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To social psychologists, cognitive dissonance occurs when a person has two conflicting ideas or beliefs, neither of which she can easily set aside. So instead of disavowing one cognition, she creates a belief that satisfies both, no matter how absurd. As in-house attorneys, however, we are expected to offer objective counsel and guidance. Recognizing cognitive dissonance is necessary to do our job.

Election Marketing is the age-old technique of “attack spin.” Unfortunately, some attorneys think Election Marketing works in corporate disputes as well. But long-term, Election Marketing does not work in the business world. And there are two fundamental
reasons why.

Your job is to present legal options to your client and guide him to the right decision. To do that job well, however,
you must recognize the force of ambiguity aversion. You have the perspective to choose the best path and discount the effects of uncertainty, but your client likely sees the matter with far greater trepidation.

The shift from outside to in-house counsel disrupts common assumption, changes perspective, and encourages
creativity. Great attorneys either naturally or strategically embrace that opportunity. Great attorneys just “think laterally” every day.

This article deals with significant subjects of tax litigation in Switzerland.

In parallel to the handling of legal cases in daily operations, every legal department has knowledge management on the top of its agenda. In an international legal department, an accurate response tailored to the company needs may make the difference between success and failure, noting the difference in needs and resources between small and large departments that are centrally or internationally located. These aspects will be elaborated and opinions will be exchanged in an interactive workshop that will bring new ideas and practical solutions to in-house lawyers.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to read, understand, and react appropriately to the emotions of others. And it can be measured quite accurately as EIQ, or the Emotional Intelligence Quotient. Emotionally intelligent people succeed because we relate to them as one of our own.

Through evaluation of psychological forces of loss aversion, Bill Mordan stresses the importance of making a conscious effort to avoid forces that may prompt one from not making the best decisions possible.

Bill Mordan evaluate the role of rationalization in corporate dealings, as well as in personal decision makings.

Some 150,000 years ago, modern humans first strolled across the plains of East Africa. From there, what evolutionary catalysts brought about the modern lawyer?

Are human beings still evolving? How about the modern lawyer?

This article examines how your relationship with your doctor can influence your health.

Read this 2010 Clarion Award-winning column!
As lawyers, we are usually faced with complex systems of safety nets. The risk analysis is over. This article discusses how we can reduce the chance that a normal accident will occur for existing systems.

Bill Mordan describes the effect even small lies can have and how they affect lawyers.

Columnist Bill Mordan explains why genuine well-being trumps the quest for happiness.

This article notes the difference between speaking and communicating and offers advice on how practitioners can become better communicators.

The author discusses one of the worst maritime disasters of the early 20th century to teach a lesson about bureaucratic organizations and good intentions.

This article examines the concept of heuristics, or the way human beings make judgments with incomplete information, and how to limit its destructive impact.

Read this 2012 Communicator Award-winning column!
Although good news seems to be a rare commodity these days, this author suggests that we are living the best life ever. Learn why everyone — including notoriously pessimistic attorneys — should be a little more optimistic.

An appeal may not always be the best course of action. And since your CEO may not understand that an appeal, with the financial burden it can impose and its lengthy process, involves much more than just a second chance to win the case, it is your job to explain it. Find out about the technical details of filing an appeal, decide when your company should pursue one, and when it should settle for the initial judgment.

Real estate transactions in Mexico are complicated. Foreigners are prohibited from purchasing real estate in certain areas, while in other areas agrarian rights can affect the purchasers title to real estate. This program will discuss in detail the how legal transactions are processed in Mexico.

Electronic commerce is rapidly changing the way companies do business. To be an effective counselor in the transition, you need to understand the company’s business, know and use the jargon, and share the corporation’s long-term vision.

This is a sample litigation hold policy regarding worker's compensation.

It is past time to recognize the primary root cause of corruption — a failure of top leadership

Although people do not respond to slogans, they do respond to leadership.

Many states allow employees to file claims against employers alleging that the employer has created a “public nuisance” as the result of failing to maintain a safe and healthy working environment during the pandemic. The lawsuits focus not on OSHA requirements, but on guidance from the CDC and local governments, or best practices for certain industries.

An overview of software security issues as well as a discussion of a risk management team's role in the event of a data security breach.

You must create a culture where your pilots are not rewarded for getting to their destination quickly unless they do so in the right way — one that does not put the enterprise at significant risk.