WHAT IS THE 7-STEP PROGRAM?
Each shorter TLC course focuses on at least one of the TLC trial skills. Each completion of a shorter TLC course thus constitutes one “Step” of the Seven Steps. There are two paths to TLC graduation: our immersive 3 Week College, and our 7-Step Program, designed for trial lawyers who need flexibility while still doing the real work.
Rooted in psychodrama and the TLC Method, this program is designed for trial lawyers who want the depth of the work but cannot attend the full 3-Week College all at once. It creates a more flexible path to graduation without losing what makes TLC so powerful: honest self-work, meaningful connection, and training that changes the way you stand up for your clients.
And when you graduate, you are not simply finishing a course. You become part of a Warrior community — a family of alumni who continue to learn from, stand with, and support one another long after the training ends.
7-Step Program Path
The 7-Step Program is completed through a series of required steps, each designed to deepen your skills and your connection to the TLC Method. Together, they create a flexible path to graduation without losing the depth of the work.
Psychodrama
Psychodrama is the search for truth in dramatic action. At TLC, this work is foundational: unless you know something about yourself, it is hard to truly understand jurors, judges, witnesses, and clients.
This step requires completion of 16 consecutive hours of Personal Psychodrama at any qualifying course.
Trial skills are only part of the story. In Discover the Story, TLC’s Methods come alive through creativity, spontaneity, and the kind of outside-the-box work that reaches juries and moves them toward justice.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 10 consecutive hours of Discovery the Story skill work at any qualifying course.
Voir Dire
The TLC Method of Voir Dire teaches how to uncover juror attitudes, beliefs, and biases. Using psychodramatic tools, lawyers learn to identify jurors who are open to their themes, ask more powerful questions, and build trust and credibility.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 10 consecutive hours of Voir Dire skill work at any qualifying course.
Opening Statement
The TLC Method of Opening Statement teaches lawyers how to build an honest relationship with the jury from the very start. Using psychodramatic tools, lawyers learn to give a genuine voice to the client’s story, avoid common pitfalls, and deliver an opening that is clear, grounded, and persuasive.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of Opening Statement skill work at any qualifying course.
Direct Examination
The TLC Method for Direct Examination trains trial lawyers to learn their client’s story and then bring their client’s story to life in a powerful way through their own witnesses. The lawyers will learn to recognize and avoid pitfalls of Direct Examination to deliver a powerful message to win justice for the client.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of Direct Examination skill work at any qualifying course.
Cross Examination
The TLC Method of Cross Exam teaches how to use psychodramatic tools to listen more deeply and become more attuned to everyone in the courtroom — including opposing witnesses. Through this work, lawyers build credibility and learn how to turn an opposing witness into a witness for their client.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of Cross Examination skill work at any qualifying course.
Final Argument
In final argument, the trial lawyer invites jurors to answer their call to do justice. These are your last words to the jury — your final opportunity to speak to what jurors need in that moment with honesty, clarity, and strength.
This step requires completion of a minimum of 8 consecutive hours of Final Argument skill work at any qualifying course.
Graduate Course
The final step in the 7-Step Program is completing a TLC Graduate Course. Either Graduate I or Graduate II are available for this final step. You will complete the final requirements to graduate while surrounded by TLC alumni welcoming you to an elite group.
Completion of either course fulfills the final graduation requirement.
Completion Details
Once accepted, a student will be eligible to graduate upon the following conditions if done within 5 years of acceptance into the 7-step program.
To assist participants, TLC will make every effort to schedule trainings that support completion of the program by tracking the skills offered at each TLC training.
- Attend at least one in person TLC course, then apply to the program
- Have contact information for 3 references ready - name, phone and email
- Complete and Submit application
- Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of acceptance
Upcoming Events
2026 In Defense of the Damned
In Defense of the Damned- a specialty course focused solely on applying the TLC Method to criminal defense cases.
Take your level of defending those who seem to ...
Nuts and Bolts of Civil Rights Litigation - Webinar with Mike Marrinan
Special TLC 1-hour Webinar (lecture-format) by Mike Marrinan. This webinar will focus on the basics of bringing an action for violation of constitutional rights by law enforcement ...
2026 Indigent Representation (July)
Indigent representation requires special skills. Elevate your ability to connect with your client and with their jury at this virtual course.