Peter Reilly

Creator of The Business Negotiator, Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Aggie Dispute Resolution Program, Texas A&M University School of Law

Topics: Strategy, Business, Business Leadership, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Professional Development, Teamwork

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Biography

People negotiate daily—whether in-person, by phone, or online through email, videoconferencing, or social media platforms. For over 20 years, Peter has taught negotiation and persuasion skills to working professionals. His most popular program, The Business Negotiator, teaches strategies and techniques to strengthen knowledge and skills in deal-making, problem-solving, and professional collaboration. Peter uses exercises and simulations so participants can immediately practice important tools in a high-energy, interactive manner. Importantly, Peter’s training helps participants pinpoint their current weaknesses and vulnerabilities so they can continue to practice and improve even after the program ends.

From 2004 to 2020, Peter taught Negotiation to hundreds of managers and leaders within the Georgetown University Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program. Kathy Kretman, Ph.D., the program’s director for over two decades, says “Peter is one of the most gifted instructors I have ever come across.”

Peter consistently receives rave reviews from the wide array of organizations hiring him. Marylyn Tucker from the Women’s Forum at Georgetown University says, “Peter was such an effective speaker that we plan to invite him to speak at future events. I have rarely seen a facilitator or lecturer with such versatility as a speaker.” SourceAmerica’s Linda David says, “Peter is a repeat speaker at our conference based on his excellent performance the previous year. The topic (Negotiation) is critical for our audience and was offered twice—and well-attended for both.”

Before entering academia, Peter was an attorney for seven years at the United States Commission on Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., where he worked on voting rights matters, allegations of police misconduct, and other critical issues.

Peter is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and he’s a former Georgetown Fellow in Conflict Resolution and Legal Problem-Solving, funded by the Hewlett Foundation. He resides in Texas with his wife, two kids, and their beloved German Shepherd mix, Mikey.

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The Business Negotiator

Working professionals negotiate every day—whether in-person or online through email, videoconferencing, or social
media platforms. For over twenty years, Peter Reilly has taught negotiation and persuasion skills to working
professionals. His most popular training, The Business Negotiator, teaches strategies and techniques to strengthen
knowledge and skill in deal-making, problem-solving, and professional collaboration. Peter employs exercises and
simulations so participants can immediately apply and practice important tools in a high-energy, interactive manner.
Peter’s session enhances the negotiation abilities of every participant—from the novice to the most experienced.
Successful negotiators must be both competent and confident, and Peter’s training helps participants pinpoint their
current weaknesses and vulnerabilities so they can continue to learn, practice, and improve even after the session
ends.

Testimonials

The feedback has been extremely positive and your program has been noted as one of our strongest programs this year. We hope to work with you again in the future.

– Mary Busby, Women in Cable and Telecommunications, Atlanta Chapter

Peter was a keynote trainer delivering a program on Negotiations and conflict resolution for the Superintendents and Emerging Leaders of the National Park Service. We consider him one of the most professional and knowledgeable instructors that has engaged our participants.

– Sandy Taylor, Program Manager, Supervision, Management & Leadership, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.

Peter has a nice, relaxed style which combined with his deep subject knowledge and the activities he provided led to a positive learning experience for the group. Peter is a repeat speaker at our conference based on his excellent performance the previous year. The topic (Negotiation) is a critical one for our audience and was offered twice—and well-attended for both.

– Linda David, Training Director, SourceAmerica, Vienna, Virginia

Peter received rave reviews from an audience of high-powered lawyers, government workers, and business people. He gave a highly interactive presentation. Using excellent materials, Peter encouraged them to participate through simulations and exercises, thus providing them with tools to take home with them. He was such an effective speaker that we plan to invite him to speak at future events. I have rarely seen a facilitator or lecturer who has such versatility as a speaker.

– Marilyn Tucker, Women’s Forum, Georgetown University Law Center

Peter’s session was extremely informative and interactive. Peter packed a great deal of information into the three-hour session and allowed time for three role-play negotiations and a small group exercise as well. We had a great cross section of members at this event and the information was applicable to all attendees regardless of experience level.

– Misty Skedgell, Women in Cable and Telecommunications, Atlanta Chapter

Peter was extremely informative with great points in the art of negotiations. He kept the attendees very attentive and involved with interactive exercises. Many of the attendees were very impressed and enjoyed his presentation very much.

– Bessy Lee, American Marketing Association, Las Vegas Chapter

When Peter let me shadow his course, I was blown away by how effective and engaging he is during Negotiation trainings. He’s the gold standard.

– Kondi Kleinman, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center

Peter is an engaging and dynamic trainer. He does a wonderful job of using simulations and facilitating dynamic discussions that help all participants to improve their knowledge of negotiation and their skills. Peter makes sure participants leave with practical knowledge and useful ideas about how to be better negotiators.

– Cynthia Alkon, Director, Criminal Law, Justice & Policy Program, Texas A&M University School of Law

Our reporters found Peter’s lecture to be informative, engaging, and enlightening. Within the hour-long presentation, Peter provided our staff with a wealth of information. He also made himself available following the lecture to any reporter who had questions or needed additional information. I highly recommend Peter for any training you may need.

– Adell Crowe, Standards and Development Editor, USA TODAY newspaper, McLean, Virginia

I have over twenty-three years of experience in the field of training and education. As a presenter, Peter strikes an excellent balance between subject matter expert and storyteller, key to maintaining listener interest. He illustrates all of his points with examples, frequently asking members of the audience to contribute their own, thus personalizing the content. I heartily endorse Peter as a speaker for your organization.

– Janet Bernhards, Training Alternatives, Springfield, Virginia

Peter Reilly is a dynamic expert in Negotiations whose students are always engaged. I enjoyed observing his class from the back of the room at Georgetown University, and learned so much from him! Peter is in addition a scholar of negotiation, and it was my honor to co-author two publications with him. I could not recommend Peter more highly as a Negotiation instructor.

– Steve McGuire, President’s Distinguished Professor California State University, Los Angeles

Peter provided one of our most interactive and highly rated sessions in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program at Georgetown University, designed for senior leaders and managers of nonprofit organizations. Negotiation can seem daunting, but Peter makes the topic accessible and helps participants feel more empowered, no matter their negotiation style.

– Luisa Boyarski, Associate Director, Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership

Peter is one of our best professors, consistently receiving the highest student evaluations for his knowledge, teaching, and engagement of the students, many of whom are top managers and leaders within their organizations. As the Center’s Director for over twenty years, I have witnessed numerous professors in the classroom, and Peter stands out – he’s got a real gift for imparting knowledge in an exciting way. The success of our program relies on the excellence of our professors. Peter is the only professor that I bring in from out of town – he is that valuable to us.

– Kathy Kretman, Director, Georgetown University, Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership

Booksby Peter Reilly

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