Attorneys’ Soft Skills: Effective Communication, Negotiation Tactics, and Time Management Strategies

Cari L. Sheehan
Cari L. Sheehan | Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

With over 15 years of legal experience in civil litigation, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibility, Cari serves as Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP's Assistant General Counsel. In this role, she advises firm attorneys with respect to ethics compliance, risk prevention, and conflicts of interest. In addition, she assists in the review and negotiation of outside counsel guidelines, conflict waivers and engagement letters, and other items with ethical implications.

Live Video-Broadcast: April 22, 2025

1.5 hour CLE

Tuition: $195.00
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Program Summary

To excel in the legal profession, attorneys must possess more than just strong legal expertise—they need essential soft skills to navigate client interactions, negotiations, and case management effectively. This seminar delves into the critical interpersonal and strategic skills that legal professionals must develop to enhance their practice. Participants will explore key competencies such as communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving to build stronger client relationships, negotiate successfully, and manage stress while maintaining professionalism. By mastering these skills, attorneys can elevate their legal careers, improve client satisfaction, and strengthen their overall professional effectiveness.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Effective Communication: Enhancing verbal and written communication for persuasive advocacy and clear client interactions
  • Emotional Intelligence: Developing self-awareness and empathy to navigate complex legal and client matters
  • Negotiation Strategies: Practical approaches to achieving favorable outcomes in settlements, contracts, and disputes
  • Time Management & Organization: Prioritizing caseloads and optimizing efficiency in legal practice
  • Client Relationship Management: Building trust, maintaining professionalism, and handling challenging clients
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Analyzing complex cases, anticipating legal challenges, and making sound decisions
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Managing stress, handling unexpected legal developments, and staying flexible in evolving legal landscapes
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Upholding professional integrity and aligning with legal ethics, including the implications of Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(d), 8.4(g), and others

Date / Time: April 22, 2025

  • 3:00 pm – 4:40 pm Eastern
  • 2:00 pm – 3:40 pm Central
  • 1:00 pm – 2:40 pm Mountain
  • 12:00 pm – 1:40 pm Pacific

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Cari L. Sheehan_FedBarCari L. Sheehan | Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

With over 15 years of legal experience in civil litigation, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibility, Cari serves as Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP’s Assistant General Counsel. In this role, she advises firm attorneys with respect to ethics compliance, risk prevention, and conflicts of interest. In addition, she assists in the review and negotiation of outside counsel guidelines, conflict waivers and engagement letters, and other items with ethical implications. In addition, she assists in providing ethical training and education within the firm to its attorneys and staff.

Cari is an Adjunct Professor at the IU Robert H. McKinney School where she teaches Professional Responsibility. She is also a former Assistant Clinical Professor of Business Law and Ethics at the Kelley School of Business. She is passionate about promoting ethical awareness, integrity, and professionalism in the legal and business fields and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and practice in these domains.

Cari is a frequent presenter and author on ethics and professionalism in the legal industry. She is a reoccurring author with the Res Gestae regarding the Ethics Curbstone and has been quoted in publications for her knowledge on ethical topics. Cari is also an avid speaker having given over 200 seminars on ethics and professionalism for various local and national platforms. Her primary area of research is regarding the ethics of AI and how it affects the legal and business community.

Agenda

I. Effective Communication: Enhancing verbal and written communication for persuasive advocacy and clear client interactions | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

II. Emotional Intelligence: Developing self-awareness and empathy to navigate complex legal and client matters | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

III. Negotiation Strategies: Practical approaches to achieving favorable outcomes in settlements, contracts, and disputes | 3:20pm – 3:30pm

IV. Time Management & Organization: Prioritizing caseloads and optimizing efficiency in legal practice | 3:30pm – 3:40pm

V. Client Relationship Management: Building trust, maintaining professionalism, and handling challenging clients | 3:40pm – 3:50pm

VI. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Analyzing complex cases, anticipating legal challenges, and making sound decisions | 3:50pm – 4:00pm

Break | 4:00pm – 4:10pm

VII. Adaptability & Resilience: Managing stress, handling unexpected legal developments, and staying flexible in evolving legal landscapes | 4:10pm – 4:25pm

VIII. Ethical Decision-Making: Upholding professional integrity and aligning with legal ethics, including the implications of Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(d), 8.4(g), and others | 4:25pm – 4:40pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

California

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 Ethics / Professionalism

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
1.5 CLE Hour(s)

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Florida

Approved via Attorney Submission
2 General Hours

Receive CLE credit in Florida via attorney submission.
Georgia

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
1.8 General

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Illinois

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Indiana

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 NLS Credit

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 Law Practice Management

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 Law Office Management

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
1.5 CLE Hour(s)

Maryland

No MCLE Required
1.5 CLE Hour(s)

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Michigan

No MCLE Required
1.5 CLE Hour(s)

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.5 General

Missouri

Approved for CLE Credits
1.8 General

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney’s behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
90 Ethics / Professionalism minutes

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
1.8 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Nevada

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
1.8 General

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “B”.
Ohio

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Oklahoma

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Pennsylvania

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2 General

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
1.5 CLE Hour(s)

Tennessee

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 General

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

Virginia

Not Eligible
1.5 General Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 Law Practice Programming

Washington

Approved via Attorney Submission
1.5 Other (Office Management) Hours

Receive CLE credit in Washignton via attorney submission.
Wisconsin

Approved for CLE Credits
1.5 Law Practice Management

West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
1.8 General

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
1.5 General

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