ONLINE
Thursday, July 30, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Skilled negotiators know that negotiation is about more than understanding the conflict, the applicable law and the other side’s position. It’s also about understanding the process itself and the many moving parts within it. In this seminar, negotiation expert Nina Meierding delves into the process and the minds of negotiators to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the strategic and psychological dynamics of negotiation.
In this advanced skills training, Nina Meierding focuses on 4 areas that many lawyers struggle with:
About Nina Meierding, M.S., J.D.
Nina Meierding, a leader in conflict resolution for almost 40 years, has mediated over 4,000 disputes. She has trained many groups – including court systems, medical centers, government agencies, school districts, small and large business entities and non-profits in conflict resolution, cross cultural issues, and negotiation skills in almost all 50 states, as well as Canada, England, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland and Sweden. She has been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University School of Law for over 25 years, and a visiting lecturer at many other law schools, as well as the National Judicial College. Among her honors are the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Civil Trial Mediators and the Distinguished Neutral of the Year from the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Reviews of Nina Meierding’s past presentations:
Join Nina Meierding for this important training and dramatically improve the results of your negotiations...guaranteed!
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
9:05 – 10:35 a.m.
Dealing with Different Perspectives of Reality
This session will discuss how people can have very different perspectives of reality (what has happened, what is right, what is true) and what to do if they hold on to their positions in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. We will learn four reactions to conflicting realities (self-justification, rationalization, the power of irrevocability, and inconsequential decision-making) and how implicit biases can create barriers to effective participation and involvement by all participants. We will then examine customized strategies and techniques to overcome these obstacles.
10:35 – 10:45 a.m.
BREAK
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
The Art of the Apology
A “good” apology moves beyond a deal and creates resolution. A “bad” apology can make a conflict even worse. We will explore the many types of apologies (including rapport, transactional, full and partial) as well as the effect of timing, delivery, emotionality and sincerity. We will focus on how different cultures view fairness, truth and forgiveness and the impact of these beliefs on both giving and receiving apologies. With a more complete understanding of the intricacies of an apology we can help our clients move beyond numbers and seek a greater level of resolution and closure by giving and receiving apologies in a way that is both strategic and sincere.
12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
How to Find Out What Really Matters Without Acting Like a Therapist: Keys to Client-Centered Listening and Questioning
Listening is an active process and goes far beyond “hearing.” You will learn proactive listening techniques and how to uncover cognitive biases and sources of resistance including filtering, confirmation bias, and reactive devaluation. Questions can create rapport, change tempo, transfer power, and impact a result. Strategically using different types of questions (including manageable and unmanageable, hypothetical, open-ended, clarifying, elaborating, and confronting) can assist us in discovering the true needs of our client and avoid potential impasses later in the negotiation.
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAK
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Obstacles to Creativity: Overcoming Resistance and Moving Beyond Brainstorming
Despite our professed desire to explore new and different solutions in conflict, there are psychological barriers to creativity including uncertainty and risk avoidance, situational distrust, status quo bias, and social rejection. We will examine these impediments and learn customized strategies to move through them, including a new model of brainstorming.
– Nina Meierding, M.S., J.D.
LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAYS
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.
$295 MSBA members / $295 paralegals / $345 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.
This course also qualifies for 6.0 continuing education in ADR credits.
