These days, most legal disputes end up being settled. However, the road to a settlement is anything but direct or simple. There are numerous variables and factors that must be considered along the way, including crucial case elements, applicable laws, your client's needs and your opponent. Then there is the art of negotiation – which is absolutely essential if you want to arrive at a settlement that is satisfactory to you and your client.

Knowledge and preparation are two of the keys to getting the settlement result you want. Order today to learn the ins and outs of the settlement process. Right from the convenience of your desk, you can find out how to develop a settlement strategy early in the case. You'll also discover the secrets to successful negotiation, confidently handling settlement conferences and understanding the role of mediation in settlements.

1. Determining a Settlement Strategy Early On
2. The Settlement Process
3. How to Succeed at Settlement Conferences
4. Techniques for Winning Strong Settlement Awards
5. Mock Settlement Negotiation
6. Ethical Considerations
7. Using Mediation When Settlements Don't Work

1. DETERMINING A SETTLEMENT STRATEGY EARLY ON
   9:00 - 10:00, Gary P. Price
   1. Evaluating the Client's Goals
   2. Developing a Framework for Settlement Negotiations
   3. Determining the Strength of the Case for a Trial
      1. Litigating vs. Settling
      2. Costs vs. Benefits
2. THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS
   10:00 - 10:45, Cory Brundage
   1. Opening Communication
   2. Keeping a Broad Viewpoint
   3. Knowing the Case, the Risks and Your Opponent
   4. Being Creative and Flexible
   5. Making Offers and Counteroffers
   6. Effective Negotiation Techniques
   7. Common Negotiating Mistakes
   8. What Happens at Settlement Conferences
3. HOW TO SUCCEED AT SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES
   11:00 - 12:00, Cory Brundage
   1. Maintaining Open Communication and Establishing a Compromise
   2. Solving Problems and Unfair Settlement Practices
   3. Evaluating Settlement Offers
   4. Documenting the Settlement
   5. Releases and Covenants
4. TECHNIQUES FOR WINNING STRONG SETTLEMENT AWARDS
   1:00 - 2:00, Gary P. Price
   1. Supporting Documentation for a Settlement Award
   2. Presenting Award Scenarios for Comparison
   3. Using Dramatic Graphs
   4. Proposing Settlement Amounts Incrementally
   5. Asking for the Highest Reasonable Award
5. MOCK SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATION
   2:00 - 2:15, Cory Brundage, Mark A. Metzger and Gary P. Price
6. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   2:30 - 3:30, Mark A. Metzger
   1. Rules of Professional Conduct
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Confidentiality
7. USING MEDIATION WHEN SETTLEMENTS DON'T WORK
   3:30 - 4:30, Mark A. Metzger
   1. When to Consider Mediation
   2. Effective Mediation Preparation
   3. Stages in the Mediation Process
   4. Bringing the Mediation Process to a Successful Conclusion

CORY BRUNDAGE is an attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. His practice consists primarily of trial and appellate work, with an emphasis on commercial litigation and arbitration; catastrophic personal injury with a concentration on head injury and wrongful death; products liability, college and university law; legal malpractice; disciplinary defense; and employment law issues, including covenants not to compete. Mr. Brundage defends law firms in malpractice and disciplinary complaints, as well as provides opinions on ethical and partnership issues. He has spoken at numerous seminars on attorney malpractice. Mr. Brundage earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Indiana University and his LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association.

MARK A. METZGER is a partner in the Indianapolis firm of Metzger Rosta LLP, where he practices in the areas of insurance defense, litigation, and personal injury. He has been a guest lecturer at numerous seminars with regard to his practice. Mr. Metzger also is an adjunct professor at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. He is a member of the Indianapolis, Indiana State, and American (member, Insurance Law and Litigation sections) bar associations; the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana; and the Defense Research Institute. Mr. Metzger earned his B.S. degree, with distinction; his M.P.A. degree; and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Indiana University.

GARY P. PRICE is a partner with the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis & Kappes, P.C., where he has broad experience as a trial lawyer, handling rights cases to complex commercial litigation. He is a registered mediator. During his career in trial practice, Mr. Price has tried to judgment or verdict cases involving the following subject matter: patent, anti-trust, copyright infringement (software), product liability, premise environmental contamination, personal injury, common carrier liability, commercial contract issues, wrongful death, psychiatric malpractice, and civil rights claims representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Mr. Price wrote "Administrative Law," 12 Indiana Law Review, 30-42, 1979, and co-wrote "Workmen's Compensation," 12 Indiana Law Review, 334-339, 1979. He is admitted to practice in Indiana, and before the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Mr. Price earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Indiana University. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis State Bar Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

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