The Courage to Ask®
The Courage to Ask® is a groundbreaking, hands-on approach to building the skills and confidence to ask for the full measure of justice your client deserves. Led by TLC-trained lawyers and licensed psychodramatists who have used these methods to achieve significant verdicts, this immersive training helps you discover the power of your authentic, unfiltered voice while developing practical skills you can apply across virtually any civil case involving money damages—from product liability and medical malpractice to employment, fraud, commercial disputes, and more. You’ll work with economic, human, punitive, and other forms of damages, spending each day on your feet integrating new skills in real time. You’ll leave with a powerful set of tools to strengthen the value of your cases and the courage to confidently ask for the number your client deserves.
Full Details Below
April 19-24, 2027
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Santa Cruz, CA
Destination
Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, California
Set on 300 wooded acres overlooking Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Chaminade offers a peaceful setting for learning, reflection, and connection. Guests can unwind among the resort’s open green spaces, explore the redwood-lined hiking trails, or make time for the on-site gym and spa. Fresh ocean air and sweeping natural views create a welcome sense of retreat, while downtown Santa Cruz and the surrounding coast remain close by. Mineta San Jose International Airport is approximately 25 miles away.
Please note: Tuition does not include lodging. Attendees will be responsible for booking their own hotel rooms. Once registered, you'll receive information needed to book your room at a TLC group rate. Please do not use 3rd party booking parties.
What You'll Do and Learn
See below for full details on what you'll experience day-by-day, timing, tuition and lodging costs, TLC's financial aid application, and more.
Voir Dire: The TLC Method for Voir Dire trains trial lawyers to identify jurors who are favorable to the themes and objectives of the lawyer’s case, to develop powerful questioning techniques to uncover juror biases and attitudes and to build rapport with potential jurors to establish trust and credibility using the power of psychodramatic tools.
Final Argument: The TLC Method for Final Argument combined with the psychodramatic method teaches attorneys how to win justice for their clients by connecting their client's story, their loss and pain to those in a jury and courtroom.
Both skills qualify for the 7-Step Program.
Agenda subject to slight modifications:
Monday, April 19
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Registration - Guest Room Check-in 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM In SessionTuesday, April 20 – Friday, April 23
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Breakfast 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM In Session 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Lunch 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM In Session 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM In SessionSaturday, April 24
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Breakfast 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM In Session 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM GoodbyesChaminade Resort & Spa
Set on 300 wooded acres overlooking Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Chaminade offers a peaceful setting for learning, reflection, and connection. Guests can unwind among the resort’s open green spaces, explore the redwood-lined hiking trails, or make time for the on-site gym and spa. Fresh ocean air and sweeping natural views create a welcome sense of retreat, while downtown Santa Cruz and the surrounding coast remain close by. Mineta San Jose International Airport is approximately 25 miles away.Tuition does not include lodging. Attendees will be responsible for booking their own hotel rooms. Once registered, you'll receive information to book your room at a TLC group rate of $250 plus tax (parking fee is waived). You also have the option to stay 2 nights pre and post course if space is available at our group rate. Please do not use 3rd party booking parties.
Cancellation Policy
Given the high cost of providing courses with highly skilled teachers and at easily accessible venues nationwide, TLC must implement a cancellation policy. Cancellation notices and any questions should be sent to Molly@triallawyerscollege.org.
1. Any cancellation 35 or more days prior to the start date of any in-person course may receive a full refund.
2. Any cancellation within 34 to 15 days before the start date of any in-person course may receive 50% of the paid tuition as a credit towards a future program, to be used within one year. The person cancelling may offer a replacement for a full refund, but no refund will be processed unless the replacement makes full payment a minimum of 14 days prior to the start date of the course. It is the responsibility of the cancelling party to find a replacement.
3. Any cancellation within 14 -7 days of the start date of any in-person course is eligible for a 25% credit to be used towards a future program, to be used within one year.
4. Any cancellation within 6 days of the start date of any in-person course will not be eligible for a refund.
5. Virtual and webinar courses cancellations may receive a full refund if done 7 or more days prior to the course’s start date.
Course Fee: $4,000
Tuition does not include lodging. Attendees will be responsible for booking their own hotel rooms. Once registered, you'll receive information to book your room at a TLC group rate of $250 plus tax (parking fee is waived). You also have the option to stay 2 nights pre and post course if space is available at our group rate. Please do not use 3rd party booking parties.
Deadline to Register: March 14, 2027 11:59 PM
Deadline to Book Lodging at TLC rate: March 25, 2027 11:59 PM
ADA Deadline: March 14, 2027 11:59 PM
Financial Aid Deadline: March 1, 2027 11:59 PM
Please email Molly@triallawyerscollege.org for assistance.
The Trial Lawyers College offers partial financial assistance to those who apply and qualify as well as structured interest-free payments. Attendees can pay the fixed price in full or opt for a payment plan that allows them to pay in 2 or 3 installments, with full payment made on or before March 14, 2027
Trial Lawyers College knows that some trial lawyers may not currently have the funds needed to attend training on the TLC Method. In true F-Warrior fashion, many TLC alumni and board members have graciously donated funds to assist. The goal is to assist those who are truly in need and to make sure all get an equal chance at receiving assistance whether it be providing half tuition, or a *payment plan. Like some grant processes, applicants for assistance must provide employment status and employer name for previous 12 months; city and state (or region) in which they practice; average monthly income (from all sources) over the past 12 months; and a statement of why assistance is needed.
Applications will start being reviewed 60 days prior to the course’s start date so assistance may be provided in sufficient time to allow travel plans and to also stay within the course’s venue contractual obligations. There may be occasions where last-minute application approval(s) become available. Those will be addressed in as timely a fashion as possible.
START APPLICATION
Accreditation will be applied for through the California State Bar
Attendees will be responsible for submitting CLE credit approval to their state licensing department upon completion. TLC will provide all pertinent documentation needed for you to submit to your state for accreditation. Course Attendance will be monitored by faculty.
What You’ll Take Away
- Prepare yourself, your client, and your case for mediation, Voir Dire, and Final Argument.
- Apply TLC methods to uncover juror biases and identify those who may be open to your case themes.
- Ask powerful questions that build trust, reveal truth, and create meaningful connection during Voir Dire.
- Deepen your understanding of your client’s story and the human impact at the heart of the case.
- Deliver a compelling Final Argument that brings the evidence and your client’s story together with clarity, courage, and authenticity.
Deadline to register is March 14, 2027
What's more, you'll also leave with a powerfully supportive network of TLC members. Numbering in the thousands, members are active in every region of the country through our Local Working Groups.
Meet Your Faculty
Ken Turek
Ken Turek is a nationally respected civil trial lawyer who has secured multiple seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in cases involving child sexual abuse, personal injury, wrongful death, unsafe housing, fraud, professional malpractice, and other complex civil matters. An active trial lawyer, Ken is frequently called upon by other attorneys to serve as co-counsel or trial consultant in developing and trying their cases.
Ken has taught trial skills at Trial Lawyers College since 1999 and has worked with more than 1,000 lawyers across the country. He is a frequent national speaker on courtroom advocacy, personal success, and attorney wellness. His many honors include the American Bar Association’s National Pursuit of Justice Award and the Daniel T. Broderick III Award, recognizing his commitment to justice, integrity, professionalism, and service to others.
Ashley Parris
Ashley Parris is a seasoned trial lawyer who has devoted her career to representing people whose lives have been changed by the wrongdoing of others. Her practice has focused on catastrophic injury, chronic pain and pain syndromes, as well as slum housing litigation, where she served as Supervising Attorney at Inner City Law Center.
Ashley is a longtime member of the Trial Lawyers College faculty and frequently teaches trial skills and advocacy for clients living with chronic pain. She has been recognized as both a Rising Star and Super Lawyer and is a past president of the Antelope Valley Bar Association.
Testimonials
“Trial Lawyers College is unlike any other legal education I’ve experienced. It’s not about scripts or technique. It’s about truth, presence, and learning how to show up authentically for your client and your case."
- Rachel Scott Allen
“Trial Lawyers College made me a better lawyer — plain and simple."
- Scott Cohen
"I am a 2015 graduate of the Trial Lawyers College (TLC), and it is no exaggeration to say that the experience was truly life changing. TLC fundamentally changed the way I practice law, the way I show up for my clients, and the way I understand storytelling, authenticity, and truth in the courtroom."
- John Carroll