Fordham University School of Law Professor Howard Erichson was interviewed on Mark Zuckerberg’s attempts to avoid testifying in person across multiple social media trials, noting that while live CEO testimony is the “gold standard” in civil cases, a judge may view the request as an opportunity to streamline proceedings.
Live testimony of a CEO remains the “gold standard” in civil cases because it allows the actual jury to see the cross-examination of the witness for themselves, according to Howard Erichson, a professor at Fordham University’s School of Law.
“On the other hand … the judge may view this as an opportunity to streamline the process and reduce the risk of settlement pressure that may be created if plaintiffs can impose a repetitive burden on the defendant’s chief executive,” Erichson added.
