Susan Guthrie spent decades as a successful family law attorney, but when life pushed her to relocate and reimagine her career, she embraced innovation instead of starting over. Now, she’s a nationally recognized mediation expert, online business owner, and podcast host, helping legal professionals expand their skills beyond traditional practice. In this episode, Susan shares how she transitioned from courtroom litigation to a thriving mediation business, the importance of leveraging technology in law, and why attorneys should think bigger when it comes to using their expertise.
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Susan Guthrie has been a leader in the family law and mediation space for over 30 years. She initially built a successful career as a family law attorney, leading the matrimonial division of a general practice law firm. But when a cross-country move forced her to rethink her next steps, she transitioned into mediation and online business, pioneering new ways for attorneys to serve clients virtually.
"I was a member in a law firm for a number of years, but the business side of the firm was handled by our managing partner. Then I split off and opened my own boutique firm, and honestly, if it weren’t for my first office manager holding my hand through the setup process, I don’t know how it would have gone," shares Susan Guthrie on You Are A Lawyer.
Now, Susan is a nationally recognized expert in online mediation and legal business innovation. She co-founded the Mosten Guthrie Academy, an industry-leading mediation training program, and runs Learn to Mediate Online, a platform that has trained thousands of professionals. She also hosts The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, where she provides guidance to individuals navigating family law matters.
Susan’s journey to law school wasn’t driven by a lifelong dream of being a lawyer. Instead, it was a direct result of a traumatic experience—being involved in a serious car accident at age 18, which led to a lawsuit. That experience left her with a deep curiosity about the legal process and a desire to understand the system from the inside.
"I went through the windshield and broke many of the bones in my face. It took about a year to get everything put back where it went. The lawsuit that followed made me want to understand the legal process—why things happened the way they did," reflects Susan Guthrie on Episode 185 of You Are a Lawyer.
That curiosity led her to law school, where she initially pursued business law but later found her niche in family law. Despite never planning to become a mediator, she eventually realized that helping families resolve disputes through mediation was the most fulfilling part of her work.
Susan firmly believes that a law degree is one of the most versatile professional credentials available. She has used hers not only in traditional family law practice but also in mediation, online education, podcasting, and entrepreneurship. Her legal training provided her with critical thinking, problem-solving, and advocacy skills that have allowed her to build multiple businesses.
"The thinking about facts and logic—those are our tools as lawyers. And that skillset comes into play constantly, whether you’re in a courtroom, running a business, or negotiating deals," explains Susan Guthrie, on this episode of You Are a Lawyer.
She encourages lawyers to think beyond the traditional law firm model and explore new ways to use their knowledge. Whether through consulting, coaching, or content creation, attorneys can leverage their expertise in ways that align with their strengths and interests while also creating financial stability outside of the billable hour model.
Susan’s career pivot didn’t just lead her to mediation—it led her to building multiple successful businesses. When she first moved her practice online, colleagues started asking her how she did it, which led to the creation of Learn to Mediate Online, a training program that has now educated thousands of professionals.
“People kept coming back and saying, ‘Well, what more can you teach me?’ So I started creating programs on online marketing, website development, and podcasting. It all grew from people asking me for more information,” shares Susan Guthrie in Episode 185 of You Are a Lawyer.
In addition to her mediation training programs, Susan also hosts The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, where she shares insights on family law, conflict resolution, and life after divorce. Her businesses show that lawyers can generate income and build authority in their field through education, media, and digital services.
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Susan is licensed to practice law in Connecticut, New York, and California.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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