Trial Skills Foundation: Master the Win
At the center of our Trial Skills Foundation training is the TLC Method — a proven approach built over three decades of courtroom success. TLC teaches that a deeper understanding of yourself leads to stronger connections with clients, opposing counsel, judges, and jurors.
This immersive program will ground you in three core trial skills that every trials lawyer needs to win, all taught in the TLC way: through connection, storytelling, and truth.
March 1-6, 2026
Mo Ranch, Hunt, TX
Discovering the Story
Persuasion begins with more than facts — it starts with emotional truth. Uncover the story within yourself and your client, so you can connect with jurors in a way that moves them to justice.
Opening Statement
Learn how to give authentic voice to your client’s story and build trust with the jury. The TLC Method uses psychodramatic tools to help you avoid pitfalls and deliver a winning Opening Statement.
Direct Exam
In small groups, you’ll practice the TLC Method for Direct Exam with hands-on coaching from faculty. This intimate format gives every student the chance to learn, observe, and grow in real time.
Faculty Lead
Rafe Foreman
Rafe is a partner in Hutchison & Foreman PLLC, and has been representing people who have been wrongfully accused, discriminated against and/or physically and emotionally injured since 1988. He is a trial lawyer, consultant and professor and tries cases involving criminal defense, plaintiff's personal injury, civil rights, employment, discrimination, wrongful death, excessive force and 1983 actions.
Faculty Lead
Kimberly Benjamin
Kim is known among her peers as an expert DWI and criminal defense lawyer and a spectacular trial lawyer who obtains unbelievable results for her clients. She has a passion for her work that emanates from her when she is in her element. She even assisted a civil law firm in suing a large corporation on behalf of an employee who was unlawfully discriminated against, helping them obtain the largest verdict in an employment discrimination case in Cass County. Because she loves helping people who are facing Goliaths like the government and corporations, she will continue to help other law firms in obtaining great verdicts in a jury trial.
What You'll Do and Learn
This is immersive, interactive training that builds skill by skill — and transforms the way you try cases.
Discovering the Story, Opening Statement, and Direct Examination
Discovering the Story: Traditional trial skills using the TLC Method are only part of being a persuasive force in the courtroom. To understand the power of a case the lawyer must not only identify the facts of the case but the emotional content. This starts with knowledge of oneself which in turn will give the lawyer the capability to know others and connect with each person in the courtroom including the client, witnesses, the judge and the jurors. The trained TLC faculty lead lawyers to this discovery. The power of TLC’s methods come alive through creative, spontaneous, outside-the-box innovations that capture juries and move them to justice.
Opening Statement: The TLC Method for Opening Statement trains trial lawyers to forge an honest relationship with the jury by giving a genuine voice to the client’s story and avoid damaging pitfalls to deliver a winning Opening Statement using the power of psychodramatic tools.
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.
ALL TIMES are in Central Time
Session times to come.
Mo Ranch, Hunt, TX
Nestled on 500-acres along the spring-fed Guadalupe River, Mo-Ranch is located in the heart of the beautiful Hill Country in Hunt, Texas. Mo-Ranch is an inviting venue for group meetings and corporate retreats. Enjoy an overnight stay with conference center facilities, hotel rooms, unique historical housing and group lodging. Approximately, one hour forty-five minutes from the San Antonio International Airport.
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, buffet style meals as indicated on the agenda and lodging. Attendees must secure their own transportation.
Course Fee: $2600
Deadline to Register: January 15, 2026, 11:59
Please email Molly@triallawyerscollege.org for assistance.
ADA Accommodations Deadline: January 15, 2026
Flexible Payment Plans and Financial 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 August 16, 2025.
Accreditation will be applied for through the Texas Bar Association
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.
Claim Your Spot
Register now and join a group of dedicated trial lawyers committed to showing up, digging deep, and delivering justice through story.
- 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
“My time as a student at TLC changed my life and extended my career by at least ten years. My time as faculty has allowed me to pay back for some of the gifts I received as a student."
- TLC Alum
“It gave me the confidence to remain in this profession and a mind/skill set that has allowed me to enjoy decent successes with jury trials."
- TLC Alum
"Changed my personal and professional life. Psychodrama was a game changer. I allowed the poet and storyteller to come forward in my professional work. In both contexts I became more honest with myself and others."
- TLC Alum