The Importance of Being Rational

When a contract dispute hits a civil courtroom, both sides often lose before a judge even speaks because the litigation tax erodes the value of the contract. I use Interest-Based Negotiation to find non-cash concessions—like future service credits or extended warranties—that settle the debt without draining the company's operating capital.

I mediated a dispute between a contractor and a homeowner who were sending 10-paragraph emails at 2 AM. They were $25,000 apart on a project. By applying my JD/MSW lens, I realized the contractor felt his professional pride was attacked. Once I neutralized the language, they stopped pointing at the contract fine print and agreed to a "completion-for-reduced-payment" deal that saved them both $10,000 in trial prep.

I’m perfect for a Commercial Landscaper or General Contractor. They’re taking photos of every minor detail on a job site. Ask them if those photos are for their website or portfolio.