Course Schedule

Negotiation is the pathway to agreement. Much of what lawyers do involves negotiation -- the structured process of communicating toward an agreement. This is an "audience participation," experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practice skills. Topics covered will include both transaction and legal claim negotiations.  This class will immerse students in the reality of contemporary negotiations.

Much of what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis involves negotiation. This negotiations course will provide you with effective, negotiation skills that may benefit you throughout your legal career.  This is a “student-participation,” experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practical negotiation skills in a small classroom environment.  Topics covered will include negotiation theory and literature regarding negotiation of both transactional-based and litigation-based problems. The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and classroom exercises that will be performed in small groups under the instruction of your professor.  You will leave this negotiations course with greater knowledge and understanding of dynamics involved in negotiations and provide you with the skillset to successfully navigate them.

Much of what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis involves negotiation. This negotiations course will provide you with effective, negotiation skills that may benefit you throughout your legal career.  This is a “student-participation,” experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practical negotiation skills in a small classroom environment.  Topics covered will include negotiation theory and literature regarding negotiation of both transactional-based and litigation-based problems. The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and classroom exercises that will be performed in small groups under the instruction of your professor.  You will leave this negotiations course with greater knowledge and understanding of dynamics involved in negotiations and provide you with the skillset to successfully navigate them.

Instructor: Michael J. Schless (http://www.schlessadr.com/) Whether litigating civil or criminal cases, focusing on transactional work, or not even engaging in the practice of law per se, it is likely that the professional life of any law school graduate will include negotiating on a regular and frequent basis. An intuitive sense and engaging personality are examples of innate skills that can enhance a negotiator’s effectiveness and probably cannot be effectively taught. But basic negotiating skills can be taught and ought to be part of the law school curriculum and every law student’s experience. This course is intended to provide an introduction to negotiation theory and practice. We will discuss and practice negotiation structure, strategy, skills, styles, agreement writing, and ethics. We will also examine psychological, cultural, racial and gender influences on the negotiation process. This is a highly interactive course utilizing negotiating exercises between individual or pairs of students (some of which will be video recorded), based upon both hypothetical and actual case studies and reviewed in class, and class discussions in which everyone will be expected to actively participate. We will also invite experienced attorneys and other professionals to share their insights and demonstrate effective negotiating skills. The course is limited to sixteen students, and because we will meet as a full class only once a week, regular attendance is expected. There will be no exams. Grades will be determined by performance on the negotiating problems, agreement writing, journal entries, other writing exercises, and participation in class discussions.

This course teaches the principles and art of negotiation. The course consists of both lectures (classroom presentations) and interactive role-playing, exercises that will be performed in small groups in which students are given the opportunity to act in a variety of roles, including the role of counsel and principal.

Negotiation is the pathway to agreement. Much of what lawyers do involves negotiation -- the structured process of communicating toward an agreement. This is an "audience participation," experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practice skills. Topics covered may include both transaction and legal claim negotiations.

Students will learn to prepare for and conduct negotiations both from within the context of distributive negotiation and cooperative bargaining, and both two-party and multi-party transactions.

Additional materials and assignments will be distributed from time-to-time during class or on Canvas. Students also may be asked to do independent research to elaborate on important/interesting topics.

Negotiation is one of the primary skills used by lawyers in the daily practice of law. This course is designed to help students develop and refine practical negotiation skills. More specifically, this course fosters understanding of the psychological dynamics of the negotiation process, evaluates methods of reaching agreements, and offers an opportunity for each student to receive evaluations of his or her own negotiating skills. Students engage in simulated negotiations concerning a common problem such as sale of real estate, settlement of a lawsuit, or a contract negotiation. Some of these negotiations will be videotaped and discussed in class by the instructor.

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT ALL CLASSES. There will be no final exam. Grades will be determined on the basis of performance in the negotiation exercises, written assignments, class participation, and improvement in negotiation skills. Only students who are willing to commit sufficient time to work on the negotiation problems should enroll for this course.

Much of what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis involves negotiation. This negotiations course will provide you with effective, negotiation skills that may benefit you throughout your legal career.  This is a “student-participation,” experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practical negotiation skills in a small classroom environment.  Topics covered will include negotiation theory and literature regarding negotiation of both transactional-based and litigation-based problems. The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and classroom exercises that will be performed in small groups under the instruction of your professor.  You will leave this negotiations course with greater knowledge and understanding of dynamics involved in negotiations and provide you with the skillset to successfully navigate them.

Instructor: Michael J. Schless (http://www.schlessadr.com/) Whether litigating civil or criminal cases, focusing on transactional work, or not even engaging in the practice of law per se, it is likely that the professional life of any law school graduate will include negotiating on a regular and frequent basis. An intuitive sense and engaging personality are examples of innate skills that can enhance a negotiator’s effectiveness and probably cannot be effectively taught. But basic negotiating skills can be taught and ought to be part of the law school curriculum and every law student’s experience. This course is intended to provide an introduction to negotiation theory and practice. We will discuss and practice negotiation structure, strategy, skills, styles, agreement writing, and ethics. We will also examine psychological, cultural, racial and gender influences on the negotiation process. This is a highly interactive course utilizing negotiating exercises between individual or pairs of students (some of which will be video recorded), based upon both hypothetical and actual case studies and reviewed in class, and class discussions in which everyone will be expected to actively participate. We will also invite experienced attorneys and other professionals to share their insights and demonstrate effective negotiating skills. The course is limited to sixteen students, and because we will meet as a full class only once a week, regular attendance is expected. There will be no exams. Grades will be determined by performance on the negotiating problems, agreement writing, journal entries, other writing exercises, and participation in class discussions.

Instructor: Michael J. Schless (http://www.schlessadr.com/) Whether litigating civil or criminal cases, focusing on transactional work, or not even engaging in the practice of law per se, it is likely that the professional life of any law school graduate will include negotiating on a regular and frequent basis. An intuitive sense and engaging personality are examples of innate skills that can enhance a negotiator’s effectiveness and probably cannot be effectively taught. But basic negotiating skills can be taught and ought to be part of the law school curriculum and every law student’s experience. This course is intended to provide an introduction to negotiation theory and practice. We will discuss and practice negotiation structure, strategy, skills, styles, agreement writing, and ethics. We will also examine psychological, cultural, racial and gender influences on the negotiation process. This is a highly interactive course utilizing negotiating exercises between individual or pairs of students (some of which will be video recorded), based upon both hypothetical and actual case studies and reviewed in class, and class discussions in which everyone will be expected to actively participate. We will also invite experienced attorneys and other professionals to share their insights and demonstrate effective negotiating skills. The course is limited to sixteen students, and because we will meet as a full class only once a week, regular attendance is expected. There will be no exams. Grades will be determined by performance on the negotiating problems, agreement writing, journal entries, other writing exercises, and participation in class discussions.

Negotiation is one of the primary skills used by lawyers in the daily practice of law. This course is designed to help students develop and refine practical negotiation skills. More specifically, this course fosters understanding of the psychological dynamics of the negotiation process, evaluates methods of reaching agreements, and offers an opportunity for each student to receive evaluations of his or her own negotiating skills. Students engage in simulated negotiations concerning a common problem such as sale of real estate, settlement of a lawsuit, or a contract negotiation. Some of these negotiations will be videotaped and discussed in class by the instructor.

In addition to the once a week, three-hour class, exercises will occasionally be done between class sessions; hence, flexibility is an unavoidable requirement of being in this class. One exercise will be completed over a seven day period, and another will be completed over a ten day period. Therefore, IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU BE IN AUSTIN THE WEEKENDS OF SEPTEMBER 12-13 and OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1 to work with your negotiating partners to satisfy the requirements of the course.

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT ALL CLASSES. There will be no final exam. Grades will be determined on the basis of performance in the negotiation exercises, written assignments, class participation, and improvement in negotiation skills. Only students who are willing to commit sufficient time to work on the negotiation problems should enroll for this course. ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 16 STUDENTS.

BASED ON PRIOR HISTORY, ENROLLED STUDENTS MAY DROP THIS COURSE AFTER THE FIRST CLASS MEETING. INTERESTED STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASS SHOULD EMAIL THE PROFESSOR TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST AND ALSO APPEAR AT THE FIRST CLASS. VACANT SLOTS WILL BE FILLED FROM THOSE IN ATTENDANCE BASED ON THE WAIT LIST. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DROP THE CLASS AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST CLASS.

Negotiation is the pathway to agreement. Much of what lawyers do involves negotiation -- the structured process of communicating toward an agreement. This is an "audience participation," experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practice skills. Topics covered will include both transaction and legal claim negotiations.  The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and practical exercises.

Negotiation is the pathway to agreement. Much of what lawyers do involves negotiation -- the structured process of communicating toward an agreement. This is an "audience participation," experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practice skills. Topics covered will include both transaction and legal claim negotiations.  The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and practical exercises.

Much of what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis involves negotiation. This negotiations course will provide you with effective, negotiation skills that may benefit you throughout your legal career.  This is a “student-participation,” experiential learning course that blends law, social science, and ethics toward the development of practical negotiation skills in a small classroom environment.  Topics covered will include negotiation theory and literature regarding negotiation of both transactional-based and litigation-based problems. The class is structured to include both classroom presentation and classroom exercises that will be performed in small groups under the instruction of your professor.  You will leave this negotiations course with greater knowledge and understanding of dynamics involved in negotiations and provide you with the skillset to successfully navigate them.

In this course, students will learn the basics of legislative negotiation through case studies, simulations, and exercises. This interactive approach will be enriched and supported by the study of two textbooks: "Getting to Yes," which elaborates on various negotiation concepts, and "The Texas Legislative Handbook," providing students with practical knowledge of the Texas legislative process. Taught by Jorge Ramirez, the Chief of Staff to the Dean of the Texas Senate.

In this course, students will learn the basics of legislative negotiation through case studies, simulations, and exercises. This interactive approach will be enriched and supported by the study of two textbooks: "Getting to Yes," which elaborates on various negotiation concepts, and "The Texas Legislative Handbook," providing students with practical knowledge of the Texas legislative process. Taught by Jorge Ramirez, the Chief of Staff to the Dean of the Texas Senate.

In this course, students will learn the basics of legislative negotiation through case studies, simulations, and exercises. This interactive approach will be enriched and supported by the study of two textbooks: "Getting to Yes," which elaborates on various negotiation concepts, and "The Texas Legislative Handbook," providing students with practical knowledge of the Texas legislative process. Taught by Jorge Ramirez, the Chief of Staff to the Dean of the Texas Senate.

Lawyers and especially litigators are professional problem solvers. Negotiation is an integral part of crafting solutions. This class is a learn by doing experiential class helping students master the negotiation skills essential for a modern litigation practice. Expect an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions, discovering your style, managing others, reaching resolution, and maintaining personal balance. 

Lawyers and especially litigators are professional problem solvers. Negotiation is an integral part of crafting solutions. This class is a learn by doing experiential class helping students master the negotiation skills essential for a modern litigation practice. Expect an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions, discovering your style, managing others, reaching resolution, and maintaining personal balance. 

Lawyers and especially litigators are professional problem solvers. Negotiation is an integral part of crafting solutions. This class is a learn by doing experiential class helping students master the negotiation skills essential for a modern litigation practice. Expect an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions, discovering your style, managing others, reaching resolution, and maintaining personal balance. 

Lawyers and especially litigators are professional problem solvers. Negotation is an integral part of crafting solutions. This class is a learn by doing experiential class helping students master the negotiation skills essential for a modern litigation practice. Expect an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions, discovering your style, managing others, reaching resolution, and maintaining personal balance. 

Lawyers and especially litigators are professional problem solvers. Negotation is an integral part of crafting solutions. This class is a learn by doing experiential class helping students master the negotiation skills essential for a modern litigation practice. Expect an interdisciplinary approach to finding solutions, discovering your style, managing others, reaching resolution, and maintaining personal balance. 

The course focuses on deal-making strategies, contract structuring, and dispute resolution in business transactions. The course blends legal principles with business strategy, equipping students with practical skills through case studies, simulations, and real-world negotiation exercises. Designed to prepare future lawyers and business professionals to navigate high-stakes corporate negotiations effectively.

The course focuses on deal-making strategies, contract structuring, and dispute resolution in business transactions. The course blends legal principles with business strategy, equipping students with practical skills through case studies, simulations, and real-world negotiation exercises. Designed to prepare future lawyers and business professionals to navigate high-stakes corporate negotiations effectively.

My goal for each student taking this class is to teach you as much about the new venture creation process as possible. Regardless of the line of work you pursue after earning your master’s degree, your ability to approach a business problem using an entrepreneurial skill set will always be valuable and differentiate you from your peers. What frequently is the deciding factor for financing a venture, whether inside a large company or in the private equity markets, is the entrepreneur’s ability to articulate what the business is about, why it will succeed and ultimately how it will produce enough of a profit to give investors a return on their investment. Your ability to do this has very little to do with the actual writing of the business plan. The best business plans and presentations are the documentation of well thought-out and thorough market validation, business model development and financial projections passionately communicated and firmly grounded in facts. By performing these functions effectively, the writing and presenting of the business plan becomes a straight-forward, objective process. This class is designed to give you the hands-on experience of developing all of these skills while producing a viable plan for a new venture. I strongly encourage you to think of this as an opportunity to develop a business plan for a venture you will likely pursue at some point in your career. The format of this class will cover each of the major components you need to develop a viable business and review real business plans and presentations from previous Venture Labs Investment Competitions (formerly Moot Corp®) using case based analysis. This will give you the theory and the practical application of the theory in a real world environment. This course can only be taken for a grade.

My goal for each student taking this class is to teach you as much about the new venture creation process as possible. Regardless of the line of work you pursue after earning your master’s degree, your ability to approach a business problem using an entrepreneurial skill set will always be valuable and differentiate you from your peers. What frequently is the deciding factor for financing a venture, whether inside a large company or in the private equity markets, is the entrepreneur’s ability to articulate what the business is about, why it will succeed and ultimately how it will produce enough of a profit to give investors a return on their investment. Your ability to do this has very little to do with the actual writing of the business plan. The best business plans and presentations are the documentation of well thought-out and thorough market validation, business model development and financial projections passionately communicated and firmly grounded in facts. By performing these functions effectively, the writing and presenting of the business plan becomes a straight-forward, objective process. This class is designed to give you the hands-on experience of developing all of these skills while producing a viable plan for a new venture. I strongly encourage you to think of this as an opportunity to develop a business plan for a venture you will likely pursue at some point in your career. The format of this class will cover each of the major components you need to develop a viable business and review real business plans and presentations from previous Venture Labs Investment Competitions (formerly Moot Corp®) using case based analysis. This will give you the theory and the practical application of the theory in a real world environment. This course can only be taken for a grade.