About the Practice Incubator
The ABA Dispute Resolution Section Practice Incubator is a nine-month, cohort-based program that helps dispute resolution professionals build the business, visibility, systems, and strategy behind their work.
Rather than focusing on advanced practitioner skills alone, the Incubator focuses on the practice itself - positioning, marketing, referral pipelines, pricing, operations, client experience, and long-term growth. Participants leave with a working Practice Portfolio and a durable set of tools, systems, and relationships to build on.
The program blends structured curriculum, facilitator-led cohort meetings, optional Bonus Expert Learning Sessions, and monthly Strategy Sessions with Susan Guthrie.
Each participant will invest $3,000 in their practice development for the program. Payment is due in full by Monday, September 28, 2026 and is non-refundable once the program starts.
The Practice Incubator is a flagship program of CMS, a professional education and practice development company, presented in partnership with the ABA Dispute Resolution Section, our founding program partner.
By the End of the Program, You'll Have...
- A clear roadmap for growing your practice
- Practical marketing and business development strategies
- Systems that improve efficiency and sustainability
- Greater confidence in your business decisions
- Accountability that creates lasting momentum
- A trusted network of colleagues and referral partners
- Practical tools and templates you can continue using
- A stronger, more intentional practice built for long-term success
What You'll Build
Over the course of the program, participants develop a working Practice Portfolio of nine Practice Assets, organized across four stages.
- 01Foundation
Who you are, who you serve, and the model that holds it up.
- Business Plan
- Positioning Statement
- 02Visibility
How the right clients find you - messaging, marketing, referrals.
- Brand Messaging
- Referral Strategy
- Marketing Plan
- 03Operations
The client experience that makes the practice repeatable.
- Client Journey
- Pricing Strategy
- AI Workflows
- 04Growth
The plan that carries the practice past graduation.
- Annual Growth Plan
2026–2027 cycle dates
- Applications
- ClosedApplications closed Monday, September 14, 2026.
- Application Deadline
- Monday, September 14, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Pacific)
- Acceptance & Waitlist Notifications
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Agreement & Payment Due
- Monday, September 28, 2026Accepted participants sign their agreement and pay the program fee. Full platform access opens once both are complete.
- Program Orientation
- Wednesday, September 30, 202612:00–1:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CT / 9:00–10:00 a.m. PT
- Program Begins
- October 2026Participants will receive their cohort meeting schedule during Orientation.