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.
Upcoming Events
Criminal Voir Dire: When Your Client Must Admit to Some Bad Acts (Virtual Event)
Special TLC 90 minute virtual event on Zoom to actively learn the TLC Voir Dire Method when your client's past bad acts will be relied upon by the prosecution.
Faculty Training
In-person training for TLC Faculty only at the Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN. First day starts 5pm- last day ends 12pm (CST).
2026 DO NO HARM - Cross Examination of Defendant in Medical Malpractice
In our newest TLC training, you'll learn from TLC faculty with leads Paula Estefan and Render Freeman, who bring years of experience and success in this demanding arena. ...