Episodes

  • Be That Professional: Business Development Without Feeling Salesy with Steve Fretzin on the Practice Playbook Podcast #559

    Be That Professional: Business Development Without Feeling Salesy with Steve Fretzin on the Practice Playbook Podcast #559
    Apr 16 2026
    You can be exceptional at what you do, the best lawyer, mediator, consultant, or coach in the room, but if people don’t know who you are or how you can help, building a thriving practice becomes an uphill climb. In fact, if you’ve ever left a conference, networking event, or even a series of great meetings thinking, “That was really valuable… so why aren’t any leads coming from it?” then you’ve already felt the gap we’re going to talk about in this episode. With the help of guest Steve Fretzin, we’re exploring the difference between simply meeting people and actually building a meaningful book of business, or put another way, how to grow your practice without feeling like you’re selling. Steve is a nationally recognized business development coach, author of five books on legal marketing and rainmaking, and host of the podcasts Be That Lawyer and Future Rainmakers. He works with professionals across the country to help them grow their practices in a way that feels both effective and authentic. In this conversation, we’ll talk about how to become what Steve calls “that lawyer,” or in our world, that professional, the one people remember, trust, and want to work with. What You’ll Learn: Business development is not selling. It’s relationship building, and when you approach it that way, everything changes.Meeting people is not the same as building business. Without follow-up, adding value, and deepening relationships, it’s easy to become what Steve calls a “professional meeter.”Activity without strategy does not create results. You need a system you can follow, track, and improve over time.Consistency is what separates successful professionals from everyone else. Not intensity or short bursts of effort, but showing up week after week in a meaningful way. Get the FREE Resource: The Professional "Meeter" to Rainmaker Reset Kit: a companion resource to this episode designed to help you move from just meeting people to actually building a book of business building on the insights shared by Steve Fretzin in this episode. Get the Resource here. Guest Driven, focused, and committed to helping attorneys realize their full potential, Steve Fretzin is an internationally recognized coach, skills trainer, and roundtable facilitator for lawyers who want to build meaningful books of business and take control of their careers. He has authored five books on legal marketing and business development and hosts two highly rated podcasts, BE THAT LAWYER and Future Rainmakers. Steve also writes a monthly column for Above the Law, and his podcasts are regularly featured on the Above the Law and Attorney at Work websites. Find out more about Steve’s new Be That Lawyer Community. Website: bethatlawyer.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevefretzin/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/fretzinsteve Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fretzinsteve/ Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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    38 mins
  • The 7 Fastest Ways to Grow Your Practice in 2026 with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #558

    The 7 Fastest Ways to Grow Your Practice in 2026 with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #558
    Apr 2 2026

    Most professionals are busy, capable, doing good work and yet the practice is not growing the way they expected. The issue is not effort. The issue is usually strategy, or lack thereof. Because most professionals are focused on what feels productive, not what actually drives growth.

    In this solo episode, Susan Guthrie walks through the seven fastest ways to grow your practice in 2026 and beyond. These are not trends. These are patterns, the things she sees consistently with professionals whose practices are growing, whose calendars are full, and who are being sought out rather than chasing work.

    One important note before diving in: you do not need to do all seven. You should pick one from the list and do it consistently. Work through the episode, refer to the companion download, and find the one strategy that resonates.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Every successful practice is built on three things: positioning, visibility, and trust. If your practice is not growing, at least one of those is off.
    • The market does not reward general capability. It rewards clear positioning. You can do many things, but you must be known for one.
    • You do not need more visibility. You need the right visibility, showing up where your referral sources already gather.
    • Stop asking how to find more clients. Start asking who already works with your clients and build real relationships with those people.
    • Thought leadership is what turns visibility into demand. It is not about being louder. It is about being clearer.
    Related Resources
    • Companion Worksheet: Download and refer back to it as you listen to the episode!
    • The Business Planning Playbook
    • The Flat Fee Playbook
    • The Thought Leadership Playbook
    Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie

    Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.

    Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.

    As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.

    Connect with Susan E. Guthrie

    Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast

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    25 mins
  • From Litigator to Mediator: How to Build a Successful Neutral Practice with Scott Zucker on the Practice Playbook Podcast #557

    From Litigator to Mediator: How to Build a Successful Neutral Practice with Scott Zucker on the Practice Playbook Podcast #557
    Mar 19 2026
    Most people think you can simply stop practicing law one day and become a mediator the next. But as this episode makes clear, building a successful neutral practice takes years of credibility, relationships, and intentional effort. For anyone who has thought about making the transition from litigator to mediator, or who is already building a neutral practice and wondering what it really takes to succeed, this episode is exactly where to start. Susan Guthrie sits down with Scott Zucker, a commercial litigator with nearly four decades of experience who has built a thriving mediation and arbitration practice. He is also the author of Mediation Minute: Insights on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Scott pulls the curtain back on what his journey really looked like, including the long runway and the simple but powerful marketing principle he calls “Go out, get seen, get asked”. This conversation is packed with the kind of real-world insight that only comes from someone who has walked the walk. Scott and Susan cover everything from making the mental shift from advocate to neutral, to building thought leadership, and to why trust is the true bedrock of dispute resolution work. What You’ll Learn: Building a mediation practice does not happen overnight, and why reputation, relationships, and credibility take years to develop.Thought leadership builds credibility before anyone picks up the phone, and how writing and speaking about what you observe as a neutral lets people understand you betterSome of the best ways to build skills and get cases early in a neutral practiceWhy and how trust is the foundation of dispute resolution Guest Scott Zucker is a founding partner of the Atlanta law firm Weissmann Zucker Euster + Oblinger P.C. and has been practicing law since 1987. His law practice focuses on real estate, employment and construction matters. He is also a certified Mediator and Arbitrator and assists parties in resolving matters through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Scott is a frequent lecturer at national and state real estate and construction trade conventions and is a contributing legal writer for trade industry magazines. Scott is actively involved in the community and has sat on the advisory boards for Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute as well as the Rollins School of Public Health. He is a past president of Temple Sinai in Atlanta and is a Vice-Chair for the Southeast Division of the Anti-Defamation League. Scott is a fervent writer and educator on the topic of “Ethical Wills” and is a passionate advocate of the importance of legacy writing. Scott presented a TEDx talk on Ethical Wills in 2019 which is available on YouTube. Scott obtained his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Scott and his wife Melanie are proud parents of two sons (and two wonderful daughter-in-laws) and especially proud grandparents. Connect with Scott Practice: https://milesmediation.com/neutrals/scott-zucker/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-zucker-3643b712/ Book: THE MEDIATION MINUTE: Insights on Alternative Dispute Resolution Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast —--------------------------
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    49 mins
  • Clarity Is Credibility: How DR and Legal Professionals Win Trust Faster by Simplifying Communication with Lee Shainis on the Practice Playbook Podcast #556

    Clarity Is Credibility: How DR and Legal Professionals Win Trust Faster by Simplifying Communication with Lee Shainis on the Practice Playbook Podcast #556
    Mar 5 2026
    What if credibility does not come from sounding like an expert? What if it comes from being understood? That is the question at the heart of this week's conversation and for legal professionals trained to believe that complexity signals expertise, it may be the most important question to sit with. Susan Guthrie is joined by Lee Shainis, founder of Simplify Language, who has trained hundreds of organizations nationwide to make their written and spoken communication clearer, more efficient, and more inclusive. Lee brings a grounding reminder that simplifying communication is not dumbing it down. It is tightening it up, editing, sharpening, and making space for the people across from you to actually follow along. Together, Susan and Lee explore the hidden costs of complex language, why most people will never tell you when they are confused, and how small, intentional shifts in clarity can strengthen trust, influence, and authority. What You’ll Learn: Why complexity can actually work against your credibility How institutional language creates distance, even when you do not mean it to Why most people will never tell you when they are confused, and how to make it easier for them Why knowing your audience is always step one, before you write a word or say a thing How to use AI to simplify your communication without losing your voice Join Us at the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Skills Summit Lee Shainis is the featured presenter on day two of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Skills Summit this April. He will be diving deep into practical tools for simplifying communication, elevating your public speaking, and strengthening your facilitation skills. It is a two-day virtual program, so you can attend from anywhere. Register at https://events.americanbar.org/event/b68303d1-af4a-495c-abc3-a67a5bd67a9b/summary Guest Lee is founder of Simplify Language, providing training to make written and spoken communication more concise, understandable, readable, and efficient for all audiences. Since 2023 he has led hundreds of custom trainings nationwide for educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and others. Lee co-founded the nonprofit lntercambio Uniting Communities in 2000 and was the CEO for 20 years. During his leadership, lntercambio connected 10,000 adult immigrants with 5,000 volunteer English teachers in Boulder County and established a national network of several hundred organizations. lntercambio continues to thrive and in 2024 received $2M from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. Connect with Lee Website: simplifylanguage.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-shainis Resources Mentioned: Get All Three Practice Playbook Books for Just $19.99 If you are serious about building a profitable, sustainable practice, Susan's entire Practice Playbook series is now available as a PDF bundle. That includes the Flat Fee Playbook, the Thought Leadership Playbook, and the Business Plan Playbook. One PDF with three strategic guides designed to help you clarify your positioning, strengthen your authority, and build a practice that actually works for you. Grab the full bundle at https://bit.ly/Three-Books _____________________________________ Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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    48 mins
  • Are You Building a Firm or Just a High-Paying Job? | The Founder Dependency Trap with Andrea Steinbrenner on the Practice Playbook Podcast #555

    Are You Building a Firm or Just a High-Paying Job? | The Founder Dependency Trap with Andrea Steinbrenner on the Practice Playbook Podcast #555
    Feb 19 2026
    Are you building a firm, or have you really built yourself a very high-paying job? That is a question every entrepreneurial professional needs to confront at some point, whether you are five years into practice or thirty-five. This week, Susan Guthrie welcomes Andrea Steinbrenner for a thoughtful and eye-opening conversation about what it truly means to build something that can sustain itself beyond the founder. Andrea is the CEO and Partner of Exit Consulting Group, where she helps business owners plan for succession, transition, and exit. A former fractional CFO and operational leader, she brings deep strategic and practical experience. What makes this conversation especially powerful is that she does not view exit planning as simply a transaction. She frames it as something much bigger. It is about transition, legacy, and long-term relevance. Together, Susan and Andrea explore what happens when a business is built around one person, the emotional and practical challenges of letting go, and what it really takes to create something that can endure. Whether you plan to sell, wind down, pass your work on, or simply want more freedom in your life, this conversation invites you to consider an essential truth: A business that depends entirely on you is inherently fragile, and building something that lasts requires intentional planning long before any transition begins. What You’ll Learn: Why a business that cannot run without you is not yet transferable and what that actually means about structure, not successHow to think about exit strategy as transition, legacy, and future freedom rather than simply sellingWhy timing matters and how early structural changes create more options laterHow to assess whether you are building a scalable firm or sustaining a high performing jobWhere founder dependency shows up and how to identify if you are a single point of failureOne practical step you can take in the next ninety days to build real leverage in your business Guest Andrea Steinbrenner is the Chief Executive Officer and Partner of Exit Consulting Group, Inc. (ECG), where she leads with strategic vision and cultural integrity. Her career spans retail management, accounting, and operations, including serving as a fractional CFO and VP of Operations at TGG Accounting, where she helped scale the firm significantly. After earning her EMBA, she founded Canopy Consulting before joining ECG in 2019, rising from consultant to COO and ultimately CEO in 2022. Known for her clear communication and “Tarzan” analogy of bridging strategy and execution, Andrea prioritizes active listening to align company goals with client success. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, hiking, reading, and raising poodles with her husband, Todd. Connect with Andrea: Website: https://exitconsultinggroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasteinbrenner/ Featured Companion Resource: The Founder Independence Scorecard Take this conversation from insight to action with The Founder Independence Scorecard, a companion resource created for this episode. This short, strategic self assessment helps you see clearly whether you are building a scalable firm or sustaining a high performing job. More importantly, it helps you identify where you are structurally strong, where you may be a single point of failure, and one practical move you can make in the next ninety days to build real leverage. Download the companion scorecard here: bit.ly/PPP-Founder-Scorecard This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party FourthParty bridges the gap between great mediators and great businesses by offering technology and guidance that make running a mediation practice feel effortless. Say goodbye to the pain of scheduling, payments, and communications. FourthParty is offering listeners 20% off their first 6 months with the codes SUSAN20. Head over to FourthParty.app and schedule a conversation with the team. https://fourthparty.app Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/...
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    50 mins
  • Revenue Isn’t the Goal. Profit Is. Darren Wurz on What Really Matters on the Practice Playbook Podcast #554

    Revenue Isn’t the Goal. Profit Is. Darren Wurz on What Really Matters on the Practice Playbook Podcast #554
    Feb 5 2026
    This is not your typical episode on profitability. Susan Guthrie welcomes guest Darren Wurz,CFP®, who brings a fresh and innovative approach to what profit really means for legal professionals. He explains why chasing higher revenue alone can actually leave firm owners feeling more stressed, stretched thin, and disconnected from the life they want their practice to support. Darren is the founder of The Lawyer Millionaire and a fiduciary financial planner who works exclusively with law firm owners. He brings a rare perspective shaped by his background as an educator and his deep understanding of both business strategy and personal finance. In this conversation, they dig into what profitability really means, why growing a firm can actually reduce profit if you’re not careful, and the practical systems that help lawyers keep more of what they earn while building businesses that support the lives they want. This episode invites you to slow down, challenge familiar assumptions, and think about profit in a more intentional, sustainable way. What You’ll Learn: Why profitability is not the same thing as revenue, and how a growing practice can still leave you financially strained if you’re not being intentional How separating business and personal finances, paying yourself consistently, and setting profit aside on purpose can transform both your numbers and your decision-makingWhy profitability is a team sport, and how aligning your staff around clear financial goals leads to better choices across the firmThe hidden cost of rushed decisions, and why slowing down to think strategically can protect your profit and your long-term vision Guest Darren Wurz, CFP®, is the founder of The Lawyer Millionaire®. He is a fiduciary financial planner who works exclusively with law firm owners, helping them bridge the gap between running a successful practice and actually building lasting wealth. What makes Darren’s perspective so compelling is his path. He didn’t come up through traditional finance sales. He started as a teacher, driven by a genuine commitment to helping people grow, and that mindset carries through everything he does today. Through his work with lawyers across the country, Darren saw a pattern that will sound very familiar to many of you. Talented, driven professionals bringing in good revenue, but still struggling with cash flow, taxes, long-term planning, and the question of what all that hard work is really building toward. So he built something that didn’t exist. A flat-fee advisory firm designed specifically for law firm owners, combining business strategy, tax-smart planning, and personal financial coaching. Connect with Darren Community: https://community.lawyermillionaire.com Website: https://thelawyermillionaire.com Podcast: https://www.lawyermillionaire.com/the-lawyer-millionaire-podcast Book: https://www.lawyermillionaire.com/the-lawyer-millionaire-book Related Resources Download the Law Firm Profit First Set Up Guide and Instant Cash Flow AssessmentProfit First by Mike MichalowiczSimple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits by Greg CrabtreeThe Great Game of Business by Jack StackThe Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast —--------------------------
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    48 mins
  • Why LinkedIn Likes Aren't Growing Your Practice (And What Actually Does) with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #553

    Why LinkedIn Likes Aren't Growing Your Practice (And What Actually Does) with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #553
    Jan 22 2026

    You’re posting on LinkedIn. People are liking and commenting on your posts. And yet, when you look at your practice, nothing has really changed.

    In this episode, Susan Guthrie unpacks a pattern she sees repeatedly in workshops, retreats, and strategy sessions with experienced professionals using LinkedIn. The effort is there. The consistency is there. But the results do not match the visibility.

    Susan explores why LinkedIn engagement can be misleading, how professionals get stuck being visible without being positioned, and how to use the platform as a long-term trust builder rather than a popularity contest.

    What You’ll Learn:
    • Why LinkedIn likes and comments reflect agreement, not trust, and what decision-makers are actually evaluating before they reach out
    • How the content that leads to clients often receives less engagement, and why authority-signaling posts work differently by design
    • How to tell when your LinkedIn visibility is not positioning you clearly, and why positioning matters more than posting consistency
    Related Resources
    • The Business Planning Playbook
    • The Flat Fee Playbook
    • The Thought Leadership Playbook
    Upcoming Live Session

    🎙 Ask Susan Anything: New Year Practice Building Focus 📅 February 2 at 11am CT

    A free live session for dispute resolution professionals ready to break old patterns and build smarter strategies.

    Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggtQJudk

    Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie

    Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices.

    Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following.

    As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world.

    Connect with Susan E. Guthrie

    Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast

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    16 mins
  • The Future of Dispute Resolution Is Already Here: 3 Trends for 2026 with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #552

    The Future of Dispute Resolution Is Already Here: 3 Trends for 2026 with Susan Guthrie on the Practice Playbook Podcast #552
    Jan 15 2026
    What trends will shape dispute resolution in 2026? How should mediators and arbitrators adapt right now? And what does this mean for your business plan going forward? In this episode of The Practice Playbook Podcast, Susan Guthrie breaks down the three most important trends shaping dispute resolution in 2026 and explains how dispute resolution professionals can use these shifts to future-proof their practices. This conversation grew out of Susan’s work on the third book in the Practice Playbook Series, The Business Planning Playbook, and centers on one essential idea: A business plan is not a one-and-done document. It is a living strategy that must evolve as the world and your practice change. You will learn how AI is becoming infrastructure in dispute resolution, why the profession is moving beyond hourly billing, and how specialization in emerging practice areas is driving growth in the U.S. and globally. This episode also includes a free downloadable handout with sample AI prompts to help you apply these ideas immediately. What You’ll Learn Why AI is now part of everyday dispute resolution practice How AI can support pricing analysis and innovative fee models Why the shift is not flat fees versus hourly billing, but moving beyond hourly billing entirely How AI Deep Research and Learning Mode can help you identify emerging practice areas Why specialization is driving visibility and opportunity in 2026 How emerging trends should inform your business plan this year and beyond The 3 Trends Covered 1. AI as Infrastructure AI is no longer optional. Used responsibly, it enhances judgment, preparation, and workflow efficiency. 2. Moving Beyond Hourly Billing Clients want clarity and predictability. Innovative pricing models align services with value, not time. 3. Specialization and Emerging Practice Areas Growth is increasingly driven by depth, particularly in areas like data privacy, employment, and ESG-related disputes. Free Download: AI Prompt Handout Download the companion resource to this episode, including sample AI prompts to help you: Evaluate your current pricing Explore innovative pricing models Research emerging practice areas Build a learning and positioning plan 📥 Download here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-8 Related Resources The Business Planning Playbook The Flat Fee Playbook The Thought Leadership Playbook Upcoming Live Session 🎙 Ask Susan Anything: New Year Practice Building Focus 📅 February 2 A free live session for dispute resolution professionals ready to break old patterns and build smarter strategies. Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggtQJudk Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast
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    20 mins