TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING STUDENT NOTEBOOK

TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING STUDENT NOTEBOOK DEVELOPED BY THE CHILDREN S COMMISSION October 2014

CHILDREN S COMMISSION 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. 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 Tina Amberboy Executive Director tina.amberboy@txcourts.gov Jamie Bernstein Staff Attorney jamie.bernstein@txcourts.gov Milbrey Raney Staff Attorney milbrey.raney@txcourts.gov Kristi Taylor Staff Attorney kristi.taylor@txcourts.gov Tiffany Roper Assistant Director tiffany.roper@txcourts.gov Rashonda Thomas Grant and Finance Specialist rashonda.thomas@txcourts.gov Jessica Arguijo Administrative Assistant jessica.arguijo@txcourts.gov 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 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, Chair of the Commission s Trial Skills Workgroup. 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 thank the following contributing authors and editors who collaborated to produce this Trial Skills Training: Tina Amberboy Patrick Howard Leigh Mathews Rodriguez Judge Karin E. Bonicoro Lori Kennedy Tiffany Roper Judge Gary Coley Doug Lowe Judge Robin Sage Alice Emerson Jackie Sparks Martin Leslie Strauch Rob Galvin Mary V. Mitchell Elizabeth Watkins David Halpern Dr. Sandeep Narang Trevor Woodruff Tracy Harting Pamela Kemp Parker LaRu Woody Peter T. Hoffman Milbrey E. Raney Additionally, the Commission would also like to thank the following Trial Skills Workgroup Members who provided support and valuable input during the creation of these materials and the accompanying training: Judge Lamar McCorkle Beth Page Judge Cyndi Wheless Pat Nester 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 Pat Nester and the staff at the State Bar of Texas for generously donating their time and resources to taping, archiving, and promoting CPS-related webinars. The Bar s partnership with the Commission on the October 23, 2013 Trial Skills in the CPS Case webinar was especially helpful in providing accessible and affordable CLE to all Texas attorneys in the CPS courtroom. Finally, 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. 2

WELCOME Dear Trial Skills Training Participants, I want to extend my gratitude on behalf of the Supreme Court Children s Commission for your willingness to participate in the Children s Commission Trial Skills Training program to improve your legal representation skills and provide us with valuable feedback about the design and content of the training format and materials. Child protection law is one of the most important 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 at the same time, the state has a right and duty to protect minor children when their health, safety and well-being is jeopardized. When a family is involved in a child protection proceeding, quality legal counsel is absolutely essential for all parties to ensure that the court strikes the appropriate balance between the rights and duties of all parties involved. A diligent attorney, prepared to conduct an independent investigation of the facts and to present evidence, helps to test the reliability of the state s allegations. A well-trained 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 attorney can provide their client with information, guidance and assistance to help them provide or identify a safe and suitable home for his or her children. And for children and youth in the state s care, a zealous and educated attorney can mean the difference between those children languishing in foster care and finding a permanent home before turning 18. 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. Since 2010, the Children s Commission has worked toward developing a trial skills training program that would put together a hands-on training module to assist all attorneys working on the CPS docket. Again, thank you for the time and talent you are dedicating to this project. The Children s Commission truly appreciates your commitment to improving the delivery of legal services to the children and families on the child protection docket across Texas. Sincerely, Tina Amberboy Executive Director 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHEDULE Schedule of Events 5 DIRECTORIES Participant Directory Faculty Directory Faculty Biographies REIMBURSEMENTS Reimbursement Guidelines Reimbursement Form Match Form MCLE Form Notes 8 10 11 14 15 16 18 20 4

TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday, October 1 8:15 to 8:45 am Breakfast at the DoubleTree (buffet in hallway outside of OakWood Room) 8:45 to 8:55 am Welcoming Remarks & Review of Program Justice Michael Massengale, Ms. Tina Amberboy, Ms. Milbrey Raney 8:55 to 9:05 am Introductions of Participants and Faculty Justice Massengale, with participants and faculty 9:05 to 10:15 am Voir Dire Exercise and General Discussion of Related Jury Matters Ms. Elizabeth Watkins/ Judge Gary Coley/ Ms. Leslie Strauch/ Mr. Rob Galvin with Faculty and Participants 10:15 to 10:30 am Break 10:30 to 11:15 am Voir Dire Exercise and General Discussion of Related Jury Matters, Continued Ms. Elizabeth Watkins/ Judge Gary Coley/ Ms. Leslie Strauch/ Mr. Rob Galvin with Faculty and Participants 11:20 to 12:15 pm Case Strategy: Choosing the Theme of Your Case Mr. Rob Galvin/ Ms. Michele Surratt Lecture 12:15 to 1:45 pm Lunch at the DoubleTree/ Case Strategy Work Session: Brainstorming about Good and Bad Facts, Choosing your Best Theme All faculty and participants 1:50 to 2:15 pm Crafting your Opening Statement Judge Gary Coley/ Mr. David Halpern Lecture and Demo 2:20 to 2:55 pm Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Opening Statement (20 mins) and Break (10 mins) 3:00 to 4:00 pm Practice Sessions on Opening Statement Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Critiques, followed by one-on-one Faculty Reviews 4:05 to 4:25 pm Conducting a Successful Direct Examination Ms. Elizabeth Watkins Lecture and Demo 4:30 to 4:50 pm Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Direct Examination 4:55 to 5:00 pm Closing Remarks for the Day and Evaluations 5

TRIAL Justice Michael SKILLS Massengale TRAINING Thursday, October 2 7:45 to 8:15 am Breakfast at the DoubleTree 8:15 to 8:20 am Morning Announcements 8:25 to 9:25 am Practice Sessions: Direct Examination of Caseworker and Kathy Price Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Critiques, followed by one-on-one Faculty Reviews 9:30 to 10:15 am Conducting a Successful Cross Examination Ms. LaRu Woody/Dr. Sandeep Narang Lecture and Demo 10:15 to 10:30 am Break 10:30 to 10:50 am Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Cross Examination of a Lay Witness 10:50 to 11:50 am Practice Sessions: Cross Examination of Caseworkers and Kathy Price Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Critiques, followed by one-on-one Faculty Reviews 11:55 to 12:15 pm Making and Responding to Objections Ms. Jackie Martin Lecture and Demo 12:20 to 12:55 pm Lunch at the DoubleTree 1:00 to 2:10 pm Laying your Evidentiary Foundation Ms. Quita Russell / Ms. Michele Surratt / Ms. Jackie Martin Lecture and Demo 2:10 to 2:15 pm Logistics: Evidentiary Foundations 2:20 to 3:20 pm Practice Sessions: Laying the Foundation Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Coaching 3:20 to 3:35 pm Break SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 3:35 to 4:05 pm Preparing for Impeachment Ms. Leslie Strauch/ Mr. Doug Lowe Lecture and Demo 4:05 to 4:35 pm Preparing and Presenting your Expert Mr. Rob Galvin/ Mr. Doug Lowe 4:35 to 4:45 pm Closing Remarks for the Day and Evaluations Justice Michael Massengale 5:00 pm til homework time Social Hour for faculty and participants (dutch treat) 6

TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 7:45 to 8:15 am Breakfast at the DoubleTree Friday, October 3 7:45 to 8:15 am Breakfast at the DoubleTree 8:15 to 8:35 am Morning Announcements Justice Michael Massengale, Ms. Milbrey Raney, Ms. Rashonda Thomas 8:35 to 9:30 am Preparing and Presenting your Expert, Continued Mr. Clint Harbour/ Dr. Sandeep Narang Lectures, with Demo by Ms. Elizabeth Watkins 9:30 to 10:05 am Break (10 mins) / Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Direct Examination and Laying the Foundation with Experts (25 mins) 10:05 to 11:05 am Practice Sessions: Direct Examination and Laying the Foundation with Medical Fellows and Parent Therapist as Experts Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Critiques, followed by one-on-one Faculty Reviews 11:10 to 11:55 am Lunch at the DoubleTree: Debrief with Participants, Debrief with Faculty 12:00 to 12:20 pm Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Cross Examination and Impeachment of Experts 12:20 to 1:20 pm Practice Sessions: Cross Examination and Impeachment with Medical Fellows and Parent Therapist as Experts Practice Sessions in small groups with Faculty Critiques, followed by one-on-one Faculty Reviews, continued 1:25 to 1:45 pm Presenting a Strong Closing Argument Judge Gary Coley/Mr. David Halpern Lecture and Demo 1:45 to 2:20 pm Break (15 mins) /Strategy Sessions: Preparing for Closing Argument (20 mins) 2:20 to 3:15 pm Practice Sessions: Closing Argument Practice Sessions in small groups 3:20 to 3:30 pm Closing Remarks to Participants and Evaluations Justice Michael Massengale, Ms. Tiffany Roper, Ms. Milbrey Raney 3:30 pm Program Ends 7

PARTICIPANT DIRECTORY Elizabeth Angelone Attorney, Angelone law firm 5411 Harmon Avenue Austin, TX 78751 Eangel1924@aol.com M. Lee Bean Attorney, Law Office of M. Lee Bean 103 E. Virginia Street, Suite 202 McKinney, TX 75069 mlbeanatty@aol.com Bryce Bedford Attorney, Law Office of Bryce W. Bedford P.O. Box 368 Buffalo Gap, TX 79508 bryce@bedford-law.com Karen Bretzke Attorney, The Bretzke Law Firm 3300 S. Broadway Ave, Suite 105 Tyler, TX 75701 Karen@BretzkeLawFirm.com Renee Castillo-De-La Cruz Attorney, Castillo-De-La Cruz Law 2501 E. Elms Road, Suite A Del Valle, TX 78617 Renee@cdlc-law.com Yolanda Cortes Mares Attorney At Law 2106 Bird Creek Drive Temple, TX 76502 ymares@earthlink.net Emily Dawson Assistant County Attorney El Paso County Attorney's Office 500 E. San Antonio, Suite 503 El Paso, TX 79901 emily.dawson@epcounty.com Maria Linda Gonzalez Attorney, Law Office 777 E. Harrison Street, 2nd Floor Brownsville, TX 78520 marialinda@brianjanis.com Adam Hahn Regional Attorney Department of Family and Protective Services 1200 E. Copeland, Suite 200 Arlington, TX 76011 adam.hahn@dfps.state.tx.us Cyndia Hammond Attorney at Law 2124 Wood Street Texarkana, TX 75501 cyndia.hammond@gmail.com Stacy Henderson Attorney Department of Family and Protective Services 4201 Greenwood Corpus Christi, TX 78416 stacy.henderson@dfps.state.tx.us Mark Mainwaring Attorney, El Paso County 1931-B Myrtle Avenue El Paso, TX 79901 markwomsa@sbcglobal.net Ana Marrero de Diaz Regional Attorney 2520 S. Veteran's Blvd Edinburg, TX 78539 ana.marrerodediaz@dfps.state.tx.us Mandi Martini Attorney Department of Family and Protective Services 5407 Goshen Grove San Antonio, TX 78247 Mandi.martini@gmail.com Lisa Mims Attorney P.O. Box 141218 Austin, TX 78714 lisamariemims@gmail.com Lindsey Murray Associate Attorney The Law Offices of P. Howard Bailey 1005 Broadway Lubbock, TX 79401 lindsey@howardbaileylaw.com Angie Roberts-Huckaby Assistant District Attorney Hays County D.A.'s Office 712 South Stagecoach Trail, Suite 2057 San Marcos, TX 78666 angie.roberts@co.hays.tx.us April Smith Attorney P.O. Box 870550 Mesquite, TX 75187 april@aesmithlaw.com Kristine Soule Assistant District Attorney Tarrant County D.A. s Office 2700 Ben Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76103 kristine.soule@dfps.state.tx.us Bridgett Whitmore Regional Attorney Department of Family and Protective Services 2844 Coteau Way Dallas, TX 75227 bridgett.whitmore@dfps.state.tx.us Vicki Wiley Attorney The Wiley Law Firm P.O. Box 470828 Fort Worth, TX 76147 Vwileylaw@ATT.net 8

CASEWORKERS Sara French Conservatorship Caseworker/CPS Specialist IV Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Sara.French@dfps.state.tx.us Deborah Hernandez Conservatorship Caseworker/CPS Specialist Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Deborah.Hernandez@dfps.state.tx.us Teresa Greenburg, MSW Transitional Youth Worker/CPS Specialist IV Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Teresa.Greenburg@dfps.state.tx.us FELLOWS Dr. Jennifer Clarke Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellow University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Center for Miracles 315 N. San Saba St, Suite 201 San Antonio, TX 78207-3198 ClarkeJ@uthscsa.edu Dr. Sarah Northrop Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellow University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Center for Miracles 315 N. San Saba St, Suite 201 San Antonio, TX 78207-3198 NorthropS@uthscsa.edu Dr. Michelle T. Ruda Child Abuse Pediatrics Fellow The University of Texas Medical School at Houston Division of Child Protection Pediatrics 6410 Fannin St, Suite 1425 Houston, TX 77030 Van.Michelle.Ruda@uth.tmc.edu THERAPIST Jean Roxanne McMillan, LPC 1322 West Hwy 290 Ste. C Dripping Springs, TX 78620 copasteticcounseling@gmail.com 9

FACULTY DIRECTORY Justice Michael Massengale Court of Appeals First District of Texas 301 Fannin Street Houston, TX 77002 michael.massengale@txcourts.gov Judge Gary Coley, Jr. 74 th District Court 2601 Gholson Rd. Waco, TX 76704 gary.coley@co.mclennan.tx.us Rob Galvin Attorney for Parents and Children Galvin Law 206 E. 9th Street, Suite 1511 Austin, TX 78701 rob@galvinlaw.com David Halpern Assistant General Counsel Office of General Counsel, Texas A&M Moore/Connally Building 6th Floor, 301 Tarrow College Station, Texas 77840 dhalpern@tamus.edu Clint Harbour Office of the Attorney General 300 W. 15th Street Austin, TX 78701 clint.harbour@texasattorneygeneral.gov Doug Lowe Anderson County Criminal District Attorney 500 N. Church Palestine, TX, 75807 dlowe@co.anderson.tx.us Jackie Sparks Martin Attorney for Parents and Children 403 N. Sylvania Avenue, Suite 15 Fort Worth, Texas 76111 jackie@jsmlaw.net Quita Russell Assistant Criminal District Attorney 101 E. Methvin Street, Suite 333 Longview, TX 75601 quita.russell@co.gregg.tx.us Leslie Strauch Clinical Professor, Children s Rights Clinic University of Texas School of Law 727 E. Dean Keeton Street Austin, TX 78705 LStrauch@law.utexas.edu Michele L. Surratt Special Litigation Attorney Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 1622 10th Street Lubbock, TX 79401 michele.surratt@dfps.state.tx.us Elizabeth Watkins The Law Office of Elizabeth Watkins 532 E. Main Street Bullard, Texas 75757 Ecwatkinslaw@outlook.com LaRu Woody Private Practice Attorney Formerly with the Travis County DA's Office woodylaru@gmail.com 10

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES Justice Michael Massengale has served on the First Court of Appeals since being appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2009, and elected in 2010 and 2012. Michael is a former partner of Baker Botts in Houston, where he specialized in commercial litigation. Among other civic and professional activities, he chairs the training committee of the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth & Families. Photo Not Available Honorable Gary Coley was elected as Judge of the 74th District Court in 2008. Since being elected, McLennan County created a Crossover Youth Program as part of an effort to spread crossover programs across Texas. Currently, McLennan County is piloting an appointment model designed to reform legal representation for parents. Prior to being elected, Judge Coley was a partner at Frederick & Coley. He began his legal career by serving as a prosecutor in McLennan County and Smith County. Judge Coley obtained his BBA from Texas A&M University and JD from Baylor University School of Law. Photo Not Available Rob Galvin received a BA and JD 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. David Halpern practices in the areas of Student Affairs and Litigation. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel as Assistant General Counsel, David served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas for nineteen years with a focus on personal injury and employment law. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. David is on extended faculty at the University Of Texas School Of Law, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and he has served as teaching faculty for the National Association of Attorneys General and the State Bar of Texas. 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, Practicing Medicine in the 21st Century. Photo Not Available Clint Harbour serves as an assistant attorney general, representing TxDOT 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. Originally from Liberty, Texas, Clint attended the University of Texas where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. He also earned an LLM in international law and human rights from the University of Cape Town. 11

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES Doug Lowe is in his eleventh year as Anderson County Criminal District Attorney. Before being elected District Attorney Mr. Lowe was in private practice in Palestine, Texas as a certified personal injury trial lawyer by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Houston in Business Technology and he obtained his JD from the University of Houston in 1978. Jackie Sparks Martin has been a solo practitioner since 2003 representing children, parents, relatives, and foster parents in child welfare cases with bench and jury trial experience. Ms. Martin currently handles child welfare cases in Tarrant, Johnson, and Dallas counties. Prior to relocating to the DFW area, Ms. Martin practiced in Bexar, Atascosa, Medina, and Wilson counties. Ms. Martin's solo practice also includes all family law matters and adoptions. Before becoming a solo practitioner, Ms. Martin was an insurance defense associate attorney and a former felony prosecutor of Atascosa County. Ms. Martin was named CASA of Tarrant County's 2014 Attorney ad Litem of the year. Quita Russell has represented TDFPS as an assistant Criminal District Attorney in Gregg County for 15 years. Prior to that time, she had a solo practice for 19 years, with an emphasis in family law, after serving as a Municipal Judge and working as an associate in insurance defense litigation. She has a background of community leadership for over 30 years, including Stragent Foundation, Leadership Longview, Habitat for Humanity, Longview Community Ministries, Zonta Club, and the Junior League of Longview. She has served as Chair of the State Bar of Texas District 2A Grievance Committee. A native of Texas, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. Leslie L. Strauch has been with the Children s Rights Clinic, University of Texas School of Law since June 1, 2007. Prior to her appointment as a Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at the Children s Rights Clinic, Ms. Strauch was an Assistant District Attorney at the Travis County District Attorney s office where she spent almost 8 years representing Child Protective Services in litigation involving child abuse and neglect. She was also a part-time community prosecutor in conjunction with the Austin Police Department. Ms. Strauch began representing CPS in El Paso County as an Assistant County Attorney where she also was assigned to the Juvenile Prosecution Unit. She has been a speaker at many seminars for such organizations as the American Bar Association s Children and the Law Section, the National Association of Counsel for Children, the State Bar of Texas, the Texas District and County Attorney s Association, Children at Risk, Travis County Court Appointed Family Attorneys, and CASA of Travis County. Her undergraduate and law degrees are from the University of Texas. 12

FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES Photo Not Available 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. Ms. Surratt has worked as a solo practitioner in Odessa, 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). Elizabeth Watkins is an attorney currently in private practice in Smith, Anderson, and Cherokee Counties. She is a single mom of 10 year old twins and a 14 year old, and has over 20 years experience in the litigation and protection of children and families. She began her career with Child Protection Services and recently served as an Assistant District Attorney in Anderson County for almost 8 years. During her time with Anderson County, Elizabeth was responsible for the filing and litigation of all CPS cases, juvenile cases, and crimes against women and children. 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. She currently serves as Special Counsel to Anderson County handling all CPS matters, and is a member of the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission on Children s Legal Representation Workgroup and Trial Skills Faculty. Elizabeth is currently a legal columnist for INMagazine, in Tyler, Texas, dispensing information on all facets of family and juvenile law. Photo Not LaRu Woody is currently an attorney in private practice in Austin, Texas. LaRu is currently Available employed as an adjunct professor at St. Edward's University in Austin. She was employed for over thirty years as an Assistant District Attorney in Travis County. During her tenure with the District Attorney s Office she served as Director of the Family Justice Division, Director of the Trial Court Division, Director of the Grand Jury Division as well as chief of a trial court. LaRu Woody graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages. She received her J.D. from the University of Texas. 13

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES This program is federally funded and is thereby governed by the reimbursement policies of the Children s Commission and the Supreme Court of Texas. All travel expenses will be paid in accordance with the following policies. Reimbursements for personal expenses, alcoholic beverages and gratuities are not allowed. Reimbursement Forms Please complete the Children s Commission travel reimbursement form in full. Please print, sign and date your form. Make a copy for your records and mail the original form, with receipts attached to The Supreme Court of Texas Children s Commission P.O. Box 12248 Austin, TX 78701. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the form, please contact us at (512) 463-4926 or Rashonda.thomas@txcourts.gov. Match Form (if applicable) The Children s Commission match form MUST also be completed to prevent delay in receiving your reimbursement. Receipts Receipts are required for meals, lodging and transportation expenses. Transportation The Children s Commission will reimburse economy airfare or 56 cents per mile for travel by personal automobile. Mileage Calculation Supporting documentation for mileage must include a printout from MapQuest (www.mapquest.com). In determining mileage you should use your headquarters address as city of origin. Meals The maximum should not be claimed unless the actual expenditures equal or exceed the maximum allowable rate. The Children s Commission will reimburse for meals up to a maximum of $71 per day for overnight travel. The first and last day of travel will be limited to actual expenses up to $53.25 per day. Meal expenses incurred on non-overnight travel will not be reimbursed. Lodging The single occupancy rate of $120 plus applicable taxes for your hotel room will be reimbursed for arrival on September 30 th, the single occupancy rate of $126 plus applicable taxes for your hotel room will be reimbursed for October 1 st and October 2 nd. Additional room nights, guests and incidental are not reimbursable. 14

REIMBURSEMENT All reimbursement claims must be submitted within 45 days of FORM travel. 15

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MATCH FORM Non-Federal Match Contributor Name: Date: September 30 - October 3, 2014 Title: Location: Austin, Texas Brief Description of Contribution Attendance at the Trial Skills Training 701 East 11 th Street Austin, TX 78701 September 30 October 3, 2014 Hours Spent in Meetings Travel time Total Hours Contributed 0 Hourly rate If you are uncertain of your hourly rate, you may divide your annual salary by 2080 to get it. Total Contribution $ 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 sharing or matching. Contributor's Signature Date Please sign and return to Rashonda Thomas at rashonda.thomas@txcourts.gov 17

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MCLE FORM Request for Continuing Legal Education Credit, Trial Skills Training, DoubleTree Hotel, Austin, TX Request for Continuing Legal Education Credit, Trial Skills Training, DoubleTree Hotel, Austin, TX MCLE Course # 901289050 Attended? Date Course Title Participatory Y/N 10/1/14 Voir Dire Exercise & General Discussion 2.0 Y/N Case Strategy: Choosing the Theme of your Case 2.0 Y/N Crafting your Opening Statement, includes practice 1.25 session Y/N Conducting a Successful Direct Examination 0.25 Y/N 10/2/14 Practice Session: Conducting a Successful Direct 1.0 Examination Y/N Conducting a Successful Cross Examination, includes 1.75 practice session Y/N Laying your Evidentiary Foundation, includes practice 2.25 session Y/N Making Objections and Responses 0.25 Y/N Preparing for Impeachment 0.5 Y/N Preparing and Presenting your Expert 0.5 Y/N 10/3/14 Preparing and Presenting your Expert, Continued 1.0 Y/N Practice Session: Direct Examination & Laying the 1.0 Foundation with Medical Fellows as Experts Y/N Practice Sessions: Cross Examination and 1.0 Impeachment with Medical Fellows as Experts Y/N Presenting a Strong Closing Argument, includes 1.5 practice session Max participatory Hours: 16.25 I completed Participatory Hours I hereby swear or affirm that I did attend the CLE activity for which this course attendance form is being submitted. I understand that a false statement or misrepresentation regarding my attendance at this CLE activity is subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Rule 8.04 or the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Bar Code Number Signature Printed Name Please sign and return to Jessica Arguijo at jessica.arguijo@txcourts.gov 19