Farris Law group is growing at lightning speeds and bringing on three veterans allows for the continued focus on customer service and technology to expand.

“I wanted to bring on a varsity team that is excited about the growth and knows the industry inside and out,” said Matt Farris principal of Farris Law Group. “These three new hires are going to create a lot of new business for Farris Law Group and we are all excited to see what happens next.”

Farris Law Group brought on Kortney Harward as the Senior Vice President of Business Development; Patrick Fitzgerald as Manager of the Loan Fulfillment Department and Ali Linthorst as Vice President of Marketing.

“I am excited for this new opportunity with Farris Law Group and the potential we have to succeed in providing Texas lenders with mortgage document solutions,” said Senior Vice President of Business Development Kortney Harward. “I am eager and excited to build new partnerships and business relationships to further the success we are already witnessing.”

Farris Law Group has seen the changes within the industry since 2000. The evolution of the firm and the different services offered allows them to focus on all aspects of real estate and mortgage transactions giving each customer personal service and knowledge that exceeds their expectations.

About Farris Law Group, PLLC:
Our mission is to provide superior legal and real estate closing services in Texas. To achieve this mission we provide exceptional customer service, experienced staff, and cutting-edge technology that keeps our clients in compliance every step of the way. Our focus is meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our clients. Your satisfaction is our goal. Giving you customized solutions that result in flexibility and ease-of-use allows you to generate more business while fulfilling your unique business needs. For more information visit http://www.farris-lawgroup.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Farris Law Group, PLLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Texas-Based-Farris-Law-Group-PLLC-Brings-On-Varsity-Team-to-Focus-on-Company-Growth-and-Expansion_2013-05-0509-004.shtml .

When the local police raided his business months later however, not only was he surprised, hurt and angered, he along with two of his employees were also arrested and charged with felony crimes ranging from conspiracy, to possession of an “illegal” substance with intent to deliver. Collectively the three face over 25 years in prison if found guilty.

Nickerson and his staff, the “Bellingham Cannabis 3,” plan to fight those charges and win. On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. the “Bellingham Cannabis 3″ will join forces with nationally recognized medical marijuana activist Ed Forchion aka NJWeedman during a “Jury Nullification Awareness Protest” to be held in front of the Whatcam County District Court at 311 Grand St. in Bellingham, Wash. Northern Cross patients and supportive tax paying citizens will march and speak out against the unprecedented raids on three different collectives in the area while Forchion will provide a national perspective and discuss jury nullification.

The protest also serves as the launch of NJWeedman’s national “Jury Nullification Tour.” In short, jury nullification is an age-old practice, though rarely implemented, whereby juries have the right to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant based on their moral interpretation of the law.

The “Bellingham Cannabis 3″ are caught in a battle that is being played out in courtrooms across the nation as numerous states come to terms with specific legal clarifications concerning their newly implemented cannabis laws.

An unlikely trio of sorts, Nickerson is a 36-year-old budding entrepreneur and father, who uses cannabis for afflictions he suffers from degenerative disc disease and acid reflex disease. Chris Ramsey is a 31-year-old patient and volunteer at Northern Cross. Born with Spina Bifida, a severe disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube, and severe nerve damage, the use of cannabis has seen him forfeit the use of a host of prescription drugs including muscle relaxers, pain killers, anti-nausea pills, and stool softeners. Saroj Sidhu is a young 22-year college student and she is a former volunteer at Northern Cross.

No one understands this struggle better than Forchion. Forchion solidified his moniker of “NJWeedman” in the medical marijuana community and far beyond when a jury of twelve unanimously acquitted him of possession with the intent to distribute a pound of marijuana during a recent trial in Burlington County, NJ. Forchion is one of the country’s staunchest supporters of jury nullification. He also suffers from bone cancer and uses cannabis to address the painful tumors he has. Prior to his court hearing, Forchion tirelessly and seemingly successfully petitioned the media and the public at large with his “The law is wrong, not I” jury nullification campaign in a concertedly determined effort to win his case.

“The case of the ‘Bellingham Cannabis 3′ broadly exemplifies how the law is unjust and wrong. It is our goal to inform everyone that as members of a jury they have the power to nullify any law that they don’t consider just. My jury did it in New Jersey and I believe we are going to see more and more jury participants across the country utilizing this American right and privilege. It’s what the Jury Nullification Tour is all about and I personally plan to tour the country to increase awareness of it. Let’s free the ‘Bellingham Cannabis 3′ and free ourselves in the process from outdated tyranny and oppression!” cites Forchion.

Adds Nickerson, “With this protest, we hope to better educate our peers and the public about the jury nullification process which can ultimately lead to the proof of our innocence. NCCG is fundamentally a small group of people helping a large group of suffering patients. No one should ever be made to feel like a criminal for that.”

“We pride ourselves in knowing that we provide a safe, comfortable and professional environment for patients to access medicine. Our community is appalled by the allegations that the city of Bellingham and the prosecutor put against us. All we have done is abide by State Law Rcw 69.51a and help sick and dying patients attain a natural plant,” adds Nickerson.

For more information: http://www.northerncrossnw.com/ and http://njweedman.com/ .

IMAGES:

Bellingham Cannabis 3: http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6858/bellingham3.jpg / Mitch Moquin

NJWeedman : http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/6451/njjurynull.jpg / Catrina Coleman.

NEWS SOURCE: Ed Forchion :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/NJWeedman-Launches-his-Jury-Nullification-Tour-May-8-in-Washington-State-During-Protest-March-to-Support-the-Bellingham-Cannabis-3_2013-05-0506-001.shtml .

Founded in 2002, POG is the only workers’ compensation insurance program exclusively for California McDonald’s franchise operators.

EPIC, POG, Sedgwick Claims Management Services and Probe Information Services recently obtained a Felony Criminal Complaint resulting in the arrest of a McDonald’s employee.

Based on surveillance evidence obtained by Probe, the employee will be prosecuted for five felony counts of fraud. The five felony counts of fraud are related to misrepresentations regarding the nature and extent of an alleged on the job injury while employed at a McDonald restaurant participating in EPIC’s POG program.

James Abbate, POG President commented, “The POG program has zero tolerance for fraud. We are pleased to announce this arrest and hope for a conviction. We will continue to aggressively identify and pursue prosecution of any form of fraud on behalf of our POG members.”

Seth Madnick, Managing Principal of the EPIC Programs Group underwriting and administering the McDonald’s POG program, also commented on the investigation and arrest. “The purpose of workers’ compensation is to care for legitimately injured workers, promoting their recovery and return to work, When people abuse the workers’ compensation system, everyone suffers – especially those who depend on the system.”

About EPIC:
EPIC is an innovative California-based retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. The company provides a unique equity ownership opportunity and has created a values-based culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

The fastest growing brokerage in the state, EPIC now has more than 300 team members operating from nine offices across California (Los Angeles, Irvine, Ontario, Fresno, Folsom, San Francisco, San Mateo, Petaluma and San Ramon).

With more than $60 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 50 retail insurance brokers in the United States and is the 5th largest privately-held broker in California. For more information, please visit http://www.edgewoodins.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Edgewood Partners Insurance Center :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/EPIC-and-Preferred-Operator-Group-Partner-to-Fight-Workers-Compensation-Insurance-Fraud_2013-04-0424-002.shtml .

Reynolds Law Offices
Westlake Center
4555 Lake Forest Dr.
Suite 650
Blue Ash, OH 45242
(513) 278-2400
http://wreynoldslaw.com

“We are very excited about the move,” stated Bill Reynolds. “Although our old location was great, we are looking forward to growing our firm and our staff in our new spacious office and being able to provide a wider range of services,” he added.

In addition to moving its offices to a larger headquarters location, Reynolds Law Offices and its principal partner Bill Reynolds, are excited to announce newly added office locations in Downtown Cincinnati, Hyde Park, West Chester as well as an office in Northern Kentucky. All offices except the downtown Cincinnati office offer convenient access, no traffic hassles, free parking, and all have a helpful and accommodating staff.

“When you are talking about legal services like divorce, dissolution, parenting and child support, bankruptcy, and other civil disputes we absolutely must be convenient to the courts but especially to our clients. Having offices serving both Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky allows us to do just that,” says Bill Reynolds, Attorney with Reynolds Law Offices. “Our new and larger facility will allow us to offer seminars on topics of interest to our clients and offer many other services which were not previously available as well.”
Reynolds Law Offices focuses their practice in the areas of family law, business and contracts, estate planning and probate cases which all demand comprehensive, caring, and thorough legal representation.

ABOUT BILL REYNOLDS – OHIO ATTORNEY WITH REYNOLDS LAW OFFICES
Bill Reynolds is an Ohio attorney licensed for twenty years, practicing law and serving his clients in Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Bill makes it easy for your family to talk about and plan for tough subjects involving money, family matters, much more. Visit http://www.wreynoldslaw.com for information about legal representation and how you can make sure your assets and your family are shielded under the law.

NEWS SOURCE: Reynolds Law Offices

Marcus Wilkinson handles angel investments, venture capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. His practice involves structuring, documenting and negotiating seed through later stage equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, intellectual property licenses, and general corporate matters.

His clients span a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, Internet-based businesses, software, precision manufacturing, higher education and life sciences. He also represents several privately-held companies in an “outside general counsel” capacity, starting with pre-formation issues, progressing through several rounds of financing, and culminating in an “exit” transaction. In that capacity, he counsels entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders on the full range of legal issues that arise over the course of a company’s lifetime, including general corporate matters (such as employment agreements, equity incentive plans, and intellectual property protection measures), and commercial contracts (such as manufacturing, development, distribution, supply and license agreements).

“Marcus will be a terrific addition to our growing corporate team,” says Christopher La Chance, head of the firm’s Corporate and Securities practice group. “His experience will be an asset to our clients and will enhance our existing corporate and emerging growth capabilities and help further strengthen our East Coast transactions platform.”

Prior to joining VLP Law Group, Marcus was a partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP for thirteen years, where he had previously been the leader of the Emerging & Technology Companies practice group and the Mergers & Acquisitions practice group. Before that, he spent four years with Shearman & Sterling LLP and three years with Morrison & Foerster LLP.

Mr. Wilkinson is a graduate of Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He has a B.A. from Haverford College and an M.B.A. from INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration), where he was a Kitchener European Scholar. He is a member of the Bar in Connecticut, New York and California. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, and is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars. He was designated as a Connecticut SuperLawyer in the field of Mergers and Acquisitions.

“I am looking forward to working with VLP’s talented team of attorneys within its highly innovative and cost-effective model,” Mr. Wilkinson stated. “My clients know that they need to run their businesses in a lean, focused manner. I am very excited to be joining a law firm that shares their philosophy.”

About VLP’s Corporate Practice:

VLP has a broad-based corporate practice which is focused on the representation of start-up, middle market and later-stage companies across a range of industries, sectors and technologies, including life sciences, medical devices, clean tech and alternative energy, software, internet and e-commerce, telecommunications, semiconductors, advanced materials, consulting and professional services and government services, among others.

Our attorneys have an average of over ten years’ experience, much of it with large national and global law firms, and leverage that experience every day to deliver corporate legal services at a high level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness to VLP’s clients.

For more information regarding corporate-related legal services that VLP offers, please click on the following links: Emerging Growth & Start-Up Companies; M&A; and Securities & Capital Raising. Additionally, we provide general corporate and business law advice, as well as assistance in the following areas of general corporate practice:

General Corporate Matters: Our attorneys provide general corporate counseling to companies at all stages of growth. VLP’s corporate attorneys strive to understand our clients’ business and technology to allow us to better collaborate and provide advice with respect to ongoing operational and transactional matters. We also provide counsel and assistance to our clients in a number of related areas, including executive and general employee compensation and employment matters and tax structuring and counseling.

Corporate Governance: VLP advises Boards of Directors and Board Committees with respect to a variety of corporate governance issues, including SEC and stock exchange rules and Sarbanes-Oxley matters.

About VLP Law Group LLP:

Founded in 2008, VLP is a business and transactional law firm that delivers top quality, efficient and cost-effective legal services. Our practice reaches across many industry sectors, including high tech, life sciences, angel and venture capital financings, clean tech, retail, consumer product, commercial lending and real estate. VLP has continued its strong growth, and is made up of noted attorneys with significant experience who believe VLP’s unique, client-oriented and cost-effective model is the best platform for their practice. Our partners are regularly recognized by their peers as outstanding attorneys, and the firm has been recognized as a top company for its promotion of quality of life in the workplace.

Our lean model means that we can provide sophisticated, focused services to our clients, and we can do it at competitive rates.

VLP partners represent clients that vary in size from individual executives and early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our clients include public and private corporations, venture capital investors, private equity funds, educational institutions, nonprofits and individuals. We provide general corporate, licensing, contract, intellectual property protection and counseling, securities regulation, financing, employment, merger and acquisition, real estate, tax and other legal services.

More information: http://www.vlplawgroup.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: VLP Law Group LLP :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/VLP-Corporate-Practice-Continues-to-Grow-with-Addition-of-Marcus-Wilkinson_2013-04-0416-001.shtml.

Effective 28 February 2013, anyone applying for a UK settlement marriage visa from the Philippines is now required to undergo a mandatory medical screening to show that they are free from active tuberculosis. The TB screening applies to anyone over the age of 11, while children under this age will need to be assessed by a designated panel physician as to whether they need to be fully tested or not.

All testing and assessment must be carried out by an approved clinic in the Philippines before submitting a UK fiancee or marriage visa application to the British High Commission in Manila. There are non-refundable fees associated with the testing.

The new immigration fees for UK family visa applications came into force on 6 April 2013. All settlement visa categories are rising in price to 851 pounds, an additional 25 pounds per visa issued. The relevant categories are the UK marriage (spousal) visa, UK fiancee visa, UK unmarried partner visa, UK civil partnership visa and also the proposed civil partner visa category. In-country postal further leave to remain (FLRm) applications based on marriage to a British Citizen or UK legal permanent resident, are also rising in price, but perhaps of most interest is a new fee of 375 pounds on top of any charges to anyone applying for a UK spouse or partner visa in person (same day service).

This will include a non-refundable appointment fee of 100 pounds and dependents will be charged separately in all cases. Applicants can use old UK visa application forms for 21 days following the increase, but these should be accompanied by the new fee.

MarriageVisaHelp (Marriagevisahelp.com) is a full-service immigration consultancy firm dedicated solely to marriage visas. The firm specializes exclusively in fiancee, partner and spouse immigration. MarriageVisaHelp senior immigration consultants have over 30 years of combined experience in family visas.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.marriagevisahelp.com/index.php?page=uk-marriage-visa-uk .

Or, contact:
Marriage Visa Help
+1 (212) 461-4811
adm@marriagevisahelp.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marriagevisahelp .
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/partnervisa .
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9vrbty8nVI .

NEWS SOURCE: Marriage Visa Help :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/UK-Spouse-Visa-Process-UK-Border-Agency-UKBA-Changes-Affecting-Settlement-Applications_2013-04-0415-001.shtml .

Mr. Whitener’s practice focuses on international commercial transactions, assisting software and other technology clients in developing their global businesses, protecting their intellectual property and complying with data privacy laws. Current clients include enterprise software companies, a telecommunications company deploying wireless networks worldwide, a world leader in providing transport communications to governments globally, one of the largest privately held staffing companies in the world, and an Indian non-profit foundation with a presence in more than 150 countries.

In the data privacy area, Mr. Whitener conducts privacy audits and risk assessments, drafts privacy policies and data transfer agreements, and advises on compliance with U.S. and foreign data privacy laws and regulations.

Mr. Whitener was formerly Lead Counsel, Technology & Communications with Clearspire Law. Prior to joining Clearspire, he was Principal and Co-Founder of VistaLaw International, where he advised on technology-related transactions and agreements (including manufacturing, licensing, alliances, OEM, software as a service, open source and web hosting) as well as cross-border data transfers. Mr. Whitener began his legal career in private practice with Sidley Austin and Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells).

“Michael is a terrific addition to our growing Technology Transactions Practice,” says Cathryn Chinn, CEO of VLP. “His impressive experience with international transactions and the challenges of complying with data privacy laws will be an asset to our clients and will further enhance our existing capabilities.”

Mr. Whitener is the author of the book “Creating Software Alliances” (ISBN: 978-1596226210) and co-author of the book “Corporate Governance for New Directors” (ISBN: 978-0314198914). He is one of a very few individuals worldwide to obtain all of the data privacy certifications offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), including CIPP/US, CIPP/G, CIPP/IT, CIPP/C CIPP/E and CIPM. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was Executive Editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law.

“Joining VLP is a great opportunity,” said Mr. Whitener. “I am very much looking forward to playing my part in the growth and continued success of the firm’s technology transactions and data privacy practices.”

About VLP’s Technology Transactions Practice:
VLP’s Technology Transactions Practice Group represents companies of all sizes in a wide variety of strategic technology and other commercial transactions. Our attorneys have successfully represented companies at all stages of development – from pre-formation start-ups to large public companies – in negotiating and closing deals such as agreements to license, develop, manufacture, market, distribute, co-brand and acquire or divest technology and related intellectual property rights. We advise clients in a diverse range of industrial sectors including software, hardware, semiconductors, networking, telecommunications, digital and interactive media, internet, life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, clean tech and agribusiness.

Our attorneys represent clients on both sides of the table – buyers, sellers, licensors, licensees, developers and investors, and work closely as necessary with VLP attorneys in other practice groups to ensure that we obtain the best possible result for our clients, while protecting their assets as fully as possible. Because most of our attorneys have in-house experience as well, we understand the need to complete deals quickly and efficiently.

About VLP:
Founded in 2008, VLP is a business and transactional law firm that delivers top quality, efficient and cost-effective legal services. Our practice reaches across many industry sectors, including high tech, life sciences, angel and venture capital financings, clean tech, retail, consumer product, commercial lending and real estate. VLP has continued its strong growth, and is made up of noted attorneys with significant experience who believe VLP’s unique, client-oriented and cost-effective model is the best platform for their practice. Our partners are regularly recognized by their peers as outstanding attorneys, and the firm has been recognized as a top company for its promotion of quality of life in the workplace. Our lean model means that we can provide sophisticated, focused services to our clients, and we can do it at competitive rates.

VLP partners represent clients that vary in size from individual executives and early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our clients include public and private corporations, venture capital investors, private equity funds, educational institutions, nonprofits and individuals. We provide general corporate, licensing, contract, intellectual property protection and counseling, securities regulation, financing, employment, merger and acquisition, real estate, tax and other legal services.

More information online: http://www.vlplawgroup.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: VLP Law Group LLP :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/VLP-Expands-Technology-Transactions-Practice-with-Addition-of-Data-Privacy-Expert-Michael-Whitener_2013-04-0402-005.shtml .

The race, which has received high marks from runners in past years, promises to deliver an even more pleasant running experience this year. The USATF-certified course has been shortened from a 10K to an 8K, eliminating the extreme hills of the last leg. The family-friendly 3K course remains unchanged.

Also new this year: an EventShare photo booth, which allows participants to instantly print or email photos to friends and family. In addition to t-shirts and other giveaways, participants will also enjoy a live DJ for entertainment and plenty of pre- and post-race refreshments; including donations from Jason’s Deli, Hard Times Cafe and Coyote Grill.

In keeping with tradition, the race will start from the Fairfax County court house complex in a symbolic nod to the CASA volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children under the court’s protection.

Registration is available online at www.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com .

“We are thrilled with the level of excitement surrounding our annual event,” says Lisa Banks, Fairfax CASA Executive Director. “Our registration numbers are growing daily and we have received generous support from community businesses, including: Deloitte; JBG Rosenfeld; Novus Residences and Cafritz Interests; Visnic Homes; SRA International, Inc.; JMB Design Center, LLC; Raytheon Trusted Computer Solutions; TopSure Investments, Inc.; CJM Wealth Advisers, Ltd.; John Marshall Bank; Keller Williams Realty – Cecilia Hayes, REALTOR; Sensei Enterprises, Inc.; Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; Shirley Contracting Company; the Law Office of Kyle E. Skopic; numerous individuals, and our signature sponsor, Verizon.

“Most important, the Run for the Children brings visibility to the work of over 190 CASA volunteers who advocate year-round for the rights of abused and neglected children to live in safe, permanent, and loving homes.”

Doug Brammer, Verizon manager of government relations, says, “Verizon’s philanthropic and technological resources are providing powerful answers to serious societal problems in health care, including domestic violence prevention and education. We’re proud to support Fairfax CASA in the fulfillment of its mission to advocate for the best interests of each abused and neglected child through the promotion and support of quality volunteer representation.”

About Fairfax CASA:
In Fairfax County, a child enters the court system once every 38 hours. These children need caring, dedicated adults to help ensure that they do not fall through the cracks of the child protection system. Fairfax CASA recruits and trains citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the court’s protection in Fairfax County. The juvenile court relies heavily on the CASA volunteer’s work and requests that Fairfax CASA assign a volunteer to every case of abuse and neglect before the Court.

To learn more, visit http://www.fairfaxrunforthechildren.com/ .

* PHOTO CAPTION: Children’s Medal Ceremony in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse during the 2012 Run for the Children – April 28, 2012. Credit: Beth Megel (exclusivelybybethann.com).

NEWS SOURCE: Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://goo.gl/CsA6w.

Mr. Austin has broad expertise in intellectual property matters, including patent, copyright and trademark disputes, UDRP proceedings, and disputes involving antitrust, Internet law and ICANN policy and governance.

Mr. Austin also has a programming background and an IT law practice, which includes assisting clients with software development, cloud computing and service level agreements, online terms and conditions and EULA’s, technology licensing and privacy policies. He has represented numerous clients in software litigation, as well as counseling clients in data breach remediation and responding to unlicensed software audits by software copyright enforcement agencies such as the Business Software Alliance and the Software & Information Industry Association.

He has handled patent, trademark and copyright infringement litigation both in federal court and before administrative tribunals such as the ITC and TTAB. He is a panelist arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) which oversees the arbitration of domain name disputes under ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. He has also been involved in the development of ICANN policies as a member of multiple ICANN Working Groups and intellectual property watchdog groups, including the International Trademark Association’s Internet Committee Subcommittee on new gTLDs and the Intellectual Property Constituency that comments on ICANN’s policies and Internet regulation over gTLD applicants, registrars and registries.

“Mr. Austin’s background and experience will add to the depth of our trademark practice, expand our capabilities in opposition and cancellation proceedings, as well as provide us with particular expertise in domain name disputes arbitration and Internet law, allowing us to enhance and expand the IP services we offer our clients,” said Brian Davis, member of VLP Law Group’s Executive Committee. “We are excited to have him join our growing team.”

Mr. Austin has written extensively on intellectual property issues and has taught intellectual property and internet law. He is also active in key legislative committees of the Florida State Bar.

“I am very pleased to be joining VLP Law Group. This is an exciting opportunity for me to pursue recent advances in trademark and IT law and to provide clients with a progressive but cost-effective approach to legal representation,” Mr. Austin stated. “I look forward to contributing to the firm’s growth and success.”

About VLP’s Intellectual Property Practice:
Our Intellectual Property practice is dedicated to providing the best protection of our clients’ intellectual property (IP) at the most cost-effective rates available. We provide services across a range of industries, including biotechnology, high technology, clean technology, pharmaceutical technology, medical devices, software, engineering solutions and other cutting edge technologies directed to meet the particular needs and stage of development of our clients. Our attorneys and specialists can offer companies counseling, strategic advice and specific protection for intellectual property in the fields of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret.

In addition, we work closely with clients to develop business strategies to enhance intellectual property protection and to advance its commercialization. We oversee our clients’ interests in a variety of business transactions, such as licensing, drafting joint development and strategic alliance arrangements and addressing the IP aspects of everyday business endeavors and potential litigation risks.

We specialize in building clients’ IP portfolios strategically and cost-effectively, while mentoring clients to achieve the greatest value for their technology and resources and to use their internal resources whenever possible. When it comes to patents, we do not just prepare and file patent applications – we evaluate patent portfolios and analyze existing patent technology licenses, and then structure in-house IP protection processes and draft patent applications based on this knowledge and the intended outcome. We guide protection of branding and marks, including trademark selection, clearance and registration, structuring and restructuring trademark ownership and trademark and copyright support. We represent clients in copyright law and protection of artistic works and find creative ways to protect these valuable, creative works.

About VLP:
Founded in 2008, VLP is a business and transactional law firm that delivers top quality, efficient and cost-effective legal services. Our practice reaches across many industry sectors, including high tech, life sciences, angel and venture capital financings, clean tech, retail, consumer product, commercial lending and real estate. VLP has continued its strong growth, and is made up of noted attorneys with significant experience who believe VLP’s unique, client-oriented and cost-effective model is the best platform for their practice. Our partners are regularly recognized by their peers as outstanding attorneys, and the firm has been recognized as a top company for its promotion of quality of life in the workplace. Our lean model means that we can provide sophisticated, focused services to our clients, and we can do it at competitive rates.

VLP partners represent clients that vary in size from individual executives and early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our clients include public and private corporations, venture capital investors, private equity funds, educational institutions, nonprofits and individuals. We provide general corporate, licensing, contract, intellectual property protection and counseling, securities regulation, financing, employment, merger and acquisition, real estate, tax and other legal services.

More information: http://vlplawgroup.com .

NEWS SOURCE: VLP Law Group LLP :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/VLP-Strengthens-Trademark-Practice-with-Addition-of-Scott-Austin_2013-03-0318-002.shtml.

Dear State’s Attorney Carr:

We are asking that you drop all charges against Melisa Vistain. Victims of sexual assault often do not report the crimes perpetrated against them for fear of not being believed and being mistreated by criminal justice personnel. When they do report, law enforcement and prosecutors may decide the evidence is insufficient to proceed with charges, which is very different than deciding to prosecute the victim.

The prosecution of a sexual assault victim is devastating to the victim and chilling for current and future sexual assault victims. The clear message of this prosecution is that survivors of sexual assault must be able to prove their own innocence or face prosecution when they report a sexual assault crime.

When sexual assault is already the most under reported crime, this message is the wrong one to send. We stand in support of Melisa Vistain, applaud her courage in reporting a heinous crime to law enforcement and urge you to drop the charges immediately.

Signed,
- Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Springfield, IL
- Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault, Arlington Heights, IL
- Mutual Ground, Inc., Aurora, IL
- Call for Help – Sexual Assault Victims Care Unit, Belleville, IL
- YWCA McLean County – Stepping Stones, Bloomington, IL
- The Women’s Center, Carbondale, IL
- Mujeres Latinas en Accion, Chicago, IL
- Rape Victim Advocates, Chicago, IL
- Vermillion County Rape Crisis Center, Danville, IL
- Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center, Decatur, IL
- Riverview Center – Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Services, Galena, IL
- Guardian Angel Home, Sexual Assault Service Center, Joliet, IL
- Kankakee County Center Against Sexual Assault, Kankakee, IL
- Western IL Regional Council – Community Action Agency – Victim Services, Macomb, IL
- The Center for Prevention of Abuse – Sexual Assault Services, Peoria, IL
- Family Resources, Inc. – Sexual Assault Counseling Program, Quad Cities, IL
- Quanada Sexual Assault Program, Quincy, IL
- Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc., Rockford, IL
- Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault, Springfield, IL
- YWCA of the Sauk Valley, Sterling, IL
- A Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Service, Streator, IL
- Rape, Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services, Urbana, IL
- Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies, Corp., Vandalia, IL.

More information, including PDF copy of the complete letter can be found at: http://www.sexualassaultmyths.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Sexual Assault Myths Organization of Carbondale :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.