Industry publication Trademark Insider has named Napa law firm Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty as one of the top trademark firms in the United States.

The publication also identified J. Scott Gerien, the head of DP&F’s intellectual property group, as one of the top 50 individual trademark filers in the U.S. for 2006.

“As a relatively small firm in the legal world, we’re quite proud to be on this list of the top trademark firms by volume of trademark applications filed.  We’re fortunate to represent many successful businesses with well-known products and brands, including some of the top wineries in the U.S. and abroad,” said Gerien.

DP & F is the largest law firm in Napa, with offices in Napa and Santa Rosa.

Looking good at La Rouge

 La Rouge, a new salon with several experienced Napa stylists, will hold its grand opening May 20 at its Silverado Trail location.

Owner Ashley Peters will launch the salon with Champagne, door prizes and free hand massages and paraffin wax treatments, 2-5 p.m. The salon will offer a full lineup of hair, nail and skin care services. Its staff of professionals, many from the soon-to-close Illusions Salon, includes Mary Bakken, Lydia Risley, Chrissie Menesinni, Nancy Padilla, Alex Kinard, Amber Vance, Ashley Peters, Jennifer Walker, Deanna Howden, Melissa Tharp, Katie Shidecker, Libby Gale, Tammy Van Alstyne and Marie Valez.

La Rouge Hair, Skin & Nail Studio is at 1554 Silverado Trail in Napa and can be reached at 253-1051.

A Wise move at Johnson

Local hospitality industry veteran Dr. Donald W. Wise has joined Johnson Capital as managing partner the newly created Global Hospitality Group.

“We are extremely pleased to launch this new division of our firm with one of the most well-known senior level investment banking professionals in the industry,” said founder Guy Johnson.

Wise will work with Johnson Capital on its Mexico and Indian endeavors. As the firm launches new offices in Europe, Australia and China, he will oversee all of the domestic and international hospitality investment banking for the firm.

Wise created the Lodging and Hospitality Services Group nationwide for CB Richard Ellis Inc. in 1984. He was the senior member of that hospitality practice for the firm until he resigned after 20 years.

Most recently, Wise was President and CEO of Napa-based Resorts, Marinas and Vineyards Inc. The firm provided investment advisory, investment banking, transactional services and financing placement to the resort, lodging, high-end estate, yacht marina, vineyard and winery industries.

Johnson Capital’s Napa office is at 1436 Second St., #310, Napa. 

New energy at Inertia

Napa-based Inertia Beverage Group has added Allan O. Hunter to the company board of directors.

Hunter is perhaps best known in high-tech circles as the co-founder of Rent.com, the nation’s largest apartment Internet Listing Site. After founding the company in 1999, he served as president and was a member of the board of directors until the private company was acquired by eBay in 2005 for $433 million.

 “Allan’s keen understanding of e-commerce allowed him to build one of the most successful online businesses in recent years,” says Inertia CEO Paul Mabray. “This kind of brain power is exactly what we need to help us fulfill our goal of being the engine that fuels the expansion of the direct wine sales channel.”

Inertia Beverage Group provides Web-based technology used by wineries to manage direct sales and marketing, working with more than 300 wine brands.

Lindahl celebrates 30

Lynne Lindahl, Certified Residential Specialist, is celebrating her 30 year anniversary as a Realtor.  Lindahl obtained her license on April 28, 1977, and has been selling residential real estate in the Napa community since Lynne joined Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley on Jan. 1, 1996, and has maintained a position in the top 10 percent of the company for 10 consecutive years, earning the prestigious President's Circle and President's Elite designations. She can be reached at 258-5229 or llindahl@cbnapavalley.com.

 

Trained in yoga

Yoga instructor Sharon Dawson, after two years of hard work, has been awarded her Forrest Yoga Teacher Training Certification.  Sharon completed her month-long Forrest Yoga Teacher Training in Chicago, 2005 which included 222 hours of classroom time. Over the next two years she applied herself to 405 hours of supplementary instruction and self-study in order to complete her requirements for certification.

Dawson teaches Forrest Yoga regularly at Napa Valley Yoga on Tuesdays from 12 to 1:15 p.m. She also offers classes and workshops at Exertec and Healthquest. Napa Valley Yoga is located at 1834 First Street, Suite 3, Napa and can be reached at www.NapaValleyYoga.net or by calling 253-1616.