In this episode of Will Work for Food, Jeff Sklar, founding partner of Sklar Kirsh LLP and a 2026 Black Swan Global Negotiator Award Honoree, joins us to explore one of the most challenging areas of business law: business divorces. When partnerships dissolve or shareholders part ways, the stakes are high—financially, professionally, and emotionally. Jeff shares his approach to navigating these turbulent waters, revealing how tactical empathy and strategic communication can transform adversarial standoffs into workable resolutions. From understanding the unspoken concerns driving each party to using labeling techniques that defuse tension and build trust, this conversation offers a masterclass in the power of truly listening and the human side of high-stakes business transactions.

Whether you're a business owner facing a partnership breakup, an attorney handling contentious separations, or simply fascinated by the intersection of negotiation psychology and business law, this episode delivers actionable insights. Jeff explains how mirroring, calibrated questions, and acknowledging the other side's perspective can shift dynamics from zero-sum battles to collaborative problem-solving. He emphasizes that creativity is essential to any resolution—finding solutions the parties themselves may never have imagined—creating outcomes where clients walk away feeling they've won without leaving scorched earth behind. Tune in to discover how the right words at the right moment can make all the difference when business relationships reach their breaking point.