Case Story Bootcamp
Case Story Bootcamp
Your story matters — but so does how you deliver it. In this one-of-a-kind TLU Bootcamp, trial consultant Eric Oliver and trial skills coach Dan Ambrose combine forces to help you refine not only what you say in court, but how you say it. This immersive training will push you to rethink how you approach your case narrative, how jurors receive it, and how every moment in trial is either building connection — or losing it.
With Eric Oliver, you'll gain new tools in trial strategy, from case story sequencing and courtroom choreography to visual anchoring, rapid rapport-building, and decoding the unspoken assumptions that drive modern jurors. With Dan Ambrose, you'll practice turning those strategies into presence — honing the micro skills of connection so your voice, body language, and delivery work in harmony with your message.
The story — and the storyteller.
What skills you can gain from Eric Oliver
New tools in trial strategy, tested across thousands of cases and forty years of consulting.
Immediate Rapport
In depositions, witness exams, voir dire discussions, and bench conferences — learn when, where and how to apply physical mirroring and verbal matching to connect with the decision-making mind in seconds. Rapport is a physical event.
Case Story Structure and Sequencing
Using your own case, apply a story framing template to develop almost any plaintiff's case to its most persuasive form. Build a demonstrative visuals “storyboard” that distills your presentation to its essence — then draw on that same sequence for voir dire, opening, witness order, and pretrial motions strategy.
Courtroom Choreography and Conditioning
Explore the 3 major ways every person in the courtroom suffers from impaired attention — and practice regaining and retaining it at critical moments. Collect and apply multiple ways to condition, or anchor, responses to your client's story and desired outcome.
Rally Post-Truth Deciders to Your Case Story
Discover the 10 unspoken assumptions that drive about half of today's jurors. Every one of the 10 can break your client's case story — or make it strongly if approached with respect. Learn to read them in implicit language and demeanor on the fly.
Focus Group Research That's Reliable
Examine a long-proven approach to small group research, the 6 most common errors that make results unreliable, and real case examples where “confirmed” weaknesses were converted to blockbusting strengths.
What skills you can acquire from Dan Ambrose
Once your case is framed, your ability to deliver it can determine how powerfully it lands — or how much value is left on the table.
Strategic Eye Contact & Presence
Use momentary eye contact and physical alignment to command attention and signal authenticity.
Vocal Control & Cadence
Master pacing and pausing to build emotional rhythm, emphasize key ideas, and match the tone of your story.
Gesture and Movement for Emphasis
Reinforce visual and narrative anchors with purposeful movement and gesticulation that align with your words.
Creating Space for Meaning
Use the courtroom like a stage, distinguishing between narrative space, emotional beats, and reset moments that hold juror attention.
Eliminating Distracting Habits
Identify and replace physical and vocal tics that dilute your message and credibility.
Students must bring a case to work on, complete prep assignments, and attend weekly Zoom meetings. You will record and review your presentations multiple times. This preparation ensures that you arrive ready to make the most of the bootcamp.
From the lawyers who trained here.
“Whether it's your first year of practice or you're a seasoned trial attorney, Dan and his team will improve your legal career. Direct and practical approach to developing trial presentation skills. Commit to the process and TLU will make you a better attorney. Beyond grateful for the TLU team — phenomenal coaches who have become both mentors and friends.”
“Great program for learning, networking and practicing your trial skills. Eric Oliver and Dan Ambrose were phenomenal like nothing I've ever seen before. I'd highly recommend this program to all plaintiff trial lawyers!”
“The TLU bootcamps are great. Solid tools to help you see your blind spots in how you are coming across to the jury. You are forced to see yourself as a presenter, and given tools to present more effectively to the jury. The bootcamps have helped me become a better storyteller.”
In the room with you.
Eric Oliver is a national trial consultant with 40 years' experience working with and training trial attorneys. His expertise has been pivotal in thousands of cases, contributing to groundbreaking first-of-their-kind outcomes and benefiting clients across both top law firms and dynamic solo practices. Eric specializes in developing a comprehensive case presentation plan that integrates thematic narratives, metaphors, and visual elements with the verbal and nonverbal performance of trial attorneys. He is known, in part, for his innovative approach to Voir Dire, aligning attorneys with potential jurors rather than challenging their character and fairness — a unique method that “no one else has ever thought of” declares David Ball, nationally renowned consultant. Eric is based in Chicago, IL, frequently traveling nationwide to speak, train persuasive communication skills, consult with attorney clients, conduct focus groups and assist at trials.
I grew up in Birmingham, MI. I am the youngest of eight children and attended an all-boys catholic school my whole life until I went to college at the University of Michigan. I went to night school at Detroit College of Law. My dad, my uncle, two of my brothers, and sister were lawyers. My first job was cutting lawns at age 10. I started working for my brother as a house painter at age 12. When I was 16 I started my own painting business and continued throughout high school, college, and law school, and a few years after until I was 32. I practiced law for eighteen years in Michigan until ten years ago when my roommate from the Trial Lawyers College, Nick Rowley, encouraged me to move to LA to become a PI lawyer. The California Bar took me four tries. I moved to Las Vegas this past March. I have recently taken up pickle ball, skiing and golf. I also think I'm competitive at connect four, backgammon, chess, and ping pong.
More 2026 bootcamps.
Oct 21–25 · Hermosa Beach.
5 days of intensive, small-group training — seats are limited and fill fast.