On September 11, 2026, Vanessa joined co-presenter Kayla Harrington as a featured presenter at the Tarrant County Bar Child Welfare Seminar, speaking before a distinguished audience of judges and attorneys practicing in the child welfare field. The program was organized by Judge John Eck of Child Protection Court #2 of Tarrant County.



The presentation, focused on effective strategies for CPS mediations, provided practical guidance designed to help attorneys and other professionals navigate the unique challenges of child welfare disputes and pursue meaningful, well-prepared resolutions.

Key topics included:

• Preparation as the foundation for success. Vanessa and Kayla emphasized the importance of preparing clients, decision-makers, evidence, and settlement positions well in advance of mediation to maximize opportunities for productive negotiations.
• Strategic management of complex dynamics. The presenters addressed the critical role of CPS mediators in managing emotions, power imbalances, safety concerns, and challenging personalities, while using strategic caucusing to foster communication and build rapport.
• Drafting effective Mediated Settlement Agreements. The presentation highlighted the importance of keeping MSAs clear, concise, and precise, with attorneys ideally preparing proposed language in advance to promote efficiency and reduce ambiguity during the mediation process.