Sponsored By
The Texas Judicial Academy is a partnership between the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Tech University School of Law.
Overview
The County Court Assistants Training Conference presents an opportunity for the county judge’s staff to learn more about the management and operation of judicial and administrative procedures of the judge’s office. Our goal is for each person to leave this conference better equipped to assist the county judge in his/her judicial and administrative duties.
Who Should Attend
County judge’s secretaries, administrative assistants, and court assistants are encouraged to attend.
Registration
Registration is $50.
Registration fees are voluntary and used for expenses that are unallowable or are insufficiently covered by the Judicial and Court Personnel Training Fund Grant. This includes speaker fees, materials, meals and social activities. Fees collected are deposited to a fund held for county judges’ education within the general revenue funds for the Texas Association of Counties.
Court Assistants Advisory Committee
Ms. Charlene Graff, Chair, Harrison County
Ms. Shannon Burkley, Nacogdoches County
Ms. Sharon Grant, Glasscock County
Ms. Toni Jones, Yoakum County
Ms. Jan Pigford, Houston County
Ms. Marcia Short, Bandera County
Mr. Justin Meyers, Karnes County
Ms. Genevieve Martinez Sanchez, Wilson County
Ms. Amy Peeler, Gonzales County
The well-being and safety of TAC's members is our first priority. In responding to calls for slowing the spread of COVID-19, we have transformed the County Court Assistants Training Conference into a virtual event.
| Wednesday, Feb. 17 |
| Noon |
Accelevents Platform Opens |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions |
| 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. |
Census 2021: Redistricting Considerations for Counties
Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP
|
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Indigency Issues: Mental Health, Medical Care and Defense
Hon. Kirk Noaker, Magistrate Judge, Burnet County
|
| 3:30 - 3:45 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. |
Cybersecurity in the Age of Disasters
Mr. Kevin Hurley, Membership Development Manager, TAC
Hon. Jill Sklar, Judge, Jackson County
|
| 4:45 p.m. |
Recess |
|
Thursday, Feb. 18
|
| 8:00 a.m. |
Accelevents Platform Opens |
|
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
|
Docketing & Deadlines in Guardianship, Probate and Appeals from Justice Court
Hon. Donece Gregory, County Clerk, Tyler County
|
| 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. |
Break |
|
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
|
Courtroom Security: Communication, Controls and Constraints
Mr. Thomas Kerss, Law Enforcement Consultant, TAC
|
| 10:45 - 11 a.m. |
Break |
| 11 a.m. - noon |
Mental Health & Stress
Ms. Ashley Cureton, Wellness Consultant, TAC
|
| Noon - 1 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
| 1 - 2 p.m. |
Essential Role of Court Assistants: Judge’s Perspective
Hon. Stephanie Davis, Judge, Comanche County
|
| 2 - 2:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. |
Looking Forward: Virtual Court Trials, Challenges and Concerns
Mr. Mike Thompson, Associate General Counsel, TAC
|
| 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
Ethics: Special Issues During Election and Campaigns
Hon. Tramer Woytek, Judicial Resource Liaison, TAC
|
| 4:30 p.m. |
Recess |
|
Friday, Feb. 19
|
| 7:30 a.m. |
Accelevents Platform Opens |
| 8 - 9 a.m. |
Effectively Managing Court Dockets and Commissioners Court Proceedings
Hon. Rex Fields, Judge, Eastland County
Mr. Matt Rienstra, First Assistant County Attorney, Llano County
Hon. Mark Tynes, Judge, Hamilton County
|
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. |
Break |
|
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
|
Commissioners Court: Open Meetings Act, Agendas and Postings
Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, TAC
|
| 9 - 9:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
HR Hot Topics for County Court Assistants
Ms. Michele Arseneau, HR Consultant, TAC
|
| 11:30 a.m. |
Adjourn |
No continuing education will be offered for this conference.
All cancellation and refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable) on or before Feb. 5.
Please email Regan Frugé at reganf@county.org or send fax to (512) 477-1324 to cancel your conference registration.