Thursday, April 23rd
Our special guest this week, Jeffrey Sklar, Co-Chairman, Sklar Kirsh LLP will Present on:
The Dynamics of Business Divorces
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.
When you’re thinking about where to donate, please consider supporting Our Big Kitchen - Los Angeles
Our presenter:
Jeffrey A. Sklar is a founding partner of Sklar Kirsh LLP and serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Corporate Practice. He represents a dynamic range of clients—including executives, founders, family offices and businesses—across all stages of growth, from startup to exit.
Jeff often serves as outside general counsel, delivering strategic advice on day-to-day operations as well as complex transactional and governance matters. His practice is particularly focused on shareholder and partner disputes, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint ventures and executive compensation arrangements. He counsels clients across a broad array of industries, including advertising, alternative energy, apparel, consumer products, entertainment, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, social media, software and technology.
Jeff’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including a Lawdragon 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors (2026) – Lawdragon; the Black Swan Global Negotiator Award Honoree (2026) from The Black Swan Group; ranking in the Chambers California Spotlight (2025); Legal Visionary (2022, 2023, 2025) – Los Angeles Times; Best Lawyers in America (2021–2025) – Best Lawyers; and Top 100 Lawyers in Los Angeles (2025).
Beyond his legal practice, Jeff is engaged in the Los Angeles community, serving on the Legal Committee for Stephen Wise Temple and the Advisory Board for the Transactional Lawyering Institute at Loyola Law School. An advocate for well-being, Jeff embraces all forms of fitness—particularly swimming and hiking.
Jeff is also the creator and host of The Practice of You, a podcast spotlighting legal professionals who lead with balance, joy and purpose. He has since expanded this vision into a consulting practice, guiding professionals toward building more fulfilling and sustainable careers.
Offered by Will Work For Food, founded by Natalie Armstrong-Motin (www.HowToMarketMyMediationPractice.com, moderated by Jeff Kichaven (www.JeffKichaven.com ) and Jean Lawler (www.LawlerADR.com), and Program Coordinator, David Shraga (www.DavidShraga.com).
This worldwide conversation will be like nothing else. Join in! Share, learn, have fun, and raise money for food banks.