Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.


245 sec. 001 - Negotiations (Fall 2023)

Instructor: Sabita Soneji  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

W 6:25 PM - 9:05 PM
Location: Law 10
From August 23, 2023
To November 29, 2023

Course Start: August 23, 2023
Course End: November 29, 2023
Class Number: 31610

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 20
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 20
As of: 02/07 02:03 PM


This course combines theory, skills and law. You will have the opportunity to negotiate, mediate, represent clients, be clients, and observe role-plays. Get into the roles, prepare where appropriate, and take them seriously. Role-plays provide an opportunity to experience the process, experiment, and receive feedback. The reading on negotiation theory and research will inform weekly negotiation exercises. The intensive nature of this class provides students with an opportunity to evaluate their own skills, experiment with new skills and techniques, and work closely with one another. Full engagement will require preparation each week as well as in-class participation.

Learning outcomes
Students in the course will be expected to achieve the following Berkeley Law Learning Outcomes:
(a) Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law relating to negotiation;
(b) Legal analysis and reasoning, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context;
(c) Exercise of proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system; and
(d) Using the law to solve real-world problems.

In addition, students in the course will be expected to achieve the following course-specific outcomes:
* Understand the ritual and stages of legal negotiation
* Develop a systematic approach to preparing for a negotiation
* Strengthen communication skills (listening, observing cues, expressing interests)
* Develop a habit of questioning perceptions and relating with curiosity
* Develop self-confidence, presence, and the ability to respond in the moment
* Understand and recognize different negotiation styles and their strengths
* Develop greater comfort with both adversarial and collaborative bargaining
* Understand the role of relationship-building in negotiation
* Develop understanding of diverse backgrounds in negotiation dynamics
* Understand the ethical responsibilities of a lawyer in negotiations
* Obtain a basic understanding of how to negotiate in mediation

Biography of Instructor

Sabita J. Soneji is a partner with the firm Tycko & Zavareei LLP in Oakland, where she serves as lead counsel in consumer financial fraud class actions and qui tam litigation. She is the chair of her firm's Privacy and Data Breach Group. She formerly served as senior counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice, Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of California, Deputy County Counsel for Santa Clara County, and as an associate in two national law firms. Early in her career, Professor Soneji clerked for the Honorable Gladys Kessler on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. She currently serves as faculty teaching advanced trial advocacy around the country for National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Professor Soneji earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston Honors College and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.


Attendance at the first class is mandatory for all currently enrolled and waitlisted students; any currently enrolled or waitlisted students who are not present on the first day of class (without prior permission of the instructor) will be dropped. The instructor will continue to take attendance throughout the add/drop period and anyone who moves off the waitlist into the class must continue to attend or have prior permission of the instructor in order not to be dropped.


Requirements Satisfaction:


Units from this class count towards the J.D. Experiential Requirement.


Exam Notes: (None) Class requires a series of papers, assignments, or presentations throughout the semester
Course Category: Simulation Courses

If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment to this page.

Readers:
No reader.

Books:
Required Books are in blue

  • Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People
    G. Richard Shell
    Publisher: Penguin
    ISBN: 9780143036975
    e-Book Available: unknown
    Price: To Be Determined
  • Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
    Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, Bruce Patton
    Edition: 2011
    Publisher: Penguin
    ISBN: 9780143118756
    e-Book Available: Yes
    e-Book procurement note: 9781101539545
    Copyright Date: To Be Determined
    Price: 18.00
    Price Source: Follett
  • Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
    Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen
    Publisher: Penguin
    ISBN: 9780143118442
    e-Book Available: unknown
    Copyright Date: To Be Determined
    Price: To Be Determined
  • Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide
    Linda Babcock, Sara Laschever
    Publisher: Princeton University Press
    ISBN: 9780691210537
    e-Book Available: unknown
    Copyright Date: To Be Determined
    Price: To Be Determined

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