OCT. 26 BLOCK 2 3:30PM - 4:30PM DELASALLE
From Incident to Deposition: Preparing Your Company, Your People, and Your Records for Litigation
HR/TALENT MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP
About This Session
When a serious accident or incident occurs in the trucking industry, the legal process that follows can feel opaque, intimidating, and far removed from day-to-day operations. But long before a case ever reaches a courtroom, the deposition process begins shaping the outcome, and the success or failure of that process often depends on decisions made well before the incident itself.
In this interactive session, transportation attorneys from Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard will walk attendees through a live mock deposition based on a realistic post-incident scenario. Attendees will see firsthand how company representatives are questioned, how testimony is developed (or undermined), and how operational practices, documentation, and internal decision-making play a critical role in litigation outcomes.
The session will begin with a practical overview of what a deposition is, who participates, and how testimony is used in litigation. From there, the presenters will conduct a mock deposition of a corporate representative, highlighting key inflection points, common pitfalls, and strategic considerations. Throughout the presentation, the attorneys will pause to break down what is happening, why it matters, and how companies can better prepare.
This session is designed to translate complex legal processes into practical, actionable guidance, empowering attendees to better understand risk, strengthen their internal practices, and confidently navigate the realities of litigation in the transportation industry.
Attend will:
- Understand the deposition process, including its purpose, structure, and role in post-incident litigation, and gain insight into how testimony is used to build or defend a case.
- Learn how to identify and prepare a Rule 30(b)(6) (corporate representative) witness, including selecting the right individual, defining the scope of testimony, and avoiding common preparation pitfalls.
- Recognize how operational practices and recordkeeping impact litigation outcomes, with practical guidance on how policies, training, and documentation can either support or undermine testimony.
- Explore the distinction between representation of the company versus the individual, including how counsel approaches each role and the implications for employees and leadership.
- Observe a live mock deposition based on a realistic trucking incident, with real-time analysis of questioning techniques, witness responses, and strategic considerations.
- Gain practical strategies to proactively reduce risk and improve defensibility, including steps that can be implemented immediately within their organizations.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
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Opening Keynote
Closing Keynote
General Session
Breakout Session
Elle M. Slattery
Member Partner
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Elle M. Slattery is a transportation attorney whose practice focuses on advising transportation and logistics companies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and commercial matters. She counsels clients on federal and state transportation regulations, labor and employment compliance, operational risk management, and litigation readiness. Her practice also includes real property transactions, asset structuring, and transactional support for companies operating across multi-state and international supply chains. Elle has extensive experience handling disputes involving cargo loss, contract performance, regulatory enforcement, and international trade and customs compliance. Drawing on her litigation background, she helps clients develop proactive strategies for recordkeeping, corporate decision-making, and internal controls. Before joining the firm, Elle served in the Office of the Assistant General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Commerce, representing federal agencies in litigation and advising on regulatory and administrative matters. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and holds dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Notre Dame.
Sophia L. Bernard
Member Partner
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Heather Frederick
Partner
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Heather represents motor carriers, brokers, shippers, and commercial drivers in complex and high-exposure transportation matters, including catastrophic trucking accidents, cargo claims, regulatory compliance issues, employment disputes, and insurance coverage litigation. What sets Heather apart is her perspective. Having previously practiced on the plaintiffs’ side, she understands how claims are built, valued, and pursued. That insight now gives her clients a strategic advantage in defending serious transportation claims. Known for her sharp litigation skills and practical, business-minded counsel, Heather works closely with transportation companies to manage risk while protecting both their operations and their reputation. Heather earned her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law, where she served on the nationally ranked Moot Court Honor Board and earned multiple national advocacy awards. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Christopher Newport University. Originally born in Hawaii and raised across the country as part of a Navy family, Heather now lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and young son.
Amelia Kozlowski
Senior Associate
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Amelia Kozlowski is an associate in the firm’s government contracting and litigation practice groups. Amelia’s government contracts and compliance experience includes assisting with large scale internal FAR/DFAR compliance audits, contract disputes and reviews, and purchasing processes. She is proficient in all stages of the civil litigation process. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Amelia worked on a wide range of litigation matters, including complex contract, employment, and other civil disputes. Amelia is a responsive, passionate, and committed legal advocate who diligently provides her clients with business focused, implementable solutions.
Mandy Sams
Senior Associate
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Mandy is an experienced corporate attorney, with over 15 years of experience. the last 11 of which, have been in transportation and supply chain. She has a vast knowledge of commercial contracting and negotiations, compliance issues in the supply chain, and corporate sustainability. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, Bowen School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Mandy currently lives in Fayetteville with her two dogs, Duke and Dutch but spends quite a bit of time in her hometown helping out on her uncle’s longhorn farm. Despite her love of those longhorns, she is an absolute fanatic for the Arkansas Razorbacks and SEC football. As a civic-minded citizen, Mandy is devoted to causes surrounding social justice, equality, and alleviating poverty. She will soon be on the board for the Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, a homeless shelter her family began almost 30 years ago, in memory of her brother.
Mercy Roberg
Associate
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Mercy Roberg is an associate attorney serving in the firm’s litigation and corporate practice groups. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Mercy’s practice consisted of lead litigation counsel for a Florida legal aid firm where she also served as director of operations for the firm. Through her experience, Mercy provides a unique understanding of issues facing clients from an operational standpoint to trial. Mercy has served as counsel in over two hundred mediations and has a keen eye for what helps clients reach their goals.
Megan K. Ray
Associate
Taylor Nelson Slattery Bernard, PL
Megan Ray is an associate attorney serving in the firm’s corporate practice group. Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, she gained diverse litigation experience representing defendants in construction, general liability, and workers’ compensation matters. Megan graduated from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, she was a member of the Student Leadership Development Committee and a certified legal intern at a non-profit legal aid association, assisting with family law cases. Additionally, she volunteered at the Community Law Program, helping with their various civil law clinics. Before embarking upon a career in law, Megan attended Florida State University, graduating cum laude with a combined Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Psychology. Megan currently resides in St. Petersburg. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, exercising, and spending quality time with her friends.
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