Does there seem to be a lack of civility in our adversarial legal system? Do you work with clients and opposing counsel that are rigid and uncompromising – who seem to be preoccupied with constantly blaming others for their problems?
One of the unfortunate aspects of legal practice is dealing with high conflict attorneys that seem to permeate the legal system. Most lawyers would agree that their high-conflict cases take up more time and much more emotional energy than their ordinary cases – sometimes more than all of their other cases combined. The bad news is that these high conflict personalities appear to be increasing in society, and especially in our courts. The good news is that understanding high-conflict personalities and opposing counsel can help ease your stress and also help you achieve a better result for your client.
In this highly informative and extremely practical CLE course, Bill Eddy provides you with tips and strategies to deal with high conflict attorneys. The main issues discussed include the attorney-client relationship, core issues of personality disorder in high conflict attorneys, high conflict personality (HCP) opposing counsel and 10 Points on how to approach HCP counsel. Further topics addressed include: common high-conflict issues, lack of self-awareness, lack of adaptation, externalizing responsibility, 5 high conflict personalities, causes of personality disorders, brain neurochemistry in HCP attorneys, what to expect from HCP counsel, listening to opposing counsel, picking your battles, responding with B.I.F.F., making proposals, avoiding professional splitting, incivility and support & consultation.
Bill Eddy is a lawyer, therapist, mediator and the President of High Conflict Institute. He developed the “High Conflict Personality” theory (HCP Theory) and has become an international expert on managing disputes involving high conflict personalities and personality disorders. He provides training on this subject to lawyers, judges, mediators, managers, human resource professionals, businesspersons, healthcare administrators, college administrators, homeowners’ association managers, ombudspersons, law enforcement, therapists and others. He has been a speaker and trainer in over 25 states, several provinces in Canada, Australia, France and Sweden.