Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

San Marcos

Workshop Round I

Civil Procedures

Judge Randy Johnson & Katie Chancia

Course Description:

This session will provide a practical overview of key civil procedures, including motions for summary judgment, eviction proceedings, eminent domain matters, occupational driver’s license cases, and appeals from Justice Court. Attendees will review important procedural requirements, common pitfalls, and practical considerations for effectively managing these matters from filing through disposition.

Judge Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson has presided over Collin County Court at Law No. 5 in McKinney, Texas since January 2023. Court 5 is a general-jurisdiction statutory county court with civil, criminal, and workers’ compensation judicial review jurisdiction. He came to the bench after 38 years of trial and appellate practice, beginning as an Assistant District Attorney under Henry Wade in Dallas County and continuing in private practice with a concentration in civil trial law, personal injury, and workers’ compensation litigation. Over that career he tried 100’s of civil and criminal jury trials and appeals, and has presented oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and more than half of the state’s intermediate courts of appeals. Judge Johnson is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law, Personal Injury Trial Law, and Workers’ Compensation Law and was AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell prior to taking the bench. Judge Johnson currently serves on the State Bar’s Pattern Jury Charge Committee for the Greenbook (General Negligence, Intentional Personal Torts, and Workers’ Compensation), has been a frequent speaker at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Workers’ Compensation Law Course, as well as other CLE courses and the Collin County Bar Association’s Annual Trial Academy. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1980) and Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D., 1984).

Katie Chancia

Judge Katie Chancia is the Staff Attorney for the Harris County Justice Courts, a position she has held for the past twelve years in which she provides legal advice and assistance to the sixteen Justices of the Peace and their combined 300+ court clerks. In this role, she also provides support for the Harris County Civil Courts at Law, Probable Cause Court, and Office of Court Management. She is also the Presiding Judge for the Cities of Jersey Village and Stagecoach, first taking the bench in 2018.

Judge Chancia has spent almost the entirety of her legal career working with courts of local jurisdiction, including almost five years as a program attorney and director of clerk education at the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center and a brief stint as a municipal prosecutor with the City of Houston. She has a special interest in juvenile law (having interned and worked both with the Attorney General’s Juvenile Law Division and the former Texas Juvenile Probation Department) and court administration (having obtained her Certified Court Manager and faculty certifications from the National Center for State Courts).

While her jobs keep her busy, it is a perk to be able to travel around Texas to train and meet judges, court administrators, court clerks, and lawyers through several judicial training centers, the State Bar, and various clerk associations, including TACA.

Judge Chancia obtained her bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and her Juris Doctorate from Mercer University School of Law in Macon, Georgia. In her “free time,” she enjoys running a vintage home décor business with her sister and traveling with her young daughters.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

San Antonio

Workshop Round I

Road to Retirement

Melissa Lopez Garcia

Course Description:

Gain a better understanding of your retirement benefits through TCDRS in this informative session. Participants will learn how their retirement plan works, including beneficiary designations, survivor benefits, vesting and eligibility requirements, and options available when separating from employment. The presentation will also cover account growth, retirement payment options, and other key features designed to help you make informed decisions about your financial future and retirement planning.

Melissa Lopez Garcia

Melissa is part of the traveling team that represents TCDRS by providing benefit education in-person and online. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a Residential Realtor in the Austin area for over 14 years. Melissa is fluent in Spanish and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Hispanic Institute, where she volunteers to provide high school students with leadership training during the summer. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

Trinity A&B

Workshop Round I

Odyssey Lab

Heather Bishop & Nathan Armentrout

Course Description:

Join Tyler experts for an interactive session designed to help court administrators maximize the value of Enterprise Justice. Attendees will receive an overview of key updates coming in the 2026 release, along with practical tips and best practices for improving daily operations through Process Builder workflows. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, participants will learn how workflow automation can streamline processes, reduce manual effort, improve case management efficiency, and enhance collaboration across court operations. Whether you’re looking for a refresher on existing capabilities or exploring more advanced functionality, this session will provide actionable insights you can take back to your organization.

Heather Bishop

Heather Bishop is the Manager of Training and Education at Tyler Technologies, where she has spent the past 10 years supporting courts and justice agencies through the Enterprise Justice suite. Drawing on extensive experience in software training, workflow design, and process improvement, Heather helps organizations maximize the value of their technology investments and improve operational efficiency. She is a regular presenter at Tyler Technologies’ annual Connect User Conference and leads workshops through Tyler’s Tyler Tutoring program, helping users deepen their product knowledge and adopt best practices.

Nathan Armentrout

Nathan Armentrout brings more than 10 years of experience in the criminal justice field, with a career focused on helping justice organizations navigate complex operational and technological challenges. Prior to joining Tyler Technologies in 2019, Nathan worked in court administration in Travis County, gaining firsthand experience with the day-to-day demands of the justice system.

Since joining Tyler Technologies, Nathan has dedicated his time to assisting large counties as they navigate advancements in governance, release management, and strategic planning. His experience working both within the justice system and alongside technology teams gives him a unique perspective on how organizations can effectively manage change, improve processes, and leverage technology to better serve their communities. He brings more than 10 years of experience in the criminal justice field, with a career focused on helping justice organizations navigate complex operational and technological challenges. Prior to joining Tyler Technologies in 2019, Nathan worked in court administration in Travis County, gaining firsthand experience with the day-to-day demands of the justice system.

Since joining Tyler Technologies, Nathan has dedicated his time to assisting large counties as they navigate advancements in governance, release management, and strategic planning. His experience working both within the justice system and alongside technology teams gives him a unique perspective on how organizations can effectively manage change, improve processes, and leverage technology to better serve their communities.

Wednesday • 2:45pm–4:15pm

Sabine

Workshop Round I

OCA Reporting/Timelines

Alejandra Peña & Sammy Smith

Course Description:

This session, presented by the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) Data & Research Division, provides a focused review of monthly and quarterly court-activity reporting requirements. Topics include correctly mapping case openings, reopenings, and closures; distinguishing active from inactive case status; new Human Trafficking data fields under HB 1778; Performance Measures Report (PMR) updates and clearance rate calculations; and the new quarterly Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) compliance reporting. The session also introduces upcoming Judicial Transparency Information reporting requirements and the new Case-Level Data (Court Analytics TX) system. The goal is to help courts and clerks improve reporting accuracy and prepare for the state's transition from aggregate to case-level reporting.

Alejandra Peña

Alejandra I. Peña is the Director of Data and Research for the Texas Office of Court Administration. In this role, she oversees the Data Team, Data Quality & Assistance Program, and Judicial Information Program, which are collectively responsible for collecting, maintaining, and analyzing data from courts across all levels of the Texas judiciary. Her teams provide data quality support and technical assistance to courts, manage statewide court information, and produce reports required by statute and policy.

Ms. Peña began her career in the judiciary with a focus on child welfare and has more than 17 years of experience working with courts and court data. She holds a Bachelor’s in Forensic Science from St. Edward’s University and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Program Evaluation from Texas State University.

Sammy Smith

Sammy Smith serves as the Assistant Director of the Lubbock County Office of Court Administration and has proudly served Lubbock County for more than 21 years. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside judges, elected officials, and justice system partners to improve court operations, implement statewide initiatives, and help courts better serve the public.

In his current role, Sammy oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including court administration, judicial support, technology projects, indigent defense, pretrial services, strategic planning, and legislative implementation. Having worked in many areas of the court system over the past two decades, he enjoys finding practical solutions to challenges and building strong relationships across departments and agencies.

One of the highlights of his career was serving as one of the project leaders during Lubbock County’s countywide transition to a new justice software system in 2021. Sammy led the implementation efforts for the courts and clerks, working alongside fellow project managers and county leadership to successfully bring multiple offices onto a unified platform.

Sammy is known for his collaborative leadership style, his passion for improving government services, and his belief that good communication and teamwork are the foundation of a successful organization. He enjoys mentoring others, embracing new technology, and looking for ways to make government more effective and accessible for both employees and the public.

Outside of work, Sammy enjoys spending time with his wife, Sara, their daughter, Emma, and their Shorkie, Judah. They are proud to call Lubbock, Texas, home.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

Trinity A

Workshop Round I

Effective Communication for Court Professionals

Judge Clifford Brown

Course Description:

Any court professional that has been in their position for some time will say the same: they have seen it all. An essential skill of the position is being able to navigate both complex situations and difficult people. Judge Cliff Brown has seen it all too and will provide some practical tips and tools for properly handling the most common scenarios that court professionals face, including aggressive attorneys, self-represented litigants, mental health and substance issues, and much more.

Judge Clifford Brown

Clifford A. Brown is a highly accomplished legal professional with a diverse and distinguished career spanning both the public and private sectors. He received his BBA in Business Management & Finance from Adelphi University (New York) and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate at The George Washington University- National Law Center (Washington D.C.).

With a wealth of experience in litigation, Mr. Brown has navigated both sides of the legal system, having served as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor. He embarked on his legal journey as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in New York City, where he honed his skills in prosecuting a wide array of crimes, ranging from child abuse and sexual assault to domestic violence and homicide cases.

In 1993, Mr. Brown ventured into private practice as a Partner in the esteemed New York City firm of Jackson, Brown, Powell, and St. George. There, he adeptly represented clients in criminal defense and civil litigation matters, handling high-profile cases involving celebrities and indigent clients alike.

In 1999, Mr. Brown’s career took a new direction as he and his family relocated to Austin, Texas. He joined the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, once again prosecuting serious cases in the District Courts, including homicide, aggravated robbery, and child and adult sexual assaults. His commitment to the community extended further when he assumed the role of Community Prosecutor, fostering partnerships with local residents, organizations, and law enforcement to strengthen neighborhoods and address community issues.

In January 2007, Mr. Brown took on the significant responsibility of serving as the City of Austin Police Monitor, overseeing investigations into citizen complaints against the Austin Police Department. This role emphasized transparency and public trust in the police force.

Mr. Brown’s dedication to justice and public service culminated in November 2010 when he was elected as the State District Court Judge of the 147th District Court in Travis County. As a Presiding Judge, he ensures that all participants in the criminal justice system are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, presiding over the most serious felony cases.

Beyond his legal career, Mr. Brown is deeply involved in the Austin community. He is an active member of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves on the Deacon’s Ministry. He also contributed to the Lake Travis Youth Association as a past Board Member and volunteer basketball coach. In his mentoring role within AISD, he has made a positive impact on the lives of young individuals. Mr. Brown’s commitment to promoting justice and community welfare extends to his involvement with various organizations, including the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), the Austin Do the Write-Thing anti-violence and bullying program, the Bakari Foundation, and the American Bar Association- Judicial Function Committee, among others.

Mr. Brown’s passion for sharing knowledge and insights leads him to speak regularly at church, community, and civic conferences. He is also a founding member of the Barbara Jordan American Inn of Court and an active participant in the Child Advocacy Center of Texas- Child Justice Act Task F.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

San Antonio

Workshop Round I

Criminal Misdemeanor

Judge Cody Henson, Raegan Allen & Jayme Ingram

Course Description:

This course provides a practical overview of misdemeanor docket management in Texas, focusing on the roles of the judge and court coordinators, case flow efficiency, communication, performance measures, and strategies for addressing common docket challenges.

Judge Cody Henson

Judge Cody Henson earned a degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. He then attended New England Law in Boston, where he graduated and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas. In this role, he tried numerous cases and managed a substantial caseload. Afterward, Judge Henson accepted a position at the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as a trial attorney handling felony cases, including those involving continuous sexual abuse of a child, possession of child pornography, and assault on a public servant. He also prosecuted many domestic assault cases and was honored with the 2012 Victim Advocate of the Year award from the Williamson County Victim Advocates. Following his time in Williamson County, Judge Henson worked as an instructor, teaching law enforcement professionals about writing search warrants and preparing for trial. From 2012 to 2022, Judge Henson was a partner in a general law practice in Burnet, formerly Henson & Rockafellow, PLLC. As a private practitioner, his focus was on real estate matters, and he also managed a busy title company. He is currently a Board-Certified Specialist in Farm and Ranch Law and Residential Real Estate Law, recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. With over 90,000 attorneys licensed in Texas, only about 7,200 are Board Certified in one of 22 select practice areas. Judge Henson serves on the grading committee for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and was recently appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas Evictions Rules Task Force. In 2022, Judge Henson was elected as Judge of the Burnet County Court at Law, where he presides over a wide range of cases. He finds great satisfaction in serving the citizens of Burnet County in this role. Outside of his professional life, Judge Henson is married to Susan Henson, and they have three wonderful children. In his free time, he enjoys golfing with his children and spending time on the Highland Lakes.

Raegan Allen

Raegan is the Assistant Court Coordinator for the Burnet County Court at Law, where she has served since 2023. She has been working in the legal field since 2017, with her experience beginning in prosecutor’s offices before moving into court administration.

She graduated from the Certified Court Manager Program in October 2025 and is currently a full-time student at Texas Tech University, working toward a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies with a minor in Organizational Leadership. She also serves as Chair of the Membership Committee for the conference.

When she’s not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their shelter-mix and corgi. Raegan has six smart and beautiful nieces who keep life busy and entertaining.

Jayme Ingram

With more than 26 years of experience in county government and court administration, Jayme Ingram currently serves as the Court Coordinator for the Burnet County Court at Law. Her career began in 2000 with the Polk County District Clerk’s Office, followed by service as the 258th Judicial District Court Coordinator and works with the Burnet County Clerk’s Office.

Jayme is a longtime member of the Texas Association of Court Administrators (TACA), where she has served on the Education and Publishing Committees and is currently your Membership Liaison. She also serves on the Texas Center for the Judiciary’s Court Professional Curriculum Planning Committee and has served as a group leader and mentor for the College for New Court Professionals.

Passionate about supporting and mentoring court professionals, Jayme brings extensive experience and a practical perspective to the field of court administration.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

San Marcos

Workshop Round I

Juvenile

Judge Jacqueline Herr Valdes

Course Description:

With the fluid and fast-moving nature of the juvenile justice court docket, navigating effective and productive case management can be challenging. Join Judge Valdes for an informative overview of the ever-evolving juvenile docket, beginning with the critical timelines, deadlines, and docketing requirements that shape juvenile proceedings.

This session will also explore how professional relationships and courtroom interactions can directly affect communication, cooperation, and the overall efficiency of the court. The way coordinators interact with court personnel, attorneys, juvenile probations officers, families, and other participants matters. Strong, respectful working relationships can make a meaningful difference in how smoothly cases progress. Resolving juvenile cases can be complex, so take advantage of this opportunity to gain a practical overview of juvenile procedure and engage in a discussion on the importance of building relationships within the juvenile justice system.

Judge Jacqueline Herr Valdes

Judge Valdes was sworn in as Judge of the 386th District Court on January 1, 2021. She presides over a general jurisdiction trial court with a preference for juvenile matters. In addition to conducting her regular docket and detention hearings, Judge Valdes also presides over several juvenile specialty courts and dockets, as she believes that juveniles have the best chance to succeed when they are provided with specialized services and programs to address their specific needs. The specialty court she presides over is the Juvenile Post-Adjudication Drug Court. Her specialty dockets include Crossroads Specialty Docket, designed to address the mental health needs of young females; the STRIVE Specialty Docket, geared toward youth between 16-17 years of age who have had difficulties in meeting educational and employment goals; and the Re-entry Specialty Docket, focusing on children who are coming back into the community after completing a residential treatment program. Each of these Specialty Courts and Dockets provide a collaborative team approach to children referred to the Juvenile Justice System who have underlying issues that would benefit from specialized services, supervision, and treatment.

Judge Valdes was born and raised in San Antonio. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Trinity University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from St. Mary’s Law School. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Valdes dedicated over 10 years of her career in the practice of juvenile law at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Valdes is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Juvenile Law.

Thursday • 8:30am–10:00am

Sabine

Workshop Round I

CPS

Judge Melissa DeGerolami & Virginia Rocamontes-Luce

Course Description:

The presentation will address the basic legal framework for Child Protection cases and court procedures to assist in managing a Child Protection Docket.  

Judge Melissa DeGerolami

Melissa DeGerolami is an Associate Judge for the Child Protection Court of South-Central Texas serving Atascosa, Karnes, Wilson, Frio, LaSalle, and Bee Counties. She has held this position since 2014. Judge DeGerolami has served as a member of the Public Private Partnership, an advisory board to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services regarding changes to the Foster Care System in Texas. She has also served as a faculty member for the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission’s Trial Skills Training Program for attorneys who represent parents and children in child protection cases. She has presented at numerous judicial and legal conferences on the topic of Interventions in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship and the rollout of Community Based Care in Texas. She previously served as a Regional Attorney with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in San Antonio for 12 years and during that time, provided direct representation for the Department in many of the counties surrounding San Antonio. Melissa is a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and the University of Houston Law Center. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two children.

Virginia Rocamontes-Luce

Virginia Rocamontes-Luce is Judge DeGerolami’s Court Coordinator for the Child Protection Court of South-Central Texas. The Court handles six counties in the central-south region, including Atascosa, Bee, Frio, Karnes, La Salle, and Wilson. Virginia started with Judge DeGerolami on April 25, 2021. She was formerly a Legal Assistant II for the Department of Family and Protective Services from March 2009 to April 2021, where she had the opportunity to work with Judge DeGerolami when Judge DeGerolami was a Regional Attorney. Prior to the Department, Virginia was a Legislative Aide for 10 years to former Representative and Chair Robert R. Puente and simultaneously, for many years, served as Office Manager for the Law Offices of Acevedo and Zepeda and for the Law Office of Robert R. Puente. She has been in the legal field since April 1989.

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

San Marcos

Workshop Round I

Rural Courts Panel: Managing Volume, Complexity, and Coordination

Judge Cody Henson, Jennifer Bunting & Sunni Tilson

Course Description:

Rural courts operate in environments that often require flexibility, creativity, and strong partnerships. In this panel discussion, court leaders will share their experiences addressing the operational challenges unique to rural courts, including staffing and coverage, access to specialized services, and the demands of serving geographically dispersed communities.

Panelists will discuss how technology, regional partnerships, resource sharing, and creative problem solving can help bridge gaps and improve court operations. The conversation will also explore funding, training, state support, and the resources rural courts may need in the future.

This session offers an opportunity to hear directly from those working in rural court systems, compare approaches, and leave with practical ideas that can be adapted to different communities and court environments.

Judge Cody Henson

Judge Cody Henson earned a degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from Texas Tech University. He then attended New England Law in Boston, where he graduated and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas. In this role, he tried numerous cases and managed a substantial caseload. Afterward, Judge Henson accepted a position at the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as a trial attorney handling felony cases, including those involving continuous sexual abuse of a child, possession of child pornography, and assault on a public servant. He also prosecuted many domestic assault cases and was honored with the 2012 Victim Advocate of the Year award from the Williamson County Victim Advocates. Following his time in Williamson County, Judge Henson worked as an instructor, teaching law enforcement professionals about writing search warrants and preparing for trial. From 2012 to 2022, Judge Henson was a partner in a general law practice in Burnet, formerly Henson & Rockafellow, PLLC. As a private practitioner, his focus was on real estate matters, and he also managed a busy title company. He is currently a Board-Certified Specialist in Farm and Ranch Law and Residential Real Estate Law, recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. With over 90,000 attorneys licensed in Texas, only about 7,200 are Board Certified in one of 22 select practice areas. Judge Henson serves on the grading committee for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and was recently appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas Evictions Rules Task Force. In 2022, Judge Henson was elected as Judge of the Burnet County Court at Law, where he presides over a wide range of cases. He finds great satisfaction in serving the citizens of Burnet County in this role. Outside of his professional life, Judge Henson is married to Susan Henson, and they have three wonderful children. In his free time, he enjoys golfing with his children and spending time on the Highland Lakes.

Jennifer Bunting

Jennifer Bunting is the Court Coordinator for the 424th Judicial District Court which handles criminal, family, civil and juvenile cases in Burnet, Llano, Blanco and San Saba Counties. She has held this position for 12 years. She is a certified court manager and completed that training through TACA in 2018. She currently serves on the TACA Board of Directors as the Publications Liaison and previously served from 2018-2020 as the Scholarship Liaison. Prior to her employment with the District Court, she worked in a private law office for 16 years and at the County Attorney’s office for 1 year. She is married, has two children, and two grandchildren.

Sunni Tilson

Sunni Tilson is a dedicated Court Coordinator and Certified Court Manager with 21 years of experience in the legal field. She has spent the past nine years in the court system, ensuring efficient case management and courtroom administration. Prior to that, she worked for 12 years in the District Attorney’s Office, gaining extensive experience in legal procedures and case coordination.

Sunni earned her Paralegal Certificate in 2013, enhancing her legal expertise, and in 2023, she became a Certified Court Manager, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and leadership in the court system. With a strong background in case management and judicial operations, Sunni plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the courts.

Her passion for justice and efficiency continues to drive her career, making a lasting impact on the legal community.

Outside of work Sunni enjoys spending time with family. She and her husband, Daniel have a 22 year old daughter and a 15 year old son. They enjoy raising their children in the community where they grew up with family and friends close by their side.

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

Grand Ballroom A

Workshop Round I

Urban Courts/Criminal Panel: Managing Volume, Complexity, and Coordination

Judge Ron Rangel, Tricia Austin, Dana Winston & Neva Gonzalez

Course Description:

Criminal courts operate at a pace and scale that demand strong systems, clear communication, and constant coordination. This panel will explore the challenges of managing high-volume dockets, complex cases, 11D bail denial hearings, staffing demands, and competing priorities while keeping cases moving efficiently and fairly.

Panelists will discuss practical strategies for improving case flow from magistration through pretrial and trial, including managing continuances, promoting meaningful case readiness, addressing discovery delays, holding attorneys accountable for resets and unnecessary delay, and examining the impact of court reminder programs in reducing failures to appear (FTAs) and improving court attendance. The discussion will also consider the realities of heavy appointed-counsel caseloads, turnover within prosecutors’ offices, mental health matters, and the need for judges and court staff to work together to keep cases progressing while recognizing legitimate demands on attorneys and agencies.

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.

Tricia Austin

Tricia Austin is the Court Coordinator for the 379th District Court in Bexar County, Texas. She began working with Judge Ron Rangel in his private law practice in 2000 prior to his election to office in 2008. Tricia is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in the field. She obtained her paralegal certification in 1996 with a specialization in family law and office management. During the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to work with several attorneys in the private sector as well as both the District and City Attorney’s Offices. Since becoming a member of TACA in 2015, Tricia has served on the membership, nominations, scholarship and education committees, education liaison, publication liaison and interim chair. She is currently the TACA Chair. She resides in San Antonio, Texas and has two beautiful daughters, Alexis and Britney.

Dana Winston

Dana Brightmon Winston is a Certified Court Manager for the 405th Judicial District Court of Galveston County, Texas, serving within Galveston County’s dual-jurisdiction court system.

With 29 years of dedicated service to Galveston County, Dana began her career in 1997 with the Galveston County District Clerk’s Office, where she served as Criminal Team Lead for two courts. Throughout her tenure in the District Clerk’s Office, she gained extensive experience across the Criminal, Civil, and Tax Divisions, managing responsibilities that included daily court dockets, case management, pleas, appeals, expunctions, and other essential court operations.

In 2001, Dana transitioned into court administration as Court Coordinator for the 10th Judicial District Court under the Honorable David E. Gamer. Following Judge Garner’s retirement, Dana was asked to join the 405th Judicial District Court under the Honorable Michelle Slaughter.

When Judge Slaughter later transitioned to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Dana remained steadfast in her leadership and commitment to the 405th, helping maintain the continuity and daily operations of the court while assisting visiting judges during the judicial transition. She continued in that role until the gubernatorial appointment of Judge Jared Robinson, who was subsequently elected to the bench and continues to preside over the 405th Judicial District Court while also serving as Administrative Judge.

Throughout nearly three decades of service, Dana has remained committed not only to the effective administration of the courts, but also to the citizens and communities the justice system exists to serve. Her career reflects institutional knowledge, adaptability, professionalism, and a deep respect for the responsibility entrusted to those who work in public service.

Neva Gonzalez

Neva Gonzalez has worked for Fort Bend County since 2007. She started out at the District Attorney’s Office Family Violence Division and later in the Investigation Division before becoming a Court Coordinator in 2016. While at the DA’s office she was an active member of the Crime Victim’s Response Team helping organize yearly conferences. In 2017, she obtained her Bachelor Degree in Communications through the University of Houston-Victoria and in November 2020 she became a Certified Court Manager. She has been an active TACA member since 2016 and has served on the Membership, Scholarship and Education Committees the last couple of years. In 2022 she served as cochair for the Scholarship Committee, in 2023 she served as co-chair for the Education Committee, in 2024 she was the Education Liaison and currently she is the Education Co-chair. Neva has been married to her husband, Rolando, for 32 years and they have a beautiful daughter, Victoria, who attends Texas A & M University. Neva enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her two fur babies.

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

Trinity

Workshop Round I

Urban Courts/Civil Panel: Managing Volume, Complexity, and Coordination

Judge Inna Klein & Rey Garcia

Course Description:

Court coordinators play a critical role in managing the pace, volume, and complexity of busy urban civil dockets. This panel will bring together experienced court coordinators to discuss practical approaches to keeping cases organized, hearings and trials on track, and communication flowing among judges, attorneys, staff, and litigants.

Panelists will share strategies for coordinating hearings and trial settings, managing filings, notices, deadlines, and navigating motion-heavy caseloads, including traditional and no-evidence motions for summary judgment and other frequently filed civil motions. The discussion will also address common challenges such as discovery disputes, last-minute filings, emergency or expedited requests, continuances, and scheduling conflicts that can disrupt an already crowded docket.

Panelists will offer practical, day-to-day workflow ideas, lessons learned, and approaches that have worked in their courts to improve efficiency, reduce avoidable delays, and keep civil cases moving from filing through final disposition.

Judge Inna Klein

Judge Inna Klein was born in Moscow, Russia and immigrated to the United States in the beginning of the 90’s. Judge Klein received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Brandeis University in Massachusetts and her Juris Doctorate Degree from New England School of Law, also in Massachusetts. Judge Klein started her legal career in Providence, Rhode Island before moving to Corpus Christi, Texas where she joined the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office as one of its Assistant District Attorneys. After spending six years prosecuting numerous felony cases, Judge Klein was appointed to be a Municipal Court Judge for the city of Corpus Christi where she was responsible for the Juvenile caseload. In 2016, she was elected to the 214th District Court bench and took over in January of 2017. Judge Klein supervises the majority of Domestic Violence Probation Cases. Judge Klein was elected twice by the Board of Judges to be the Local Administrative Judge. Judge Klein is involved in numerous local organizations including being the immediate past president of the Corpus Christi Bar Association. In 2018, Judge Klein and the 214th District Court were one of the first two courts in Texas to be recognized as a Judicial Center of Excellence.

Rey Garcia

Rey Garcia Jr. has worked in the Judicial system for almost 15 years. He first started working with the Nueces County District Clerk’s Office as a Temporary position filing clerk and eventually became a Court Clerk, which he served in that capacity for almost 10 years. After working as a Court Clerk, he was hired as a Court Manager for the 214th District Court in Nueces County. After a few years of experience and training, he is proud to be able to carry the title of Certified Court Manager.

Thursday • 1:00pm–2:30pm

San Antonio

Workshop Round I

Urban Courts/Family Panel: Managing Volume, Complexity, and Coordination

Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton, Angella Powers & Jeanandria Beard

Course Description:

Family courts face growing pressure to manage high-volume dockets while maintaining consistency, efficiency, and fairness across increasingly complex cases. This panel will explore practical approaches to handling high-conflict custody disputes, enforcement and modification matters, recurring litigants, and the growing number of self-represented parties appearing in family court.

Panelists will discuss docket structures and scheduling practices that may improve efficiency, along with strategies for working with difficult or self-represented litigants while maintaining neutrality and clear boundaries. The discussion will also address the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence, including the challenges that arise when self-represented litigants rely on AI-generated legal information or misunderstand the role of court staff. Attendees will leave with practical, day-to-day ideas for managing hearings, trials, litigants, and workflow in a demanding family-court environment.

Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton

Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton currently serves as the Associate Judge of the 505th Judicial District Court in Fort Bend County, Texas. Judge Clayton earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Sam Houston State University and obtained her teaching certification from the University of Houston-Downtown.

Before entering the legal profession, she began her career as an educator teaching middle school science at Lake Olympia Middle School, where she was recognized as Teacher of the Year. Inspired to expand her impact, Judge Clayton earned her Juris Doctorate at Thurgood Marshall School of Law and founded The McGill Law Firm, focusing primarily on family law, while also handling matters in criminal defense, personal injury, wills, and probate.

Judge Clayton later served as a Legal Enforcement Attorney for the Harris County Domestic Relations Office as a Legal Enforcement Attorney, where she handled enforcement of family court orders. During her time at the Harris County Domestic Relations Office, she served as a speaker at the Texas Association of Domestic Relations Offices annual conference.

Thereafter, Judge Clayton was appointed as Associate Judge of the 505th Judicial District Court in 2021, where she continues to preside over family law matters and remains engaged in legal education by speaking on topics related to family law.

In addition to her judicial service, Judge Clayton is actively involved in civic and community organizations. Through her work both on and off the bench, she strives to strengthen public confidence in the courts and foster meaningful connections between the judiciary and the communities it serves.

Angella Powers

Angella Powers began serving as Court Coordinator for the 505th Family District Court of Fort Bend County on January 1, 2021. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Angella earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Kemper Military School and College in Boonville, Missouri, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Angella is committed to continuously expanding her knowledge and strengthening her service to the judiciary and the community. In 2023, she earned her designation as a Certified Court Manager (CCM) through the Texas Association for Court Administration. Angella is dedicated to serving her judges, Judge Kali Morgan and Associate Judge LaTosha McGill Clayton, and the Fort Bend County community with professionalism, efficiency, and compassion. In July 2026, Angella was honored as a recipient of the Outstanding Early Career Professional (ECP) Award, presented annually by the National Association for Court Management (NACM) to recognize distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the profession of court administration and the judicial system by an early-career professional. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Angella enjoys serving alongside her husband, Pastor Timothy J. Powers, Sr., at Christian Bible Fellowship Church of Rosenberg, spending time with family, and participating in community service initiatives. She is an active member of NACM, where she serves on the Early Career Professional (ECP) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committees. She is also a member of the Texas Center for the Judiciary and the Texas Association for Court Administration (TACA), where she serves on the Education Committee, as well as a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Jeanandria Beard

Jeanandria Beard started her legal career in 2002 when she was hired as an IVD Court Coordinator with the Office of Court Administration, until 2019, when she accepted a position as Court Coordinator for the 308th District Court, Honorable Gloria E. López in Harris County, Texas. She currently holds the position as the court coordinator for the 387th District Court, Honorable Oscar Telfair, Fort Bend County, Texas. Jeanandria was introduced to and joined TACA in December of 2021. Jeanandria got right to work in TACA. She was the Membership Committee Co-Chair in 2022, and Publication Committee Co-Chair in 2023. Jeanandria is a member of several TACA Committees. Jeanandria holds a Masters of Public Administration. She is a graduated from CCM in the Fall of 2023. Jeanandria is a true public servant, willing to go the extra mile in public service.

In her spare time, she likes to garden, bike ride and love on her adorable grandchildren.