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:

Guest

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

Related Resources

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

—--------------------------

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.

🎙 Ask Susan Anything: New Year Practice Building Focus

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

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

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

What trends will shape dispute resolution in 2026?

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.

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.

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

1. AI as Infrastructure

2. Moving Beyond Hourly Billing

3. Specialization and Emerging Practice Areas

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:

The Business Planning Playbook

The Flat Fee Playbook

The Thought Leadership Playbook

🎙 Ask Susan Anything: New Year Practice Building Focus

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast 

In a profession increasingly shaped by AI, virtual platforms, and rapid technological change, it is easy to believe that success depends on mastering the newest tools. In this episode, we take a different approach.

Susan Guthrie is joined by veteran mediator and arbitrator Lawrence Kolin for a grounded, insightful conversation about what actually gets cases settled and why the core skills of peacemaking still matter more than ever.

With nearly twenty-five years of experience resolving complex disputes, Lawrence has practiced through sweeping changes in how mediation is conducted. Yet his message is clear: while the tools have evolved, human nature has not. Trust, intuition, preparation, and the ability to read people in the room remain the true differentiators for effective neutrals.

This episode explores why experienced mediators continue to succeed even as the profession evolves and what practitioners at every stage can learn from returning to fundamentals.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why mediation’s core principles have endured for thousands of years

The limits of technology and what AI cannot replace in dispute resolution

How experienced neutrals identify the true “nub” of a dispute

The information paradox in modern mediation and why more data does not always lead to better outcomes

How trust, reputation, and word of mouth still drive mediator selection

The role of intuition, judgment, and experience in moving parties toward agreement

Why adaptability and curiosity are essential skills for long-term success

Whether you are building your practice, refining your craft, or navigating a rapidly changing professional landscape, this conversation is a powerful reminder of where the real edge comes from.

Guest:

Contact Lawrence Kolin: 

Email: [email protected]

Blog: www.OrlandoMediator.blogspot.com 

LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/in/lkolin

*******************************************

Get Susan's Latest Book and Start 2026 with a Plan!

The Business Plan Playbook is a practical guide for dispute resolution professionals and legal entrepreneurs who want to build a sustainable, intentional practice. This book walks you through how to clarify your vision, define your ideal work, structure your services, and make smart business decisions in a profession that is evolving quickly. It is not about predicting the future. It is about creating a framework you can rely on as your practice grows and changes.

Learn more about the book and explore Susan’s full collection of titles here:

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast 

Technology now sits at the center of modern ADR practice, and the decisions we make about tools, pricing, and security have real consequences for our efficiency, profitability, and client experience. In this episode of the Practice Playbook Podcast, I’m joined by legal tech pioneer Gary Doernhoefer to unpack what actually works for mediators, arbitrators, and dispute resolution firms today.

Gary and I talk candidly about how ADR technology has evolved, why many traditional pricing models no longer serve neutrals, and how integrated platforms can eliminate friction while protecting confidentiality. If you’re rethinking your tech stack for 2025 and beyond, this conversation offers practical insight and strategic clarity.

More About This Week's Special Guest:

Gary Doernhoefer graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law and has 40 years of experience in private practice, as an in-house attorney, general counsel and entrepreneur in two successful technology startup companies. His legal experience convinced him of the benefits of ADR and inspired him to apply his skills to the development of technology for dispute resolution practitioners. He is the founder of ADR Notable - the leading case and practice management software designed specifically for ADR practitioners. He also serves as Co-Chair of the ADR Practice Skills and Technology Innovations Committee of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section, and is a frequent speaker on ADR technology.

Website and Contact Information:

ADR Notable: https://www.adrnotable.com

Social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gdoernhoefer/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/adr-notable/

Who This Episode Is For

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

If you want a clearer, steadier, and more grounded start to 2026, this episode offers the essential year-end reflection every legal and dispute resolution professional should be doing. As the year winds down, Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and bestselling author,  guides you through a candid, deeply clarifying debrief of your practice.

Instead of waiting for the calendar to turn and hoping things feel different in January, Susan shows you how to understand the patterns, decisions, and dynamics that shaped your year. You’ll look closely at what worked, what drained you, and what you’re finally ready to let go of, so you can step into the new year with focus, intention, and renewed purpose.

This episode mirrors the same process Susan uses with her private coaching clients every December, and it includes access to a powerful companion worksheet to help you translate today’s insights into a written plan for the year ahead.

Whether you want to strengthen your systems, expand your visibility, refine your services, or simply create more ease in your business, this honest debrief will help you step into 2026 with clarity and confidence.

Make this reflection process easy and intentional with a guided worksheet created specifically for this episode. This companion resource walks you through each step of your year-end debrief so you can capture your insights clearly and turn them into meaningful action for 2026.

Download the worksheet here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/ai-placeholder-5

Inside, you’ll find thoughtful prompts and supportive questions that help you identify your wins, acknowledge what didn’t work, and decide what you’re ready to release. It’s a simple, structured way to gather everything you uncovered in this episode and shape it into a confident plan for the year ahead.

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

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

If you want more clarity, higher revenue, and a smoother path into 2026, this episode is your essential year-end roadmap. November is the strategic moment for legal and dispute resolution professionals to review their pricing, refine their services, and set the stage for a more profitable year ahead. In this solo episode, Susan E. Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and author of The Flat Fee Playbook, walks you through a complete “Profit Checkup” designed specifically for mediators, attorneys, collaborative professionals, coaches, and conflict-resolution entrepreneurs.

Whether you are preparing to raise your rates, transition to flat fee services, improve client experience, or finally bring your systems in line with your value, this actionable episode gives you the structure and clarity to make smart, strategic decisions before the new year begins.

You will learn how to assess your current pricing, evaluate your true profit margins, analyze your most and least profitable services, and identify the bottlenecks that quietly erode your income and energy. Susan also explores the emotional side of pricing decisions and why most professionals struggle with raising their rates even when the data tells them they should.

And because year-end is the perfect time for strategic planning, Susan shares a powerful companion tool for this episode: The Profit Checkup Worksheet, a free downloadable checklist that walks you step-by-step through the exact process she uses with her coaching clients and inside The Flat Fee Playbook.

If you want a profitable, focused, and confident start to 2026, this episode is your guide.

• Why November, not January, is the smartest time to review and revise your pricing (although it's never too late!)

Make this process effortless with a step-by-step worksheet that guides you through your year-end pricing review, service audit, and 2026 planning.

Download the worksheet here:

This companion resource includes prompts, checklists, and guided questions that help you make informed, confident pricing decisions without overwhelm.

This episode is ideal for:

If you want more profit, simplicity, and stability in your practice next year, this episode gives you the exact roadmap.

• The Flat Fee Playbook – Your guide to building, structuring, and pricing flat fee services

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.

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

In this special solo episode, Susan shares behind-the-scenes lessons from her appearance on The Oprah Podcast. Discover how years of preparation and purpose can lead to extraordinary opportunities, how to steward visibility with integrity, and how to turn gratitude into growth.

This isn’t just an episode about a big media moment, it’s a heartfelt reflection on what it means to stay consistent, stay true to your mission, and trust that the right people will find your work when the time is right. Consider this your reminder that you don’t chase moments like this - you build toward them one intentional step, one thoughtful piece of content, and one act of service at a time.

Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:

Links and resources from this episode:

Watch on YouTube // Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Divorce & Beyond Episode Archive

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

============================

WANT MORE CONTENT?

Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan

Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter

Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal

Reach out to Susan at [email protected]

Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

Social Media:

Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq

Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating

*****************

Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

Most professionals in dispute resolution don’t start out dreaming of marketing strategies and social media plans, they become mediators, arbitrators, and facilitators because they want to help people resolve conflict, not “sell” themselves. Marketing done right isn’t about selling at all, it’s about educating, connecting, and building trust.

In this episode, Susan breaks down the Top 3 Must-Dos for Modern Marketing in Dispute Resolution, sharing practical, accessible strategies that help professionals attract the right clients, establish credibility, and grow their practices authentically. 

When clarity, connection, and consistency guide your marketing, growth becomes not just possible, but sustainable.

Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:

Links and resources from this episode:

====================

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

============================

WANT MORE CONTENT?

Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan

Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter

Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal

Reach out to Susan at [email protected]

Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

Social Media:

Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq

Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating

*****************

Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.

If you’ve been looking for ways to expand your services, stand out in a competitive market, and deliver greater value to your clients, this week’s conversation is for you. Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) is transforming the way practitioners help clients resolve cases, faster, more cost-effectively, and with higher satisfaction on all sides. It’s also a smart way to grow your practice and position yourself as a future-focused professional.

To explore the power of EDR, Susan Guthrie welcomes Anne Jordan, a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to Mandell Menkes LLC, and one of the leading national voices on EDR. Anne serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. She’s also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and past chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, so she’s been shaping this movement from the inside out.

Together, Susan and Anne break down what EDR really is, how its four-step process helps clients save time and money, and why it’s such an attractive service to offer as a mediator or dispute resolution professional. Anne also shares how the ABA and AAA are embracing EDR, and why now is the perfect time to integrate this approach into your practice and your marketing strategy.

Here’s what else you’ll hear in this episode:

More About This Week's Special Guest, Anne Jordan:  Anne Jordan is a Chicago-based arbitrator and mediator, Of Counsel to the firm Mandell Menkes LLC, and a leading national voice on Early Dispute Resolution (EDR). She serves on the American Arbitration Association’s Commercial, Large Complex Case, Employment, and International panels, as well as the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals. Over the course of her career, she has handled countless high-value cases involving technology, intellectual property, and employment disputes. Before establishing her practice as a neutral, Anne served as General Counsel for three major technology companies — PeopleSoft, Sega of America, and Worlds of Wonder.

Anne is also a Trustee of the EDR Institute and the past chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Task Force on Early Dispute Resolution, playing a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of the EDR process.

Early Dispute Resolution Institute: https://www.edrinstitute.org/

Anne Jordan’s email: anne(at)annjordanassociates.com

Social media:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-jordan-759867

====================

This Episode is Sponsored by Fourth Party

Build your practice like a CEO with Fourth Party, the all-in-one platform for dispute resolution professionals. Manage intake, scheduling, files, and payments in one place.

As a listener of The Practice Playbook Podcast, you can get 20% off your first three months. Just visit fourthparty.app and use the code SUSAN20 at checkout. 

Take control of your business and start building it like a CEO with Fourth Party.

============================

WANT MORE CONTENT?

Get SUSAN'S FREE BOOK: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tFTeMJf/SuccesswithSusan

Get the FREE LinkedIn Newsletter from Susan, "Practice Building Tip of the Day": Weekly Practice Building Tips Newsletter

Susan's New Weekly Business Journal is NOW AVAILABLE!  https://susaneguthrie.com/the-journal

Reach out to Susan at [email protected]

Susan's Coaching Services:  https://susaneguthrie.com/services

Website: https://susaneguthrie.com

Social Media:

Susan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanguthrieesq

Susan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

Make Money Mediating on Instagram: https://instagram.com/makemoneymediating

*****************

Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law Attorneys and Mediators in the United States, has transitioned from a successful legal and mediation practice to become one of the foremost trainers and consultants for professionals in the field. As Chair-Elect of the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of dispute resolution worldwide. Through her Top 1% in the World podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie," she continues to share her expertise, reaching millions of listeners globally.