Description

High-conflict client dynamics can quietly affect far more than communication. They can impact judgment, boundaries, decision-making, staff relationships, case strategy, and professional stability under pressure.

In this interdisciplinary program, criminal defense attorney Nana Knight and psychologist Dr. Krista Regedanz explore the psychological and professional dynamics that arise when attorneys work with highly anxious, emotionally reactive, controlling, demanding, or dysregulated clients — particularly in high-stakes legal matters.

Drawing from real-world legal practice and modern psychological frameworks, this presentation will help attorneys better understand how emotional pressure affects both clients and professionals, and how lawyers can maintain clarity, authority, and sound judgment in difficult interactions.

Topics include:

• High-anxiety and reassurance-seeking clients
• Control-seeking and micromanaging behavior
• Angry or abusive communication
• Family-system pressure and third-party payors
• Boundary erosion and emotional contagion
• Non-compliance, impulsivity, and self-sabotaging client behavior
• Capacity protection systems for attorneys
• Ethical and legal risk considerations in high-conflict client situations

This presentation is especially relevant for attorneys working in criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, employment law, trust and estates, probate, and other emotionally intense or high-conflict practice areas.

Attendees will leave with practical tools for managing emotionally difficult client situations while maintaining professionalism, stability, and effective legal judgment under pressure.

Speakers:

Nana Knight, Criminal Defense Attorney, Knight Law, A Professional Corporation 

Dr. Krista Regedanz, Licensed Psychologist, Palo Alto Smart Therapy

MCLE:

1.50 Hours General Substantive Credit