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

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 better
Some of the best ways to build skills and get cases early in a neutral practice
Why 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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