Bysiewicz transcript released

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz acknowledged during a recent deposition that she has never argued a case before a judge and couldn't remember being in a courtroom to observe litigation since law school. 

The deposition was part of her lawsuit seeking a ruling on whether she has the 10 years of active legal experience required under state law to run for attorney general.

A spokesman for Susan Bysiewicz's campaign for Attorney General said late today that she will have no comment outside of the court room to what can only be described as damaging testimony during her deposition by an attorney for the state Republican Party.

Parts of the questioning by Attorney Eliot Gerston behind closed doors at his law office over three days went like this;
Gersten: "How often have you used the practice book in your daily practice of law?
Bysiewicz: "I don't use it, I'm not a litigator."
Gersten: "Have you ever been a participant in a deposition?"
Bysiewicz: "No."
Gersten: "Never signed any pleadings in court?"
Bysiewicz: "No."
Gersten: "Have you ever been inside a courthouse and been introduced as an attorney in the case?"
Bysiewicz: "No."
Gersten: "Have you ever participated in preparing discovery or anything else like that?"
Bysiewicz: "No."

She continued throughout the deposition to maintain that her experience as a state lawmaker and Secretary of the State qualify as being a practicing attorney. It's very clear that the lawyer for the Republicans is attempting to show that any experience she has lawyering is quite limited.

There are about eight hours of this all on video that is likely to make for a lot of material for Bysiewicz's opponents to use in a campaign. But she contends these answers don't matter because if the judge rules her experience doesn't count, he should rule the requirement unconstitutional.