved in litigation and can typically speak for themselves. Accordingly, the attorney representing a public or private corporation, an association or a governmental entity has a little bit more work to do in order to prepare for their client’s deposition.
