Meet the TLC Board of Directors
The Trial Lawyers College Board of Directors is composed of true warriors - attorneys from across the country who bring decades of experience in trial law, education, and leadership. Each member has completed the TLC's core training and remains committed to supporting its mission: training trial lawyers who advocate with integrity, skill, and compassion.
Board Bios
Maren Chaloupka, President, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
A civil rights and criminal defense attorney based in Nebraska, Maren brings more than 70 trials and 80 appeals to her name. She is the first woman to serve as President of TLC.
Ron Estefan, Vice President, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
Ron Estefan is a skilled attorney with a focus on personal injury law in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas. He is dedicated to representing injured individuals against the person or organization that caused their injury.
Laura O’Sullivan, Secretary, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
Laura is a veteran trial lawyer and former Missouri Public Defender with over 110 jury trials. She teaches nationally and brings a strong background in wrongful convictions and public defense training.
Francisco "Paco" Duarte, Treasurer, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
Paco is a Washington-based criminal defense and personal injury attorney with over three decades of practice. A frequent lecturer and published writer, he is also Managing Partner at Fury Duarte PS.
Eric Davis, Board Member, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
Eric serves as Trial Bureau Chief and Chief of the Felony Trial Division at the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in Texas. With over 100 trials tried to verdict, he is known for high-profile acquittals and supervising over 70 lawyers and fourteen investigators.
Ann Johnson, Board Member, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
Ann Johnson is an accomplished attorney, focusing on personal injury cases. She has extensive experience advocating for clients in civil litigation, particularly those affected by human trafficking and personal injury issues.
Colby Vokey, Board Member, TLC Alumni, TLC Faculty
A retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and military defense attorney, Colby has handled virtually every kind of military case – from murder to AWOL; sexual assault to sexual harassment; national security cases to security clearance hearings; drug distribution to drug use, even bank fraud and treason.
Meet Our Admin Team
As Executive Director of the TLC, Becky Barlow (center) works tirelessly to bring visibility, efficiency, and excellence to the organization’s daily operations. She plays a key role in advancing TLC’s mission—supporting its programs, its people, and its impact on trial lawyers across the country.
Molly Fjell (far right) joined TLC over two years ago as our Event Director and is proud to be part of a team making a lasting impact. A Montana native with a degree in Hotel Administration, Molly has lived and worked across the country but is happiest back home with her son—especially near water, where she finds peace and inspiration. She has a deep love for stories, history, and the connections that bind us all.
After 18 years at a criminal defense firm, Robin Middlebrook (far left) brings her deep experience in budgeting, analysis, and planning to her new role as Finance Director at TLC. With a passion for justice and a background in accountancy, she’s excited to support the mission and serve this powerful community.
Upcoming Events
2025 Graduate II Course
Mastering the Art of Storytelling in Trial Craft and present powerful stories with psychodrama, TLC methods, and instruction in storytelling and story-editing from The Moth.
2025 Graduate I Course
Mastering the Art of Directing Your Case This Graduate I Course offers TLC graduates a unique opportunity to deepen their directing skills and hone their communication skills ...
Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys Symposium, Austin, TX, September 18-19, 2025
Come see us at our exhibitor table and let us answer any questions you have about what Trial Lawyers College can do for you!