Testimonials

"After 35 years practicing law, surprises are infrequent. Pleasant surprises even less frequent.

My recent attendance at the Closing Argument Regional was a pleasant surprise and one worth summarizing.

I came into the Regional beat up, beat down, sick of life as a trial lawyer and generally ready to skip the whole experience. I was probably honestly just counting down the days till I finally died and went home to be with the Lord. I came in feeling I had let down everyone I knew and loved through bad decisions I could not fix.

The first evening was not my cup of tea. Too much interaction and too much emphasis on basic human interaction. I preferred to sit alone and listen, but that was not possible. The next day, the sessions in the morning, afternoon and evening were still grating on me and making me very uncomfortable. I was not interested in talking about "feelings" I just wanted some stuff to use in my closing arguments and the sessions were just pushing on me emotionally to get myself into the shoes of other people and experience what they were experiencing. It really pissed me off. I had enough trouble with my own problems and was certainly not wanting to share the problems of these strangers I had never met before.

Saturday the sessions began to move me. I found myself in the hall talking to people and was actually beginning to look forward to the next session starting. Suddenly and with no reason, I began to "get it". I began to understand that the heart and the things that matter in life require us to take risks, to be willing to feel pain and sadness, to emote with our entire being not just with our brains. It was like a moment of clarity and awareness. I realized that everyone in my small groups in the Regional was struggling with life just like me. It made me see these strangers as real people with the courage to face their situations and overcome their own obstacles to be better lawyers and to help their clients in ways the brain alone simply cannot help.

What happened for me was a sudden infusion of courage. The courage to try and fail. The courage to allow others to see me try and fail. The courage to get my ass up off the ground where I had been engaged in a self-loathing pity party and to try again, and again, and again without allowing my fears to get in my way. It was empowering and it also gave me a moment to reflect on all the things that I could change in my own attitude and perception of life. It not only gave me courage but it gave me hope. I realized and began to "understand" in some degree of complex awareness that the past is the past, it cannot be changed but by God the future is still unwritten and there are ways to change myself and my attitude that will provide me with a fuller and much more satisfying life.

I left the Regional thinking and contemplating ways to be a better human being, not just a better trail lawyer."

"My experience at TLC has been life changing as a lawyer and as a person. The friendships I have made with lawyers from all over the country have been immensely rewarding and have renewed my faith in people. I have gained insight into myself which, in turn, has helped me to connect with others on a whole new level. This has helped my practice in a way you cannot get from books or lectures. Gerry's approach is honest. It's a hands-on course where everyone is made to feel comfortable. You will be practicing the methods taught in an environment of non-judgmental people, while having fun and making new friends."

"There was not one part of the TLC 3 week course that I would change. Everyone, and I mean everyone, showed so much talent, devotion, excitement and enthusiasm, that cannot be adequately described. It is a wonderful program, and the people that donate their time to come and teach, explore, and share, are absolutely amazing. I wish I could just hug each one of them at least once a day! Thank you for the "gift" of that training."

"I just wanted to thank everyone for the Grad II experience. I enjoyed every single person out at the ranch. We had an amazing group of people, with so much knowledge to share. I appreciate the hard-work that the staff put into this program.

It's beyond my comprehension how these faculty members who have such busy and vibrant trial practices, can make the time to think about and develop new skills every year, and then take the time to put together a new and challenging Grad program. I have so much to think about and have so many goals for myself now on how I will further use this information to help each client, because that is what it really is about -- helping people.

I often think of our instructors as a ripple in a pond – they throw out a rock of information, which causes a ripple, which results in a positive change in the life of someone they never met. Sometimes our victories in this process are not so much about our own wins, but the wins of others who we helped create and encourage! I have been so encouraged by all of you and have set many goals for myself and my clients – thanks to you all. Cheers to another great Grad II."

"One of the best weeks of my LIFE!!
Met and saw so many talented people. Love you all!!"

Dear Gerry,

After practicing for 40 years, I retired a dozen and 1 years ago. Both my son Brendan and my other son Brian Brandt, whom you know, have followed me into the law. It is about Brian and your impact on him both as an attorney and as a person that I write. Our impact on our children lessens as we age and other influences affect their lives. The role that you and your college have had him has been life-changing.

Let me cite but two examples of his professional growth under your tutelage. Approximately one year ago Brian tried a case of medical malpractice where the decedent had perhaps a two year life expectancy at the time he was maltreated. I sat in for the voir dire while he addressed his client's limited life expectancy and whether or not that would prevent prospective jurors from awarding an adequate judgment. In the process he told jurors that he himself had that same issue in deciding whether or not he would be willing to take the the case. He told that to a prospective juror and added “you know I think back on my initial reluctance to take the case because of this shortened life expectancy,… And I am ashamed.” That powerful admission has resonated with me. How much better a lawyer I could have been had I been taught to be more human and less doctrinaire.

The second example of his special growth is a case that concluded just this past December that involved a Ford van rollover. When the case came into the office, he realized what a major effort would be involved to move that to a successful conclusion. Using the things he learned from you he did all things necessary to win that case, including immediate phone calls after receiving the case to locate and impound the car when it was about to be irretrievably lost. He interviewed major national firms that specialize in Ford rollover cases, selecting a firm from Missouri (sorry I don't recall their name, but I suspect you know whom they are, as they are some of “your boys”). He chose not to be the lead counsel in the case, but he orchestrated, directed and managed it from start to finish. Included in his contribution to the successful outcome was in his insistence that the case be settled after trial and completion of all appellate briefs but before the appellate court's decision was issued. The case settled for a considerable settlement that is required to be confidential. Approximately one month later a companion case that was tried in the same venue was overturned and sent back for retrial on the basis of erroneous instructions. Those erroneous instructions were the same ones given in his case.

Let me conclude on an area more profound. I am immensely proud of both my sons and since we speak of Brian, let me say the primary area in which I could have done better was to instill more compassion in him. You have done that for him and for me. His growth in kindness and caring for his clients and even for family is palpable. Thank you so much.

Yours is a wonderful legacy but don't ever forget, even for a moment, your impact on your guys,the brothers and sisters as individuals.

Gratefully,

Barry (Brandt)

"I will never practice the same way again. I have rediscovered the creativity and courage had gotten buried somewhere along the road of my legal life."