Founder, CEO & Lead Trainer at The Negotiation Academy & Harvard-Trained Negotiation & Communications Expert
Dr. Claudia Winkler’s Biography:
Dr. Claudia Winkler is an internationally recognised negotiation expert, keynote speaker and the Founder & CEO of The Negotiation Academy LLC. Known as ‘The Negotiation Whisperer’, she has become one of the leading voices in communication, mediation and negotiation training for legal and corporate professionals. With clients across 126 countries and more than 25,000 professionals trained worldwide, Claudia is celebrated for transforming technically brilliant professionals into confident communicators and high-performing negotiators through practical, research-backed strategies rooted in the Harvard Negotiation Project.
Claudia’s journey began in Austria, where she earned both a law degree and a doctorate in European Union Law from Johannes Kepler University Linz, graduating summa cum laude and receiving multiple merit scholarships for academic excellence. Her passion for negotiation and dispute resolution deepened during her time at Harvard Law School, where she completed an LL.M. in International Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution as a Fulbright Scholar. During this period, she trained extensively with the Harvard Negotiation Project, building the expertise that would later define her global speaking and training career. Early roles at the European Commission, New York International Arbitration Center and alongside renowned mediator Edna Sussman gave Claudia invaluable experience in international dispute resolution and negotiation strategy.
In 2014, Claudia founded The Negotiation Academy, an organisation dedicated to delivering highly interactive communication and negotiation training for law firms and multinational businesses. Since then, she has worked with leading organisations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Latin America and the United States. Alongside her role as a global trainer, Claudia has held positions including Senior Consultant and Coach at The Trusted Negotiator, Guest Lecturer at Mekelle University, and Trainer at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. She also played a major role in establishing the internationally respected IBA-VIAC Mediation and Negotiation Competition in Vienna. Her expertise has been recognised through podcast features, industry publications and consistently exceptional feedback from clients and audiences worldwide.
Why Hire Dr. Claudia Winkler?
Organisations hire Dr. Claudia Winkler because she delivers actionable communication and negotiation techniques that create measurable impact in high-stakes environments. Her keynote topics include interest-based negotiation, dispute resolution, client-focused communication, cross-cultural negotiation and relationship-building in professional services. These subjects are increasingly important in a global business landscape where trust, persuasion and collaboration directly influence commercial success. Claudia’s energetic delivery style, combined with her legal expertise and real-world negotiation experience, leaves audiences inspired, better equipped to influence outcomes and ready to strengthen client relationships in competitive industries.
Dr. Claudia Winkler’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Dr. Claudia Winkler’s remarkable career:
- 2026 – Expanded The Negotiation Academy’s focus into AI and behavioural science-driven lawyer development and negotiation training
- 2026 – Featured on the Maxwell Chambers En-Route Podcast discussing negotiation psychology, persuasion and legal communication
- 2026 – Delivered specialist negotiation and communication programmes for in-house counsel in Singapore
- 2025 – Surpassed 25,000 professionals trained worldwide through The Negotiation Academy
- 2023 – Appointed Trainer at Nanyang Technological University Singapore
- 2021 – Became Consultant at MDisputes, supporting international dispute resolution training
- 2016 – Appointed General Counsel (CLO) at SMART Recruiting Technologies
- 2014 – Founded The Negotiation Academy
- 2014 – Became Director and Organising Committee Member of the IBA-VIAC Mediation and Negotiation Competition
- 2014 – Appointed Senior Consultant, Trainer and Coach at The Trusted Negotiator
- 2014 – Became Lecturer at Mekelle University
- 2013 – Earned LL.M. from Harvard Law School as a Fulbright Scholar
- 2013 – Became Mediator at the New York Centre for Interpersonal Development
- 2013 – Appointed ADR Development Coordinator at the New York International Arbitration Center
- 2013 – Worked as Legal Assistant to mediator Edna Sussman
- 2011 – Awarded a Postdoctoral Scholar with Tenure Track Option position at the Institute of European Law
- 2011 – Completed doctorate in European Union Law with summa cum laude honours
Videos
Dr. Claudia Winkler’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Business and legal negotiations are increasingly based more on science than art. One can count on one hand the number of people with the knowledge and experience to provide effective, practical training. Claudia Winkler is unquestionably one of them.” – Michael, Global Chief Litigation Counsel, Baker Hughes
“Claudia is a very talented individual and trainer. I’ve worked with her in a number of contexts and I’ve always been impressed.” – Prof. Joel Lee, National University of Singapore
“Claudia’s negotiation training was an exhilarating and enriching experience. It showed how knowing the core framework for interest based negotiation along with the little negotiation secrets can make a long lasting difference in your everyday success.” – Swati, ASST. Manager, Fidelity Investments
“Creative, smart, passionate. Claudia made us reconnect with our negotiation skills and strategies, showing us how to make the most of them and how to have a great time in the process.” – Izabela, Co-Chair, IBA Real Estate Committee
Speaking Topics
Dr. Claudia Winkler’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Consensual Dispute Resolution
- Interest-Based Negotiation
- Client-Focused Communication
- Cross-Cultural Communication & Negotiation
- Client Satisfaction Secrets
- The Future of Dispute Resolution
- Negotiation Psychology
- Influencing Clients and Stakeholders
- Communication for Legal Professionals
- Leadership Communication
- Building Trust in High-Stakes Negotiations
- Negotiation Strategies for Global Business
How Much Does Dr. Claudia Winkler Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Dr. Claudia Winkler?
Dr. Claudia Winkler’s speaking fees vary depending on the event format, location, audience size and level of preparation required. International keynotes, bespoke negotiation workshops and multi-session training programmes may command higher fees due to their tailored nature and global demand. Contact the agency for a personalised quotation and availability.