7-Step Certification

The 7-Step Certification Program is an alternative way to become a graduate of the Trial Lawyers College. Instead of attending the Trial Lawyers College 3-Week Course, enrollment in the 7-Step Certification Program gives you the opportunity to complete 7 Regional Seminars and 1 Graduate Course over a five-year period. Upon completion of the program, you will graduate from the Trial Lawyers College.

It’s easy. No lengthy application is required.

You will begin the process by attending your 1st Regional Seminar and continue by attending your 2nd and 3rd Regional Seminars. At the time you register for your 4th Regional Seminar, you will be asked to submit an 850-word essay for review by the Executive Director and select members of the TLC Board of Directors.

All admissions decisions to the 7-Step Certification Program are made on a rolling basis. Decisions are made approximately one month after your essay has been submitted. Applicants will be notified via e-mail of the board’s decision (accepted or declined).

For additional questions, please e-mail Registrar@triallawyerscollege.com

Over a five-year period, you must complete 8 courses: 

  Psychodrama for Lawyers (must be one of the first 3 courses taken)
  Discovering the Story
  Voir Dire
  Opening Statement
  Direct Examination
  Cross Examination
  Closing Argument
  Graduate Course (must be the last course taken)

NOTE: The Texas 2012 Regional Seminar will cover both Direct Examination and Cross Examination. Lawyers pursuing graduation through the 7-Step Certification Program will receive credit for one of the two courses.

The 7-Step Certification Program was established in 2006 and since then, 40 lawyers have graduated from the program. By comparison, since the Trial Lawyers College was founded in 1994, 1100 lawyers have graduated from the 3-week course.

It’s important to plan ahead because we do not offer every trial skill every year. 

For the college’s current offerings, visit the Courses page. 

For the Regional Seminars offered in 2012 and 2013, see below.

2012 Regional Seminars:

Jan. 26 – 29, 2012
California Regional Seminar: Discovering the Story
Cambria Pines Lodge, Cambria, CA  

Feb. 23 – 26, 2012
Florida Regional Seminar: Opening Statement 
Hilton Key Largo Resort, Key Largo, FL  

Apr. 26 – 29, 2012
Texas Regional Seminar: Direct and Cross Examination
Round Top Festival Institute, Round Top, TX

May 15 – 18, 2012
Wyoming Regional Seminar: Psychodrama for Lawyers
Thunderhead Ranch, Dubois, WY 

Oct. 25 – 28, 2012
Illinois Regional Seminar: Voir Dire
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort, Utica, IL


2013 Regional Seminars:

(Schedule below posted on Feb. 10, 2012)

Jan. 24 – 27, 2013
Texas Regional Seminar: Discovering the Story
Round Top Festival Institute, Round Top, TX

Feb. 21 – 24, 2013
California Regional Seminar: Voir Dire
Cambria Pines Lodge, Cambria, CA

Mar. 28 – 31, 2013
Washington Regional Seminar: Opening Statement
Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, Leavenworth, WA

Apr. 25 – 28, 2013 
Florida Regional Seminar: Closing Argument
Hilton Key Largo Resort, Key Largo, FL

2013 Dates To Be Established (check back monthly)
Wyoming Regional Seminar: Psychodrama for Lawyers
Thunderhead Ranch, Dubois, WY