Speakers
Alex del Carmen, Ph.D.
Speaking in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
Dr. del Carmen is a criminologist, university professor, Criminal Justice department chair, and a LEMIT instructor. He is a leading researcher in the area of police procedures, use of force, and racial profiling. He regularly trains and consults with police chiefs, law enforcement management, police agencies, and city managers on police related issues. He is an author of police procedure textbooks including ‘Corrections’ (2nd Edition), ‘Race and Crime’ and forthcoming books, ‘Policing Management and Organizational Issues’, and ‘Racial Profiling’.
Rhonda E. Cates, J.D.
Speaking in Houston
Prior to establishing her own firm, The Law Office of Rhonda E. Cates, Ms. Cates was a partner at Lyon Gorsky, Haring and Gilbert from 1999 to 2006. Her extensive experience handling matters involving police litigation is evident by her being a certified LEMIT instructor. Her representative clients include: Arlington Municipal Patrolman’s Association; Bedford Municipal Police Association; Carrollton Police Association; Dallas Police Association; Grand Prairie Police Association; Highland Park Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; Irving Police Association; Plano Police and Fire Associations; Richardson Police Association; San Angelo Police Association; Texas Municipal Police Association; Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association. Ms. Cates has been a speaker on such topics as “Due Process and Officer’s Rights,” “Your Rights as a Government Employee,” “Constitutional and Civil Rights Law,” and “Officer’s Rights.”
Rafe Foreman, J.D.,
Kern Lewis, J.D.
Susan Hutchison, J.D.
Speaking in Dallas
The attorneys at Foreman, Lewis & Hutchison specialize in the trial of Civil and Criminal cases. They were selected to be among a small group of lawyers mentored and trained by legendary trial lawyer Gerry Spence at his Trial Lawyers College in Jackson, Wyoming. Their practice includes cases across the state and around the nation where they are often hired by other attorneys shortly before trial to try or assist in the trial of cases. In the last few years they have successfully handled criminal cases, civil rights and excessive use of force cases, fiduciary litigation, an antitrust price fixing case, a UCC banking case, numerous personal injury matters, medical malpractice cases, sexual harassment, age discrimination and whistle blower actions. In the last 18 months they have obtained over 8 million dollars in trial verdicts. Rafe, Kern and Susan have all been listed as a “Texas Super Lawyers” in Texas Monthly, Magazine and as “Top Attorneys” in Fort Worth, Texas Magazine.
Norman Giles, J.D.
Speaking in Houston
Norman Giles is an attorney practicing in the litigation section of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin in Houston. He joined the practice of law after retiring from the Galveston Police Department where he achieved the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Giles works closely with Bill Helfand in the area of governmental liability primarily concentrating on the defense of public entities and governmental officials. Mr. Giles practices in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Texas and has handled many civil rights cases. Norman still holds a master peace officer certification and is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education as a peace officer instructor and peace office firearms instructor. During his law enforcement career, Norman served as an administrator, supervisor, investigator and patrol officer. Norman has conducted hundreds of investigations including forty homicide investigations and has testified as a witness before many juries as both a fact witness and expert on law enforcement related issues. This background provides him keen insight into civil rights issues which frequently involve law enforcement officers.
Bill Helfand, J.D.
Speaking in Houston
William "Bill" Helfand of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin is one of the leading civil trial lawyers in Texas. While attending college and law school, he served as a civilian paramedic and, later, a commissioned police officer for the City of New Orleans Police Department. As a police officer, Bill worked patrol, traffic enforcement and investigation, and in the special operations division. Bill's practice in the area of governmental liability concentrates on the defense of public entities, officials and employees of all types throughout Texas and the United States. He has worked in these areas of law for almost twenty years and has been called upon to advise and defend governmental entities, their officials and employees in practically ever subject of potential liability. Bill is actively involved in civil rights and governmental liability training as well as training of governmental officials and employees. He is frequently asked to speak on behalf of the Texas State Bar, Texas Municipal League, Texas Council Risk Management Fund, Texas Water Authorities Risk Fund and has served an adjunct instructor for Sam Houston State University’s law enforcement and corrections management professional development programs. He has also worked with Sam Houston State University and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education in the development of web-based training for Texas police.
George Hyde, J.D.
Speaking in San Antonio
George joined Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal, P.C. as an Associate in March 2001 and is responsible for handling all aspects of administrative, trial and appellate level litigation, counsels for-profit and non-profit organizations, and is currently the City Attorney and City Prosecutor for the City of Somerset, Texas and the City Attorney for the City of Garden Ridge, Texas. George simultaneously holds a commission as a Police Lieutenant managing Special Operations of a suburban police department, is a regular speaker at statewide conferences related to local government affairs, and has authored several papers and an article on off-duty employment of peace officers titled Extra Jobs - Are they worth it? Factors Police Officers and Police Administrators Should Consider When Deciding on the Ability to Work the Extra Job.
Bill Krueger, III, J.D.
Speaking in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
Bill Krueger, a Partner at Fletcher & Springer, has over 20 years of legal experience. He is actively engaged in the defense of civil rights, labor, tort and insurance litigation and is General Counsel for the Texas Police Association. He successfully defends and tries cases throughout the State of Texas. Mr. Krueger regularly speaks to the Texas Legislature and lectures in the areas of labor, civil rights, tort and insurance litigation. Mr. Krueger has authored and/or published articles many articles, including Racial Profiling in the New Millennium; The Stop Heard 'Round the World and Excessive Force and Civil Rights Litigation.
Chris Livingston, J.D.
Speaking in Dallas
Chris Livingston is an attorney practicing with Lyon, Gorsky, Haring & Gilbert, L.L.P., a firm that concentrates on representing law enforcement and public employees. Among other clients, the firm serves as general counsel to the Dallas Police Association and DPSOA. Before joining Lyon Gorsky, Chris served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge William M. Acker, Jr. of the Northern District of Alabama, as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, and worked for a large defense firm. Chris has lectured before the National Association of Attorneys General and continuing education groups on law enforcement issues, public official conflicts of interest, and ERISA preemption.
William (Bill) Rushing – Chief of Allen PD
Speaking in Houston
Bill Rushing, is a thirty (30) year law enforcement veteran who has served as Chief of Police for the City of Allen since December 2, 1997. Prior to coming to the City of Allen, Chief Rushing served as Chief of Police for the City of Wylie approximately two years. Chief Rushing served as Deputy Chief in charge of the Patrol Service Bureau for the Odessa Police Department. While in Odessa, Chief Rushing served in a variety of departments including Internal Affairs, Criminal Investigations, K-9 and Patrol.
Chief Rushing served with the Ector County Sheriff’s Office in Odessa as a helicopter pilot, K-9 handler, and Patrol Deputy. He was also a Deputy with the El Paso Sheriff’s Department prior to coming to Odessa. Chief Rushing served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam Veteran.
Chief Rushing holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and is a 1994 graduate of the FBI National Academy. He was bestowed the distinct honor of being one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century for Collin County in 2003, and is the past President of the North Texas Police Chief’s Association.
Jason Schuette, J.D.
Speaking in Dallas and San Antonio
Jason Schuette is an Assistant City Attorney in Dallas. He works in the Litigation Division of the Civil Rights Section. Mr. Schuette joined the Dallas City Attorney's Office in 1999. His practice focuses on defending the City and City employees in lawsuits alleging violation of civil rights. He is responsible for oversight of the Civil Rights section, as well as trial of cases through appeal. He was also an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Tarrant County.
Dwight Steward, Ph.D.
Speaking in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio
Dr. Steward is an economist and statistician specializing in police racial profiling and police misconduct research and expert testimony. Dr. Steward has performed police related statistical research on behalf of police agencies, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and he Austin City Police Monitor as well as community groups such as the ACLU, NAACP, and TCJC. His on-going racial profiling research has allowed law enforcement officials, city managers, and community groups to assess police department racial profiling policies.
John Stickels, J.D., Ph.D.
Speaking in Dallas
Dr. Stickels is an attorney and holds a Ph.D. in public policy. Dr. Stickels has over 24 years of legal experience including 10 years prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. He has served as the District Attorney for the 143rd Judicial District of Texas, County Attorney for Ward County, Texas, and the City Attorney for Monahans, Texas, and as a private practice attorney. He is also licensed to practice law before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Rita Watkins - LEMIT instructor
Speaking in Houston
Dr. Rita Watkins is the Executive Director of LEMIT as well as a TCLEOSE certified instructor and professor at Sam Houston State University. She has served as the Project Manager for LEMIT’s Leadership Command College and Chief Deputy for the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Watkins’ teaching and research has concentrated on the areas of cultural diversity, leadership development, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, investigative techniques, and diverse workplaces. She is also co-author of Forgotten Heroes, a 1999 book written about and dedicated to women police officers killed in the line of duty.
Senator Royce West, J.D.
Speaking in San Antonio
Senator West has been a Senate Member since his installation as State Senator, District 23 (Dallas County), in January 1993. In addition to his senatorial responsibilities, Senator West is a partner in the law firm of West & Associates, L.L.P. Texas Monthly Magazine named Senator West as one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas politics and one of the "Ten Best Legislators in Texas.” In 2006, Senator West was sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate. Senator West is Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and is a member of Education, Finance, Health and Human Services and the Subcommittee on Higher Education. He also serves on the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). In April 2005, Governor Rick Perry appointed Senator West to the Education Commission of the States.
Other Speakers
We anticipate having Lake Worth PD police chief, Brett McGuire, and several other North Texas area police chiefs and law enforcement officials provide their unique insights and perspectives on these issues at the CLE.
