On Demand Video

The Alchemy of Idiots: A Persuasive Lawyer’s Guide to Transform Difficult Opposition into a Collaborative Partner

Use calculator to show CLE credit for your state.

This program teaches lawyers how to transform difficult situations and people into surprising success. Participants will learn how to direct the trajectory of relationships at three key moments that determine the quality of cooperation in almost any professional association: the first contact, the invitation to collaborate, and when tensions flair. By learning to apply a de-escalating dialog model to these situations, lawyers will be able to: 

Increase the likelihood of cooperation from the very first contact.
Invite the other side into a creative brainstorming that achieves everyone’s objectives.
Get back on track when tension and emotions might derail success.

PRICE: $199.00



8:30 - 9:00		A New Influence Model In this section, participants will discuss a three-pronged model to build sustainable influence with clients, opposing counsel, colleagues and staff. Lawyers will learn how to employ this model to achieve more of their clients’ objectives in a variety of situations that lawyers from all practice types encounter on a daily basis.

9:00 - 10:00		The First Meeting First impressions last a lifetime and the first meeting sets the tone for the relationship. In this section, lawyers will learn how highly influential lawyers use communication cartography, other-person focus, bias-checking, and curiosity to build influence in relationships.

10:00 - 10:15		Break

10:15 - 11:15		The Invitation to Collaborate It takes two to tango. In this section, lawyers will learn how to use needs mapping and expansive negotiation theory to make a compelling pitch for collaboration. Lawyers will then discuss how to invite the other parties and lawyers to engage in a creative process that is designed to meet everyone’s objectives.

11:15 - 12:15		Staying on Track When Tensions Flair Tension is inevitable in negotiation though it need not derail collaboration. This section teaches lawyers how to defuse tension with perception checking, curiosity-questions, and by referring to the other side’s needs. These same techniques can also be employed to de-escalate with difficult people in most situations.

5:00		Adjourn

Jeffrey Stec

Jeffrey Stec, J.D. has been a licensed lawyer since 1992, having practiced in the area of complex-family matters, including estate, divorce, and child custody disputes. Jeff developed his collaborative skills by becoming a certified mediator and strategic planning facilitator, specializing in family issues. Jeff has developed an expertise in the collaborative resolution of disputes, and in addition to his work with The Likeable Lawyer, he is currently a sought-after consultant who works with non-profits and municipalities to fashion solutions to complex organizational and community issues. Jeffrey graduated with honors from the University of Michigan Law School, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with high honors from the University of Michigan.

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Credit Reporting

Our courses are approved in almost all states that have CLE requirements. Accreditation for a particular course will vary by state. Please use our CLE calculator for CLE credit available in your state. For more information, visit our FAQ.

"Excellent balance of applicable knowledge with real world examples. A fun way to satisfy CLE requirements from my desktop. The instructor was prepared and easy to follow."

James Hall,
Hall Johnson LLC

"One of the best—and certainly the most practical—seminars I have taken on negotiation."

Paige Williams,
FedEx Corp. Legal Dept.

"The Likeable Lawyer's program provided extremely valuable content for all levels of experience."

Mark Ruppert,
Holland & Hart

"Very informative and effective seminar! One of my favorites!"

Mary Ellen Spiece,
Wilkes & McHugh

"I love Likeable Lawyer courses. They have been the most practical CLE I have ever taken."

Thomas Brinsko,
Attorney, BIC Alliance