Managing High-Conflict Personalities in Law: Skills Every Attorney Needs

This session introduces the concept of high-conflict personalities and explores the five types most commonly encountered in legal practice: borderline, antisocial, narcissistic, histrionic, and paranoid. Participants will learn to recognize behavioral patterns including blame, all-or-nothing thinking, unmanaged emotions, and extreme behaviors.

Learn what not to do when working with high-conflict personalities, including avoiding insight-giving, past-focus, emotional confrontation, and labeling. Understanding these pitfalls prevents escalation and helps maintain productive professional relationships.

Master the CARS method: Connecting with EAR statements (Empathy, Attention, Respect), Analyzing options, Responding to misinformation with BIFF responses, and Setting limits with consequences. These practical techniques help manage high-conflict interactions effectively.

A brief intermission allowing participants to rest, reflect on the material covered, and prepare for the remaining practical application sessions.

Explore litigation strategies including the three theories of high-conflict cases, presentation techniques using simplicity and repetition, and requesting appropriately strong court orders. Learn how to structure client relationships and end them professionally when necessary.

Develop communication strategies for dealing with difficult opposing counsel, including staying calm, responding with information rather than defensiveness, and structuring mediations effectively. The session concludes with guidance on managing your own anxiety in high-conflict situations.