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Executive Director
mschank@tcdla.com
512.646.2724 |
• implements board policy
• policy and business planning
• oversees association
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Melissa J. Schank, Executive Director, has worked with nonprofit associations for over 20 years, and has been with TCDLA more than 15 years. She earned her Master’s of Human Resources, Business Administration, Bachelor’s of Communication and Mediation Certificate from Saint Edwards University in Austin, Texas and is a Certified Association Executive. Her greatest strengths are overseeing the long-term planning and strategy for legal educational programs, in addition to managing the organization’s seminars, membership and communication departments.
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Curriculum Director/
Staff Attorney
rwardroup@tcdla.com
806.763.9900
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• Develops and directs training for criminal defense lawyers
• Supervises law clerks for research
• Provide resources for criminal defense attorneys
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As Curriculum Director, Rick is responsible for assisting in the
creation and development of trainings to address the needs of Texas
trial lawyers, particularly in the areas of forensic science, capital
litigation, trial advocacy and wellness issues. He is a regular
presenter at trainings which focus on these topics and maintains
relationships with nationally known experts, primarily on these topics,
who he calls on to assist in our programs. He has served as a co-course
director in TCDLA's Forensics seminar for the past 8 years, the TCDLA
Capital Litigation/Mental Health programs on South Padre Island and in
alternating Texas cities each year since joining TCDLA. He has also
served as the Course Director for the Cross-examination course at the
Center for American and International Law for 11 years and as co-course
director for the Capital Defense College at CAIL for 8 years. As Staff
Attorney, Rick assists in the development and reviews the grant
applications to the Court of Criminal Appeals and serves as a resource
for legal questions which arise at the home office. He leads the
updating of TCDLA's publications, soliciting attorneys to update
individual books and cheat sheets, updating some publications personally
and editing the books and cheat sheets before publication. Rick's
greatest strengths are his inquisitive nature and his desire to assist
attorneys in the development of their trial skills and their
coping/life-balancing challenges.
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Controller
mflores@tcdla.com
512.646.2727
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• budgets and financials
• grant compliance
• financial analysis
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Mari Flores, TCDLA’s Controller, has been with TCDLA since February of 2012. She has an MBA in accounting and a BBA in Finance from Saint Edwards University in Austin, TX. She has 15 years of nonprofit experience in accounting, financial management and auditing. Her accounting and financial nonprofit knowledge, as well as the professionalism, efficiency and dedication she brings to her position are her greatest strengths.
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Craig Hattersley
Communications Dir.
chattersley@tcdla.com
512.646.2733 |
• Voice for the Defense magazine
• marketing
• graphic design
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Communications Director Craig Hattersley has been with TCDLA for twelve years. He graduated summa cum laude from UT with a BS in journalism, and was senior editor at 3rd Coast magazine, Texas Life magazine, and Austin Weekly, as well as writing or working for the Village Voice, Texas Monthly Publications, and the Texas Observer, among others. Additionally, before coming to TCDLA, he worked at G&S Typesetters in Austin, specializing in the production of college textbooks. A misspent youth featured tours of duty at the Fillmore East in NYC, the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, and years spent under the hood working as a mechanic in a Volkswagen dealership. His son has finished undergrad degrees in math and comp sci and a master's in statistics and probability at the University of Arizona in Tucson and works for JP Morgan in Houston.
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Accountant
cabascal@tcdla.com
512.646.2725
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• payroll
• accounts payable
• deposits
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Cristina Abascal, TCDLA’s Accounts Payable Specialist, has been with TCDLA for twelve years. She is currently attending Austin Community College pursue a BA in Accounting. She has four years of nonprofit experience in accounting and auditing. Her hard work and dedication and ability to adapt to change are her greatest strengths. When she is not studying or at work she is enjoying her four children.
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Database Director
mrendon@tcdla.com
512.646.2732
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• database management
• operations
• membership benefits
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Miriam Duarte, Database Coordinator, has been with TCDLA for thirteen years. Her experience at TCDLA has allowed her to utilize her professionalism and ability to learn and master new concepts. Miriam has shown a commitment to providing unsurpassed service in the membership, seminar, and publication departments. Her attention to detail and accuracy has provided great management and upkeep of the organization's database, her greatest strength.
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Program Coordinator
512.646.2729
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• Event coordination and management
• Contract negotiations
• Marketing development
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Seminar Planner
ksteen@tcdla.com
512.646.2721
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• Plan and organize CLEs and events
• Travel arrangements for board and speakers
• Prepare seminar materials and marketing
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Keri Steen is a native of Wisconsin who brings a wealth of experience to the association. Besides working in a number of office environments and gaining the skills required to handle multiple accounts, Keri has done work with both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts in a variety of positions, including training, accounting, and fundraising. She is the mother of twin teenage girls and a boy.
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Administrative Assistant
cjones@tcdla.com
512.646.2728
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• data processing
• shipping
• attendee packets
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Chelsea Jones is a born and raised Texan. She has attended Texas State University and ACC and is now working to get back into school for forensics and criminology. Chelsea has experience with volunteer work for nonprofit organizations such as Grassroots, Austin Humane Society, and Planned Parenthood. She also spends her free time as a digital artist hired for commission.
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Seminar Associate
ejaramillo@tcdla.com
512.646.2723
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• CLE
• Scholarships
• Stipends
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Elisa Jaramillo is a native Austinite. She is a licensed cosmetologist, but wanted something more in the line of office work. She therefore transitioned into a clerical position as a childcare worker in the after-school ACE program in the Austin Independent School District. Elisa is proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
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Seminar Clerk
snay@tcdla.com
512.646.2736
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• data processing
• shipping
• attendee packets
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Susan Nay was born and raised in Alaska and worked her way to Texas through California. She is a mom of two teenage boys who love life. Susan is a strong advocate for education and has spent many years working for the betterment of students all around her. She loves to travel, and she encourages student educational travel every chance she gets. When she’s not working she will be found exploring Austin and all it has to offer!
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Seminar Clerk
ngill@tcdla.com
512.646.2741
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• data processing
• shipping
• attendee packets
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Nymph Gill was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Currently, Nymph is a student at the University of Texas at Austin. When not at work or studying, you can find her immersed in a book, traveling to new cities, volunteering, or spending time with her family and beloved dog, Gilly.
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Seminar Clerk
areyes@tcdla.com
512.646.2731
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• data processing
• shipping
• attendee packets
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Avea Reyes was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She is currently a full-time student at Texas A&M in San Antonio, majoring in political science. After completing her undergraduate degree, she wants to attend law school and become a lawyer. Avea enjoys being around family and relaxing at home watching TV shows or movies when she's not at work or school.
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Seminar Clerk
irodriguez@tcdla.com
512.646.2735
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• data processing
• shipping
• attendee packets
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Irma Rodriguez was born and raised in Austin. She is returning to work after a five-year break to stay home with her little ones. Prior to work with TCDLA, she worked in Austin-area hospital pharmacies as a pharmacy technician for 15 years. During her free time, Irma enjoys swimming, reading, and kayaking with her son, and she is an avid baker. As a mother of children with special needs, she volunteers, consulting and counseling fellow parents of special-needs kids.
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