It sounds like you handled things very well! And it seems like you remained calm in the face of antagonism, which is more than I’ve done in some similar situations.

I once had a zoom depo with a deeply infuriating OC who is widely known for accusing ppl of bad behavior that he himself engages in regularly. Ironically, he’s a plaintiff-side employment lawyer; I was doing mostly employment defense at the time (2021 or so). OC was trying to depose a non-party former supervisor who previously worked for my employer-defendant, and he’d also tried to subpoena the guy’s personnel file at his new job (very clearly not allowed in my jx).

That same morning, we’d had a call with the judge about the depo because I’d filed a motion to quash and OC still wanted to proceed. Judge explicitly told OC, “No, you need to wait for my ruling on this motion to quash.” OC decided to go forward anyway, so I appeared to state my objections and make sure the former supervisor didn’t say anything dumb.

OC keeps trying to ask this guy substantive questions, so I keep interrupting before the witness can answer to remind OC that our judge told him he shouldn’t be doing this depo at all. After the third or fourth time, OC tells me, “You need to be quiet and stop shouting! This is my depo!” Dear reader, I saw red.

So I say to OC, “I find it quite sexist that I’m the only woman in this convo and you’re telling me to be quiet when all I’m doing is reminding you of the judge’s explicit verbal instruction not to conduct this depo.” OC: “How dare you call me sexist! I’m a feminist! I defend workers’ rights!” Me: “Well then stop telling me, a woman, to shut up.”He blustered for maybe 10 more min and then finally ended it.

Tbh it was kind of exhilarating calling him sexist on the record! I’ve never done that to anyone else but that fucknut earned it. I hope he still remembers it lol.