“Fighting is an end in itself if the cause is right, so you’ve got to keep fighting. Even if you aren’t having success at times, you’ve got to stick with it.” In this third installment of our series titled ‘What Do Trial Lawyers Do?’, host Rafe Foreman explores the ins and outs of practicing civil rights law with Albuquerque, NM attorney Zackeree Kelin. Beginning with a deep dive into Zack’s experience contributing to the formation of the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission following the growth o...
Jan 19, 2021•35 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast “Part of being a trial lawyer is being a good investigator — getting out of the office, visiting clients, visiting the scene, visiting witnesses, talking to people — and getting the evidence you need for your cases.” In this second installation of our podcast series titled ‘What do trial lawyers do?’ host Rafe Foreman chats with Kansas City civil law attorney Tom Dickerson to discuss the ins and outs of representing personal injury plaintiffs. By exploring his own successes and setbacks, Tom off...
Jan 12, 2021•48 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast “We help the people that have been neglected, left out, and desperate, and we give them life when everybody else has left them for dead.” In this first installment of our four-part series titled ‘What Do Trial Lawyers Do?’ TLC graduate and faculty member Patrick McLain shares the intricacies, peculiarities, and triumphs of being a military trial lawyer. Hosted by Rafe Foreman, this engaging and informative dive into military law guides listeners through its unique structure and the ways in which...
Jan 05, 2021•43 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast “The most important thing to help people in the system is to address their thinking errors, and this all starts with their limiting, permission-granting beliefs and values about drug use or criminal thinking and conduct. There will be no long-term behavior changes without this work being done.” In this week’s podcast, host Rafe Foreman sits down with Hawaii’s Stan Dokmanus, a Certified Criminal Justice and Addictions Professional and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, to discuss the overlap be...
Dec 15, 2020•37 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast “We might be on different sides of a bridge but we’re both human. We can get closer on that bridge than we ever thought possible if we truly open up and try to listen and hear each other and find something in ourselves that connects with what that person has just said. You’d be surprised that we have more in common than we have different.” In this week’s podcast, TLC graduate and F-Warrior board member Mike Smith shares his riveting testimony to the value of the TLC methods. An Atlanta-based wor...
Dec 07, 2020•36 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast “The newspaper quoted, ‘the defendant hugged his lawyer after the verdict was read.’ That’s the relationship we had, and you only get there by caring about your client.” In this week’s episode, TLC graduate and faculty member Jerry B osch guides host Rafe Foreman through the ways in which the TLC methods helped obtain a not guilty verdict on an attempted murder charge, detailing the months he invested in discovering the story and innocence of his client. As you listen to this captivating podcast...
Nov 30, 2020•35 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast “They’re people who made a mistake. If you’re willing to put in the time and hold their hand through the process, they’ll never forget that.” In this week’s podcast, Sarah Toney, a criminal defense specialist and TLC faculty member, discusses the world of DWI/DUI and the interplay between the TLC methods in both trial and pretrial settings. As a national leader in DUI defense, Sarah shares her insight into defending these crimes and how best to apply the TLC methods toward that goal. From flaws ...
Nov 23, 2020•40 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast Chris Trundy, a TLC faculty member from Massachusetts, discusses the delicate and powerful issue of institutional racism in the United States court system and the crossroads between civil prosecution of these claims and the TLC methods. Standing among the top trial lawyers and psychodrama experts in America, Chris’ career took off in the early 90s when he served Massachusetts as a private court-appointed lawyer. Despite taking a high volume of cases and seeing first-hand how institutional racism...
Nov 16, 2020•39 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast In this riveting interview, TLC alum and faculty member Max Mitchell draws upon his extensive experience representing Missouri’s most vulnerable criminal defendants to passionately and earnestly identify the good, the bad, and the ugly in the criminal justice system. As a district public defender in Sedalia, Missouri, Max represents individuals with charges ranging from DWI to first-degree murder. This role has given him an inside look at the destructive effects that limited funding, insufficien...
Nov 11, 2020•36 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast TLC alum Greg Antollino (TLC July 2003) discusses his recent Supreme Court victory, in which the SCOTUS ruled that employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited under federal civil rights laws. Greg's client was dismissed by his employer after a customer complained that he revealed his sexual orientation to her during the course of his work. Greg's client passed before the SCOTUS decision, but Greg persevered on behalf of his client and all LGBTQ A...
Nov 02, 2020•45 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast In this wide-ranging interview, TLC faculty member and former TLC Board member Mel Orchard lends his wisdom, knowledge, and experience to the issue of Civil Rights and qualified immunity. Mel has served as a trial lawyer for over 27 years, and his passion for his work still burns bright. Here he discusses his concerns about efforts underway to further limit the liability of corporations for harm to their workers and to the public - an issue of particular urgency in the harsh light of the Covid-1...
Oct 25, 2020•45 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman talks with photojournalist Amy Katz about her experiences in covering the Black Lives Matter protests in Washington, DC, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon. In this episode, Amy shares how she was tear-gassed within 5 minutes of her arrival in Portland, despite being clearly identified as a member of the press. "During my first visit to Portland...the police really respected that we were journalists. They also were not attacking protesters...so I felt safe. ...
Oct 17, 2020•55 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast TLC alum and faculty member Mike Marrinan discusses how holding police accountable on modest abuse cases could prevent more serious cases. Mike is a San Diego attorney dedicated to representing victims of police misconduct in state and federal civil rights cases. According to Mike, police culture has developed in a way that encourages and accepts the use of more force than is necessary. This culture tolerates the militarization of policing and breeds more and more abuse, especially when no one i...
Sep 11, 2020•39 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman takes you on a journey through the essential TLC Trial Skills, from voir dire through to closing argument. Gain insights on how best to integrate TLC's groundbreaking methods into your case as Rafe describes the how and why of the various skills and methods. Listen as Rafe takes two jurors on a carefully guided path toward cause. Learn from the wisdom of Helen Simotas as her quote about "seeing" brings light and understanding to this program. Feel the tension betwee...
Sep 01, 2020•42 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast "When you walk into a courtroom with TLC training...you're exactly what the jury doesn't expect a lawyer to be. You're a human being, and there is a common bond, and walls coming down between jurors and TLC-trained lawyers." In this week's podcast, host Rafe Foreman talks to TLC faculty member and former F Warrior Alumni Board member Ron Estefan. In this wide-ranging interview, Ron discusses the strength of the F Warrior alumni organization and its efforts to keep TLC graduates engaged, active, ...
Aug 18, 2020•41 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast It began for us back in 1215, when King John signed the greatest document of freedom and human rights ever imagined. That document, the Magna Carta, established the full right to a trial by jury of your peers. In today's podcast, TLC alum and faculty member Vicki Slater (TLC 2003) takes us back over 800 years to the foundation of our greatest freedom. Enjoy her recitation of a seminal case 400 years after the right to a trial by jury was established. An upstart advocate fought for his client, a ...
Aug 04, 2020•44 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wanted to talk to the jury after a trial? TLC podcast host Rafe Foreman recommends it, and in fact insists on it himself. Imagine the insights you could gain from talking to an actual juror about the trial. Today we have what is likely to be an epic podcast, and a first in TLC history. TLC Graduate Benjamin Cloward (TLC Sept 2013) recently won a $38 million unanimous verdict for an inadequate or negligent security case in Las Vegas, Nevada. Today Ben and one of the jurors on the ca...
Jul 27, 2020•41 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast “If there’s one takeaway from this entire thing, it’s if you’re arguing, you’re losing. No matter where you are in life -- whether it’s a courtroom or with your significant other or your best friend or a complete stranger -- if you’re arguing, you’re already down the wrong path, so take a deep breath, count to ten, and start over.” TLC graduate and faculty member Renee Stackhouse (TLC Sept 2012) visits with host Rafe Foreman about the transformative power of TLC voir dire methods, both in and ou...
Jul 20, 2020•34 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman interviews TLC graduate, trial lawyer, and faculty member Greg Westfall on the transformative power of TLC methods in preparing for and trying a criminal defense case. In this wide-ranging interview, Greg discusses the importance of meeting your clients where they are, rather than trying to make them fit an expectation. "People will sense if you don’t like them or are afraid of them. You have to love them. If you do, then you’re thinking about them – what they want ...
Jul 11, 2020•34 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast TLC alumna Ginger Ortiz (TLC Sept 2011) takes us through a deep exercise on getting in touch with our humanness. Through her own experience, she carefully guides us to help find the source in ourselves, our clients, and those we serve. She cheerfully reminds us that we must be vigilant in working on the mission statement to be inclusive worldwide. "As we all learn together, and as we all grow together, it's really individual growth that is the most transformative,” Ginger says. Using her own bri...
Jun 30, 2020•45 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Tick tock, tick tock, drip, drip, drip. For over 25 years, these sounds and the screams of mankind -- literal screams, the kind you cannot forget -- disturbed this week's special guest from his peace. Darryl Burton served hard time for a murder he did not commit. The compelling story of how he survived to walk free is an epic tale, but in his life today Darryl draws upon the experiences of the past to give others a brighter future. Today he follows a different calling -- the eternal call of fait...
Jun 24, 2020•47 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast Milton Grimes is a true American treasure. He is perhaps best known for his representation of Rodney King, whose savage beating at the hands of police, followed by the acquittal of the officers involved, sparked the 1991 LA riots. In addition to being a long time TLC faculty member and serving on the TLC board of directors, Milton is still a very active community activist for freedom and civil rights for all. He recently marched in California with his daughter to show support for those who have ...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Host Rafe Foreman talks with TLC alumni and faculty member Ashley Parris (TLC 2008) about how TLC alumni and faculty are developing innovative working and teaching methods to cope with and transcend the challenges of recent months. Ashley joined the faculty team of the Trial Lawyers College in 2017, and in this episode describes how she connected with other TLC faculty and alumni to process individual and collective anxiety and stress, and how the group was inspired to reach out and help others....
Jun 11, 2020•33 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Host Rafe Foreman talks with TLC alumni and faculty member Caroline Durham (TLC Sept 2014) about the stone catcher's path. Caroline uses her wit and wisdom in sharing her perspective that we are vibrational beings and how we can reach across time and distance to relate to one another. "We are never really separated from one another, unless we choose to be," Caroline says. Caroline's concept of "Sacred Friends" (they're not who you think!) will cause you to ponder your next move.
Jun 03, 2020•31 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast "The College will always have that psychodramatic underpinning, that self-discovery and true knowledge of self, coupled with love, the most powerful thing there is. You can be who you are and be powerful. You don't have to be anybody else. You are enough." TLC alumni and Board member JR Clary talks openly with host Rafe Foreman about story and its importance. “A story must be told in a way that allows the listener to understand that from my own human experience I can connect to the story you are...
May 25, 2020•38 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast "During my trip, I learned that in Latin American culture, hummingbirds symbolize strength, hope and migration. I knew that I wanted to use that symbol in my paintings when I got home." TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman interviews Portland artist Janie Lowe on her travels along the US/Mexico border and the artwork that resulted from her journey. Explore paintings from Janie's Borderland Stories collection as you listen . In May of 2019, Janie traveled from her home in Portland to get a first-hand vi...
May 21, 2020•47 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast "I believe...we’re going to see an incredible explosion in everything that TLC is, everything that TLC stands for, and everything that TLC can be." TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman interviews TLC President John Sloan on the strength of the Trial Lawyers College. A TLC graduate and seasoned trial lawyer, John graduated from TLC in 1998 and joined the faculty in 2002. He was named to the Board of Directors in 2010 and has served as President since 2014. In this interview, John shares his belief in ps...
May 12, 2020•41 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman interviews TLC graduate, trial lawyer, and focus group researcher Bruce Phillips on creative ways to continue to drive your cases and your practice forward during tough times. In this wide-ranging interview, Bruce describes how he has come to see the importance of blending the personal with the professional, rather than trying to keep them separated, as a tool for bringing new insight and intuition to trying a case. An accomplished musician, Bruce describes how "TLC...
May 04, 2020•44 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast "Many of us are loved all the time, by many people. But if we don't get it the way we want it, the exact way we want...we don't feel loved. There is a piece of us that tends to not acknowledge the love around us." TLC Podcast host Rafe Foreman interviews TLC psychodramatist Don Clarkson. Don Clarkson is a professor, psychodramatist and philosopher who has been with the Trial Lawyers College from its very creation. In this episode, Don talks about depression, his life and his hopes as he shares i...
Apr 28, 2020•39 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast "Medical school taught me how to diagnose symptoms and how to give the drug to treat... There is no money in chronic disease resolution; there is money in chronic disease management." The TLC Podcast branches out this month as host Rafe Foreman interviews Texas physician, Dr. Ben Edwards, on the crossroads between medicine and the law. Dr. Edwards made the shift to integrative medicine after building a successful practice in conventional medicine. He works with his patients to drill down to the ...
Apr 13, 2020•56 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast 
