Stay out of court! : the small business guide to preventing disputes and avoiding lawsuit hell / Andrew A. Caffey.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-176) and index.

Welcome to lawsuit hell -- Why is it so damn hot in here? -- This is not your father's lawsuit -- The 21st Century malady: we're all victims, every pitiful one of us -- Waiting for tort reform -- Yes, something CAN be done now! -- Conflict resolution skills: laying the groundwork to avoid costly disputes -- Six conflict resolution techniques that improve relationships -- Communication to avoid lawsuits -- Essential negotiation skills -- The court avoidance tools at your command -- Using the power of contract to stay out of court! -- Using the power of notice: in-your-face fine print -- Controlling employment disputes with internal corporate programs -- Controlling the escalating dispute -- Alternate dispute resolution (ADR) tools -- Mediation: the greatest dispute resolution tool ever invented -- Arbitration -- Mini trials and other creative techniques -- ADR organizations that can help -- The mindset key: establishing an ethic of accountability -- The victim's mindset and other enemies of dispute resolution -- Preparing the way out -- Other corporate tools for accountability in dispute resolution -- Making the lawsuit go away -- The role and mindset of litigating attorneys -- Cost/benefit settlement analysis -- The value of early intervention -- Negotiating a final resolution -- Creating the settlement agreement -- Conclusion: the perfect storn.