CMB Solutions is the alternative conflict resolution destination for the Greater Nashville Area and all of Middle Tennessee.   ï»¿


CMB Solutions is the alternative conflict resolution destination for the Greater Nashville Area and all of Middle Tennessee.   


An attorney and a mediator, Ms. Gruszecki Smalley is a Tennessee Rule 31 Listed with Family and Civil training and Domestic Violence Certification.  She has extensive experience in family law and child welfare law including zero-to-three and high trauma cases. She has worked as a Guardian Ad Litem, has experience with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, and the Juvenile Justice System.  In addition to her comprehensive trial and in-court experience, Ms. Gruszecki Smalley has conducted over 130 mediations in the last three years. 


We are currently offering in-person and virtual mediation services, both via Zoom and now featuring Immediation, a faster, safer, smarter, more accessible online platform for online dispute resolution. 


Our full website will be live soon, but until then, click here to schedule a consultation, or a mediation today!


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Picture of Cara Gruszecki Smalley

CARA GRUSZECKI SMALLEY, Esq., NCPM

Attorney and Rule 31 Listed Mediator

Family - Domestic Violence Certified - Civil

Cara is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed, and trained mediator specializing in civil disputes, and family law disputes, including those involving custody, and domestic violence. 

Cara has been an attorney/litigator in the field of family law and child welfare law in Tennessee for many years, but fully understands her role as a mediator is to help parties in conflict reach a mutually satisfactory resolution in a respectful and dignified manner. As a mediator, Cara strives to maintain neutrality and does not take sides or make decisions for the parties. Her goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for all parties to share their perspectives and let the parties work towards finding a resolution that addresses everyone's concerns and meets the needs of all involved.

 


How CMB Solutions Can Help:

Domestic Violence Certified and Trauma Informed

Ms. Gruszecki Smalley has years of experience litigating family law and child welfare cases.  She understands the complexities of family law cases and knows it is critical to have an approach that is trauma sensitive, and trauma informed. 


Mediation can be an incredibly useful tool for families going through disputes related to divorce, co-parenting, custody, support, and other personal matters in a more amicable and efficient way.


Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as a mediator, helps facilitate a discussion between the parties involved in the dispute. Unlike in a court case, where a judge makes the final decision, mediation allows the parties to come to an agreement that works for everyone involved.  Mediation often allows for a more creative solution than can be found in a typical court order.


Benefits of mediation include lower costs, faster resolution times, and the particpants have more control over the outcome.  Plus, mediation maximizes the chances of a successful outcome where the parties can still remain amicable.


If you are a co-parent dealing with child custody issues, a spouse going through a divorce, a family dealing with a non-legal personal issue, or a family member dealing with a complicated estate matter, we can help you navigate your dispute or conflict and find a way to resolution in a way that works for everyone involved.


We believe that mediation can be a powerful tool for resolving disputes and we are dedicated to helping families find the right solutions for their unique situations.


Whether you are mediating an entire divorce case, a family working through trauma, or are litigating individual issues within a family-related legal case, please consider CMB Solutions for your mediation needs.

A Great Alternative to Litigation

CMB Solutions is proud to offer dispute resolution services that can be used to resolve a wide range of civil disputes.  We would be please to assist you with your civil matters including contract disputes, landlord tenant issues, employment matters, consumer complaints, real estate disputes, personal injury cases, and much more.


Mediation can also be utilized prior to a court action being started, or after litigation has begun. Mediation is voluntary, private,  confidential, self-determinative, and can be used to address disputes between individuals, businesses, and even government parties. 


Civil mediation can be used to resolve disputes in an efficient, cost-effective manner, providing a less adversarial alternative to litigation. It can also be used to reach long-term, sustainable solutions that are beneficial to both parties.


Mediation is an effective alternative to traditional court litigation for resolving civil disputes, offering a more collaborative and cost-effective approach while finding a mutually beneficial solution for all participants.   Through this process parties can work together to find common ground and reach a solution that meets their needs, rather than relying on a judge to make a decision. Mediation is often faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than court proceedings.


Whether you are a business owner, an individual seeking compensation for a personal injury, affected by a landlord tenant matter, or involved in a contract dispute, CMB Solutions can guide you through the mediation process and help you achieve a positive outcome.  


Our mediator has a deep understanding of civil law and is trained in effective communication and conflict resolution techniques. We are committed to helping parties find a solution that works for them while fostering a collaborative and respectful environment throughout the mediation process.


If you are looking for a more collaborative and efficient approach to resolving your civil dispute, we invite you to schedule a mediation where we can provide the environment to help you achieve a positive outcome for your case.

Is Limited Scope Representation Right For You?

CMB Solutions is proud to offer their clients the option to enter into limited scope representation engagement agreements.  Limited scope representation, also known as unbundled legal services, is a service that allows clients to hire an attorney for specific legal tasks rather than for full representation. This means that as the client you retain control over the overall direction of your case, while your attorney provides legal guidance and assistance for only the specific parts of the case that you have chosen to retain us for.


We believe that limited scope representation can be a valuable option for clients who want to save money on legal fees, maintain more control over their case, or who only need assistance with specific legal tasks.


Limited scope representation can offer several benefits to clients who are seeking legal assistance. Here are some of the main benefits:


Cost-effectiveness: Clients only pay for the specific legal tasks they need assistance with, rather than for full representation. This can be particularly helpful for clients who cannot afford to hire an attorney for the entire case.


Flexibility: Clients retain more control over their case because they can delegate which tasks they want an attorney to handle and which tasks they want to handle on their own. 


Transparency: Clients are more involved in their case and have a better understanding of the legal process. They can communicate directly with their attorney handling their case and receive regular updates on the progress of their case.


Access to legal assistance: Clients who might not otherwise seek legal help, or who clients who are intimidated by the legal process feel more comfortable and confident in handling their legal matter.


Efficiency:  By focusing on specific tasks, your attorney can complete them more quickly and you can save time and money by not having to pay for unnecessary services.


Overall, limited scope representation can be a valuable option for clients who want to save money, maintain control over their case, and receive the legal assistance. It is important to carefully consider the benefits and limitations of limited scope representation and to work with an experienced attorney who can provide guidance and support throughout the legal process.

More Information Coming Soon

Create Your Ombuds Program Today!

Are you looking to create a workplace that fosters collaboration, trust, and encourages employee retention? Contact CMB Solutions to learn how an Ombubs Program can be the transformative tool that benefits everyone in your company or organization.


Ombuds Programs are independent, confidential, and informal dispute resolution programs designed to help employees, managers, and stakeholders in an organization resolve conflicts or concerns. The Ombudsman, who is a neutral and impartial party, provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to discuss their concerns, explore options for resolution, and receive guidance and support.


Ombuds Programs are typically established by organizations to provide an alternative channel for employees and stakeholders to seek assistance in resolving workplace-related issues.  Depending on how you structure your program, the Ombudsman may tasked with mediating disputes, and providing advice on policies and procedures. They serve as a resource to employees and managers, offering coaching, training, and other forms of support to improve communication and prevent future conflicts.


The key features of these programs include confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.


The use of Ombuds are growing is all companies and organizations, and are currently are widely used across various industries, including government, healthcare, and education. They are seen as a valuable tool for preventing and resolving conflicts in the workplace, promoting fairness and respect, and improving communication and collaboration between employees and stakeholders.


CMB Solutions can help you design and implement your own Ombuds Program in your company or organization. Click below to learn more and to schedule  your consult today!

Stop Conflict and Confusion with Precision Communication Skills

CMB Solutions provides communication consulting to assist  individuals, teams, and organizations with the skills they need to manage conflict and improve communication. CMB Solutions can provide you with the tools to develop strategies for effective resolutions, promote openness and trust, and foster collaboration. 


Through a variety of techniques and methods, we can help you create productive relationships, strengthen your team, and improve communication throughout your organization. We are here to help you identify and understand the root causes of conflict and assemble the tools needed to resolve them. We strive to create positive and lasting results for our clients.


We specialize in helping companies and organizations improve their communication strategies to enhance their brand reputation, strengthen their relationships with stakeholders, and achieve their business objectives.


We will work with you to  provide customized solutions that are tailored to meet your unique needs and challenges. Our services include communication audits, messaging development, internal communication, and more.


Effective communication is key to building successful relationships, both internally and externally. We work closely with our clients to understand their communication needs and goals, and develop strategies that align with their business objectives. We provide our clients with practical guidance and insights, drawing on our extensive experience to help them achieve measurable results.


Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards achieving your communication goals.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

- Albert Einstein

Contact us for a free consultation, or to schedule your mediation.


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