Business Digest: Nov. 7, 2021 | Local

Martin House hires forensic interviewers

The Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center has appointed Brynlee Ballesteros as a child and family attorney and forensic interviewer.

According to Martin House, child and family advocates help children who fall victim to abuse by assisting non-delinquent caregivers with abuse investigations and law enforcement.

Ballesteros is responsible for connecting non-delinquent caregivers to a broader support system, educating families about the justice system, and empowering caregivers to rebuild safe and stable homes.

As a forensic interviewer, Cervantes conducts developmental and age-appropriate interviews with children who are alleged to be victims of sexual and / or physical abuse or witnesses of violent crimes, as required by law enforcement, child protection services or the prosecution, according to Martin House.

Ballesteros completed his BA in Child and Family Services with a minor in Child Psychology from Abilene Christian University in December.

“It is important to understand that not everyone has the community they need to feel supported in their trials and circumstances. That’s something I’m trying to change, ”said Ballesteros. “I want everyone who visits Martin House CAC to know that they are valued, that their stories are important, and that there are people who take care of them.”

A native of Kilgore, Cervantes graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in forensics in May.

“I’ve found how powerful this position is, especially considering how malleable a child’s worldview is,” said Cervantes. “I want to make sure all the children cared for by The Martin House CAC know they have a voice. It is so important to me that everyone feels heard, and I couldn’t think of a better place to start than to call my home. “

Founded in 2009, the Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-focused non-profit organization dedicated to helping children under the age of 18 who are alleged to have been victims of sexual or physical abuse, or to witness violent crimes.

The center serves Counties Gregg, Harrison and Marion.

Each year, more than 600 children receive forensic interviews in the Martin House offices in Longview and Marshall.

More information is available at www.themartinhousecac.org.

National magazine recognizes local lawyers

The National Law Journal recognized the law firm Ward, Smith & Hill of Longview in its Top Hall of Fame Verdicts, a list of the nation’s greatest jury judgments between 2016 and 2020.

The company was recognized by the publication for its role in securing judgments for software and technology company VirnetX in patent infringement proceedings against Apple in 2016 and 2020.

In 2020, a legal team made up of attorneys from Ward, Smith & Hill won a $ 502.8 million verdict after jury found Apple breached the company’s patented network security technology. The case is VirnetX Inc. versus Apple Inc. versus BBVA Compass.

In 2016, the trial team won a $ 302.4 million verdict after a jury found Apple infringed VirnetX’s cyber security patents. The case is VirnetX Inc. versus Cisco Systems, Inc.

Benchmark Litigation recently recognized T. John Ward and partner Wes Hill as “Litigation Stars” for their work in the field of intellectual property.

Earlier this year, six law firm attorneys were featured on the Texas Super Lawyers 2021 list, with Ward being one of the top 100 lawyers in Dallas-Fort Worth, a recognition he has received since 2003. National lawyer The Best Lawyers in America hired several Ward, Smith & Hill attorneys to work in a range of law fields including intellectual property, patent and personal injury.

STEMCO introduces new web tool

Longview-based STEMCO, a manufacturer of wheel end parts for heavy haulage, announced that it has developed a new web tool to help customers choose hubodometers.

Hubodometers are used on articulated trucks, buses, and other heavy trucks and trailers to keep track of maintenance schedules and costs per mile. The new Hubodometer Selector on the STEMCO website can recommend relevant products to customers by tire brand, model or tire dimensions.

“By taking a proactive approach to fleet management, companies can maximize safety and performance while extending the life of their fleet vehicles. This also serves to reduce downtime and overall fleet costs, ”according to information from STEMCO.

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