Meet Our Board, Faculty, and Lead Faculty

Gerry Spence

Founder and Chairman of Board

"Lawyers should be chosen because they can demonstrate a history rich in human traits, the ability to care, the courage to fight, the will to win, a concern for the human condition, a passion for justice and simple uncompromising honesty. These are the traits of the lawyer."

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John Zelbst

President & Senior Instructor

"The Gerry Spence Method changed my Practice and Life forever by teaching me to embrace the truth in all things."

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Joseph H. Low IV

Vice President, Director of Staff and Curriculum & Chief Instructor

"Gerry Spence invited me to his college in 1998 despite the fact that I was a first year lawyer. He has been my mentor throughout my entire legal career and I owe all of my success to his incredible philosophy, teachings and commitment to teaching me and other hungry lawyers on the art and science of trial."

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James E. Fitzgerald

Senior Complex Damages Litigation Specialist

"Gerry Spence and his methods changed my life. They will change yours, too, if you are willing to commit your time and heart to experiencing them."

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Haytham Faraj

Instructor & Treasurer

"Gerry Spence’ three-weeks program forced me to dig deep and to go to places in my past that I had avoided because there was pain or hurt or shame or some other issue that hindered my personal growth. By finding the courage to return to the source of those issues, I and every other person who attended the program unburdened ourselves from those limitations that hinder our abilities to uncover the most credible and persuasive story of our cases which ultimately compels a jury to vote for you because of the lawyer’s credibility."

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Adrian Baca

Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"The Ranch is a spiritual home for me. I feel compelled to return like the many great trial attorneys before me. Now, I try to carry on the tradition that Gerry Spence started in sharing and giving back to others. I am one, among others, that keep the spirit of the Ranch alive. Each graduating class from the Ranch takes a part of Gerry Spence’s invaluable lessons with them, which regenerates Gerry’s Ranch.  I take great pride in being a small catalyst for improving a student’s trial skills. These lawyers return home and help their clients."

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Daniel Rodriguez

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"My experience at the Ranch was one of great pain and from that pain, grew great joy. The Ranch changed the way I now live my life."

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Jody Amedee

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"Gerry Spence’s teachings about Trial go way beyond the courtroom. It’s more about who we are as humans, and that’s what transforms all of us into better people and trial lawyers."

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Rob Ammons

Personal Injury and Consumer Trial Lawyer

"The Spence Method’s power of storytelling has transformed my trial practice."

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Sylvia Torres Guillén

Civil Rights Trial Lawyer

"Sitting on the bridge by the creek, engaging in psychodrama – my own and the ones of those who would become my family–, empowered by the interplay between law and compassion, connecting to my voice were all part of a powerful experience. I remain mindful and grateful for Gerry’s generosity – opening up his home, sharing his depth of knowledge and talent, and offering me that amazing month-long opportunity. It was and is a blessing."

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Andre Gauthier

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"Gerry Spence gave me the tools to love myself for who I am, and to forgive myself for who I was. As I continue to employ the Spence Method, I’ve never felt more real, present, creative and spontaneous in the courtroom."

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Hunter Hillin

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"The Spence Method has taught me how to truly communicate with juries. Embracing the truth is the key to the heart of your listener."

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Michael Callahan

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"How to discover the story of the case and then tell it in a way that touches the heart of the listener - the jury. That is what this program is about. My goal is to share what I have learned from Gerry Spence and his methods with lawyers who care about people."

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Twila White

Civil Rights Trial Lawyer

"Studying the Gerry Spence Method taught me the power of self discovery, authenticity, and vulnerability, and how these traits help to tell a story and get to the heart of a case."

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Alonso Zavalasoto

Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"Real growth begins when we step outside our comfort zone and are willing to take risks, to embrace our journey—darkness, light, and every part of it. Our story is what makes us a real human being capable of forming a real connection with twelve strangers to guide them to the result we want for our clients by using powerful storytelling techniques."

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Jim Brown

Personal Injury & Sex Abuse Trial Lawyer

"Gerry gave me the tools and gifts I needed to learn to love myself. That discovery process was at times incredibly painful yet rewarding in so many human ways. I wouldn’t be who I am now – a better father, family man and trial lawyer, if it weren’t for the gifts I received at the Ranch. It truly did all begin with me. I understand that now and am forever grateful."

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Ibiere Seck

Personal Injury, Human Rights, and Sex Abuse Trial Lawyer

"The Gerry Spence Method teaches you to not only see and hear others but to also see and hear yourself."

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Thomas Johnston

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

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John Conard

Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"Almost everything I learned in formal education, that was of any value, I learned working the raw lumber rip line in the lumber plant of a window factory, to pay for school, or playing pool with the men after shift."

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Christian Morris

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"The program at the ranch means taking the time to work on who you are as a human to make sure you are the best tool for your client."

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Jim Buxton

Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"While at the ranch learning the Gerry Spence Method, I was able to rediscover myself, and in the process became a much better father, husband, and trial lawyer."

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David Smith

Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"I learned that there’s courage in truly caring for the client, strength in community, power in honesty and truth. No other experience in my life taught me so much in so little time."

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Victor Marshall

Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"It is important to me is that lawyers understand the need for the psychodramatic process. So many attorneys are blind and do not understand the importance of the archaeological dig within oneself."

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Phil Stackhouse

Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"Before coming to the Ranch in 2010, I was successful and thought I had a handle on life. I learned a lot about ‘me’ when I started working on what I was keeping hidden—even when I was only hiding it from myself - and I ‘m still a work in progress. Doing the personal work and learning how to help my clients get in touch with and open up about “their” hard things to talk about changed my life. Learning how to find and tell my clients' stories changed my practice."

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Eric Fong

Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"How does a soul shift and transform through deep learning and knowledge? On a lonely windswept prairie, the evolution of creativity and trial giants are born and reborn. Surrounded by the rivers and mountains of Thunderhead Ranch, profound wisdom and trial skills await."

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Andy Vickery

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

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Chuck Richardson

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"My time learning at the ranch completely changed my life as a trial lawyer, husband, father and friend. It taught me to listen, feel, understand and appropriately respond in all situations."

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Stephen A. King

Personal Injury, Civil Rights, & Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"The Ranch gave me friendships and helped me find my true core."

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Clay Zelbst

Personal Injury & Civil Defense Trial Lawyer

"Empathy is what we try to do and teach — finding that connection, the piece of a story, that resonates within."

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Joan Ballard

Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

"I learned how to stop thinking about “winning at lawyering” and started thinking about how to talk to people."

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Tom Feher

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"The Gerry Spence Method program gave me tools to become a better trial lawyer and person. It showed me that by scratching beneath the surface, honoring that which makes us human, and speaking from a place of love, we can be the most authentic voice for truth in the courtroom."

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Scott Borison

Consumer Law Trial Lawyer

"My goal is to give back and spread the enthusiasm and support that comes out of being part of the Ranch family. I have organized a network of attorneys across the country who share the same passion to help consumers."

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Minh T. Nguyen

Personal Injury Trial Lawyer

"I can pinpoint my transformation as a trial lawyer and person when I attended the 3-week course. Up until then, I was just going through the motions and not understanding nor connecting. The Ranch is transformative."

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