Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

San Marcos

Workshop Round I

Transformative Youth Justice

Judge Denise Hernandez

Course Description:

This course is designed for court administrators and coordinators to help strengthen their management of cases involving the youngest individuals impacted by the adult criminal justice system. The class will provide an in-depth understanding of the unique developmental, social, and cultural factors that shape the experiences of young people in the courts. Through a trauma-informed lens, we will discuss practical strategies to create more equitable, supportive, and effective systems of case management.

Judge Denise Hernandez
Travis County, County Court at Law #6

Judge Denise Hernández is a community organizer, a constitutional law professor at Huston-Tillotson University, and the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law #6 in Travis County. She also leads the Transformative Youth Justice program, a holistic, community-centered diversion program for young people impacted by the justice system. Grounded in her lived experience and working-class roots, Judge Hernández is committed to building a justice system grounded in compassion, fairness, and collective care. She is a leading voice for trauma-informed approaches in and out of the courtroom, and her work has been recognized both locally and nationally. In 2024, she was honored as Austinite of the Year for her leadership and unwavering commitment to the community. At the heart of her work, Judge Hernández hopes to co-create a justice system that uplifts, protects, and truly belongs to the people.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

San Antonio

Workshop Round I

Recusals & Disqualifications

Judge Ron Rangel

Course Description:

This course is designed specifically for court coordinators and court managers to provide a practical understanding of judicial recusals and disqualifications in Texas courts. It focuses on the court’s responsibilities under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18a (procedures for motions to recuse or disqualify) and Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 18b (grounds for disqualification and recusal), as well as relevant provisions of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (TRAP) concerning appellate review.

Participants will gain critical knowledge about how to properly manage filings, ensure timely notifications, support the presiding judge, and maintain compliance with statutory deadlines and ethical requirements. The course also addresses how to handle common issues that arise during recusal proceedings and how to communicate with parties, attorneys, and administrative judges during the process.

Key topics include:

• Step-by-step procedures under TRCP 18a for recusal/disqualification motions
• Understanding disqualification vs. recusal under TRCP 18b
• Coordinating with administrative judges and assigned judges
• Appellate procedures under TRAP
• Managing deadlines, hearings, and records
• Best practices for court staff involvement and neutrality
• Case studies and real-world scenarios

This session is essential for court staff who play a key role in the smooth and ethical operation of judicial proceedings involving recusals or disqualifications.

Judge Ron Rangel

Judge Ron Rangel has served as the presiding judge of the 379th Criminal District Court since his election in 2008. This court handles serious criminal matters ranging from state jail felonies to capital murder cases.

Judge Rangel earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1991 and his Juris Doctor in 1996, both from St. Mary’s University. Prior to his judicial appointment, he served in various legal and advocacy roles, including as a child victim’s advocate for Child Protective Services, a felony prosecutor, and a criminal defense attorney.

Throughout his tenure on the bench, Judge Rangel has presided over numerous high-profile jury trials, notably including Bexar County’s first two child victim human trafficking cases and its first adult continuing human trafficking jury trial.

In addition to his judicial work, Judge Rangel is well known for his commitment to community service. He has spearheaded a number of impactful community projects, frequently speaks at seminars and colleges, and has received numerous accolades, including being named "2013 Man of the Year" by the Observer Newspaper group.

Judge Rangel is also dedicated to legal education. He previously taught at Alamo Colleges and currently serves as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He is the former Local Administrative Judge for Bexar County and now serves as the Criminal District Court Administrative Judge.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

Trinity A

Workshop Round I

Treatment Courts in Texas

Judge Laura Weiser

Course Description:

This course explores the evolution, structure, and impact of treatment courts in Texas, designed to address substance use and mental health challenges through rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Participants will examine the legislative framework, team-based approach, and roles of court personnel in managing specialized dockets. Topics include alcohol use disorder, medication-assisted therapy, intensive supervision, and immediate sanctions. The course also covers agency collaboration, judicial leadership, case management strategies, and program evaluation. Attendees will gain insight into the sustainability, effectiveness, and future innovations of treatment courts, along with the challenges they face in delivering justice and recovery.

Judge Laura Weiser

Judge Weiser served as the judge of County Court at Law No. 1 in Victoria County, Texas for 22 years. She retired from that position February 28, 2013 and joined the Texas Center for the Judiciary as the Judicial Resource Liaison. The responsibilities of the Judicial Resource Liaison include assisting the DWI Curriculum Committee in developing and presenting programs to the judiciary that include the latest information on changes to laws regarding impaired driving, license suspension, alcohol monitoring technologies and conditions of probation and sentencing; conducting training for DWI Court teams; maintaining the DWI Resources website; hosting the DWI Court judges LISTSERV; providing technical assistance to judges throughout the state in the area of impaired driving; sitting as a visiting judge in DWI Courts or impaired driving cases and collaborating with judges, TxDOT partners, other criminal justice professionals and the legislature.

Judge Weiser is a past chair of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Center for the Judiciary. She is also an ex- officio member of the Curriculum Committees for the Texas Center for the Judiciary. She has served as faculty for the National Judicial College since 2019.

Judge Weiser received the Friend of Education Award from the Victoria Classroom Teachers’ Association for 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 and was named as a South Texas Woman of the Year in 1998. She was the recipient of the 2007 Clayton Morrison Award for outstanding service to the children of Texas by the Texas Institute on Children and Youth. She received the Judicial Excellence through Education Award from the Texas Center for the Judiciary in 2008 and 2017 and the Chair’s Award of Excellence in 2013. Judge Weiser was the recipient of the 2017 Justice Charles W. Barrow Award from the Texas Association for Court Administration and the Judiciary Service Award from MADD in 2017. Judge Weiser is married to Judge Juan Velasquez III and has two children and six adorable grandchildren.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

Sabine

Workshop Round I

Case Flow Management

Clarissa Webster

Course Description:

Caseflow Management is the heart and soul of each court. It refers to the process of organizing and coordinating court activities to ensure cases progress efficiently and effectively from filing to disposition. It involves managing court processes, resources, and timelines to minimize delays and ensure timely justice. Effective case flow management is crucial for both individual cases and the overall judicial system. This session will provide recommended practices for Caseflow Management, provide information on Texas and National Case Time Standards, describe how court data is captured and calculated for the Annual Performance Measures Reporting, and provide tools and recommendations for improving a court’s Clearance Rates.

Clarissa Webster
Office of Court Administration-Court Consultant

Clarissa Webster joined the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) as their Court Consultant in January 2025. Clarissa is a Certified Paralegal and a member of both the National Association of Legal Assistants and the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas. Her career path includes serving as the elected District Clerk for Ector County for ten years (2015-2025), with the two prior decades working as a litigation paralegal for private practice law firms (1995-2015). She is passionate about helping Texas courts and clerks achieve their goals to ensure access to justice.

As a District Clerk, Clarissa served on the Board of Directors for both the Texas District Court Alliance (TDCA) (2018-2024) and the County and District Clerk’s Association (CDCAT) as Parliamentarian (2018-2020) and then as Region III Director (2021-2024). She also served on various CDCAT committees including the Education, Mentorship, Legislative, District Clerk Manual, and Website/Technology Committees. She also assisted OCA as a clerk representative on the Texas Office of Court Administration’s Resumption of Jury Trials Advisory Group (COVID-19 Response Efforts in 2020-2021) and served as a member of the Odessa College Paralegal Advisory Committee (2015-2024).

In May 2016, she was selected as the Liberty Bell Award recipient by the local Ector County Bar Association, and she was honored as the 2021-22 CDCAT District Clerk of the Year by her peers.

She is dedicated to continuing to her education and growth and has received three Master Certificates from NACo Professional Development Academy for High Performance Leadership Training, Leading The Digital Transformation, and Leading on Purpose.

Clarissa is happily married to the love of her life, Daren Webster. They will celebrate their 24th anniversary this summer. They enjoy time spent together and time with their 5 adult children, a son-in law, 2 daughters-in-law, and 11 grandkids. Both Daren and Clarissa are energetically involved members of Sherwood Baptist Church of Odessa, and they have been on mission trips to remote villages in both South Africa and down the Amazon River into the rainforest of Peru.

Clarissa enjoys cooking, flower gardening, traveling, and is not likely to turn down a cup of coffee.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

Trinity A

Workshop Round I

Criminal/Felony - Specialized Case Management

Judge David Klein

Course Description:

This session will provide an in-depth look at best practices and challenges in managing specialized case dockets. Participants will explore strategies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in case processing while balancing the unique demands of each caseload type. The discussion will highlight innovations in scheduling, technology integration, interagency collaboration, and compliance with statutory requirements.

Attendees will gain insights into:

• Coordinating with law enforcement, attorneys, and social service agencies
• Managing high-volume caseloads while maintaining fairness and transparency
• Addressing sensitive issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse and sexual offenses
• Leveraging case management systems to track and monitor progress
• Reducing delays and ensuring timely resolution of cases

This interactive session is designed for court administrators, clerks, and judicial staff seeking practical tools and proven approaches to strengthen case management in specialized caseloads while promoting access to justice, public safety, and public trust.

Judge David Klein

Judge David Klein was elected to the 148th District Court on November 8, 2022, and took office on January 1, 2023. He is originally from Central Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in finance and a law degree. After graduating law school in 1998, he moved to Houston and began practicing construction litigation. He moved to Corpus Christi in 2000 to work for a local civil litigation firm. In 2006, Judge Klein started his own practice and began focusing on family law, personal injmy and criminal defense in state and federal court.

Judge Klein is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Atrnw, an honor fraternity in Scouting. He has served as the past president of the Corpus Christi Bar Association, Criminal Section and on the Board of Directors of the Corpus Christi Bar Association. He has also served as the president of the congregation and an elder for his church. He currently serves on the Bail Bond Board for Nueces County.

Judge Klein is a member of the Bar of Supreme Court of the United States and was licensed to practice in the Southern and Western Texas Districts of the United States District Courts as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The 148th District Court is a comt of general jurisdiction and hears felony criminal cases, family law cases, and general civil cases.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

San Antonio

Workshop Round I

Effective Representation in Child Welfare Court: A View from the Bench

Judge Cheryll Mabray

Course Description:

A view from the Bench on effective representation in child welfare Court. Learn judges pet peeves, best & bad practices, tips for success in the courtroom & on challenging cases & issues on the horizon. Highlights of new legislation for CPS cases will also be presented.

Judge Cheryll Mabray
Judge, Child Protection Court of the Hill Country

Judge Cheryll Mabray has spent all of her 40 years as an attorney in the child welfare arena. She served for four years as the First Assistant District Attorney for the five-county 33rd Judicial District prosecuting child abuse crimes, then served 23 years as the elected Llano County Attorney representing the Department of Family and Protective Services while also maintaining a probate and family law practice. Judge Mabray has served as Judge of the seven-county Child Protection Court of the Hill Country since 2013. She has also served as President of the Texas District and County Attorney Association and was the co-founder of the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center as well as its past President. Judge Mabray participates in many Children’s Commission efforts, including the Legal Representation Committee, Consortium on Trauma Informed Court Practices, the Dual Status Task Force, the Dual Status Pilot Court Program, and several curriculum committees. She also participates in the Office of Court Administration’s Advisory Council on Court Security and on the Child Protection Case Management System Advisory Committee. Judge Mabray is also the recipient of CASA for the Highland Lakes 1st annual Cheryll Mabray Child Warrior Award for outstanding leadership in fighting for justice for abused and neglected children. She bleeds burnt orange and is a loving grandmother as well as an avid animal advocate and rescuer.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

San Marcos

Workshop Round I

Navigating Mental Health in the Courtroom: Procedures, Timelines, and Crisis Recognition

Barbara Drumheller

Course Description:

This essential training is designed for court coordinators, new attorneys, and frontline courtroom staff who frequently encounter defendants with mental health challenges. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal procedures surrounding mental health cases, including what happens to defendants after identification, where they go for evaluation or treatment, and how timelines and legal standards affect case progression.

Special emphasis will be placed on the unique roles coordinators play in both urban and rural jurisdictions—where resources, protocols, and access to mental health services may vary widely. The course will also equip attendees with practical tools to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness, differentiate between a true crisis and courtroom stress, and manage individuals in crisis with empathy and professionalism.

Through real-world scenarios, resource mapping, and expert guidance, participants will leave with actionable strategies for:

• Identifying mental health concerns early in the courtroom process
• Understanding competency evaluations, restoration procedures, and diversion programs
• Coordinating with agencies like the Public Defender’s Office (PDO)
• Navigating rural limitations and creative problem-solving
• Ensuring legal timelines are met without compromising care
• Communicating effectively with attorneys who may be unfamiliar with mental health protocols

Whether you're a seasoned coordinator or new to the courtroom, this course will deepen your confidence and competence in handling mental health cases with clarity, compassion, and legal precision.

Barbara Drumheller
Chief, Mental Health Division, Harris County Public Defender’s Office

Barbara Drumheller has been practicing law for 29 years. She began her legal career as an appellate prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and continued appellate work in private practice. She has written hundreds of briefs on direct appeal and argued cases before the courts of appeal and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. More recently, Barbara worked in the Office of the General Counsel for the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. Her experience included representing the Harris Center in the supervision and treatment of individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity, preparing psychiatrists for trial testimony in a variety of criminal and civil proceedings, representing social workers and other staff in courtrooms on both the criminal and civil side, and participating in the launch of new mental health initiatives in Harris County. Barbara transitioned from the Harris Center to the Mental Health Division of the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in 2020, where she currently serves as Chief of the division.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

Sabine

Workshop Round I

OCA Reporting- Requirements, Best Practices for Better Reporting

Alejandra Peña

Course Description:

Accurate case data reporting starts with a strong foundation of knowledge — and effective collaboration across the court and clerk’s office. This session will review the reporting requirements to the Office of Court Administration, including HB 2384 (Performance Measures), and HB 1182 (Counties with a Population Over 1 Million), and walk through the details of the data that has to be submitted. Building on that foundation, the presentation will highlight how all stakeholders can work together to improve accuracy and streamline workflows. Finally, several updates that impact the judiciary after the 89th Regular Legislative Session will be shared.

Alejandra Peña
Office of Court Administration, Director of Data and Research

Alejandra Peña is the Office of Court Administration’s Director of Data and Research. In her current role, Ms. Peña oversees the Judicial Information program which is responsible for collecting and maintaining information from courts at all levels, analyzing court data, and producing or assisting with the production of reports. She has been working with courts for 15 years and holds a master's in public administration from Texas State University.

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

Grand Ballroom A

Workshop Round I

Rural Coordinator Roundtable

Led by Moderator

Course Description:

This interactive roundtable session is designed specifically for court coordinators to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss practical solutions to the challenges they face in managing court operations. Guided by an experienced moderator, this session provides a collaborative environment where coordinators can exchange ideas, identify best practices, and explore innovative approaches to courtroom and docket management.

To ensure the most relevant and meaningful discussion, separate sessions will be held for coordinators from urban counties and rural counties, allowing participants to focus on the unique demands, resources, and workflows specific to their court environments.

Topics may include calendar management, communication with judicial officers and attorneys, handling court documents, implementing new procedures or technologies, and balancing day-to-day responsibilities with long-term planning.

The moderator will help guide the discussion, ensure all voices are heard, and pose questions to spark dialogue and learning among peers.

Key features of the session:

• Open forum format with structured discussion
• Urban and rural county sessions to address specific needs
• Real-world problem-solving with peer input
• Opportunity to network and build professional support
• Sharing of practical tools, tips, and resources
• Moderator-led questions and discussion points

Whether you're a new coordinator or a seasoned professional, this roundtable offers valuable insight and peer support to enhance your role in the courtroom.

Led by Moderator

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

Trinity

Workshop Round I

Urban Coordinator Roundtable

Led by Moderator

Course Description:

This interactive roundtable session is designed specifically for court coordinators to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss practical solutions to the challenges they face in managing court operations. Guided by an experienced moderator, this session provides a collaborative environment where coordinators can exchange ideas, identify best practices, and explore innovative approaches to courtroom and docket management.

To ensure the most relevant and meaningful discussion, separate sessions will be held for coordinators from urban counties and rural counties, allowing participants to focus on the unique demands, resources, and workflows specific to their court environments.

Topics may include calendar management, communication with judicial officers and attorneys, handling court documents, implementing new procedures or technologies, and balancing day-to-day responsibilities with long-term planning.

The moderator will help guide the discussion, ensure all voices are heard, and pose questions to spark dialogue and learning among peers.

Key features of the session:

• Open forum format with structured discussion
• Urban and rural county sessions to address specific needs
• Real-world problem-solving with peer input
• Opportunity to network and build professional support
• Sharing of practical tools, tips, and resources
• Moderator-led questions and discussion points

Whether you're a new coordinator or a seasoned professional, this roundtable offers valuable insight and peer support to enhance your role in the courtroom.

Led by Moderator