The art of Contracts Drafting with Laura Frederick

Practical Training

Laura Frederick, founder and CEO of How to Contract, highlights the gap between academic training and real-world contract negotiations. She emphasizes the importance of practical training, noting that law school often focuses on theory, leaving new lawyers unprepared for the practicalities of drafting and negotiating contracts 1. Laura shares her own experience of feeling unprepared when first encountering contracts in a professional setting, likening the learning process to mastering a new language.

It's almost like learning a computer programming language. It's just a particular style and you have to learn it.

--- Laura Frederick

She also discusses her podcast, "You Can Contract," which explores diverse journeys in contract learning, emphasizing that there is no single correct path to mastering negotiation skills 2.

   

Evolving Expertise

Laura's insights into negotiation reveal how expertise evolves through experience, leading to more strategic approaches. She recounts a lesson from a supply chain lead who prioritized long-term supplier relationships over short-term gains, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance in negotiations 3. This approach contrasts with the typical procurement strategy of squeezing every penny, demonstrating a more enlightened perspective.

It's better, at least in my mind, to come to negotiations as equal.

--- Laura Frederick

Balancing likability and assertiveness is crucial in negotiations, as Kwame Christian and Laura discuss. They stress the need to be both assertive and likable to achieve the best outcomes, emphasizing authenticity in strategic negotiations 4.