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South Texas College of Law and
Joint City/County Commission on Children
Grandparent and Kinship Care Seminar
How to represent the interest of grandparents and other kin who want to
obtain legal custody of the minor child(ren) in their possession.
November 7, 2008
Houston, Texas

Scroll down to view the complete schedule

Accredited by the State Bar of Texas for 7.0 MCLE hours, including 1.0 hour of legal ethics.

Friday, November 7, 2008

8:00 REGISTRATION and Continental Breakfast

8:25 Welcome Remarks
  • James J. Alfini, Dean and President, South Texas College of Law - Houston
  • Professor Lisa L. Dahm, Director of CLE, South Texas College of Law - Houston

Morning Moderator:
Hon. Hannah Chow, Retired Judge, Office of Commissioner El Franco Lee

8:30 Texas Supreme Court's Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, youth and Families
  • Stewart W. Gagnon, Commissioner, Permanent Judicial Commissino for Children, Youth and Familes, Texas Supreme Court - Houston

9:00 CPS: How It Operates, and Why It Is Not the Panacea
  • Hon. Scott McCowm, Executive Director, Center for Public Policy Priorites - Austin

9:45 Family Dynamics: When Grandparents Become Parents Again
  • Jean Guez, Ph.D., Psychologist - Houston

10:30 Morning Break

10:45 Grandparents' Rights: Are There Any Left After Troxell?
  • Angela Pence England, Tindall & Foster, P.C. - Houston

11:15 What To Do: Guardianship; Power of Attorney; Conservatorship; or Nothing At All?
  • Hon. Meca L. Walker, Associates Judge, 309th Family District Court - Houston

11:45 Lunch Break (pick up lunch and return to the auditorium)


12:00 Lunch Presentation
A Converstation with the Judges. Your Questions, Their Answers
Moderator:
  • Hon. Doug Warne, 311th Family District Court - Houston
Panelists:
  • Hon. Frank B. Rynd, 309th Family District Court - Houston
  • Hon. Michael H. Schneider, 315th Juvenile Court, Harris County Juvenile Justice Center - Houston
  • Hon. Ellen J. Shelton, Associate Judge, 311th Family District Court - Houston

1:00 After Lunch Break


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Afternoon Moderator:
Sherea A. McKenzie, J.D., Executive Director, Joint City/County Commission on Children

Afternoon Speakers:
  • Hon. Roy L. Moore, Associate Judge, 245th Family District Court - Houston
  • Macy A. Cassin, Law Offices of Macy Cassin - Houston
  • Michael C. Childs, Fullenweider Wilhite - Houston
  • Katie A. Custer, Fullenweider Wilhite - Houston
  • Todd M. Frankfort, Fullenweider Wilhite - Houston
  • R. Ryan Lindsay, Fullenweider Wilhite - Houston
  • Kate H. McConnico, Looper Reid & McGray, P.C. - Houston
  • Estella Olguin, Communications Director, Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults - Houston
  • David Simpson, Executive Director, Harris County Domestic Relations Office - Houston

1:15 The Practical Approach To and Mechanics Of Persuing Conservatorship: Part I
(includes .50 hour of legal ethics)
• Standing
• Nuts and bolts of getting into court: Original Suit, Modification, what?
• Importance of knowing the local rules
• Notice by publication: When and how is it accomplished?
• What do you do if a parent is deceased?
• When, and should "Emergency Guardianship" be used?
• Temporary Orders
• What if the Attorney General is involved?
• What, when, and where should you file a pleading?
• How do you get evidence before the court?
• When can social studies be used?
• When should you ask for an Amicus Attorney or an Attorney Ad Litem?

2:30 Afternoon Break

2:45 The Practical Approach to and Mechanics of Pursuing Conservatorship: Part 2
(includes .50 hour of legal ethics)
• Are forensics required, or will a social study suffice?
• If a psychological evaluation is required, must the evaluation be performed by a psychiatrist?
• When MUST CPS be notified?
• Child Support: Request to Redirect
• Availability of Social Security payments
• Conducting a custody case on a shoestring
• Final Orders

4:00 Applying Your Knowledge: conservatorship Fast Track
  • Imogen S. Papadopoulos, Law Office of Imogen Papadopoulos - Houston

4:30 Adjourn

Accredited by the State Bar of Texas for 7.0 MCLE hours, including 1.0 hour of legal ethics.
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