Even by phone, you're going to be way too emotionally invested to be able to be dispassionate. Why not just leave the negotiating to the Ls??
Yes, you can get some revealing intel out of such a conversation, but so can an atty get it from the other side's first offer. I guess I just don't see the benefit of such a direct conversation, esp. considering her "batchitcrazy" prior history, and can definitely see a lot of potential downside!
