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Roger Fisher (1922–2012) was an influential American lawyer, negotiation expert, and author, best known for co-authoring the groundbreaking book Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (1981) with William Ury and Bruce Patton. Born on May 28, 1922, in New York City, Fisher served in the U.S. Army during World War II before pursuing his education at Harvard University, where he earned a law degree.

Fisher was a professor of law at Harvard Law School and a co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project, which focused on developing strategies for effective negotiation and conflict resolution. His work emphasized the importance of principled negotiation, which advocates for separating people from the problem, focusing on interests rather than positions, and generating options for mutual gain.

In addition to Getting to Yes, Fisher authored several other influential works on negotiation and conflict resolution, including Getting Together: Building Relationships as We Negotiate (1988) and Getting Past No: Negotiating with Difficult People (1991). He was also involved in various international mediation efforts and consulted for governments, corporations, and organizations around the world.

Fisher’s contributions to the field of negotiation have had a lasting impact on both academic research and practical applications in business and diplomacy. His insights continue to be widely taught and applied in negotiation training programs globally. He passed away on July 25, 2012, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer in the study of negotiation.