Month: November 2013

DreamHammer CEO touts drones to save lives

Posted on November 19, 2013 by - Client News

DreamHammer has 126 government contracts for its drone operating system.

DreamHammer has 126 government contracts for its drone operating system.


Drones could be invaluable for saving lives in natural disasters like Typhoon Haiyan through better communication, surveillance and by dropping supplies, says Nelson Paez, CEO of DreamHammer, in an interview with readwrite.com.
“If the only thing you’ve ever seen an automobiles do is run people over, you’ll have a lot of apprehension about riding in cars,” Paez says in the article. “The problem with drone reception is that the military currently only utilizes them for one of their many uses.”
DreamHammer’s software, Ballista, is an open source operating system that is being used to control drones. The company has 126 government contracts.

Scouts launch Law Merit Badge Day at Loyola Law School

Posted on November 18, 2013 by - Client News

Joseph N. Akrotirianakis of Hobart Linzer LLP, himself an Eagle Scout, with Boy Scouts at Law Merit Badge Day

Joe Akrotirianakis of Hobart Linzer LLP, himself an Eagle Scout, with Boy Scouts at Law Merit Badge Day


The “Legal Eagles” of the Los Angeles Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, hosted the 1st Annual Law Merit Badge Day for Boy Scouts at Loyola Law School on Saturday, November 9, 2013, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily Journal. The event included presentations from lawyers and law enforcement officers, with a special address from former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley.
Seventy-five Scouts from Los Angeles, Riverside and Ventura counties attended lectures at Loyola’s Girardi Advocacy Center on legal history, civil law and criminal law covering subjects from the Code of Hammurabi to the U.S. jury system to patents and copyrights. Sessions were presented by practicing attorneys and law enforcement officers who repeatedly emphasized the value of the Scouting program in career development.
“We hope that, because of this event, Scouts will become inspired to a career in law or law enforcement,” said Legal Eagle committee member Joe Akrotirianakis, a partner of Hobart Linzer LLP and an Eagle Scout.
The Legal Eagles is a group of legal professionals who support the efforts of the Los Angeles Area Council, BSA, to provide young people with a better understanding of the law in their lives and as a career through the presentation of Law merit badge.
Law Merit Badge Day sponsors include:

  • Dentons US LLP
  • Hobart Linzer LLP
  • Holland & Knight LLP
  • Los Angeles County Counsel
  • McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP

DreamHammer's CEO on the future of drones

Posted on November 15, 2013 by - Client News

Nelson Paez, CEO of DreamHammer


Nelson Paez, CEO of Santa Monica-based DreamHammer, talks with Federal News Radio about the future of drones and the new FAA roadmap which is aimed at helping share air space safely with unmanned vehicles.
DreamHammer’s operating system simplifies drone management by allowing government agencies and commercial entities to operate all types of drones simultaneously in one system, rather than having each hardware manufacturer develop unique software for the individual devices that historically cannot be joined.

 

OWC wins 2 PRisms: Gay inclusion campaign and inner city police program

Posted on November 14, 2013 by - OWC News

Derek Houck and Stephanie Harnett of Olmstead Williams Communications


Olmstead Williams Communications won two PRisms at the 2013 PRSA-Los Angeles PRism Awards held Wednesday, Nov. 6, at The Beverly Hills Hotel
The firm was honored for helping the Western Los Angeles County Council of Boy Scouts support inclusion for all gay Scouts and troop leaders (Pro Bono Program category). OWC also was recognized for its work with the Police Orientation Preparation Program (POPP) which helps inner city kids join the middle class by preparing them for jobs in law enforcement (Non-Profit Campaign category).
Over the past three year, OWC has won seven PRisms. Last year, the firm was honored for Ongoing Product or Service Program, Reputation/Brand Management and Healthcare Programs.
The Los Angeles Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America annually recognizes outstanding programs and materials created by public relations professionals who work in the Greater Los Angeles area or have completed assignments for LA-based clients.

Brentwood Associates buys Allen Edmonds Corporation

Posted on November 6, 2013 by - Client News

Allen Edmonds_logoAllen Edmonds Corporation has agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of Brentwood Associates,  as reported in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and numerous other media outlets.
Allen Edmonds will remain an independent private company, according to its president & chief executive officer Paul Grangaard, and will now have greater access to investment capital.
“We’re absolutely delighted to partner with Brentwood Associates as we drive the development of this 91-year-old growth company,” said Grangaard. “This smooth transition provides us with the capital needed to continue building the Allen Edmonds brand, broadening our product line and taking our Made in USA products to new cities around the globe.”
Allen Edmonds is coming off two consecutive record years and is on pace for a third in 2013.
“The Allen Edmonds brand fits perfectly with our strategy of investing in category-defining brands with exceptional customer loyalty,” said Steve Moore, Partner of Brentwood Associates, who leads the investment with Roger Goddu, another Brentwood partner.  “Paul and his leadership team have been excellent stewards of the company over the past five years and have proven their ability to grow and strengthen the business even in difficult times. We are confident that tremendous growth lies ahead for the brand in both the U.S. and key international markets.”
Roundup of media coverage: