A Practical Skill for Every Role in the Attorney General’s Office

Whether you’re negotiating a complex multistate settlement, managing a team project, collaborating with colleagues across divisions, discussing budget priorities, or simply trying to convince your teenager to clean their room, negotiation is a skill that influences nearly every aspect of professional and personal life. The Negotiation Masterclass provides a practical framework for becoming a more effective negotiator, regardless of title, experience level, or area of responsibility.

Led by experienced public-sector attorneys John Abel, retired Senior Deputy Attorney General from Pennsylvania, and David Chaisson, Deputy Principal Counsel and Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland State Treasurer’s Office, this masterclass focuses on the real-world negotiation challenges faced by government professionals.

Why Consumer Protection Professionals Should Attend

Consumer protection work is built on negotiation. Staff negotiate with companies, opposing counsel, vendors, regulators, federal partners, and even internally when building consensus around investigations and enforcement strategies. This program moves beyond traditional bargaining tactics and teaches a principled approach to negotiation that helps participants:

• Identify underlying interests rather than becoming entrenched in positions.
• Develop creative solutions that create value for all parties.
• Improve settlement and resolution outcomes.
• Build credibility through objective standards and fairness.
• Strengthen relationships while still achieving organizational goals.
• Effectively manage difficult conversations and challenging personalities.
• Know when to negotiate, when to compromise, and when to walk away.

Valuable for Every Level of the Office

This is not just a course for attorneys. Negotiation skills are essential for:

• Assistant Attorneys General negotiating settlements, consent judgments, contracts, and investigations.
• Division Chiefs and Managers leading teams, allocating resources, and building consensus.
• Investigators and Complaint Specialists gathering information and working with consumers, witnesses, and businesses.
• Administrative and Operations Staff coordinating projects, managing vendors, and supporting agency priorities.
• New Employees looking to develop a foundational professional skill that will benefit them throughout their careers.

What Participants Will Learn

The program explores proven negotiation concepts including:

• The Seven Elements of Successful Negotiation
• BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)
• ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement)
• Interest-based and principled negotiation
• Communication strategies that foster mutual understanding
• Techniques for handling difficult people and challenging situations
• Different negotiation styles and when to use them effectively
• Preparation tools that can be immediately applied to workplace negotiations.

Beyond the Workplace

The principles taught in this masterclass extend far beyond government service. Participants will gain skills they can use when:

• Navigating family discussions.
• Making major purchases.
• Resolving conflicts.
• Building stronger professional relationships.
• Influencing outcomes without relying on authority or confrontation.

Key Takeaway

The most effective negotiators are not the loudest voices or the toughest bargainers. They are the professionals who prepare thoughtfully, understand the interests of others, communicate effectively, and create solutions that endure. This masterclass offers practical tools that can improve your effectiveness in the office, strengthen your relationships, and help you achieve better outcomes in every area of life.

Because negotiation isn’t just something we do in legal practice. It’s something we do every day.