"a rather wonderful new book ... [describes] the requirements for real - or 'categorical' - apology.

It is the best working model for a 'proper sorry' that anyone has yet come up with."

Management Today

Apology Advising

In 2008 I published I Was Wrong: The Meanings of Apologies with Cambridge University Press. I Was Wrong provides a nuanced framework for the ethical meanings of apologies from individuals and collectives, considering along the way the historical and cultural traditions that inform modern acts of contrition. I have been very fortunate to discuss I Was Wrong on NPR (an hour-long interview with Diane Rehm), CNN, BBC, CBC, Philosophy Talk, and various other national and international programs. Click here for links to these interviews.

I am currently working on the follow-up book, tentatively titled Apologies in Law and also under contract with Cambridge University Press. Apologies in Law will apply the framework for the ethical meanings of apologies from I Was Wrong to acts of contrition in civil and criminal law. 

In conjunction with my academic writings on apologies, I serve as an "apology advisor" or "apology consultant" to various individuals and groups.

How Can I Help?

Apologies can be immensely complex and powerful social  interactions, and our personal and professional relationships may hinge on the quality of our apologies. Whether a petty insult poisons family dynamics for generations, an era of oppression haunts a nation, or a poor decision damages an organization's reputation, what I describe as a categorical apology can often serve as the most effective means of cleaning and stitching such wounds. As we see repeatedly with public figures, bad apologies can make matters considerably worse and contribute to perceptions that the apologizer lacks integrity. My analysis of Eliot Spitzer's March 2008 apology explains some of these issues.

My research identifies hundreds of ways in which apologies succeed or fail. When an individual or organization considers apologizing, I can serve as a guide through the many nuances of apologetic meaning. This may entail providing assistance as the apologizer drafts the language of an apology, warning against common errors that cause apologies to appear disingenuous or otherwise render them ineffective, or explaining the potential legal, political, economic, or personal consequences of certain kinds of apologies. There are no simple formulas for meaningful apologies, and I can work with parties to determine how I might be most useful.

What Specifically Can I Do?

No two injuries are the same, and the need for apologies arises in many different contexts. My role will vary depending on the particularities of the context, but the following provides a sample of the sorts of assistance I can provide:

     -I can interview the person seeking to apologize, learning her perspective on the events and what she hopes to

      accomplish with an apology.

     -I can interview the offended parties to learn their perspective on the events and what they would like an apology

      from the offender to accomplish.

     -I can explain the sorts of apologetic meaning that may be most significant given the nature of the offense, the

     desires of the parties, and the cultural context. This is often the most important step, as this discussion may 

     causes parties to fundamentally rethink the objectives of their apology.

     -I can assist parties in drafting their apologies and navigating the morally, politically, and legally charged language

     of contrition.

     -I can review drafts of apologies and indicate weaknesses, ambiguities, and areas that might be refined..

     -An meaningful apology consists of much more than the words spoken - in many cases the oral delivery is one of

     the least significant elements of an apology - and I can comment on the various non-verbal aspects within the

     process of expressing contrition in particular contexts.

     -As a J.D./Ph.D. who clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals, worked as a litigator for a major law firm, and is

     completing a book on the role of apologies in law, I can consult with attorneys regarding the consequences of

     various kinds of apologies in civil and criminal matters.

     -For those who seek apologies or have received apologies, I can interpret the meanings of the apology and

     explain what an apology does and does not convey. If an apology is calibrated to avoid accepting blame or to    

     avoid legal consequences and providing redress, I can detect this. If you have received an apology as an element

     of a settlement, I can determine if the apology conveys the meanings you seek.

     -As an experienced professor who has received several teaching awards, I offer lectures, seminars, and longer

     courses on various aspects of apologizing. I can tailor these sessions to the needs of the group, for example

     speaking to judges regarding apologies and sentencing, leading a seminar for attorneys regarding the role of

     apologies in settlement negotiations, or teaching a short course for diplomats or public relations firms regarding

     the difficulties associated with collective apologies such as those from corporations or governments.

I am available via email, phone, videoconference, or teleconference, and when prudent I will travel to the relevant destinations.

I appreciate that these issues are often time-sensitive and I am accustomed to working in crisis management environments where I must provide written or oral advice quickly and with little notice.

What I Don't Do.

For various reasons explained in I Was Wrong, I am not a spokesperson who apologizes for clients. I do not provide legal services.

Why Do I Offer These Services?

For various cultural reasons, many of our public and private conversations about our shared values now occur in the context of someone apologizing or demanding an apology. As a professional moral philosopher who has dedicated much of my career to studying apologies, I find thoughtful apologies essential for the health of our pluralistic society. Effective apologies can transform international relations or save marriages. Ineffective apologies can destroy careers and lives.  Although I appreciate the difficulty of their task, it pains me to see public figures botch apologies and squander the opportunity to enrich our discussions about our collective values. Applying my research in these ways is immensely gratifying, and the proceeds fund my children's education.

Fees.

My fees vary depending on my role and the organization I am assisting. Corporate executives, public figures, and similar entities typically pay rates commensurate with fees charged by top national law firms. Whenever possible I take on pro bono cases for matters in the public interest.

Contact.

Email me at nick.smith@unh.edu to discuss potential matters.  All correspondence is confidential.