Structured Negotiation
A Winning Alternative to Lawsuits, Second Edition
Author
Lainey Feingold
disability rights lawyer and author
Author
Details
- Print length 407 pages
- Publication date October 13, 2021
- Available in Paperback and eBook
About the Book
Structured Negotiation: A Winning Alternative to Lawsuits introduces a groundbreaking method for resolving legal disputes through collaboration, not confrontation. Developed and refined over more than two decades, Lainey Feingold’s approach offers a compelling alternative to the traditional legal model—especially in the context of accessibility and disability rights.
Drawing from real-world cases and long-term partnerships with major corporations, financial institutions, government agencies, and advocacy groups, Feingold illustrates how meaningful change can be achieved without ever stepping into a courtroom. The book details how Structured Negotiation has led to widespread digital accessibility improvements in banking, education, healthcare, transportation, and more.
Why It Matters
Litigation has its place in civil rights advancement, but it can also be adversarial, expensive, and slow. Structured Negotiation offers a more human-centered legal process—one based on trust, cooperation, and problem-solving. This approach gives voice to people with disabilities, promotes systemic change, and builds long-lasting relationships between advocates and institutions. It's a model rooted in mutual respect, and it’s already reshaping how accessibility goals are achieved in the digital age.
What You’ll Learn
- How to build legal relationships grounded in trust and transparency
- Real-world examples of successful accessibility improvements without lawsuits
- Techniques for negotiation that prioritize storytelling, inclusion, and empathy
- Ways to shift from adversarial tactics to cooperative solutions
- How lawyers, advocates, and organizations can adopt Structured Negotiation in their own work
- Tools to center the disability community in digital accessibility improvements
Key Topics Covered
- Origins and principles of Structured Negotiation
- Case studies involving web and mobile accessibility, ATMs, kiosks, voting systems, prescription labels, and more
- The legal, ethical, and social benefits of collaborative dispute resolution
- Strategies for involving disabled people directly in negotiations
- Practical guidance on structuring agreements, timelines, and accountability without litigation
- Perspectives from lawyers and advocates using this model around the world
Who Should Read It
- Lawyers and legal professionals exploring alternative dispute resolution
- Accessibility professionals and digital inclusion advocates
- Disability rights activists and organizations
- Corporate and institutional leaders responsible for compliance and DEI
- Law students, mediators, and changemakers seeking a more ethical legal path
Final Thoughts
Structured Negotiation is both a practical manual and a hopeful manifesto. It demonstrates that legal progress doesn't have to be combative—and that trust-based relationships can lead to meaningful, enforceable outcomes. Whether you're a lawyer seeking new tools, a business leader aiming to avoid litigation, or an advocate for disability justice, this book offers a powerful reminder that change is possible when people come to the table as partners.
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