Legitimate negotiation involves pursuing a client’s interests within legal and ethical boundaries, focusing on resolution without threats of criminal allegations or harm. Extortion, on the other hand, involves coercive threats to compel payment or action, often involving the exploitation of fear or vulnerability.
For example: Demanding payment in exchange for not reporting alleged illegal activity to the police is extortion, whereas proposing a monetary settlement to avoid the costs of litigation is a legitimate negotiation tactic.