Testimonials

I graduated one year ago from TLC, and I went to the Death Penalty seminar in June this year, and Grad 1 in August. I have no one locally for 5 hours in any direction that graduated from TLC. That means I am alone most of the time. I go to the Denver group meetings as often as my schedule allows, but I do not miss a Saturday meeting.

It is difficult to get trial experience around here in our little community but last year right after getting back from the ranch, I got a NG verdict in a county court misdemeanor assault trial, and last week after returning from Grad 1 and working my case, I got a NG on a felony sex assault/unlawful sexual contact trial, with a bomb scare in the courthouse associated with our trial. He was found guilty on misdemeanor assault.

Today I got a NG on all three counts of harassment, disorderly conduct, and menacing. My client was 13 and facing a criminal record because municipal court charges cannot get expunged just because a person is a juvenile.

Next week I have a DUI trial that is a felony because of priors and parole violations. So far I am 3-0 in the trial section for criminal trials. In civil trials I am 6-1. I am working two cases with Randy Kelly from Denver. I filed 2 cases for over 1.2 million in District court, and I have filed (3) 1983 cases against local law enforcement.

What I want to say is that the Ranch is what makes the difference in my practice. My ability to care for my clients, be their voice, and tell their story can only be attributed to what gifts I have received from the Ranch. I may not ever be a Johnny Z or Gerry Spence or Jude Basile in the money area, but my clients love me and think I am great.

That success could not come from a female lawyer with less than 2 years experience without the Ranch. That comes from a female lawyer with the heart and soul to go to bat for every client because she has the training to know how to tell her client's story, knows how to ask for help, and knows how to surround herself with successful people who love to share themselves.

Dear Gerry,

After practicing for 40 years, I retired a dozen and 1 years ago. Both my son Brendan and my other son Brian Brandt, whom you know, have followed me into the law. It is about Brian and your impact on him both as an attorney and as a person that I write. Our impact on our children lessens as we age and other influences affect their lives. The role that you and your college have had him has been life-changing.

Let me cite but two examples of his professional growth under your tutelage. Approximately one year ago Brian tried a case of medical malpractice where the decedent had perhaps a two year life expectancy at the time he was maltreated. I sat in for the voir dire while he addressed his client's limited life expectancy and whether or not that would prevent prospective jurors from awarding an adequate judgment. In the process he told jurors that he himself had that same issue in deciding whether or not he would be willing to take the the case. He told that to a prospective juror and added “you know I think back on my initial reluctance to take the case because of this shortened life expectancy,… And I am ashamed.” That powerful admission has resonated with me. How much better a lawyer I could have been had I been taught to be more human and less doctrinaire.

The second example of his special growth is a case that concluded just this past December that involved a Ford van rollover. When the case came into the office, he realized what a major effort would be involved to move that to a successful conclusion. Using the things he learned from you he did all things necessary to win that case, including immediate phone calls after receiving the case to locate and impound the car when it was about to be irretrievably lost. He interviewed major national firms that specialize in Ford rollover cases, selecting a firm from Missouri (sorry I don't recall their name, but I suspect you know whom they are, as they are some of “your boys”). He chose not to be the lead counsel in the case, but he orchestrated, directed and managed it from start to finish. Included in his contribution to the successful outcome was in his insistence that the case be settled after trial and completion of all appellate briefs but before the appellate court's decision was issued. The case settled for a considerable settlement that is required to be confidential. Approximately one month later a companion case that was tried in the same venue was overturned and sent back for retrial on the basis of erroneous instructions. Those erroneous instructions were the same ones given in his case.

Let me conclude on an area more profound. I am immensely proud of both my sons and since we speak of Brian, let me say the primary area in which I could have done better was to instill more compassion in him. You have done that for him and for me. His growth in kindness and caring for his clients and even for family is palpable. Thank you so much.

Yours is a wonderful legacy but don't ever forget, even for a moment, your impact on your guys,the brothers and sisters as individuals.

Gratefully,

Barry (Brandt)

TLC September 2011 was the catalyst for major breakthroughs professionally as well as communally. I also lost 8 pounds climbing Spence Mountain and the surrounding hills, despite eating prolifically of the excellent cuisine. I have never had such profound experiences, and I can say this as one who has firewalked twice, jumped from a plane, and engaged in other risky behaviors I should not mention. The risks and rewards at Thunderhead Ranch were exponentially far beyond anything I have ever done.

James Alexander Drummond
Jim Drummond Law Firm, PLC

Dear Gerry:

I can now let it be known, that Attorney General Eric Holder, and his committee at Main Justice in Washington, will not pursue the federal death penalty against Saquan Evans.

Out of zeal or out of fear, I would have made many missteps along this path, without the guidance of Don Thompson, Jean Barrett, Cyndy Short, and others.

The sparing of Saquan’s life is, of course, also attributable in no small part to my training at The Trial Lawyers College, and in particular the Death Penalty Workshop held last June at the ranch. Every ounce of what I have learned was utilized here.

Nor do I discount the power of prayer. There has been a lot.

I therefore have a remarkable Christmas gift to present to Saquan’s mother, to his family, and not least of all, to Saquan himself.

I am thanking everyone for their input, support, and thoughts.

I am also proud to reside in a state that does not kill people as a means to achieving "justice".

Kindest personal regards,
Robert G. Wells