The Children’s Commission is pleased to announce that the application for the Fall 2023 Trial Skills Training (TST) is now open. TST is designed for less-experienced attorneys currently representing the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or actively accepting court appointments on a child welfare docket who want to improve their litigation skills. The course offers approximately 17-20 live MCLE hours, including ethics hours, and up to 3 self-study MCLE hours.

The interactive, three-day course will include virtual instruction on September 13, 2023 and in-person instruction on September 20-21, 2023. A fictional Texas child welfare case and live witnesses are partnered with top-notch instructors to coach attendees through all stages of a trial. Additional information about travel-related costs and reimbursement per state guidelines is provided on the Children’s Commission’s website at the link below. Space is limited to 21 attorneys, and participants are evenly divided into three practice groups comprised of children’s attorneys, attorneys who represent DFPS, and parents’ attorneys.

The application deadline is midnight on Friday, March 31, 2023. The Children’s Commission will contact each applicant’s primary or appointing judge to confirm the applicant’s suitability for the training. Attorneys will be notified in April by email about whether they have been accepted into the Fall 2023 Trial Skills Training.

For more information about the full application criteria and to submit an application for the training, please visit the Trial Skills Training webpage.