Stay ConnectedThe Trial Lawyers College Podcast talks to leading attorneys, TLC board members, and faculty about the ideas and the issues that are affecting trial lawyers today.
The TLC podcast covers courtroom strategy, communicating with jurors, connecting with clients, methods that drive success, balancing healthy relationships with a busy practice and more.
"I didn't want anyone to see me as I really am. I thought they would reject me. That's why, in the beginning, I worked so hard to walk perfectly -- I didn't want anyone to see my weakness. But it was only when I was willing to let people inside and to see that is when I began to be comfortable with it as well."
Continuing our 'Managing in Tough Times' series is Bret Merkle, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, personal injury attorney whose life was turned upside down at the age of 21 after he sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. Suddenly facing a life with chronic pain and loss of bodily function, Bret slowly discovered sources of joy and fulfillment that would keep him moving forward.
While he learned to push through his hardships to accomplish an impressive legal career, Bret continued to struggle with being open about his physical struggles due to a fear of rejection. As Bret finally began to appreciate the value of living authentically and creating bonds as his true, vulnerable, and imperfect self, he built powerful relationships and unmatched success in his career as a trial lawyer. Above all, he's learned to face his fears in everything he does -- whether it involves his body or his next trial.
"We need to see the things that are happening—the changes, the protocols, the restructuring of how this is all working—as opportunities and to find ways to embrace them and make them part of how you present your case."
This timely podcast features Texas trial lawyer Susan Hutchison, who discusses how the COVID-19 era has hindered the efficacy of the jury trial and what trial lawyers can expect in order to be better advocates for their clients as courtrooms begin to open up again throughout the nation. In sharing her and her clients' stories of resilience and adaptation while navigating uncharted waters, Susan's words of wisdom offer something that can resonate with all.
"It's not just the words that I say, but do I honor the words that you say?"
This continuation of our 'Words Matter' series features Dana Cole, an associate professor of law at the University of Akron School of Law, who shares his thoughts on the power and components of an impactful story and the art of mindful listening.
This refreshing approach to why words matter explores not only on the side of the storyteller but also on the side of the listener. Drawing from both his personal insight inspired by recent events and his unique understanding of the psychodramatic methods, Dana's words embody the message of kindness, respect, and connection behind everything we do here at TLC.
"I win because I'm the person who cares the most in the courtroom, not because I know the most."
This week's podcast features Kiesha Cannon, a captivating voice for the vulnerable and the accused, who shares her insight into the simple secrets behind effective communication and connection both in and out of the courtroom. Drawing from her equally-inspiring personal and professional journeys, Kiesha provides a stark reminder of the importance of living authentically and listening with an open heart.
"The whole point of psychodrama is to tell the story, and the ways that lawyers have incorporated this method to tell their client's story with such love and interest and time and attention is one of the greatest gifts I've ever seen another human being give another human being."
This week's podcast continues our 'Words Matter' series with Jody Anderson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Psychodramatist, who shares her personal and professional insight into the impact of language on the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of a trial lawyer's clients. The daughter of beloved TLC Psychodramatist Kathie St. Clair, Jody follows in her mother's footsteps with a moving exploration of the power of authenticity and spontaneity in establishing a positive attorney-client relationship.
"They always told us in Tennessee, 'Great songs aren't written — they're re-written.' I think that saying could apply for us in our work as trial lawyers."
In this multifaceted episode of the TLC podcast, host Rafe Foreman is joined by singer/songwriter and trial attorney Sam Wooden to continue our 'Words Matter' series. Offering his perspective on the connection between art and the performance of the trial lawyer, Sam shares the story behind his love for music and its parallels with his discovery of psychodrama and his application of these methods to win justice for his clients.
Armed with his guitar and his voice, Sam supports the link between the art of creating sound and presenting a powerful argument to the jury with a real-time performance of his music. This sparks a moving dialogue between Sam and Rafe, who draw upon their own experiences to solidify the messages of connection, compassion, creativity, and spontaneity that lie behind the TLC methods and the duty of the trial lawyer.
"How do you know that words matter? You know because they make you feel something."
In this continuation of our podcast series titled Words Matter, Los Angeles Public Defender Kim Savo shares her insight into the connection between poetry and the presentation of a compelling opening statement.
A wordsmith by nature and a passionate advocate for the accused, Kim stresses the importance of emphasizing the emotion behind a story, rather than leaning on the facts, to move jurors to justice. Staying true to the TLC methods, her moving discussion with host Rafe Foreman offers a refreshing look at the artistry behind a trial lawyer's words.
"As advocates in the courtroom, the truth carries the day, and we have the obligation to seek the truth, to speak the truth, and to correct lies and misstatements when they're in violation of the truth."
In this first installment of our four-part series titled 'Words Matter', host Rafe Foreman takes the mic to introduce the why behind this pressing topic. Why do words matter? What do words, particularly falsehoods, have the power to do? This timely episode, inspired by the recent events at our nation's Capitol, explores each of those questions and more.
While Rafe doesn't have a straightforward solution to America's rising issue of weaponized misinformation, his words serve to encourage further thought, discussion, and personal accountability among those who hold the highest obligation to promote the truth.
"Our great-grandfather stood to fulfill a sacred duty...to do more than he ever thought he may have been capable of doing...at a particular time in the existence of the world for the survival of generations of all of us to come. The warriors that stand in courtrooms today—with their hand on a vulnerable, suffering person or their families—are doing that extremely honorable and important and courageous task of a warrior assigned the same type of commitment to help to make it a better world."
This episode of the TLC podcast features brothers Harley and Robin Zephier, co-authors of the book Warrior Is and members of the Mnincoju Lakota people. In a captivating discussion with host Rafe Foreman, the brothers share their profound insight into what it means to be a warrior through the story of their great-grandfather, Mato Niyanpi "Saved by Bear", a proud Lakota warrior who performed an act of commitment and courage during the Battle of the Greasy Grass in 1876, interweaving his legacy with the story of humankind as a whole.
By establishing a parallel between the values of the Lakota culture and the core mission of the Trial Lawyers College, Harley and Robin offer a refreshing perspective that transcends the boundaries of time and background. Tying it all together with the current turbulent political atmosphere of both our nation and our world, this episode offers a timely reminder of the importance of coexistence, unity, and interconnectedness and the role of the trial lawyer in upholding them.
"It's not going to be a straight line from here to a better world, but what other choice do we have?"
This unconventional episode of the TLC podcast features Bernie Cantorna, a Centre County, Pennsylvania District Attorney who served on the TLC faculty from 1997 to 2016. As he catches up with host Rafe Foreman, Bernie explains why he chose to become a DA and offers his unique insight into the inner world of a prosecutor from someone who's been in both shoes.
As a former general practitioner representing both civil plaintiffs and criminal defendants in a range of emotionally moving cases, Bernie saw a problem that needed to be fixed. Like a true TLC warrior, Bernie cleaned up a corrupt DA's office by taking on the role himself, proving that it's never too late to do the right thing. His testimony serves as a powerful reminder of the ability of the TLC methods to transcend occupation and make a lasting impact from all angles of the criminal justice system.
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