The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Education Institute (TCDLEI) empowers lawyers to uphold the US and Texas Constitutions and provide the best legal defense. Our mission includes education, protecting rights,andpromotingajustsociety.
Drury Hotel – Willow Ballroom – Arlington, Texas (Updated 2/5/25)
Saturday, March 1, 2025 8:15 am – 9:10 am
Call to Order, Jim Darnell, Chair
Roll Call
Welcome and Introductions of the New Board Members – Round Table Report and Comments
Renaming the Hostility Suite at Trial College
a. The Randy Wilson Hostility Suite
b. “Randy Wilson’s Legacy Suite”
c. “The Wilson Advocacy Suite”
d. “The Randy Wilson Defender’s Suite”
e. “The Wilson Hostility Room: A Tribute to Advocacy”
Dashboard & Report Card
Board Member Donations/Recruitment ($1500)
Minutes, Jim Darnell
Review and approve minutes from August 29, 2024, Board Meeting held via zoom.* No meeting held in January due to no quorum.
TCDLA President’s Comments, David Guinn
Chief Executive Officer’s Report, Melissa Schank
TCDLA Board Responsibilities Voice – Assoc. $750
Merchandise Report
Inaugural Distinguished Lifetime Fellow & Marketing Update
Cecil W. Bain
Samuel E. Bassett
David Guinn
Sean Hightower
Cynthia Orr
Randy Wilson
14,919.57
67,200.00
36,100.00
20,500.00
19,260.00
44,600.00
Attendance to the TCDLA Quarterly Meeting & TCDLEI Booth & Announcements
Rusty Booth (basket, gun, watch, and bracelet options)
Rusty Booth Sign Up Times
Budget Committee Report, Mehr Singh
Audit Update & Approval*
FY24 End of Year Financials
FY25 Budget Update
Money Market Update
Recognition of Donations, Jim Darnell
August 16, 2024, to November 15, 2024
November 16 to February 15, 2025
Review Inactive Funds, Melissa Schank
Recruitment and Obligations and How-To, Philip Wischkaemper and Mehr Singh
Drury Hotel – Willow Ballroom – Arlington, Texas (Updated 2/5/25)
Scholarship Recipients, Jim Darnell
FY25 Awards
Charlie Butts Recipient Greg Zhelezny, Sam Bassett
TCDLEI Orientation, Jim Darnell
South Padre Island
Members’ Retreat with President-Elect Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube, July 9-13, 2025
Trainer of Trainers, July 9, 2025
Riding for the Defense, July 10-11, 2025
TCDLA, CDLP, and TCDLEI Orientation, July 12, 2025
Fundraising
BJA & Other Grants, TxDOT, Cynthia Orr, Melissa Schank, Rick Wardroup
Fundraising Brochure & Letter
SBOT Life Insurance
Golf & Name (affiliation competition, pledges for help), Laurie Key, Monroe Solomon, Sam Bassett*
Donation Holiday Challenges – Dec 2024, Monroe Solomon
Major Outside Donor Initiative, Kyle Therrian, Cynthia Orr, Angela Moore, Pat McCann, Staff
Sheet of Ideas, Kyle Therrian and Melissa Schank
Auto Monthly Added, Miriam Duarte
Category: Diamond and Sapphire Pins, Merchandise: Cufflinks – Cory Clements
Old and New Business
Long Range Planning Committee, Philip Wischkaemper
Nominating Committee, Philip Wischkaemper and Mehr Singh Vacant Positions Renewals
Sam Bassett
Cynthia Orr 4 Board Vacancies
Next Board Meeting, Jim Darnell
In Person – June 20, 2025, in San Antonio with Rusty Duncan Seminar Hyatt Regency | $202 S/D |123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 222-1234 | Hotel Cut-Off: 5/27/2025 or until full
Via Zoom – September 4, 2025, at 4:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81335415891?pwd=NMwdqYaP3xTSOta7wDaR3eWLEU42X2.1 Meeting ID: 813 3541 5891 | Passcode: 241299
Adjourn*
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Zoom Meeting
Mission: The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Education Institute (TCDLEI) empowers lawyers to uphold the US and Texas Constitutions and provide the best legal defense. Our mission includes education, protecting rights, and promoting a just society.
Introduction
Jim Darnell started the meeting at 4:04 pm. A quorum was present.
Roll Call:
P Jim Darnell, Chair
P Philip Wischkaemper, Vice Chair
P Mehr Singh, Secretary | Treasurer
P Kyle Therrian, Immediate Past Chair
E Samuel Bassett
E Cory Clements
P Laurie Key
P Gonzalo Serrano
A Harmony Schuerman
A Monroe Solomon
P Steve Keathley
P Patrick McCann
E Angela Moore
P Audrey Moorehead
A JoAnne Musick
P Cynthia Orr
A David Ryan
P_Shawn Sareen
P Frank Suhr
P Greg Westfall
P David Guinn
Key: P = Present; E = Excused Absence; A = Unexcused Absence
Staff: Melissa Schank, Mari Flores
Welcome and Introductions, Jim Darnell
Jim welcomed everyone to the new year Introduced new board members in attendance, Greg and Shawn.
Chair Report, Jim Darnell
• Randy Wilson – Board members talked about Randy and their memories of him. Asked for a moment of silence. Instead of flowers he has asked for TCDLEI donations ($700)
• 2024 Rusty Booth & Silent Auction – final numbers $28,770, Silent Auction $13,280
• 2025 Raffle & Price Differentiate – We will have a drink basket for a $25 ticket, a wine pull for $20, and any big item donation you can think of. If we can get someone to donate another raffle that would be great, it was successful this year.
• Dashboard & Report Card – you will receive an email with your accomplishments, let staff know if you have questions
• Board Member Donations/Recruitment ($1500) – in the report card email, you will also have ways to recruit donations if you do not want to contribute personally $1500 Call Melissa if you need help with different ways to donate and/or recruit.
MOTION – June 14, 2024, Minutes
Motion to approve the TCDLEI Board Meeting minutes on June 14, 2024, held via in San Antonio, made by Steve Keathley, seconded by Pat McCann – motion carries.
TCDLA President’s Comments, David Guinn
Thank you all for serving on TCDLEI, it is vitally important.
Chief Executive Officer Report, Melissa Schank
• TCDLA Board Responsibilities Voice – in your packet is a list of board members who have not fulfilled their Voice Article commitment, they are an excellent group to target.
• Merchandise Report – We are almost out of our kid's merchandise, reordering all kids Melissa showed an image for a prosecutor cup and would like to hear feedback about it. Merchandise for animals was suggested. Philip committed to buying the first bandana for his cat!
• Inaugural Distinguished Lifetime Fellow – these are names of those who are close or met the requirements – we will reach out to those who are close or someone on the board can if they know them. We will advertise in Voice, social media, commercial slide, and flyer for seminar packets. Any other ideas let Melissa know.
Cecil W. Bain
Samuel E. Bassett
Lydia Clay-Jackson
David Guinn
Sean Hightower
Cynthia Orr
Randy Wilson
$14,919
$59,200
$12,435
$36,100
$20,500
$19,260
$44,600
• Attendance at the TCDLA Quarterly Meeting, TCDLEI Booth, and Announcements Reminder: we encourage you to come and make announcements and the seminars, we have a script – this is very important for our public relations. Visit staff at seminar registration for announcements.
• TCDLEI Pins – order your pins, we have gold and silver.
• Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Forms – 100% turned in. One item marked off on your report card!
Budget Committee Report, Mehr Singh
• FY24 Budget Update – Mehr gave a FY24 budget recap as of 7/31/24.
• Money Market Update – Mehr gave an update on interest earned during the year and the transfers made into the investment account since the last meeting
Recognition of Donations May 16, 2024– August 15, 2024, Jim Darnell
Total Contributed
$0 Comanche Club
$0 Super Fellows
$1500 Fellows
$0 Associate Fellows
$0 Texas Criminal Trial College Alumni
$0 Bertha Martinez Trial College Travel Scholarship
$27,870 Scholarships
$0 Charles Butts Law Student Scholarship
$0 Christine S. Cheng Memorial Asian-American Scholarship
$0 Kelly Pace Memorial Scholarship for New Lawyers
$1500 Scrappy Holmes Indigent Defense Scholarship Fund
$0 Holiday Challenge – Starts November
Review Inactive Funds, Melissa Schank
The next report is in December 2024.
Recruitment and Obligations - Reminder: The staff has sent an email on this, and if you need help, call Melissa. The staff will get you set up. We start over again.
Scholarship Recipients, Jim Darnell
• FY24 Scholarship Awards – recipient list is in your pack. In FY24 - 119 criminal defense attorneys were awarded scholarships from TCDLEI totaling $44,550 in addition one, 3L for $5000, 1 - Christine S. Cheng Memorial Asian-American, and 2 Scrappy Holmes Indigent Defense
TCDLEI Orientation, Jim Darnell
We will have TCDLEI orientation on July 12, 2025, as well as the TCDLA Members’ retreat and great seminar. Come and join us in South Padre Island!
Members’ Retreat with President-Elect Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube, July 9-13, 2025
Trainer of Trainers, July 9, 2025
Riding for the Defense, July 10-11, 2025
TCDLA, CDLP, and TCDLEI Orientation, July 12, 2025
Invite everyone to start planning and join us. Also, if they know anyone who would be a good speaker or to enhance their presentations, send us their names
Fundraising
• BJA Grants, none at this time, will continue to look
• Fundraising Brochure & Letter - in your packets – if you want a printed copy, let us know
• SBOT Life Insurance, Melissa Schank – looking into whether we continue pursuing this.
• Golf, Laurie Key, Monroe Solomon, and Sam Bassett – want to work with all the affiliates and have a statewide golf tournament. Looking at late spring of next year.
• Donation Holiday Challenge December 2024, Melissa Schank – this is ready to go and will start sometime in November. You will be getting a text regarding the challenge.
• Giving Tuesday, we will do in November
• Major Outside Donor Initiative, Kyle Therrian, Cynthia Orr, Angela Moore, and Pat McCann – no update
• Grant Writer, Cynthia Orr – will discuss with Melissa
• Sheet of Ideas, Kyle Therrian and Melissa Schank – need to work on these ideas and put them together.
• Auto Monthly Added, Melissa Schank – a form will be sent out to sign up for auto monthly payments if needed for donations.
• Diamond and Sapphire Pins, Cufflinks, Cory Clements – images were passed out. Ideas for pins were presented by Cory’s jeweler, and pricing for the two options was discussed. We will be getting more quotes. Melissa will reach out to a jeweler in Austin. A deadline of January 1st to donate through the end of the year for the first class of $25k donors
• Long Range Planning Committee, Philip Wischkaemper – Cynthia would like to join the committee. We will set up a zoom to share the strategic plan that TCDLA is using.
• Meme for social media, Jim Darnell – staff will work on this
• Auto Monthly Added, Kyle Therrian – this has been added to the form for donations; we will try to recruit
• Nominating committee – contacting upcoming renewals if they will be interested in renewing. We will let you know at the January meeting how many vacancies there will be depending on how many board members renew.
In person: December board meeting moved to January. The decision was made to move the board meeting to Lubbock.
Dinner/Party: January 9, 2025
Board Meeting: January 10, 2025
MOTION: Adjourn
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 pm, made by Laurie Key, seconded by Philip Wischkaemper – motion carries.
Respectfully submitted, Mehr Singh
TCDLEI Secretary
August 16, 2024 - November 15, 2024
Expired Membership Report by District 11/16/2024 - 02/15/2025
District 1
Ivey Ben El Paso ben@beniveylaw.com (915) 544-4839 11/30/24 El Paso
Rodriguez Raquel El Paso Raquel@ouragency.net (915) 307-1377 11/30/24 El Paso
Valadez Christiana Fort Stockton christiana@valadezlaw.net (432) 336-7562 12/31/24 Pecos
Vitolo Nicholas El Paso nick.vitolo@gmail.com 11/30/24 El Paso
Yaldo Annemarie El Paso ayaldo@epcounty.com (248) 722-6076 11/30/24 El Paso
District 2
DeAnda Chris Midland chris@432law.com (432) 300-3000 11/30/24 Midland
Schroeder Brookley San Angelo bschroeder@cvpdo.org 12/31/24 Tom Green
District 3
Baker Clyde Lubbock c.baker1@suddenlink.net (806) 441-1916 12/31/24 Lubbock
Blevins Charles Lubbock charles@attorneyinlubbock.com (806) 370-2277 12/31/24 Lubbock
Bollinger Troy Plainview troy@laneybollinger.com (806) 293-2618 11/30/24 Hale
Brown Kimberly Lubbock kibrown@rpdo.org (806) 775-5650 12/31/24 Lubbock
Langford Catherine Lubbock katie.langford@ttu.edu (814) 876-8888 12/31/24 Lubbock
Martinez Robert Lubbock rvmartinezlawofc@aol.com (806) 795-3411 12/31/24 Lubbock
Meriwether Caitlin Lubbock caitmeriwether@mylubbocklawyer.com (806) 340-0021 12/31/24 Lubbock
Murray Patrick Lubbock patrick.cameron.murray@gmail.com (806) 577-0217 11/30/24 Lubbock
Raftis William Lubbock William.raftis@ttu.edu (217) 415-0766 12/31/24 Lubbock
Salter Shanae Lubbock shanae.salter@ttu.edu (806) 742-3289 11/30/24 Lubbock
White Steve Lubbock stevewhitelawlbktx@gmail.com (806) 762-0580 12/31/24 Lubbock
Williamson L. Amarillo lvwlaw@yahoo.com (806) 236-6244 12/31/24 Randall
Yantz Samantha Lubbock samantha@rickerlaw.com (806) 894-1719 12/31/24 Lubbock
Ashworth Thomas Plano Thomas@lewisashworth.com (214) 306-9402 12/31/24 Collin
DeMasi Leigh Fate crimdef@hotmail.com (214) 533-9653 12/31/24 Rockwall
Ekeh Nnamdi Dallas nnamdi@ekehlaw.com (469) 351-9684 11/30/24 Dallas
Harbour Leah Denton leah@floresharbourlaw.com (940) 387-3909 11/30/24 Denton
Hunsucker Ben Denton ben@hunsuckerlaw.com (940) 484-5000 12/31/24 Denton
McDaniel Rogan Mc Kinney rogan@mcdanieljustice.com (214) 504-6161 11/30/24 Collin
Michaelis UnderwoodBrandi Aubrey brandi@underwoodlawtx.com (940) 372-0931 12/31/24 Denton
Robinson Jack Rockwall jack@jackrobinson.com (972) 772-6100 11/30/24 Rockwall
Ruddy Rebecca Wichita Falls (940) 766-8199 12/31/24 Wichita Total: 114
Expired Membership Report by District 11/16/2024 - 02/15/2025
District 4 Continued
Simone Caroline Denton simonelegalinc@gmail.com (940) 448-0668 11/30/24 Denton
Thomas Hedrick Stephenville (254) 965-4949 12/31/24 Erath
District 5
Boggess Pamela Fort Worth pboggess@coferluster.com (682) 777-3336 12/31/24 Tarrant
Carter J. Fort Worth lawfirm@jdoncarterlaw.com (817) 332-3500 12/31/24 Tarrant
Fitch Renay Haltom City renayfitch@gmail.com (817) 480-1978 11/30/24 Tarrant
Gebhardt Steve Fort Worth steve@tgelaw.com (817) 502-3600 11/30/24 Tarrant
Hennessee Amy Fort Worth aahennessee@tarrantcountytx.gov (817) 212-7027 12/31/24 Tarrant
Lopez Abraham Arlington abraham.a.lopez@gmail.com (817) 332-6060 11/30/24 Tarrant
Strickland Jack Fort Worth jvstrickland1943@gmail.com (817) 338-1000 12/31/24 Tarrant
District 6
Asante Adwoa Dallas AsanteLegal@Gmail.com (469) 664-9023 12/31/24 Dallas
Campos Carolina Dallas camposc1201@gmail.com (757) 239-8163 11/30/24 Dallas
Evans Elaine Dallas elaine@elaineevanslaw.com (214) 458-5874 12/31/24 Dallas
Kagramanian Michael Lancaster michaelkagramanian@gmail.com (818) 424-0049 11/30/24 Dallas
Lewis Thomas Grand Prairie tcl@yourjusticematters.com (817) 795-3900 11/30/24 Dallas
Meadows Charles Dallas cmeadows@meadowscollier.com (214) 749-2419 11/30/24 Dallas
Pierce Jeff Dallas jeffpiercelaw@yahoo.com (972) 423-0331 11/30/24 Dallas
Pounds Kelsey Dallas kelsey.pounds@gmail.com (720) 339-3857 12/31/24 Dallas
Williams Bridgette Dallas bwilliams@blwlegal.com (469) 340-1800 1/31/25 Dallas
Zoes Nick Dallas nickzoes@att.net (214) 315-9485 11/30/24 Dallas
Choy Lana Longview lana@choylawoffices.com (903) 212-2469 12/31/24 Gregg
Gimble Brent Tyler bgimble@aol.com (903) 253-1879 12/31/24 Smith
Rosenstein Jeremy Tyler Kyle@rosensteinlawoffice.com (903) 531-9803 11/30/24 Smith
Baker Gary Woodway gebaker@flash.net (832) 693-6030 12/31/24 Mc Lennan
Darwin Case San Marcos casejdarwin@hotmail.com 512-738-6146 12/31/24 Hays
Montgomery Taylor Kyle taylormontgomery409@gmail.com 12/31/24 Hays
Ulloa Joseph Buda josephulloa@my.untdallas.edu (512) 413-7570 12/31/24 Hays
Bowne Christian Austin cbowne@tidc.texas.gov (512) 936-6994 12/31/24 Travis
Expired Membership Report by District 11/16/2024 - 02/15/2025
District 9 Continued
Bradburry Megan Austin mbradburry@tidc.texas.gov (512) 463-1625 12/31/24 Travis
Brizendine Kelli Austin attorneykellibrizendine@gmail.com 512-854-3030 11/30/24 Travis
Colfax Edwin Austin ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov (512) 936-6994 12/31/24 Travis
Donovan Sara Austin sdonovan@mbfc.com (512) 476-4873 11/30/24 Travis
Gammell Sarah Austin Sgammell@tidc.texas.gov 12/31/24 Travis
Green Dan Austin greenaustin78723@gmail.com (512) 926-4229 11/30/24 Travis
Mange William Austin bill.mange@dunhamlaw.com (512) 777-7777 11/30/24 Travis
O'Connell Douglas Austin doug@dougoconnell.com (512) 547-7265 12/31/24 Travis
Rockrise Troy Austin troy.rockrise@gmail.com (512) 368-9044 11/30/24 Travis
Schneider Eric Austin Eschneider@tidc.texas.gov 12/31/24 Travis
Stewart Debra Austin dstewart@tidc.texas.gov (512) 463-1625 12/31/24 Travis
Sundin Eric Lubbock (210) 834-5630 12/31/24 Travis
Whitfield Sharon Austin SWhitfield@tidc.texas.gov (512) 936-6998 12/31/24 Travis
Williams Sidney Austin thewilliamslawfirm@gmail.com (512) 587-7367 11/30/24 Travis
Acevedo Aaron San Antonio aaronace956@gmail.com (956) 735-5067 12/31/24 Bexar
Arnett Ryan San Antonio ryan@arnett.law (210) 917-5432 12/31/24 Bexar
Efron Loraine San Antonio loraineefronlaw@gmail.com (210) 269-6645 11/30/24 Bexar
Giese Erica San Antonio egiese@jw.com (210) 978-7797 11/30/24 Bexar
Hicks Andrew San Antonio akhickslaw@gmail.com (210) 971-4656 12/31/24 Bexar
Hill Scott San Antonio Scotthilllaw@yahoo.com (210) 885-8520 11/30/24 Bexar
Lindsey Jackson San Antonio thelindseylawfirm@gmail.com (210) 816-0808 12/31/24 Bexar
Portillo Pauline San Antonio pportillo36@gmail.com 11/30/24 Bexar
Sheffield Shawn San Antonio sheffieldlaw@yahoo.com (210) 697-9090 12/31/24 Bexar
Yager Mitchell San Antonio (210) 335-0872 12/31/24 Bexar
District 11
Carrillo Ninfa San Antonio ngclaw@yahoo.com 830-570-6813 11/30/24 Atascosa
District 12
Almaraz David Laredo almaraz@netscorp.net (956) 727-3828 12/31/24 Webb
Alvarez Juan Edinburg jaunlaw1@gmail.com (956) 287-0300 11/30/24 Hidalgo
Canales Melisa Edinburg juanlaw1@yahoo.com (956) 287-0300 11/30/24 Hidalgo
Canche Rodolfo Edinburg rudycanche@canchelaw.com (956) 377-0187 12/31/24 Hidalgo
Connet Sally Mcallen connetlawstaff@hotmail.com (956) 631-9675 11/30/24 Hidalgo
Escobar Omar Rio Grande City Omarescobarjr@gmail.com (956) 212-8920 12/31/24 Starr
Expired Membership Report by District 11/16/2024 - 02/15/2025
District 12 Continued
Gonzalez Noel Mcallen gonzalez_law55@hotmail.com (956) 616-4151 12/31/24 Hidalgo
Graham Joseph Brownsville ninehammers@juno.com (956) 550-9550 12/31/24 Cameron
Munoz Jaime San Juan jaimejmunoz@aol.com (956) 683-5596 12/31/24 Hidalgo
Puente Robert McAllen robpuente@msn.com (956) 502-5258 12/31/24 Hidalgo
Saldivar Christina Mission christina@slrgv.com (956) 877-0318 12/31/24 Hidalgo
Turpen Stanley Portland turplaw@aol.com (361) 643-3465 12/31/24 San Patricio
District 13
Anderson Lauri Richmond lauri.anderson@fortbendcountytx.gov (281) 238-2071 12/31/24 Fort Bend
Baez Luis Houston luis@thebaezfirm.com (713) 817-3644 12/31/24 Montgomery
Gernand Timothy Friendswood tim.gernand@gmail.com (281) 967-4907 12/31/24 Galveston
Kim Sangyoon Richmond sangyoon.kim@fortbendcountytx.gov (281) 238-3050 12/31/24 Fort Bend
Lister Alisa Hempstead alisaharrislaw@gmail.com (346) 309-7565 12/31/24 Waller
Segura Anthony Sugar Land ars@segura-kiatta.com (281) 570-6400 12/31/24 Fort Bend
Axel Jeremy Houston jeremyaxel@ymail.com (713) 478-9990 12/31/24 Harris
Batiz Christin Webster christin.schoen@yahoo.com (409) 457-6662 12/31/24 Harris
Berg Thomas Houston tom@mgblawyers.com (713) 502-9596 12/31/24 Harris
Booth Jayson Houston jcbooth@jcboothlaw.com (713) 333-0377 11/30/24 Harris
Byrne Lauren Houston laurenbyrnelaw@gmail.com (713) 523-7878 11/30/24 Harris
Conn Mary Houston Mary@freedomlawgroup.com (713) 357-4190 11/30/24 Harris
Fry Jan Houston janfrylawoffice@gmail.com (281) 513-2565 11/30/24 Harris
Jasemi-Zergani Vafa Tomball Jasemilaw10@gmail.com 12/31/24 Harris
Kiely Maggie Houston maggiekiely24@gmail.com 12/31/24 Harris
Love Paul Houston plove@walkertaylorlaw.com (281) 668-9957 11/30/24 Harris
Martin Amy Houston amymartinlaw@gmail.com (346) 564-6014 12/31/24 Harris
Prinz Richard Houston rprinz@aol.com (713) 651-9111 11/30/24 Harris
Roberts Jennie Houston jennie@jennierobertslawfirm.com (713) 533-1772 11/30/24 Harris
Sederis Stacy Bellaire sederislaw@gmail.com (713) 870-1907 12/31/24 Harris
Williford Annie Houston annie.williford@pdo.hctx.net (713) 274-6700 11/30/24 Harris
September 1, 2024 – November 15, 2024
Fellows
Texas Criminal Trial College Alumni
Bertha Martinez Trial College Travel Scholarship
Charles Butts Law Student Scholarship
Christine S. Cheng Memorial Asian-American Scholarship
Kelly Pace Memorial Scholarship for New Lawyers
Scrappy Holmes Indigent Defense Scholarship Fund
November 16, 2024 – February 15, 2025
Fellows $0
Texas Criminal Trial College Alumni $0
Bertha Martinez Trial College Travel Scholarship $0
Charles Butts Law Student Scholarship $6,000
Christine S. Cheng Memorial Asian-American Scholarship $0
Kelly Pace Memorial Scholarship for New Lawyers
$0
Scrappy Holmes Indigent Defense Scholarship Fund $2,000
Montemayor Britton Bender PC CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors and Management
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
WehaveauditedthefinancialstatementsoftheTexasCriminalDefenseLawyers EducationalInstitute(the Institute) for the year ended 31 August 2024, and have issued our report thereon dated 29 January 2025. Professional standards require that we provide you with information about our responsibilities under generallyacceptedauditingstandards,aswellascertaininformationrelatedtotheplannedscopeandtiming of our audit. We have communicated information related to the planned scope and timing of our audit in our engagement letter to you dated 5 December 2024. Professional standards also require that we communicate to you the following information related to our audit.
Management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies. The significant accounting policies used by the Institute are described in Note 2 to the financial statements. No new accounting policies were adopted and the application of existing policies was not changed during 2024. We noted no transactions entered into by the Institute during the year for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus. All significant transactions have been recognized in the financial statements in the proper period.
Accountingestimatesareanintegralpartofthefinancialstatementspreparedbymanagement andarebased on management’s knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future events. Certain accounting estimates are particularlysensitive because oftheir significance to the financial statementsandbecauseofthepossibilitythatfutureeventsaffectingthemmaydiffersignificantlyfromthose expected. The most sensitive estimate affecting the financial statements was:
Management’sestimateofthefunctionalallocationofexpensesis based onestimates oftime spent bystaffonvarious functionalactivities, as wellasgeneralknowledge oftheexpenseaccounts. We evaluated the keyfactors and assumptions used to develop the allocation of functional expensesin determining that they are reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.
Board of Directors and Management
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
Communications with Those Charged with Governance
Page 2
We encountered no significant difficulties in dealing with management in performing and completing our audit.
For purposes of this letter, professional standards define a disagreement with management as a financial accounting, reporting, or auditing matter, whether or not resolved to our satisfaction, that could be significant to the financial statements or the auditor’s report. We are pleased to report that no such disagreements arose during the course of our audit.
We have requested certain representations from management that are included in the management representation letter dated 29 January 2025.
In some cases, management may decide to consult with other accountants about auditing and accounting matters, similar to obtaininga“second opinion”oncertainsituations. Ifaconsultationinvolvesapplication of an accounting principle to the entity’s financial statements or a determination of the type of auditor’s opinion that may be expressed on those statements, our professional standards require the consulting accountant to check with us to determine that the consultant has allthe relevant facts. To our knowledge, there were no such consultations with other accountants.
We generally discuss a variety of matters, including the application of accounting principles and auditing standards, with management each year prior to retention as the Institute’s auditors. However, these discussions occurred in the normal course of our professional relationship and our responses were not a condition to our retention. This information is intended solely for the use of the Board of Directors and management of the Institute and is not intended to be and should not be used byanyone other than these specified parties.
29 January 2025
Austin, Texas
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TEXAS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 AUGUST 2024
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors and Management
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
Opinion
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute (the Institute), which comprise the statement of financial position as of 31 August 2024, and the related statements of activities and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Inour opinion, thefinancialstatements referredtoabovepresent fairly, inall material respects, thefinancialposition of the Institute as of 31 August 2024, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Our responsibilities under thosestandards arefurther describedin theAuditor’s Responsibilities for theAudit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Institute and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordancewiththerelevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Emphasis of a Matter
As discussed in Note 4 to the financial statements, we identified material uncorrected contributions which resulted in the understatement of amounts previously reported for net assets with donor restrictions as of 31 August 2023. Accordingly, a prior period adjustment was recordedto restatethenet assets with donor restrictions as of 31 August 2023. Our opinion is not modified with respect to that matter.
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Institute’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonableassurance is a highlevelof assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guaranteethat an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement whenit exists. Therisk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting fromfraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, we:
• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error,anddesignandperformauditproceduresresponsivetothoserisks.Suchproceduresincludeexamining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to theaudit inorder to design audit procedures that are appropriatein thecircumstances, but notfor thepurposeofexpressinganopinionontheeffectiveness of the Institute’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
• Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about theInstitute’s ability to continueas a going concern for a reasonableperiod of time.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scopeandtimingoftheaudit, significantaudit findings, andcertain internal control relatedmatters that weidentified during the audit.
29 January 2025
Austin, Texas
CURRENT LIABILITIES
accompanying
OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 AUGUST 2024
ASSETS
2,778 $1,788,769
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
$8,070
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 CASH FLOWS FROM
1,010,528 ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $713,299
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute (the Institute) is a non-profit corporation establishedunder thelaws of theStateofTexas. ThemissionoftheInstituteis to promoteand support theadministrationofjusticeintheStateofTexasthroughcontinuedlegaleducationofcriminaldefense lawyersandtheirstaff.TheInstitutefundsscholarshipsforseminarsandalsoprovidesfinancialsupport for many of the programs and services of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (the Association). The primary sources of revenue are contributions and investment income.
The financial statements of the Institute are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting whereby revenues and expenses are recognized in the period earned or incurred regardless of when cash is received or paid.
Net assets, revenues, expenses, gains, and losses are classified based on the existence or absence of donor imposedrestrictions. Accordingly, netassetsoftheInstituteandchangesthereinareclassified and reported as follows:
Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions: Net assets available for usein general operations and not subject to donor (or certain grantor) restrictions.
Net Assets With Donor Restrictions: Net assets subject to donor (or certain grantor) imposed restrictions.Somedonorimposedrestrictionsaretemporaryinnature,suchasthosethatwillbemet by thepassageof timeor other events specifiedby thedonor. Other donor imposedrestrictions are perpetual in nature, where the donor stipulates that resources be maintained in perpetuity. Donor imposed restrictions are released when a restriction expires, that is when the stipulated time has elapsed, when the stipulated purpose for which the resource was restricted has been fulfilled, or both.
The Institute considers cash on hand, cash in banks, certificates of deposit and other short-term securities to be cash equivalents.
Inventory consists of books and general merchandise held for resale. Inventory is stated at lower of cost or net realizable value determined by first-in first-out method.
The preparation of financial statements inconformitywith generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Contributions received are recorded as with or without donor restriction depending on the existence and/or nature of any donor restrictions. Donor restricted contributions whose restrictions are met in thesamereportingperiodarereportedwithinnetassetswithoutdonorrestrictions.Whenarestriction is satisfied, net assets with donorrestrictions arereclassifiedto net assets without donor restrictions.
TheInstituteis a nonprofit organization exempt fromFederal income taxes under IRS CodeSection 501(c)(3), except with respect to any unrelated business income. Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal income tax in the accompanying financial statements. The Institute’s policy is to record interest and penalties related to income taxes as interest and other expense, respectively. At year-end no interest and penalties have been or are required to be accrued.
The financial statements report certain categories of expenses that are attributed to more than one program or supporting function. Therefore, some expenses require allocation on a reasonable basis that is consistently applied. The expenses that are allocated include advertising-judges list, postage, administrativefees, board of directors meetings and other costs, advertising, travel, and other which areallocatedbasedon estimates of timeand effort by personnel, as well as general knowledgeof the expense accounts.
TheInstitutehas evaluatedsubsequent eventsasofthedateof theIndependent Auditor’s Report, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
NOTE 3:CONCENTRATION
TheInstitute’sfinancialinstrumentsexposedtoconcentrationofcreditriskconsistofinvestmentswhich are held in brokerage accounts. Investment balances in excess of SIPC coverage totaled $550,978 at year-end.
Bank balances held in financial institutions in excess of FDIC coverage were $257,461 at year-end.
One contribution represented 10% of The Institute’s total revenue for the year.
NOTE 4:PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENT
As of 31 August 2023, restricted contributions were recorded as accrued liabilities causing net assets with donor restrictions to be understated by $73,309 and accrued liabilities overstated by the same amount.Anadjustmentwasmadetoincreasebeginningnetassetswithdonorrestrictions.Theneteffect of the adjustment was to increase the change in net assets by $73,309 for the year ended 31 August 2023.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financialassetsavailableforgeneralexpenditures, that is, withoutdonor restrictionslimitingtheiruse, within one year of the statement of financial position date, comprise the following:
1,050,978 Due from TCDLA 2,778 1,767,055
Less: Net assets unavailable for general expenditure due to donor imposed restrictions: (74,134) $1,692,921
As part of the Institute’s liquidity management, it has a policy to structure its financial assets to be available as its general expenditures, liabilities and other obligations come due. The policy is that monthly revenues areto cover monthly expenses. Monthly revenues and expenditures are deposited in and deducted fromthe Institute’s operating and investment accounts. SeeNote 7 for additional details regarding the nature of donor imposed restrictions on assets that are not available for general expenditures within one year of the statement of financial position date.
DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following table disaggregates the Institute’s revenue based on the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations for the year ended 31 August 2024:
Revenue recognized at a point of time includes merchandise (gross sales before cost of goods sold) and silent auction sales (included in contributions revenue on the Statement of Activities), which is recognized at the time of the purchase. Payment is typically due upon completion of the sale. Transaction prices vary dependingthenatureof thesaleprovided. Ingeneral, revenuedoesnot have a significant financing component because payment terms are relatively short.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 7:NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS
Restricted at year-end:
Satisfaction of purpose restrictions during the year:
NOTE 8:FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES
NOTE 9:FAIR VALUE
NOTE 10:RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
The Institute paid the Association approximately $6,000 for administrative fees, $44,900 for scholarships, and $10,000 for advertising, postage and miscellaneous expenses.
As of 2/4/2025
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
Application for Membership to TCDLEI Board
Deadline 5 pm, April 30 (send to mschank@tcdla.com – receipt will be confirmed)
Please answer the following questions and email mschank@tcdla.com by April 30th. Verify you receive a confirmation within 3 days of application.
Name: Cell Phone:
Position to apply for: TCDLEI Board Member - 3 Year Term
Email:
NA – Secretary/Treasurer - position move up at the end of the 2-year term to Chair-Elect, then Chair.
1. What do you believe are TCDLEI’s current challenges are for the foreseeable future, and what plans or objectives do you believe TCDLEI should implement to address those challenges?
2. How would you propose broadening TCDLEI’s ability to raise funds in the future?
3. How would you propose that TCDLEI continue to recruit and increase our number of Associate Fellows, Fellows, and Super Fellows?
4. What services do you believe TCDLEI should provide to support TCDLA, that we do not currently offer?
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Institute
Application for Membership to TCDLEI Board
Deadline 5 pm, April 30 (send to mschank@tcdla.com – receipt will be confirmed)
5. As an officer what would be your objective and goals for the foreseeable future for TCDLEI?
6. I can committee each year for my three-year term to fundraise $1500 or donate and meet the other board member obligations linked below and sign the conflict of interest.
Yes No
Please click here to view TCDLEI Board Responsibilities.pdf
I accept the obligation as a Board Member of TCDLEI to attend the four board meetings two in person (Dec., Jun.) and two remote
Yes No I will sign TCDLEI’s Code of Conduct, Personal Conduct Policy, Diversity Statement and TCDLEI Conflict of Interest
PRESENTATION #2623 for TSAE - Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Assoc
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