Brownstein Launches AltaClaro’s DepoSim to Supercharge Deposition Readiness with AI-Powered Simulations

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck today announced the launch of DepoSim, AltaClaro’s AI-powered deposition simulator, across the firm’s litigation associate class, to provide them with more realistic, repeatable practice opportunities to build deposition skills before entering high-stakes client matters.

Developed by AltaClaro, the leading provider of experiential, simulation-based legal training, in partnership with Verbit, a global leader in verbal intelligence, DepoSim allows attorneys to conduct live oral depositions in realistic, simulated litigation scenarios. AI agents play the roles of witness, opposing counsel and court reporter, creating a hands-on training experience that concludes with structured, rubric-based feedback within minutes.

The launch reflects Brownstein’s broader commitment to innovation, technology and practical lawyer development. As a longtime AltaClaro client, the firm has used AltaClaro’s simulation-based training programs over the years to help attorneys build substantive legal skills through realistic practice and feedback, as well as Benchmark360, AltaClaro’s AI-powered feedback technology. Brownstein, alongside five other elite law firms, participated in the DepoSim Design Partner Program earlier this year; its attorneys piloted the beta version and provided critical feedback that shaped the platform’s commercial release. The firm previously partnered with AltaClaro on firmwide generative AI training, with more than 90 percent of partners, associates and legal support staff completing AltaClaro courses focused on the responsible and effective use of generative AI in legal practice.

“AltaClaro has been a trusted training partner because they understand that lawyer development has to be practical, relevant and built around the realities of practice,” said Margaux Trammell, chief talent officer at Brownstein. “In our prior work together, they helped us deliver training that was scalable, thoughtful and genuinely useful to our attorneys. DepoSim brings that same approach to deposition training by giving litigators a realistic way to practice, receive feedback and continue developing the judgment and confidence strong advocacy requires.”

With DepoSim, Brownstein is applying that same practical mindset to litigation training. Depositions are a core litigation skill, but meaningful practice and feedback have traditionally been difficult to scale. Live training often requires significant scheduling, staffing and feedback resources, while many attorneys have limited opportunities to practice the full deposition process before doing it in real matters. DepoSim gives Brownstein litigation associates a way to build confidence and competence through realistic practice, repetition and targeted feedback.

“For litigators, there is no substitute for practice, especially when it comes to depositions,” said Carrie Johnson, co-chair of the Litigation Department at Brownstein. “DepoSim gives our attorneys a meaningful opportunity to build those skills in a realistic environment before they are in the room on behalf of a client. The ability to practice, receive targeted feedback and improve over time is exactly the kind of training that helps litigators develop confidence, judgment and control in high-stakes situations.”

DepoSim supports training across the full deposition process, including introductions, witness questioning, objection handling, exhibit use, professionalism and time management. Attorneys can repeat simulations, refine their approach and use feedback to strengthen performance over time.

“Brownstein has always impressed us as a firm that treats innovation as a responsibility to its attorneys and its clients,” said Abdi Shayesteh, founder and CEO of AltaClaro. “Their commitment to developing the next generation of lawyers is exactly why DepoSim is such a meaningful fit. Strong judgment, critical thinking and confidence are built through practice and feedback, not passive instruction alone. Brownstein understands that deeply, and we’re proud to support the firm as it gives its litigators a more effective way to build those skills before the stakes are real.”

Brownstein’s launch of DepoSim comes as law firms are rethinking how attorneys develop litigation skills in a changing legal market. As technology reshapes the practice of law, firms are increasingly focused on preserving and strengthening the human skills that remain essential to excellent representation, including judgment, communication, strategy, adaptability and confidence under pressure.

For Brownstein, DepoSim represents a practical application of technology to one of the central challenges of lawyer development: helping attorneys gain meaningful experience before client work is on the line.