“Negotiation is all about building trust, removing suspicion and developing a sense of mutual confidence in the other party.”
– Richard Ellis
We negotiate all the time. Much of the time we are not even aware of it. And over time, we all develop our own negotiating style – especially with those closest to us. But few have spent time thinking about or learning about the negotiation process; about what works, what to do in an impasse, the role relationship plays, and how to determine a good deal.
Lawyers are trained negotiators. Some have done deep dives into the topic, studying various elements and styles of negotiation. Some have years of experience and have developed excellent skills. People hire lawyers to negotiate on their behalf because they recognize the specific skill set the lawyer brings to the table.
Negotiation is complex and can be highly emotional, especially in the family law context. Deals that are negotiated without building trust and removing suspicion often fall apart shortly after they are made.
Hiring a lawyer on a limited scope basis to represent you in negotiating the resolution of a specific issue provides you with the assurance you need to achieve a durable resolution to your dispute.
A legal coach can provide you with negotiation strategies and help you get ready for a negotiation by building your skill set and comfort level.
In the family law setting there is often by necessity a lasting relationship between the parties, even after the legal issues have been resolved. Improving your negotiation skills will be of continued benefit.
Check back next week, ‘O’ is for …