Negotiation Ethics for Real World Interactions

Attorneys negotiate constantly. Many persons who teach negotiation courses feel uncomfortable with the deception often associated with bargaining. Negotiators demand more or offer less than they are willing to accept, and over- and under-state the value of different items for strategic purposes. Such "puffing" and "embellishment" are part of most business and legal interactions, and are are accepted by most professionals. On the other hand, misrepresentations of material information is clearly improper. Collaborative and Cooperative lawyers who feel uncomfortable using deceptive tactics to further client interests have agreed to be entirely open and cooperative when they negotiate. At what point do they place their own interests ahead of the interests of their clients?