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About CMS

CMS
Professional EducationPractice DevelopmentLeadership for What's Next

Helping professionals build practices and organizations prepared for what's next.

CMS — Professional Practice Development logo

CMS was founded on a simple belief:

Exceptional professionals deserve exceptional support in building exceptional practices.

We create transformative educational experiences that go beyond traditional training. Our programs combine strategic thinking, practical implementation, accountability, and collaborative learning to help professionals strengthen their practices, expand their impact, and lead with confidence in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.

Founded by nationally recognized leaders in dispute resolution, legal practice, and professional education, CMS develops innovative programs for bar associations, professional organizations, educational institutions, and practitioners across the country.

The Practice Incubator is our flagship program, created in partnership with the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. It reflects our commitment to designing learning experiences that don't simply teach new ideas. They help professionals put those ideas into practice and create meaningful, lasting change.

As CMS grows, so will our portfolio of professional development programs, leadership initiatives, consulting services, and educational partnerships, all driven by one purpose:

Helping professionals build practices, and professions, that are ready for the future.

Meet the CMS Leadership Team

The Practice Incubator is led by the founders of CMS, three nationally respected leaders whose combined experience spans dispute resolution, legal practice, organizational leadership, professional education, business development, and innovation.

Susan Guthrie headshot

Susan Guthrie

Founder & CEO

Nationally recognized attorney, mediator, author, speaker, and practice strategist, Susan Guthrie has spent more than three decades helping legal and dispute resolution professionals build innovative, client-centered, and sustainable practices. As the visionary behind CMS and the Practice Incubator, she combines national leadership, business strategy, technology innovation, and professional education to help professionals prepare for the future of practice.

Focus Areas
  • Practice Development
  • Thought Leadership
  • AI & Innovation
  • Professional Education
  • 35+ Years in Practice
  • Former Chair, ABA Dispute Resolution Section
  • 25,000+ Professionals Trained
susaneguthrie.comsusan@susaneguthrie.comLinkedIn
Charlie McDaniel headshot

Charlie McDaniel

Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Charlie McDaniel brings decades of experience as a mediator, entrepreneur, and business leader. He oversees the operational strategy behind CMS, ensuring that every program is supported by thoughtful systems, efficient processes, and an exceptional participant experience. His focus is creating the infrastructure that allows innovative ideas to become sustainable programs.

Focus Areas
  • Operations
  • Business Strategy
  • Program Management
  • Organizational Growth
  • Experienced Mediator
  • Operations & Business Strategy
  • Program Leadership
charlesmcdanieljr.comcmm@bayadr.comLinkedIn
Melinda Feldman headshot

Melinda Feldman

Co-Founder & Director of Curriculum

Melinda Feldman is a nationally respected mediator, educator, and curriculum designer with extensive experience developing professional learning experiences that inspire meaningful change. She leads curriculum development, facilitator training, and educational strategy to ensure CMS programs are practical, engaging, and immediately applicable.

Focus Areas
  • Curriculum Design
  • Facilitator Development
  • Mediation Training
  • Adult Learning
  • National Trainer
  • Curriculum Strategist
  • Facilitator Development
advanced-mediation-solutions.commelinda.feldman@advanced-mediation-solutions.comLinkedIn

Together, the founders of CMS bring decades of experience in legal practice, dispute resolution, business leadership, professional education, and organizational development. They have trained thousands of professionals, led national organizations, built successful practices, and designed innovative educational experiences that help professionals turn ideas into action. Their shared philosophy is simple: meaningful education should inspire measurable growth, lasting success, and stronger professional communities.

Connect With the CMS Team

Whether you're interested in the Practice Incubator, exploring a speaking engagement, discussing a custom professional development program, or learning more about partnering with CMS, we'd love to hear from you.

Interested in bringing CMS programming to your organization?

We partner with bar associations, professional organizations, educational institutions, and leadership teams to design innovative educational experiences that create lasting impact.

We'd welcome the opportunity to start a conversation.

Contact the CMS Team

What We Do

CMS partners with bar associations, professional organizations, educational institutions, leadership teams, and practitioner communities to design and deliver innovative professional education and practice development experiences.

Our work combines practical education, implementation support, accountability, leadership development, strategic thinking, and collaborative learning to create measurable results for both professionals and the organizations they serve.

Current Areas of Focus

  • Practice Development Programs
  • Professional Education
  • Leadership Development
  • Strategic Planning & Facilitation
  • AI & Technology Education
  • Business Development
  • Cohort-Based Learning Experiences
  • Association & Organizational Consulting

While the Practice Incubator is our flagship offering, CMS continues to develop new programs, partnerships, and educational experiences designed to meet the evolving needs of today's professional communities.

Our Mission

To empower professionals and the organizations that serve them through innovative education, practical business development, and collaborative learning experiences that create lasting professional success.

Our Vision

To become the leading provider of professional practice development and education for legal, dispute resolution, and other professional communities.

Apply NowAbout the program

Bring CMS to Your Organization

Professional organizations today need more than traditional educational programming.

They need learning experiences that inspire action, strengthen practices, build future leaders, and create lasting impact.

CMS partners with bar associations, professional organizations, educational institutions, leadership teams, and practitioner communities to design customized educational experiences that meet their unique goals.

Whether you're interested in a keynote presentation, a multi-session workshop, a cohort-based learning experience, strategic planning facilitation, leadership development, AI education, consulting, or a custom-designed initiative, we'd welcome the opportunity to explore how CMS can help.

Interested in working together?

Let's start the conversation.

Contact the CMS TeamExplore Partnership Opportunities