Graduate I: Refine Your Role. Elevate Your Cases.
Graduate I is for the TLC alum who’s done the work—but knows there’s more growth ahead. It’s for those ready to step from the wings to center stage, with colleagues and mentors alongside you, pushing you to do the hardest—and most rewarding—work of your career.
BOOK OWN HOTEL ROOM AT TLC GROUP RATE.
August 2-7, 2026
Lied Lodge, Nebraska City, NE
Direct With Purpose
When you see your role as director, your trial becomes more than a case: it becomes a performance of truth. Embrace the role of director, structuring every element from theme to witness impact so your case unfolds with clarity and force.
Master Witness Dynamics
Your courtroom impact is driven not just by what you say, but how you shape every moment—from preparation to execution. Design cross and direct examinations that don’t just extract facts, but reveal truth.
Hands-on Training
You’ll leave with deeper insight, stronger instincts, and courtroom presence that commands attention. Explore what lies outside of your comfort zone. Engage in psychodramatic exercises and small-group work.
Faculty Lead
Eric Ganci
Since becoming a licensed attorney in 2009, Eric has tried more than 70 cases to verdict, building his reputation as a trial lawyer who keeps the defense on its heels. After more than a decade running his own firm, he joined Casey Gerry in 2021, where he recovered nearly $21 million for plaintiffs in four years, including $12.5 million in 2024 alone. Now with Antonyan Miranda, LLP, Eric represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, with a focus on brain injury. In addition to his trial work, he teaches trial skills nationally and shares insights through writing, podcasting, and speaking — while also playing drums with his San Diego band, Rock Out Karaoke.
Faculty Lead
Ginger Ortiz
Ginger Ortiz has dedicated her career to criminal defense, handling hundreds of cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and life cases. A graduate of McGeorge Law School, she served as a public defender before opening her own practice in San Luis Obispo, where she continues to fight for her clients in both state and federal court. A 2011 graduate of TLC and longtime faculty member, Ginger leads local TLC working groups and trains lawyers nationwide in the methods that bring truth and humanity into the courtroom.
What You’ll Do and Learn
For six days, you'll sharpen your ability to shape trial strategy, elevate witness examinations, and bring client stories to life.
Mastering the Art of Directing Your Case
This Graduate I course is an intensive, trial skill program designed for advanced practitioners of the TLC Method in every stage of a case with a focus on Directing. Only graduates of TLC may register.
ALL TIMES are in Central Standard Time
Session times to come
Lied Lodge, Nebraska City, NE
Enjoy the peaceful setting of Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, complete with 140 guest rooms, luxurious bedding, soothing nature-inspired décor, and scenic views. The Lied Lodge is 60 minutes from Omaha's Eppley Airfield (OMA), and two hours from the Kansas City International Airport.
(Tuition does not include lodging. Once registered, you'll receive a link to book your room at a TLC group rate. $149++ single, $159++ double. Deadline to reserve your room is July 2, 2026.)Cancellation Policy
Given the high cost of providing courses with highly trained faculty and at easily accessible venues nationwide TLC will follow a strict cancellation policy. We offer the following options:
1. In the case where a student needs to cancel, they have 31 days prior to the course to cancel and receive a full refund. If it is after the 31-day deadline, to receive a full refund they may contact TLCfinance@triallawyerscollege.org with the name of a replacement student who is prepared to take their place. This is especially important to cover the cost of the committed expenses. After the replacement student completes registration including full payment, a full refund will be processed.
2. If no replacement is found for their reserved spot prior to the program, we will apply 50% of the paid tuition as a credit towards a future program, to be used within one year, and use the other 50% towards already incurred course expenses. If you have any questions, please contact TLCfinance@triallawyerscollege.org.
To Make This Course the Most Impactful It Can Be, Space Is Limited To 36 Participants
Tuition Includes: TLC method training in both large and small groups and buffet style meals as indicated on the agenda. Attendees must secure their own hotel room and transportation.
Course Fee: $2300 (Tuition does not include lodging. Once registered, you'll receive a link to book your room at a TLC group rate. $149++ single, $159++ double. Deadline to reserve your room is July 2, 2026.)
Deadline to Register: July 18,2026, 11:59
Please email Molly@triallawyerscollege.org for assistance.
ADA Accommodations Deadline: July 18, 2026
Flexible Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
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 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 full tuition, half tuition, free lodging (if available) 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; a statement of why assistance is needed; and how much 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. *A payment plan may be developed with the student and administration team for installment payments so that the full tuition is paid in full well before arrival at the course.
Accreditation will be applied for through the State of Nebraska Judicial Branch
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.
Ready to Lead in Trial?
Alumni, you’ve mastered the basics of trial skills—but do you fully command the courtroom stage yet? Graduate I is a transformative, in-person course where you'll shift from supporting your case to directing it with a renewed passion.
- Learn to inspire and persuade every audience, every time
- Break out of your comfort zone in a small group structure
- Experience real cases
- Find collaboration and connection with a network of peers
- Uplevel your skill and craft
Testimonials
"As the leaders in the teaching spaces, we have the best opportunity to really walk the talk of what we teach, specifically encouraging trust and permission to do deep work, creating space for diverse points of view, and ensuring equity and inclusion of all participants."
- TLC Alum
“I can't even begin to express the full impact of what TLC has done to me as a student. Because I teach so much, I am constantly refining my understanding of the method and making it my own— evolving it to a deeper understanding of why it works."
- TLC Alum
“TLC was life-changing, and probably saved my relationship (now marriage) for the better. I became a better human being, and as a result, I became a better lawyer."
- TLC Alum