Registration is open for the
Legislative Empowerment & Advocacy Development (LEAD) Summit

Legislative Empowerment & Advocacy Development (LEAD) Summit
March 29-30, 2025 | Embassy Suites Santa Ana Orange County Airport

An educational and advocacy focused seminar designed to provide court reporters with the knowledge, tools, and resources they will need to educate and to influence decision-makers on policy, law, and regulations. Attendees will also learn how to navigate the processes within the policy-making arena that directly affect the profession.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE! | BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE! (more info below) | View the Program (PDF)

Schedule Overview:

• Saturday, March 29, 2025 -- 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Sunday, March 30, 2025 -- 9:00am – 3:00pm

Saturday Sessions:

LEAD Introduction: The Capitol Landscape
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
CEUs: 0.2 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Understanding how the legislative process works within the Capitol is vital to being successful with your lobbying efforts. CCRA Legislative Representatives Nick Brokaw and Graciela Castillo-Krings will discuss what goes on behind the doors of the Capitol. This information is essential when developing your platform, as it allows you to anticipate your opposition, gives you a framework for the homework that you will need to prepare for your visit, and will teach you how to effectively communicate your position, your ideas, your support, and your opposition to your legislators.
Learning Objective: Instruction and demonstration on how to put together and make a presentation to a legislator.
Speakers: Michelle Caldwell, CSR, CRR; Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR; Nick Brokaw, Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc.; Graciela Castillo-Krings, Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc.

SEIU: Our Allies
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 12:15pm - 1:15pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: SEIU represents multiple counties in California. We will hear from them directly about how we collaborate with other unions, attorneys, and other interested parties to learn how we advocate when teaming up with others. There are other interested parties/stakeholders who help us in our fights. Union advocates and others will train us how to advocate to legislators and others, and prepare us for grassroots lobbying at the ground level. SEIU California's Michelle Castro and Sandra Barreirro will describe for us the benefits of our partnerships with unions and the victories we achieve when working together.
Learning Objective: Learn from the union's perspective how to collaborate and who to reach out to for support in legislative lobbying.
Speakers: Sandra Barreiro; Michelle Castro, Director of Government Relations, SEIU of California; Dylan Johnson

AI: A Tool Only
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 1:15pm - 2:15pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Artificial Intelligence is a new technological frontier which, while it may have valuable uses, can also present a danger to creating an accurate, certified record. Mary Pierce of Jeopardizing Justice will take us through various aspects of AI and arm us with the knowledge we need in order to rebuff efforts by the courts or the legislature to let technology take the place of the live, certified court reporter.
Learning Objective: Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how AI works and learn how to respond to legislators and stakeholders on the risks and dangers of AI.
Speaker: Mary Pierce, CSR

The ER Rebellion: The Public Deserves Better
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: You will learn about the electronic recording history and how CCRA has fought for Certified Shorthand Reporters time and again. Provided class materials will help you to better understand our position so that you too can effectively fight against legislative proposals that look to eliminate court reporters.
Learning Objective: Attendees will be able to understand and advocate against electronic recording in multiple arenas.
Speakers: Shanna Gray; Cindy Tachell CSR, RPR, CRR, CCRR, Official Reporter Los Angeles Superior Court, President, LACCRA; Marlene Burris

Media/Public Speaking
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 3:45pm - 4:45pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: This course will help give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. By learning to effectively formulate and express ideas, we open an entire new world of possibilities. You’ll be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations, and you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others.
Learning Objective: Participants will receive instruction, demonstration, and hands-on practice to develop public speaking skills and confidence.
Speaker: Luis M. Aragón

Strategery: Planning your Capitol Visits
Saturday, 3/29/2025 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Participants will receive instruction on the importance of preparation
and research for all court reporter issues. Attendees will learn how and where to obtain the
information necessary to accurately and intelligently discuss issues with legislators and their staff.
Learning Objective: Learn how and where to obtain facts, statistics, figures, and reports regarding court reporting issues.
Speaker: Russell Walker, CSR, RPR

Sunday Sessions:

You Can Talk to a Decision Maker
Sunday, 3/30/2025 | 9:00am – 10:00am
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Learn from a California legislator what goes on behind the scenes of the Capitol. Learn how to develop your platform in a way that will resonate with legislators. Hear stories that will put into context the training and guidance you receive this weekend.
Learning Objective: How to prepare members to effectively present your position to a legislator.
Speaker: Senator Robert Hertzberg

Team Presentations
Sunday, 3/30/2025 | 10:00am - 11:30am
CEUs: 0.15 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Groups will present their prepared presentations in six different scenarios simulating differing persons, positions, and viewpoints.
Learning Objective: Groups will use their learned skills to make presentations and receive
feedback on their presentations.
Speakers: Michelle Caldwell, CSR, CRR; Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR; Russell Walker, CSR, RPR; Carolyn Dasher, Retired Court Reporter; Cindy Tachell CSR, RPR, CRR, CCRR, Official Reporter Los Angeles Superior Court, President, LACCRA

Debriefing, Group Reports
Sunday, 3/30/2025 | 11:30am - 1:00pm
CEUs: 0.15 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Groups will provide feedback to each other and receive critiques on their presentation.
Learning Objective: Give and receive feedback on successful presentations and talk about how to improve lobbying techniques.
Speakers: Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR; Carolyn Dasher, Retired Court Reporter

Bringing it Home: Nuts and Bolts on a Local Level
Sunday, 3/30/2025 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Learn how to use skills and lobbying efforts on a grassroots level to lobby a position, gain membership and member support, fundraising, letter writing, making phone calls, and becoming personally involved on a local level.
Learning Objective: Participants will receive instruction on grassroots lobbying, lobbying at the local level, and how they can personally make a difference. Participants will learn why it is important to know what to do when called upon to meet with their legislators on a local level. Instruction will be given on how to make appointments with your legislator, what to do when you get there, and the talking points to be given while at a meeting with your legislator.
Speakers: Jennifer Esquivel, CSR; Russell Walker, CSR, RPR

The Advocacy Panel
Sunday, 3/30/2025 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
CEUs: 0.1 | Article III: 3.04
Session Description: Ask your questions and share your thoughts. Hear war stories from experienced leaders regarding testifying, meeting with legislators, how they learned the ropes, and how to take the knowledge and information you just learned and become a leader too.
Learning Objective: Participants will gain the confidence to put their leadership skills to work, empowering them with the ability not only to lobby legislators but to apply these skills in all aspects of their life. They will realize that they are effective leaders and advocates for the reporting profession.
Speakers: Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR; Carolyn Dasher, Retired Court Reporter; Shanna Gray; Cindy Tachell CSR, RPR, CRR, CCRR, Official Reporter Los Angeles Superior Court, President, LACCRA

Registration:

We’re excited to extend an exclusive opportunity for first-time members to join the CCRA community! For a limited time, non-members are invited to register for our upcoming meeting and, upon attending, enjoy the added benefit of becoming a CCRA member. This special offer is designed to welcome new participants and introduce them to the many advantages of CCRA membership. Don’t miss this chance to engage with like-minded professionals, gain valuable insights, and become part of an inspiring network. 

Registration Fees:

• Member - $199
• *Non-Member: Register + Join - $329
• Student Member - $109
• *Non-Member Student: Register + Join - $139

*Register + Join is available for first-time members only and does not apply to lapsed or renewal memberships.
Registration includes all education sessions, Saturday lunch and afternoon break, and Sunday lunch.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be issued in full, minus a $75 administrative processing fee, for cancellations received on or before March 21, 2025. No refunds will be granted for cancellations after this date. All refund requests must be submitted in writing.
Important Note: The meeting organizers reserve the right to substitute sessions and speakers as necessary. While we strive to feature the listed speakers, unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the lineup.

Location:

Embassy Suites Santa Ana/Orange County Airport North
1325 E Dyer Rd
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714.241.3800

Click HERE to book your reservation online or call 714.241.3800 and use the special code CES90E to get CCRA’s group rate. The room rate of $162 is available through Friday, March 21, 2025, at 5:00pm or until room block sells out.
Parking: Overnight is $14.00 for regular-sized vehicles; Daily is $10.00

Donate to the CCRA Special Fund:

The CCRA Special Fund is a dedicated resource created to support the ongoing efforts of CCRA. The Fund supports professional growth, education, innovation, and is designed to support initiatives to further the reporting profession.
By investing in the Special Fund, you are dedicating your funds to the excellence of court reporters and helping to protect and to solidify our future for generations to come. 
Contributions to the Fund empower court reporters to meet the evolving demands of the profession and help to foster a vibrant, skilled, and well-equipped community.
DONATE TO THE SPECIAL FUND HERE!

SPEAKER BIOS

Luis M. Aragón is an accomplished composer, playwright, and retired prosecutor who brings a unique perspective to public speaking and advocacy. During his 30-year career with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Aragón conducted over 100 felony jury trials and numerous misdemeanor trials, working extensively with court reporters and appreciating their vital role in preserving the verbatim record in courtrooms. As one of America's first hate crimes prosecutors who helped draft California's anti-hate crime legislation, his cases have been featured in national publications, including American Lawyer and Reader's Digest, while another was the subject of the book Death Benefit, by David Heilbroner.
Beyond his legal career, Aragón currently serves as Managing Director of Teatro Máscara Mágica, San Diego's premier Latino theater company, and he is the immediate past president of Border Angels, a humanitarian nonprofit. His artistic work includes composing music and co-writing the book and lyrics for several musicals, including ELENA, FELONS!, and LOVING CUPID. He’s currently writing a new musical, PERFUME.
Aragón's extensive leadership experience includes serving as Vice President of the San Diego County Bar Association, President of San Diego's La Raza Lawyers Association, and Vice President of San Diego County's Child Abuse Foundation. His honors include the San Diego County Bar Association's "Public Lawyer of the Year" Award, the San Diego Theatre Arts Council's "Star" Award, and the San Diego District Attorney's "Outstanding Prosecutor" Award. He also served as Executive Producer of the documentary 'Love Has No Borders'.
A Yale University graduate with legal studies at Georgetown Law School and Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Aragón brings a powerful combination of courtroom experience, artistic expression, and advocacy skills to his presentation on effective public speaking for court reporters.

Sandra Barreiro: (Bio coming soon!)

Nick Brokaw is a Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc. A California-licensed attorney, Nick brings a nuanced understanding of state government, well-honed advocacy skills and a pragmatic, problem-solving approach to serving his clients. Informed by professional experiences that have spanned the intersection of politics, law and public policy, Nick represents some of the world’s largest companies, trade associations, non-profit organizations, and one of California’s most respected Native American tribes. Nick’s practice encompasses legislative, policy, regulatory, political and procurement matters. Prior to joining Sacramento Advocates nearly a decade ago, Nick was a litigator and corporate attorney at the Los Angeles office of an international law firm. Before entering private law practice, Nick worked as a political strategist and consultant for a tribal nation, where he represented the tribe on political, public policy and grassroots issues at the local, state and federal level. He has also worked on statewide and federal campaigns. A second-generation lobbyist, Nick began his career in state politics covering California government for Capitol Weekly, a non-partisan political trade publication almost two decades ago. Nick holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Sport Management from UC Santa Barbara, where he graduated summa cum laude. He holds a law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), where he served as the Editor-In-Chief of a law review, Vice President of the law school’s chapter of the American Constitution Society and co-founded a national law conference that continues to this day. He is an active member of the State Bar of California.

Marlene Burris: (Bio coming soon!)

Michelle Caldwell, CSR, CRR has been a certified shorthand reporter for 35 years. After graduating from the California School of Court Reporting in 1990, she freelanced for several years before becoming an Official Court Reporter for Santa Clara County. There, she played a key role in forming a reporter-specific bargaining unit, served as a union steward and negotiated labor contracts. She has extensive legislative training and experience and has collaborated with unions, associations and state focus groups advocating for the advancement and protection of reporters. She has served on numerous boards and volunteered in nonprofit programs on a myriad of topics dealing with advocacy for women and children. Michelle is also a freelance writer, having written for local, state and national publications. She retired from the Court in 2024 to partner in a freelance reporting firm. Michelle spends her downtime reading and traveling and lives with her husband of 35 years along the Northern California coast.

Graciela Castillo-Krings is a Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc. She brings over 20 years of legislative experience to her clients and has spent the majority of this time in public service in California government, most recently as Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary to Governor Jerry Brown. During her time serving the Brown Administration, Graciela negotiated, directly briefed and advised the Governor on over 800 bills, and oversaw the regulatory implementation of legislation he chose to sign. Graciela has an intimate knowledge of the complex, powerful, but often opaque state budgetary process, through years spent working directly with California’s Department of Finance to shepherd passage of policy and fiscal changes through subcommittees, conference committees, and the full legislature. Adept at mediating complex disputes between officials, regulators and impacted stakeholders, Graciela also often teamed with members of the Governor’s cabinet to supervise a dozen state agencies and departments. Graciela’s career in Sacramento began as a Jesse M. Unruh Fellow and then Legislative Aide to San Fernando Valley Assemblymember Lloyd E. Levine. She went on to serve as Legislative Director for an Assemblymember from San Mateo, Jerry Hill, before joining the Brown Administration, initially as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for CalRecycle. Graciela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California, is a graduate of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s (HOPE) Leadership Institute and is fluent in Spanish. She currently serves on the Sacramento Community Police Review Commission and on the Board of the CARES Foundation.

Michelle Castro is recently retired from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where she served as the Director of Government Relations and as a lobbyist. Michelle served SEIU for 28 years, during which she helped to establish SEIU as a leading advocacy, political and policy organization on matters affecting public employees in every sector of government. Michelle continues to work with SEIU as a consultant on trial court and other public sector employment matters.
During her tenure with SEIU, Michelle has been directly involved in the drafting and passage of legislation that has dramatically changed public sector labor relations and employment practices in California, including, among others: 1) AB 119 which established new public employee orientations, including court employees; 2) established an ongoing budget appropriation of $30 million dedicated to recruiting and retaining court reporters; 3) SB 2140 which created a collective bargaining act and new employment structure for trial court employees, including a system of due process and merit employment; 4) AB 253 which established a limited term remote reporting pilot project in Santa Clara Superior Court; 5) AB 1749 which established whistleblower protections for trial court employees; and, 6) SB 739 which transferred the enforcement and administration of the Meyers-Milias-Brown collective bargaining act from superior courts to the Public Employment Relations Board.
Michelle currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of California’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, Public Employee Relations and has written several articles on various legislative and regulatory matters for the Institute’s labor relations periodical.

Carolyn Dasher has been lobbying on behalf of CCRA and SEIU for over 20 years, culminating last year in the successful efforts to increase the transcript rate in GC69950. Her countless hours advocating for the courts and court reporters have given her vast knowledge that she’d like to teach to others who are interested in legislative advocacy. Through CCRA and NCRA, she participated in NCRA Lobby Day in Washington D.C. where she lobbied for mandatory closed captioning. Now that she’s retired, she’s making legislative training materials for court reporters to use in the future.

Jennifer Esquivel, CSR, official for San Diego Superior Court since January of 2019, has kept her foot on the gas and her ear to the ground, working hard alongside her fellow stewards and unit to elevate San Diego to the role model it's become. Her involvement with key associations like CCRA since 2009, when she joined as a student, and her constant networking throughout the years has served her well in improving the work environment for her and for her fellow official court reporters. Freelancing gave her freedom, but officialship gave her purpose. She is proud to share her training, skills, and strategy as a leader with officials to create a positive work environment and successful relationship with their own court. When Jenn isn't on the record, she is busy organizing student mentorship, new hire mentorship, recruitment, negotiations, and labor management with her court. Looking forward to her daughter's planned path to becoming an attorney, she spends her free time with her family and friends, soaking up the sun on walks with her puppy, and, of course, connecting with her colleagues.

Shanna Gray: (Bio coming soon!)

Robert Myles Hertzberg is an American politician who previously served in the California Senate. A Democrat, he represented the 18th Senate District, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley.
Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2014, he served as the 64th Speaker of the California State Assembly, representing the 40th Assembly District. He was Majority Leader from January 2019 to January 2022. He announced he would not seek re-election and instead announced his candidacy for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He lost the supervisor election to Lindsey Horvath.
Hertzberg was born the third of five sons in Downtown Los Angeles. His father, Harrison Hertzberg, was a constitutional lawyer. He grew up in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. The family later moved to Palm Springs, California. He went to Palm Springs High School then graduated magna cum laude from the University of Redlands in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English. Hertzberg earned his Juris Doctor from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1979.
After graduating from law school, Hertzberg was an associate at the Beverly Hills law firm of Fulop, Rolston, Burns, & McKittrick. He and his father later formed the Hertzberg & Hertzberg law firm. The younger Hertzberg left in 1985 and sued his father over the firm's assets in 1986, seeking $1 million in punitive damages. After his father's passing in 1987, the case was settled as part of the estate.
After Hertzberg retired from the State Assembly in 2002, Mickey Kantor recruited him to full partnership at Mayer Brown LLP, formerly Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. Hertzberg left Mayer Brown in 2014, after being sworn in as a State Senator. Shortly after being elected to the California State Senate in November 2014, Hertzberg was hired as a "of counsel" government affairs attorney with the Los Angeles law firm Glaser Weil. Hana Callaghan, director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, has raised concerns over potential conflict of interests, as the firm services many clients who are affected by state legislation. In December 2017, he and Glaser Weil mutually agreed to the suspension of their relationship, following sexual assault allegations against State Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, who was represented by Glaser Weil.
Hertzberg experience with politics begin at 19 as a driver for State Senator Mervyn Dymally, who ran in the Lieutenant Governor of California race, in 1974. There he built his networks within the Latino political circles, including Gloria Molina, Richard Alatorre, and Antonio Villaraigosa. Hertzberg did legal work for Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina. He was later appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Dylan Johnson: (Bio coming soon!)

Mary Pierce, CSR has been licensed in the State of California since July 1983 as a Certified Shorthand Reporter. From 1983 to 2001, Mary worked as a staff reporter for two different agencies in the greater Los Angeles area. Since January 2002, she has owned and operated Pantera Court Reporters in Huntington Beach, California. Mary served on the Board of CalDRA from February of 2018 until April of 2022 in various capacities, including as President from 2020 to 2022. Since 2022, she has been the co-chair of the legislative committee for CalDRA. Mary has published several articles, including the April 2022 article in The Daily Journal entitled “Make Sure Your Court Reporter Is Really A Court Reporter,” a widely circulated article that she co-authored with Melissa Buchman, a family law attorney in Beverly Hills. From 2022 to 2024, Mary was a member of the NCRA STRONG Committee (now working under the name Jeopardizing Justice), a group dedicated to exposing the truth and educating those who use court reporting services about the pitfalls, shortcoming and dangers of digitally recording legal proceedings and the use of AI/ASR in the transcript thereof.

Brooke Ryan, CSR, RPR graduated from Humphrey’s College in 1996. She quickly became a Pro Tem for the Sacramento Superior Court, which led to an officialship in 2001. In 2003, Brooke was elected CCRA Legislative Council Representative for the Sacramento Officials Court Reporters Association, which began her affinity for CCRA. It was around this same time she became a board member for her union, United Public Employees. She ultimately became Chair of the union board and held that position for numerous years. At the same time, she was nominated for a Board of Directors position with CCRA. She worked her way up through the positions, culminating in her first presidency in 2016. She was re-elected as president in 2017. In 2020, Brooke left her officialship to become a freelancer. Her goal was to return to CCRA but as a freelancer. Her passion lies in legislation. She has helped advocate for multiple bills on behalf of CCRA over the years. Brooke has two boys, Oliver and Truman, and together they love to travel the world.

Cindy Tachell, CSR, RPR, CRR, CCRR, began her career in 1990 as a freelancer reporting depositions, arbitrations, and public hearings. She is currently in a criminal assignment in the San Fernando Courthouse. Cindy has reported in criminal, civil, probate, family law, mental health, dependency, delinquency, and Grand Jury proceedings. Cindy is a member of NCRA, CCRA and DRA. She is also a member of the LACCRA Legislative Committee and the CCRA Legislative Committee. “Give 15 minutes to your association.”

Russell Walker, CSR, RPR has been a reporter for 18 years. He graduated from court reporting school in San Diego in 2004, then began working in the freelance field in 2005. In early 2006, he discovered how well he fit into the San Diego Superior Court environment, devoted his time to working as a per diem until coming on as an official in 2006. In 2012, as one of the reporters laid off when civil and family law positions were eliminated, Russell was one of the founding members of San Diego’s first official pro tem reporting firm, SDCRC. He worked with that group until accepting reinstatement as an official in early 2014. Russell served nine terms as president of the San Diego Superior Court Reporters Association and continues to serve as a union steward. Russell enjoys serving his church, Horizon South Bay, and spending time with his wife and two sons.