WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
November 18, 2020

A recent survey indicates that STRmix™ – sophisticated forensic software for resolving mixed DNA profiles previously thought to be too complex to interpret – has now been used in at least 220,000 cases worldwide since its introduction in 2012.

Conducted by New Zealand’s Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), the survey also shows that STRmix™ evidence was presented in more than 80 successful admissibility hearings worldwide – double the survey number reported the year before.

“Demand for STRmix™ has been extremely high due to the critical role it plays in helping to solve crimes and excluding individuals who have been wrongly associated as the source of crime scene evidence,” says John Buckleton DSc, FRSNZ, Forensic Scientist at the New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and one of the developers of STRmix™.

Dr. Buckleton notes that STRmix™ has proven to be highly effective in producing usable, interpretable, and admissible DNA results in a wide range of criminal cases, including violent crime and sexual assault cases. It has also been instrumental in helping to solve cold cases in which evidence originally dismissed as inconclusive was reanalyzed, helping to develop investigative leads and support exonerations in post-conviction cases.

On the development side, the ESR survey indicates that there is significant interest among forensic laboratories currently using STRmix™ in a solution for probabilistic genotyping of Y-STR (male-specific DNA) profiles. There is also a desire for more advanced probabilistic genotyping and foundational likelihood ratio (LR) training, demonstrating that STRmix™ users want a more in-depth understanding of STRmix™ principles.

“STRmix™ has responded to that demand by scheduling six training workshops for the fourth quarter of 2020 and already booking an additional four workshops for 2021,” says Catherine McGovern, Training and Support Leader at STRmix™.

McGovern notes that due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, all STRmix™ training is now being conducted remotely. “Despite the pandemic, the majority of STRmix™ users have indicated strong interest in online, WebEx-style training courses,” she explains.

STRmix™ is currently in use in 59 organizations in the U.S., including the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and numerous state, local, and private forensic laboratories. It is also in various stages of installation, validation, and training in more than 60 other organizations.

A new version of STRmix™, STRmix™ Version 2.8, was recently launched following nearly a year of extensive development and testing. STRmix™ v2.8 features a top-down approach that allows users to set the number of major contributors to a mixed DNA profile in which there is interest, and then obtain the LR only for those contributors. This approach enables users to tackle more complex profiles faster. The new version of STRmix™ also contains improved modelling and memory usage.

The team that created STRmix™ has also released two other products: DBLR™, an investigative application used with STRmix™ which allows users to undertake superfast database searches, visualize the value of their DNA mixture evidence, and carry out mixture to mixture matches; and FaSTR™ DNA, expert forensic software that rapidly analyzes DNA profiles and can assign a number of contributors (NoC) estimate.

Designed by scientists for scientists, FaSTR™ DNA combines an intuitive, user-friendly graphical interface with easily understandable and laboratory-customizable rules to expedite the analysis of raw data generated by genetic analyzers and standard profiling kits. It also optionally implements the use of artificial neural networks for peak classification independent of and in parallel to the forensic analyst.

Alongside STRmix™, FaSTR™ DNA and DBLR™ complete the full workflow from analysis to interpretation and database matching.

For more information about STRmix™ visit http://www.strmix.com.

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BOCA RATON, Fla. (PRWEB)
November 16, 2020

Child Rescue Coalition (CRC), a nonprofit whose mission is to rescue children from sexual abuse by building technology for law enforcement to track, arrest, and prosecute child predators, announced today that it has collaborated with Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, to provide unique data from its world-renowned technology to Western Union’s global Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative.

Western Union’s global Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative is designed to help detect, deter, and report human trafficking issues. This includes educating Western Union’s global network of agents, its employees, and its partners about human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery and collaborating with external organizations as appropriate. Western Union’s Financial Intelligence Unit has assisted in approximately 1,800 human trafficking investigations since 2013, resulting in hundreds of arrests and the rescue of hundreds of victims. CRC provides more than 10 years of experience related to identifying those with a dangerous sexual interest in children to help bolster Western Union’s efforts in this area.

“It is beyond commendable for Western Union to take this stand against child sexual abuse and human trafficking on an international platform, and we are proud to provide them with our data to enhance their capabilities,” said Carly Yoost, Founder and CEO of Child Rescue Coalition. “Child Rescue Coalition’s technology provides organizations with an added layer of protection and gives their customers peace of mind in a time when people depend on the ease of using technology but are concerned for their own safety and the safety of the ones they love.”

CRC’s Technology works by monitoring file sharing networks in real time. CRC indexes 30 to 50 million records of online suspect’s involved in trading child sexual abuse material every day. This information allows Child Rescue Coalition to help expose hidden networks of abusers and report their activity. The data is provided to law enforcement agencies to help them protect children by tracking, arresting and prosecuting child predators worldwide.

CRC COO, Glen Pounder, said “In thousands of these cases predators are not only viewing child abuse material, which is of course a profoundly serious crime, they are also hands-on abusers. These same offenders sometimes pay for the live sexual abuse of children, often from many thousands of miles away and from where they believe they cannot be identified or caught. Western Union is taking an industry lead in this area by being proactive in protecting children”.

“Western Union’s cross-border platform integrates a vast array of intricate compliance measures, including CRC technology, to help protect customers, partners, vulnerable groups, and the global financial system,” said Scott Apodaca, Head of Western Union’s Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative. “As criminals become increasingly savvy in moving money in pursuit of illicit ends, we are working together with law enforcement, nonprofits, and others to help thwart and prosecute those who perpetrate this heinous crime. These efforts are central to our mission to move money for better and we are proud to have accelerated this initiative with the addition of CRC’s data.”

CRC currently shares its powerful technology with law enforcement in 96 countries, which has led to the arrest of more than 12,000 predators to date. Yoost says all types of organizations, especially those in the financial sector like Western Union, would benefit greatly from utilizing CRC’s technology.

To learn more about Child Rescue Coalition’s CPS technology for enterprise use, visit http://www.childrescuecoalition.org.

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About Child Rescue Coalition

Child Rescue Coalition (CRC), a south Florida-based nonprofit organization with global reach, has spent the past decade building the world’s most sophisticated technology to hunt child predators. Through proactive partnerships with law enforcement, the nonprofit’s system has tracked 71 million offenders around the world in order to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. With a mission of protecting innocence through technology, the technology developed by CRC has aided in the arrest of more than 12,000 predators and rescued more than 2,700 abused children in the last six years. For more information, visit childrescuecoalition.org or call (561) 208-9000.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. Our omnichannel platform connects the digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease, and reliability. As of September 30, 2020, our network included over 550,000 retail agent locations offering our branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the capability to send money to billions of accounts. Additionally, westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2019, is available in over 75 countries, plus additional territories, to move money around the world. With our global reach, Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends, and businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For more information, visit http://www.westernunion.com.

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)
October 26, 2020

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s Social Justice Action Academy will host a “Courageous Conversation” on criminal justice reform with Shareholder Karen M. Kennard and Nikki Lewis Simon, Shareholder and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. The webinar will take place Oct. 27, 3:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

During this Courageous Conversation, Kennard will discuss how she and her family have been involved with the Innocence Project of Texas for more than a decade. Her oldest brother, Tim Cole, was the first person in Texas to receive a posthumous exoneration and posthumous pardon. In addition, the Texas exoneration compensation system and the Texas Innocence Commission are named in his honor.

“With social justice being at the forefront of current events today, criminal justice reform is a topic that is critically important now more than ever,” said Simon. “We are incredibly fortunate to dialogue with and learn from Karen, to hear about her brother’s story, and discuss what criminal justice reform means to her and how it has impacted her life and that of her family, personally.”

The Social Justice Action Academy, which is part is part of firm’s Social, Racial, Economic Justice Plan, aims to: educate on matters of race, justice, and equity; facilitate and encourage Courageous Conversations on the topics of race and social justice; and drive forward meaningful change consistent with the action plan.

Kennard, based in Austin, TX, focuses her practice on government law, policy and regulatory matters with an emphasis on municipal local government issues. Her experience spans more than two decades and includes positions as City Attorney for a large city and General Counsel for the largest municipal league in the country.

Simon, a commercial litigator based in Miami, has more than 21 years of experience as an attorney. In her capacity as Greenberg Traurig’s Chief Diversity Officer, Simon designs and guides strategic initiatives and programs to deepen firmwide diversity and inclusion efforts that further enrich client engagements and community investments. Her role is indicative of, and integral to, Greenberg Traurig’s core values of collaboration and inclusion.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firm’s efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certification, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: DRIVES Twitter: @GT_Drives

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com

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NEW YORK (PRWEB)
October 22, 2020

Ian C. Ballon, JD, LLM, CIPP/US, Gretchen A. Ramos, CIPP/US, CIPP/EU, CIPM, Jena M. Valdetero, CIPP/US, and David A. Zetoony, all shareholders at global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will speak at the 2020 Privacy + Security Forum to be held Oct. 21 – 23. Greenberg Traurig is also a sponsor of the forum.

This year’s virtual forum will break down the silos of privacy and security by bringing together seasoned thought leaders hosting virtual sessions and workshops designed to deliver practical takeaways for all conference participants.

On Oct. 22 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST, Valdetero and Zetoony will lead the informal networking session, “Cookie Banners – “yes” or “no.”” Ramos will also present on Oct. 22, leading the session, “New Privacy Laws that Impact Your Operations – the LGPD (Brazil), APPI Amendments (Japan), and the CPRA (California),” from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST. The program will provide an overview of the key aspects of these new laws, how they are similar to and differ from the EU’s GDPR, and the steps organizations should consider taking to ensure they are in compliance with these new privacy laws.

Ballon will present the session, “CCPA and Other Cybersecurity Litigation,” on Oct. 23 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST. The session will address the latest case law, trends and strategy in CCPA and other cybersecurity litigation, including when CCPA statutory damage remedies may be available, new opinions on when cybersecurity investigations are protected by privilege, causation and damage issues, standing, and settlement trends.

Ballon is co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice and represents internet and mobile companies in the defense of cybersecurity and data privacy class action litigation and in other IP and technology suits. He is the Chair of PLI’s annual Advanced Data Privacy, Cybersecurity and TCPA Class Action Litigation Conference and author of West’s best-selling 5-volume treatise, E-Commerce & Internet Law: Treatise with Forms 2d Edition (Thomson West, http://www.IanBallon.net), which includes numerous chapters on data privacy and cybersecurity.

Ramos is Global co-chair of the firm’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice and advises technology, fintech, healthcare, life sciences, ecommerce, retail, gaming, and mobile companies on how to manage their data and leverage its value in ways to meet compliance obligations while delivering value to the business.

Valdetero and Zetoony, U.S. co-chairs of Greenberg Traurig’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, advise clients on complex data privacy and security issues. Valdetero defends companies against privacy and data breach litigation, with an emphasis on class action lawsuits, and has led more than 1,000 data breach investigations. Zetoony advises companies on establishing and maintaining ongoing privacy and security programs and has defended corporate privacy and security practices in investigations initiated by regulatory agencies worldwide.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity: Greenberg Traurig’s Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice is composed of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. GT’s team of dedicated data protection attorneys have experience working hand in hand with organizations of all sizes to develop practical strategies and provide strategic advice on virtually all aspects of data protection including CCPA, GDPR and other compliance issues; data use, transfer and licensing issues; data breaches and regulatory investigations; and defending against privacy-related class actions.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice: With more than 200 intellectual property attorneys and agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named “Law Firm of the Year” for Trademark Law and a “National Tier 1” Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law and Litigation, Copyright Law, and Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2020 “Best Law Firms.”

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law

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MIAMI (PRWEB)
October 05, 2020

Cesar Alvarez recognized as a Florida Trend 500 Living Legend

Matthew B. Gorson, senior chairman of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A., and Jaret L. Davis, co-managing shareholder of the firm’s Miami office, have been named to the Florida Trend 2020 “Florida 500” list of the most influential legal executives in the state.

Cesar Alvarez, senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig, is recognized as one of the magazine’s original Florida 500 “Living Legends” from 2018-2019.

The Florida 500 is the product of a year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend resulting in a personal, engaging look at the state’s most influential business leaders across major industries, according to the publication. Executives are selected for inclusion based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, multiple interviews, and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide.

As senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig, Gorson oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Southeast and California offices and previously served as the firm’s president and chairman. He joined Greenberg Traurig in 1973 as the firm’s 14th lawyer and became one of the most prolific and in-demand real estate attorneys in South Florida. His work over the last three decades has played a key role in revitalizing the urban landscape and changing the skyline of Downtown Miami, Brickell Avenue, Miami Beach and Sunny Isles. As the former chair of the firm’s national Real Estate Practice, Gorson was instrumental in developing Greenberg Traurig’s reputation as a real estate powerhouse.

Davis has co-led Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office for over a decade and is a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee and a shareholder in the Corporate Practice. He oversees approximately 170 attorneys and 200 business staff based in the firm’s founding office and focuses his corporate and securities practice on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and large financings. He has also served as one of several leaders leading Greenberg Traurig efforts globally to be a dominant player in the technology industry.

Alvarez, currently senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig, previously served as the firm’s executive chairman for more than three years and as its chief executive officer for 13 years. Under Alvarez’s leadership, the firm was recognized as the fastest-growing law firm in the United States and became one of the Top 10 law firms in the United States.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2,200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.

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ATLANTA (PRWEB)
October 02, 2020

Greenberg Traurig, LLP Shareholder John R. Richards will present at the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) 2020 Virtual Conference, Oct. 8-10. The theme for this year’s event is “Technicolor Future: Life Through A New Lens.” Greenberg Traurig (GT) is a Garnet Level sponsor of the annual event.

ROMBA is the world’s largest gathering of LGBT+ business students and alumni. The event educates, inspires, and connects our community through C-suite panels, workshops, competitions, a host of receptions, and a career fair with 100 corporate partners across industries recruiting LGBT+ MBA talent. According to the conference website, the event has expanded this year to include 5 days of programming, including a two day Career Expo. Reaching Out has become a year-round, operating non-profit organization with over a dozen unique programs dedicated to impacting change in the workplace and creating leaders.

Richards will participate in a keynote presentation, “LGBT+ Perspectives” on Oct. 9, from 7-8 P.M. along with ROMBA alumni and other LGBT+ leaders in the business and legal community to share their challenges and successes through the lenses of their diverse backgrounds and myriad of experiences.

Richards was recently tapped to serve as the Atlanta chair of the firm’s Retail Practice—ranked Band 1 by Chambers for 12 consecutive year. Global companies seek guidance from Richards on designing and implementing employment compliance programs, audits, diversity and inclusion initiatives, LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, and best practices for inclusive work environments. Richards also routinely speaks and hosts CLEs on LGBTQ+ and diversity and inclusion issues and delivers highly-tailored, dynamic training sessions to every type of employer audience.

Richards also plays an invaluable leadership role in furthering the visibility, voice, and advancement of LGBTQ+ lawyers. He is a driving force behind GT’s LGBTQ+ program that includes leading its affinity group and long-standing partnership with Out Leadership. Richards served for six years on the National Board of Directors for Lambda Legal. Richards holds his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.S., summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firm’s efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 3.0 certification, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2,200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.

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LOS ANGELES (PRWEB)
October 01, 2020

Adam Siegler, a litigator in Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles office, was appointed Beverly Hills Bar Association’s (BHBA) 2021 president. He will be sworn in at a virtual ceremony, alongside the BHBA’s incoming governors, on Sept. 30, 5-5:30 PM PT.

“I am proud to serve as Beverly Hills Bar Association’s president and lead the association through its 89th year,” Siegler said. “I intend to focus my presidency on ensuring that the Beverly Hills Bar Association robustly supports its members, continues its commitment to pro bono activities, and expands opportunities for diversity and inclusion.”

Siegler focuses his practice on civil litigation, with an emphasis on complex real estate and business cases. He has represented a variety of clients in the real estate, construction and manufacturing fields, and his litigation experience includes jury and bench trials in both state and federal courts, arbitrations, special proceedings, writs and appeals.

Deeply involved in pro bono and community activities, Siegler serves as the chair of Greeenberg Traurig’s military and veterans committee, and also as a pro bono coordinator for Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles office. He was the founding chair the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Armed Forces Committee, and created the Valor Guide, a comprehensive guide to local legal aid resources and lawyers for veterans confronting homelessness, mental health issues, and other issues stemming from service. Siegler worked more than two decades as a Judge Advocate in the Army Reserve, including a deployment to Iraq, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. He retired in 2017 with the rank of Colonel.

BHBA serves over 16,000 lawyers who live or work on Los Angeles’ Westside, throughout southern California, and across the globe. According to its website, BHBA offers continuing legal education, networking events, publications, a personnel referral service, pro bono programs, and legislative advocacy activities.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.

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PLANO, Texas (PRWEB)
September 23, 2020

Cleaves Family Law is proud to announce that Jill Lowe, Senior Associate, has been elected to serve as Secretary of the State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Section for the 2020-2021 business year. Ms. Lowe joined Cleaves Family Law just this year and has quickly become involved in advancing the Collaborative Law movement in Texas.

Before moving from Florida to Texas, Ms. Lowe served on the Board of Directors for Next Generation Divorce Collaborative Group in Tampa, Florida, for over three years, including time as the organization’s Programming Chair and Training Chair. In 2016, she was honored with the Professional Excellence Award from that organization. Ms. Lowe was also a member of Tampa Bay Academy of Collaborative Professionals, a highly selective non-profit organization of attorneys, neutral financials, and neutral facilitators who focus on Collaborative Divorce. She also served in other legal organizations, including as President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association Family Law Section.

According to Managing Partner, Rhonda Cleaves, “Jill has been a great asset to our firm and the greater North Texas legal community. Having her experience as both a litigator and Collaborative Law professional provides our clients with valuable know-how to resolve family law matters. And her willingness to volunteer her time for activities such as this State Bar of Texas section provides incredible value to the legal community and public-at-large, especially when it comes to increasing awareness about the Collaborative Divorce option for families.” 

Ms. Lowe completed introductory Collaborative training in 2012, and later, she attended advanced Collaborative training with Ron Ousky, nationally recognized for his work in the field. Ms. Lowe has years of experience representing clients in the Collaborative Divorce process, but she has utilized the Collaborative Law process to resolve all types of family law disputes, including negotiations of postnuptial agreements. 

“I hope more individuals choose the Collaborative Divorce process over traditional courtroom litigation to resolve their divorce,” said Ms. Lowe. “I have seen first-hand the damage that litigation can cause to families and want to do what I can to steer families away from that destruction. It’s part of why I chose to serve on the executive committee of the State Bar’s Collaborative Law Section – to do what I can to educate the public and other legal professionals about the Collaborative Divorce option.”

Cleaves Family Law represents clients throughout North Texas, including Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties. You can visit their website at http://www.cleaveslaw.com or call (972) 403-0333 for more information.

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