Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel

Every attorney can name at least one opposing counsel who is a thorn in their side, making things more complicated than they need to be and making it seem impossible to achieve a reasonable outcome for the client. Attorneys spend more time and energy dealing with them than on the actual “legal” work. This course is for attorneys who want to learn new tools to make dealing with difficult opposing counsel easier!

Attendees will learn practical strategies for dealing with opposing counsel at all stages of a case. Participants will consider an attorney’s role in difficult and stressful situations with opposing counsel, what attorneys should and should not do to de-escalate, and other essential tools to help manage difficult counsel.

This course is designed for both new and experienced attorneys. Attorneys who interact with opposing counsel or other attorneys regularly are especially encouraged to attend.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore what fuels conflict, trauma, fear, and binary thinking.
2. Evaluate what not to do when dealing with difficult opposing counsel.
3. Assess practical tips for how to manage difficult opposing counsel. 
4. Examine communication tools that can increase an attorney’s chance of a neutral interaction.