Our Story
Trellis Productions was founded on a simple belief:
Great events create stronger organizations, stronger communities, and stronger relationships. We partner with clients to plan events that are organized, intentional, and designed to support long-term success.
19 years' experience laying the foundation for growing event communities
Your trusted experience designer.
M E E T M I C H E L L E
S W A N N E R
Michelle
Founder, Trellis Productions
I'm a born-and-raised South Alabama girl with nearly two decades of proof that Southern hospitality and serious event execution aren't mutually exclusive.
I currently serve as Executive Director of The National Trial Lawyers, a role I've held for the past 19 years — helping build the organization from the ground up. Along the way, I assisted in launching The Trial Lawyer magazine, a national publication; helped found the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, located at Temple University; and built our conference portfolio, starting with our flagship event, the Trial Lawyers Summit in Miami Beach.
"From the moment we start planning, you feel it—you're not just another client, you're part of the family."
Alongside that work, I spent time directing a growing lineup of national events through Legal Associations Management — including the Lanier Trial Academy, the Motorcycle Accident Summit, the Big Truck and Auto Summit, the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, the Golden Gavel Awards Ceremony, the Business of Law Conference, the TBI Med Legal Conference, Lawyer Rumble, the Lanier Settlement Academy, the Lanier Mediation Academy, and Law-Di-Gras.
I've since shifted most of my focus and energy to new ventures — bringing growth to meaningful projects via Trellis Productions and co-founding the Academy of AI Music. Two of my favorites also remain on my roster: the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon and the Golden Gavel Awards Ceremony, each January at the Trial Lawyers Summit.
At my core, I'm a community builder. I know event planning can be stressful, high-stakes work — so I make it my mission to bring the fun back in, wherever I can find room for it. Outside of work, you'll usually find me tending my own version of a secret garden (friends call me "the plant lady," and I don't mind it one bit), or with a paintbrush in hand. I'm drawn to beauty, to growth, and most of all, to watching a vision come to life — which, if you think about it, is exactly what I love about this work, too!
Our Approach
Every organization and event is different.
We take time to understand each client's goals, audience, and vision before building a planning strategy tailored to their needs.
Partnership
Professionalism
Integrity
Communication
Excellence
Our Values
"Every successful event is built on hundreds of decisions that attendees never notice but always experience."
"Would you expect the conference director for a 1,500-attendee event- with outdoor concerts, dozens of activations, held over multiple days- to always be smiling and cool as a cucumber? That's Michelle Swanner. She transformed our annual event into an incredible experience, fostering collaboration and connection among attendees. Honestly, can't do it without her!"
Robert Simon
Founder, Partner & Trial Director - The Simon Law Group; Founder - Law-Di-Gras
Torrance, California
They Say It Best
"For six years running, Michelle Swanner has helped put on my Trial Academy, and she's done the same for my Settlement Academies. Here's what I've learned in that time: trials are won on a thousand details nobody in the gallery ever sees, and conferences are no different. Michelle sees every one of them, usually before I do. She is unfailingly kind, unfailingly gracious, and unfailingly ahead of the problem - a combination rarer than it ought to be. Whatever she builds next, put me down as a believer. I'll keep working with her as long as she'll have me."
Mark Lanier
Founder - The Lanier Law Firm; Past President - The National Trial Lawyers; Founder - Lanier Trial Academy, Lanier Settlement Academy, Lanier Mediation Academy
Houston, Texas
They Say It Best
"I've had the privilege of working alongside Michelle for 19 years — building The National Trial Lawyers together, from the ground up. We continue to work on projects today, and she brings the same energy and success to them that she's shown over these two decades. Through projects big and small, her creativity and reliability never waver. I couldn't ask for a better collaborator, and I'm excited for everything still ahead of us."
Keith Givens
Senior Partner - The Cochran Firm, Founder - The National Trial Lawyers, Co-Founder - The Academy of AI Music
Dothan, Alabama
They Say It Best
"Even though Michelle Swanner is an Alabama fan — and I'll never let her forget I'm a Tennessee man — I genuinely enjoy every project I work on with her. Sports rivalry aside, she produces conferences that effectively encourage personal growth and real networking opportunities. Can't argue with results like that, even from the other side of the sports rivalry."
Doug Beam
Founder - Douglas R. Beam Attorneys & Counselors at Law, Past President - The National Trial Lawyers
Melbourne, Florida
They Say It Best