Children’s missionComtexaschildrenscommission.gov/media/84696/spring-2021-tst...Doug Lowe Jackie...
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Children’s Commission® SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING STUDENT NOTEBOOK DEVELOPED BY THE CHILDREN’S COMMISSION SPRING 2021
Transcript of Children’s missionComtexaschildrenscommission.gov/media/84696/spring-2021-tst...Doug Lowe Jackie...
Children’s Commission®
SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS PERMANENT JUDICIAL COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING STUDENT
NOTEBOOK DEVELOPED BY THE
CHILDREN’S COMMISSION
SPRING 2021
The Children’s Commission was created by order of the Supreme Court of Texas in 2007 to help improve the judicial handling of child protection cases through improvements in judicial practice; child welfare policy and legislation; technology; training; and court improvement pilot projects. Chaired by Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman, Children’s Commission membership includes officials from DFPS and CPS, non-profit foundation and state bar leaders, private attorneys, legislators, judges, and other leaders in child protection. The Children’s Commission also consults with an advisory group that represents the many and varied disciplines involved in the child welfare system. The Commission’s mission is to strengthen courts for children, youth and families in the Texas child protection system and thereby improve the safety, permanency, and well-being of children.
HONORABLE EVA GUZMAN, CHAIR, CHILDREN’S COMMISSION
Justice Eva Guzman has been a member of the Supreme Court of Texas since October, 2009. Before serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Guzman served as an Associate Justice on the Houston-based Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals, having been appointed in 2001 by Gov. Rick Perry. She also served as a trial court judge on the 309th Family District Court after her appointment by then-Gov. George W. Bush. Justice Guzman has been recognized by many law and community organizations for her service on and off the bench. She is the Chair of the Supreme Court Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families and has served in that capacity since June, 2010.
CHILDREN’S COMMISSION STAFF
Jamie Bernstein Executive Director [email protected]
Jessica Arguijo Communications Manager [email protected]
Chelsea Martinez Executive Assistant [email protected]
Milbrey Raney Assistant Director [email protected]
Monica Mahoney Program Specialist [email protected]
Dylan Moench Legal Representation Director
Patrick Passmore Grant and Finance Specialist [email protected]
Jocelyn Fowler Staff Attorney [email protected]
Willette SedwickAccountant [email protected]
Renée Castillo-De La Cruz Staff Attorney [email protected]
Tiffany Edwards Executive Assistant [email protected]
CHILDREN’S COMMISSION
Andrea Vicencio Program Specialist [email protected]
Aimee Corbin Staff Attorney [email protected]
© The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
The Trial Skills Workgroup and the Children’s Commission Staff would like to recognize the leadership and support of Justice Eva Guzman, Chair of the Children’s Commission, and Justice Michael Massengale, former Chair of the Commission’s Training Committee and current Senior Judicial Advisor to the Commission. Under their guidance, the Trial Skills Training has grown from a concept to a reality which will serve to improve the caliber of legal services to Texas’ children and families. We are grateful for their leadership. The Commission would also like to express our gratitude to Judge Piper McCraw, our Training Committee Chair, and thank her for her support and enthusiasm for the Trial Skills Training.
The Commission would also like to thank the following contributing authors and editors who collaborated to produce this Trial Skills Training:
Tina Amberboy Leigh Mathews Rodriguez Judge Karin E. Bonicoro Tiffany Roper Judge Gary Coley Judge Robin Sage Glenna Cordray Leslie Strauch Alice Emerson Mauro Valdez Anna Saldaña Ford Elizabeth Watkins Rob Galvin
Peter T. Hoffman Patrick Howard Pamela Kemp Lori Kennedy Doug Lowe Jackie Sparks Martin Mary V. Mitchell Trevor Woodruff
Joanna Guerrero Amanda Molina- Martinez LaRu Woody David Halpern Dr. Sandeep Narang Tracy Harting
The Commission would also like to express its gratitude to Texas CASA and National CASA for providing the initial Harris-Price fact pattern, which formed the basis of this Case Scenario.
Additionally, the Commission would like to thank Hedy Bower, Professional Development Director, and the staff at TexasBarCLE for generously donating their time and resources to taping, archiving, and promoting CPS-related webinars. The Bar’s partnership with the Commission on the related webcasts “Trial Skills in the CPS Case” in 2017 and “Moving from Ordinary to Extraordinary Representation in CPS Cases” in 2015 was especially helpful in providing accessible and affordable CLE to all Texas attorneys in the CPS courtroom.
Also, the Commission would like to thank Judge Camile DuBose, who oversaw this project from its beginning during her service to the Children’s Commission as the Training Committee Chair.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
© The Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
Finally, the Commission would like to thank the founding members of the Trial Skills Training Faculty, whose generous commitment of time and ideas helped to develop the core curriculum of the program:
Justice Michael Massengale Judge Karin Bonicoro Judge Gary Coley Jr. Rob Galvin David Halpern Tracy Harting Doug Lowe Jackie Sparks Martin Sandeep Narang, MD JD Judge Robin Sage Leslie Strauch Elizabeth Watkins Trevor Woodruff
Sincerely,
Jamie Bernstein Executive Director, Children’s Commission
WELCOME
Dear Trial Skills Training Participants,
I want to extend my gratitude on behalf of the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission for your willingness to participate in the Children’s Commission Trial Skills Training program to improve your legal representation skills, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Child welfare is one of the most important areas of law to our society and sense of justice. The right to family integrity is recognized as a constitutional substantive due process right under the Fourteenth Amendment, but it must be balanced with the state’s right and duty to protect children and youth when their health, safety, and well-being are jeopardized.
When a family is involved in a child welfare proceeding, quality legal representation for all parties is absolutely essential to ensure that the court strikes the appropriate balance between the rights and duties of all parties involved. A prepared and well-informed state’s attorney can be instrumental in charting a legal course to help ensure a safe, speedy, and permanent placement for a child. A well-trained parent’s attorney can provide their client with information, guidance, and assistance to help them reunify with their children or identify a safe and suitable home with a relative. A zealous and educated child’s attorney can mean the difference between a child languishing in foster care or finding a permanent home before turning eighteen.
While it is possible for attorneys to obtain a basic comprehension of the issues a client may be facing, it is more difficult to accumulate trial skills in this practice area. In 2013, the Children’s Commission created a hands-on training to assist all attorneys working on the CPS docket. This modified version of the Trial Skills Training will be presented under the exceptional leadership of our Training Committee Chair, Judge Piper McCraw, and in partnership with our experienced and knowledgeable faculty.
These are uncertain times, but the need for quality representation for Texas children and families remains unwavering. Thank you for the time and talent you are dedicating to this training. The Children’s Commission truly appreciates your commitment to improving the delivery of legal services to the children and families involved in child welfare proceedings across Texas.
MRaney
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AGENDAAgenda
DIRECTORIESTraining Committee Chair and Faculty Directory Faculty Biographies Participant Directory WitnessesSpecial Guests
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Pretrial Training: January 27, 2021
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
2:00 p.m. -2:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks & Review of Program - Judge Piper McCraw, Milbrey Raney, and Renée Castillo
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Introductions of Participants, Faculty, and Commission Staff–TST Faculty
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Brainstorming about Good and Bad Facts, Choosing your Best Theme and Theory (2 Breakout Groups) –Rob Galvin and Michele Surratt
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 5:05 p.m.
Laying Your Evidentiary Foundation Lecture and Discussion - Judge Piper McCraw, Michele Surratt
Making and Responding to Objections in the CPS Case and Preserving Your Appellate Record Lecture, Demo, and Discussion- Mark Zuniga, Jack Sigman
Closing Remarks and Evaluations - Judge Piper McCraw and Renée Castillo
TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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Wednesday, February 3, 2021
9:00 a.m.- 9:10 a.m. Morning Announcements and Introduction of Witnesses - Judge Piper McCraw and Renée Castillo
9:10 a.m.-9:40 a.m. Crafting your Opening Statement in a CPS Case Lecture and Discussion – Judge Gary Coley and David Halpern
9:40 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Opening Statement (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. *Practice Sessions: Opening Statement (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
11:00 a.m.- 11:15 a.m. Plenary: Screen Actor Tips: Best Practices for Virtual Lawyering in CPS Cases –TST Faculty
11:15 a.m. -11:45 a.m. Conducting a Successful Direct Examination Lecture, Demo, and Discussion – Elizabeth Watkins
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lunch Break
12:15 p.m.-12:35 p.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Direct Examination in a CPS Case (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
12:35 p.m.-1:35 p.m. *Practice Sessions: Direct Examination of Caseworker and Kathy Price (3 Breakout
1:35 p.m.-2:05 p.m.
2:05 p.m.-2:35 p.m.
Groups) –TST Faculty
Conducting a Successful Cross Examination in a CPS Case Lecture, Demo, and Discussion – Judge Charles Griffin
Preparing for Impeachment of a Witness in a CPS Case Using Prior Inconsistent Statements Lecture and Discussion - Anna Saldaña Ford and Diane Sumoski
TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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2:35 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Break
2:50 p.m.-3:10 p.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Cross Examination of a Lay Witness (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
3:10 p.m. -4:10 p.m. *Practice Sessions: Cross Examination of Caseworkers and Kathy Price (3 BreakoutGroups) –TST Faculty
4:10 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks for the Day and Evaluations - Judge Piper McCraw and Renée Castillo
* Session is filmed, and individual performances will be provided to each student for their independent review.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Morning Announcements and Introduction of Witnesses - Judge Piper McCraw and Renée Castillo
9:15 a.m. -9:45 a.m. Expert Witnesses: How to Qualify and Disqualify Expert Witnesses in a CPS Case Lecture and Discussion – Judge Gary Coley and Clint Harbour
9:45 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Expert Witnesses: Using High Level Cross Examination of an Expert and Your Opponent’s Exhibits to Your Advantage in a CPS Case Lecture and Discussion – Mark Zuniga
10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Impeachment Demonstration: Using Online Research to Debunk an Expert Witness – Doug Lowe and Elizabeth Watkins
10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Demonstration: How to Qualify Your Expert Witness – Elizabeth Watkins
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Demonstration: How to Conduct a High-Level Cross Exam of the Opposing Expert Witness – David Halpern
11:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Direct Examination and Using Exhibits to Your Advantage with Your Expert (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. *Practice Sessions: Direct Examination Using Exhibits with Pediatric Fellows andParent Therapists as Experts (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
12:50 p.m.-1:20 p.m. Lunch Break
1:20 p.m.-1:40 p.m. Case Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Cross Examination and Impeachment of Experts Using Exhibits to Your Advantage with the Opposing Expert (3 Breakout Groups) –TST Faculty
TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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1:40 p.m.-2:40 p.m. *Practice Sessions: Cross Examination and Impeachment of Experts UsingExhibits with Pediatric Fellows and Parent Therapists as Experts (3 BreakoutGroups) –TST Faculty
2:40 p.m.- 2:55 p.m. Plenary: Screen Actor Tips: Best Practices for Virtual Lawyering in CPS Cases –TST Faculty
2:55 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. Break
3:10 p.m.-3:40 p.m. Presenting a Strong Closing Argument in a CPS Case Lecture and Discussion – David Halpern and Jack Sigman
3:40 p.m.- 4:10 p.m. Lessons Learned and Practical Tips for Virtual Jury Trials in CPS Cases Lecture and Discussion – Tracy Harting
4:10 p.m.- 4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks to Participants and Evaluations - Judge Piper McCraw and Renée Castillo
* Session is filmed, and individual performances will be provided to each student for their independent review.
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2100 Bloomdale Road
Anna Saldaña Ford General Counsel III, Director of Regional Litigation Tx. Dept. of Family and Protective Services 701 W. 51st Street, MC E611 Austin, Texas 78751 [email protected]
Judge R. Charles GriffinGulf Coast Child Protection Court1115 Congress, 5th FlHouston, Texas [email protected]
Clint Harbour
Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street Austin, TX 78701 [email protected]
David Halpern Assistant General Counsel Office of General Counsel, Texas A&M Moore/Connally Building 6th Floor, 301 Tarrow College Station, Texas 77840 [email protected]
Doug LoweAttorney at Law P.O. Box 1627Palestine, Texas [email protected]
Diane Sumoski Associated Clinical Professor Supervision Attorney/Director SMU Dedman School of Law 3315 Daniel Avenue Dallas, Texas 75275 [email protected]
Elizabeth Watkins Family Justice Director Williamson County Attorney's Office 405 M.L.K, Suite 2 Georgetown, Texas 78626 [email protected]
Jack Sigman
Gerstle Snelson, LLP3508 Far West Blvd., Ste. 350 Austin, Texas [email protected]
Jackie Sparks Martin
Dallas County District Attorney’s Office 2600 Lone Star Dr., LB 22 Dallas, Texas 75212 [email protected]
Mark Zuniga Managing Attorney Travis County Office of Parental Representation 1010 Lavaca Street, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78701 [email protected]
Judge Gary Coley, Jr. 74th District Court 2601 Gholson Rd. Waco, Texas 76704 [email protected]
FACULTY DIRECTORY
Michele L. Surratt Special Litigation Attorney Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 1622 10th Street Lubbock, Texas 79401 [email protected]. gov
Rob Galvin
Galvin Law 206 E. 9th Street, Suite 1511 Austin, Texas 78701 [email protected]
Tracy Harting
P.O. Box 1519 Pflugerville, Texas 78591 [email protected]
FACULTY DIRECTORY
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Judge Piper McCraw was appointed by Governor Abbott in 2015 to the 469th District Court in Collin County. Judge McCraw was an Assistant District Attorney for Collin County where she was a misdemeanor court chief then later a member of a felony trial team. After leaving the Collin County DA's office, she joined McCraw Gantt, PLLC. Judge McCraw has handled a wide variety of cases and tried over 150 jury trials. She is a charter member and board member of the Collin
County Women Lawyer’s Association and a charter member of the Curt B. Henderson American Inn of Court. Judge McCraw is also proud to serve as a Commissioner on the Texas Children’s Commission and as the Chair of the Commission's Training Committee. Prior to taking the bench, she was a member of the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Association Board of Directors and the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee. She also served as the Secretary for the Board of Directors for the Hope Women’s Center. Judge McCraw received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M School of Law, and she is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. She lives in McKinney with her husband, Mark, a partner with the McCraw Gantt Law Firm, and three children.
Judge Piper McCraw 469th District Court Collin County [email protected]
TRAINING COMMITTEE CHAIR
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Anna Saldaña Ford is the Director of Regional Litigation with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS). She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in Marketing in 1983 and began employment with the San Antonio Express-News. After 11 years in newspaper advertising, Ms. Ford attended law school and graduated magna cum laude in 1997 from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Upon graduation, Ms. Ford served as an Assistant District Attorney for Bexar County. She later entered private practice, representing criminal defendants, as well as children and parents as an Attorney ad Litem in CPS cases. In 1992, Ms. Ford joined DFPS where she served as a Regional Attorney IV in DFPS’ Region 8,
covering San Antonio and its surrounding counties. She served as the Managing Attorney for DFPS’ Regions 8 and 10 prior to joining State Office in 2015. She has extensive bench and jury trial experience. In her current position, Ms. Ford oversees DFPS attorneys and support staff statewide who provide legal services for CPS and APS litigation. She serves on many committees aimed at improving courtroom practice and has presented at numerous conferences on CPS issues. Ms. Ford is a current member of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Child Welfare Law Exam Commission.
Judge Charles Griffin presides over the newly formed Gulf Coast Children’s Court, which takes CPS cases exclusively. Prior to that time, Judge Griffin represented the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for more than 15 years. As the Records Management Attorney, he was responsible for advising staff and the legal community about when, how, and to whom the Department’s confidential records may be accessed or released. Judge Griffin also was involved in developing departmental policies and process regarding the redaction and release
of or access to records. In addition, he also maintained a child protection caseload. Prior to becoming DFPS’s Records Management Attorney, Judge Griffin prosecuted child protection cases in Potter, Brazos, and Harris Counties. He also represented parents and children in child protection cases while in private practice in Dallas, Texas. Judge Griffin is a member of the State Bar of Texas’s Child Protection Law Section and presented at its inaugural CLE in Austin, Texas. Judge Griffin is Board Certified in Child Welfare Law and serves as a member of the Child Welfare Law Advisory Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Clint Harbour serves as an Assistant Attorney General, representing the State of Texas in condemnation cases. He coordinates the trial advocacy training for the Office of the Attorney General and teaches trial skills at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. Originally from Liberty, Texas, Clint attended the University of Texas where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. He also earned an L.L.M. in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
David Halpern practices in the areas of Student Affairs and Litigation as Assistant General Counsel for Texas A & M University System. David served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas for twenty years with a focus on personal injury, medical malpractice, and employment law. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. David is an adjunct professor for the Texas A&M and the University of Texas Schools of Law. He also serves on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and has served as teaching faculty for the National
Association of Attorneys General and the State Bar of Texas. He serves on the National Board of Directors for the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). His writings have been published in the Texas Bar Journal, Voir Dire Quarterly, the Juror Connection, and he is a contributing author to the book entitled Practicing Medicine in the 21st Century.
Diane Sumoski received her B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College, and her JD, cum laude, from Cornell Law School. She currently is the Director and Supervising Attorney of the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Child Advocacy Clinic and Institute for Children’s Rights at SMU Dedman School of Law. As the Clinic Director, she represents and supervises law students in their representation of children in the child welfare system as the children’s guardian and attorney ad litem. Her work for the Institute focuses on improving education outcomes for children in the child welfare system and, more recently, exploring the legal needs of youth who have aged out of the system.
Ms. Sumoski has represented women and children in family law matters on a pro bono basis for virtually the entirety of her 30+ year legal career, including during her 26 years of practice at Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, L.L.P., where she was a litigation partner. Ms. Sumoski served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Bar Association from 2009-2016, has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2010, and has held numerous leadership positions in the Litigation Section of the ABA, including Director of its Public Service Division. Ms. Sumoski serves on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization’s Child Welfare Law Exam Commission.
Doug Lowe served as the elected Anderson County Texas Criminal District Attorney from 1999-2014. Since leaving office Doug has focused on studying and investigating white collar crime and corruption. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners certified him a fraud examiner in 2014. Prior to taking office as district attorney Doug practiced civil law in Palestine, Texas and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization designated him as a certified personal injury trial lawyer. In 2015 Doug was appointed by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott as a Commissioner to the Texas Lottery
Commission where he set policies for the Texas Lottery and supervised the Charitable Bingo Divisions. In 2019 in order to fulfill a dream of an island life adventure Doug moved to the American Samoa and worked for the territory’s Attorney General as a felony prosecutor. He returned to Texas in 2020 to establish a private law practice focusing on risk management, fraud investigations, and trials. His undergraduate degree and law degrees were awarded by the University of Houston. He received a Masters of Law in Risk Management from the Texas A & M School of Law in December of 2018. Doug has been involved with the Trial Skills course since its inception.
FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Elizabeth Watkins is the Family Justice Director at the Williamson County Attorney's Office. Prior to her current position, Elizabeth served as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Smith County. She is the mom to 17-year-old twins and a 21-year old Texas State Bobcat and has over 25 years’ experience in the litigation and protection of children and families. She began her career with Child Protection Services as an investigator and served as an Assistant District Attorney in Anderson County for 8 years. During her time with
Anderson County, she was responsible for the filing and litigation of all CPS cases, juvenile cases, and crimes against women and childrend. She has tried dozens of CPS cases in front of both the bench and juries, and prosecuted some of the toughest child assault cases, including first chair in two capital murder trials. Elizabeth previously served as a contributing legal columnist for INMagazine, in Tyler, Texas, writing about all facets of family and juvenile law. She currently serves as a member of the Children’s Commission Legal Representation Workgroup and Trial Skills Workgroup. Elizabeth is a Member of the Texas Bar College and is Board Certified in Child Welfare.
Jack Sigman is an attorney in private practice in Travis County. His area of practice includes family and juvenile law litigation. Jack received his undergraduate from the University of Texas and Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech. Jack Sigman joined the law firm of Gerslte Snelson, LLP in 2019 where he represents general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and design professionals in construction-related matters as well as insurance agents and brokers in malpractice claims. Prior to joining Gerite Snelson, LLP, he was in private practice in Travis
County for 22 years, and his areas of practice included family and juvenile law litigation. Jack has tried over 20 jury trials, 350 bench trials, and over 200 administrative hearings, including many CPS matters where he represented parents and children by appointment. He is a founding member and life fellow of the Austin Bar Foundation, a member of the Austin Bar Association, and a director of the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section. Jack received his undergraduate from the University of Texas and Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech.
Jackie Sparks Martin is an Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County representing the Texas Department of Family and Protective Service. Jackie initially began prosecuting CPS cases as DFPS Regional Attorney in Region 3, where she handled child welfare cases in numerous counties including Dallas, Tarrant, Johnson, Collin, Ellis, and Corsicana. Before becoming a prosecutor, Jackie had a solo practice for 13 years, where she practiced family and child welfare law in Bexar, Atascosa, Medina, and Wilson counties. As a solo practitioner Jackie represented children,
parents, relatives, and foster parents in child welfare cases and handled all family law matters and adoptions. Jackie has both bench and jury trial experience. Before becoming a solo practitioner, Jackie was an insurance defense associate attorney and a former felony prosecutor in Atascosa County. Jackie was named CASA of Tarrant County's 2014 Attorney ad Litem of the year.
FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Judge Gary Coley has served as Judge of the 74th District Court since being elected in November 1998. Since being elected, Judge Coley has served through the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth & Families in various roles, and in 2016, he was appointed to serve as a Commissioner to the Children’s Commission. Among other civic and professional activities, he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Judge Abner McCall Inn of Court, and Rotary Club. Additionally, he was instrumental in the formation of the Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition. Prior to being elected, Judge Coley was a partner at Frederick & Coley and served as a prosecutor in
the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office. From 2000-2004, he taught Juvenile Justice as an adjunct faculty member at Baylor Law School and he resumed that role in 2018. Judge Coley obtained his B.B.A. from Texas A&M University and J.D. from Baylor University School of Law.
Mark T. Zuniga is the Managing Attorney for Travis County’s Office of Parental Representation. He is Board Certified in Child Welfare Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Prior to his work in Travis County, Mark was an appellate attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Prior to joining the Department, Mark was the Senior Attorney for the Civil Division of the Hay County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, and before that Mark was in private practice. He is currently a member of the Family Law Child Protection Law, and Poverty
Law Sections of the State Bar of Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1999.
Michele Surratt has been a Special Litigation Attorney for the Department of Family and Protective Services since 2006. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology from University of Texas at Dallas and holds a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. Michele has worked as a solo practitioner in Odessa, a Professor for Legal Assistance Program at Odessa College, an Assistant Ector County Attorney (1998-2004) and as an Assistant Collin County Criminal District Attorney (1996-1998). She has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas
Young Lawyers Association and as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Ector County Young Lawyers Association. She has volunteered with the Odessa Crime Stoppers, where she was honored with an Award for Support and Dedication in 2003; the Odessa Teen Court, where she has served on the Board of Directors, as Treasurer and as a Volunteer Judge; the Center for Crisis Advocacy, where she has served on the Board of Directors; and the Safe and Drug Free Schools, where she has served on the Advisory Counsel. She has been recognized with the President's Award of Merit (2005-2006 and 2006-2007) and the Standing Ovation Award. She has also contributed to continuing education of the Texas State Bar as Course Director for Federal Court Practice (2006, 2007) and the New Lawyer Course (2007). More recently, Michele has presented by invitation at the 2018 Children’s Commission’s Child Welfare Judicial Conference and the 2019 Texas Center for the Judiciary’s Family Justice Conference.
FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Rob Galvin received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Texas. While in law school, he competed in numerous interscholastic competitions, and won a national title. Rob was inducted into the Order of the Barristers in 1999. During this time, he discovered his passion for advocacy; working for Broadus Spivey while under the tutelage of Francis Pan only served to further ignite that passion. Over the past 12 years, Rob has tried cases to the jury, many more to the court, and written and argued appeals.
Tracy Harting is a TBLS and NACC certified Child Welfare Law Specialist. Tracy is an attorney in private practice representing parents, children, and families in Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Hays, and Comal counties. She is a former foster parent and an adoptive parent of two. Her practice areas include child welfare, administrative, and LGBT law. Tracy obtained a B.A. from Southwestern University, a J.D. from the University of Houston, and an M.P.A. from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Prosecutors: Renee Sanchez [email protected]
Yewande Ewoven [email protected]
Anthony Cutrona [email protected]
Ieshia Champs [email protected]
Freya Wright [email protected]
Parent Attorneys:
Tiffany Cebrun [email protected]
Lindsey Dionne [email protected]
JaNeen Hopkins [email protected]
Laura Arteaga [email protected]
Kee Ables [email protected]
AALs: Monica Tolden [email protected]
Susan Watts [email protected]
Fontaine Gonzalez [email protected]
Dax Pueschel [email protected]
Allena Wright [email protected]
Desiree Marshall [email protected]
PARTICIPANT DIRECTORY
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Christopher Fisher Conservatorship Specialist IIIHays County Texas Department of Family and Protective Services [email protected]
Kimberly Kawuki Conservatorship Advanced Specialist III Washington/Grimes County Texas Department of Family and Protective Services [email protected]
Sharon Record, MSN APRN CPNP SANE-PNurse Practitioner Texas Children's Hospital Section of Public Health Pediatrics [email protected]
Amanda Scully, MD Child Abuse Fellow Baylor College of Medicine Texas Children's Hospital [email protected]
Alicia Sandoval-Alexander, FNP-CNurse Practitioner Texas Children's Hospital Public Health Pediatrics [email protected]
Jean Roxanne McMillan, LPC Founder/Principal of Copasetic Counseling, PLLC 1322 West Hwy 290 Ste. C Dripping Springs, TX 78620 [email protected]
Deborah Taber, MA, LPC, PLLC Founder/Principal 12053 Mossy Bark Trail Austin, TX 78750 [email protected]
THERAPIST
CASEWORKERS
FELLOWS
Hilary Bernhard Conservatorship Specialist IIl Bastrop County Texas Department of Family and Protective Services [email protected]
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Marcella Donaruma, MD, FAAP Associate Professor of Pediatrics Baylor College of Medicine Section of Public Health Pediatrics Houston, TX [email protected]
Natalie N. Kissoon, MD, FAAP Fellowship Program Director Associate Professor, Clinical Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics UT Health San Antonio San Antonio, TX [email protected]
SPECIAL GUESTS
I certify that the amounts listed: 1. Are not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted project or program.2. Are not paid by the Federal Government under another award, except where authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost sharingor matching.
MATCH FORM
Title:
Location:
Brief Description of Contribution:
Attendance for Spring 2021 Virtual Trial Skills Training January 27 and February 3-4, 2021
Please sign and return to Patrick Passmore at [email protected] or by mail to P.O. Box 12448, Austin, TX 78711
Contributor’s Name: Date:
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If you are uncertain of your hourly rate, you may divide your annual salary by 2080 to get it.
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