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Bare-Knuckle Negotiation

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Bare-Knuckle Negotiation

Savvy Tips and True Stories from the Master of Give-and-Take

Raoul Felder,

15 min read
11 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Why should you read a celeb divorce lawyer’s negotiations book? Two reasons: to learn the tactics and to read about the juicy gossip.

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

Raoul Felder is one of New York’s most famous divorce lawyers. He moves in elite circles and counts movie stars, big shot executives and political heavyweights among his clients and antagonists. He didn’t get to that point by being a shrinking violet. This book attempts to position Felder not only as a ruthless negotiator but also as the right sort of fellow. That’s a tough balance to strike, particularly since some of his tactics are outrageous, albeit effective. Felder manages to dish the dirt while also serving up useful advice about gloves-off negotiations.

Summary

Divorce negotiations are particularly emotional, and you should expect irrational behavior.

The toughest, most challenging negotiations involve high-profile celebrity divorces. Who gets the kids? The house? The artwork, stocks and bonds? Negotiating those issues under the emotional pressure of a divorce takes a steady hand, a calm mind and a bag of tricks.

Power is in play in any negotiation. A weak party is battling a strong party. The weak party had better be a skilled negotiator, because honeyed words and guileful tactics provide the weak party’s only chance of prevailing.

In criminal cases, defense lawyers often have a weak hand. The whole criminal justice system favors prosecutors. The police have gathered evidence for prosecutors, the judge and jury seem disposed to believe prosecutors, and the odds are heavily weighted to conviction. Often, the only chance a defense lawyer has to help his or her client is to negotiate a plea bargain. Note the words “negotiate” and “bargain.”

Most divorce lawyers represent women, because divorcing husbands (at least in high-profile cases) often prefer to use their corporate attorney or someone else they know. ...

About the Author

Raoul Felder is an American divorce lawyer and matrimonial attorney. He has written eight books and published numerous articles related to matrimonial law, politics and social issues. Felder has represented Rudy Giuliani, Jack Welch, Carol Channing, and other well-known clients.

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