Student Winner of Astounding Inventions Competition Receives a Patent for Pool Drain Safety Device

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenberg Traurig will host a reception in honor of the office's youngest client, Allison Plette, who recently received a United States patent for SAFE FILTER, a pool drain safety device she developed.  Plette was the Greenberg Traurig patent winner at the 2006 Astounding Inventions Competition, a program to promote science, technology, engineering and math among students in grades K-8 in Orange County, CA.  Greenberg Traurig is the title sponsor of the competition held each year at Irvine Valley College.

A fifth grader at the time she created the invention, Plette's SAFE FILTER was designed to prevent drowning in a pool or spa when hair is caught in a filter.  The filter she designed has a blade that cuts any hair that may be caught. 

"We are delighted that we could help Allison with her great idea and assist her through the process of receiving an issued patent, " said Raymond Lee, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Orange County Office. "We are all very proud of Allison and encourage other students to participate in the Astounding Inventions program."

The reception in honor of Plette will take place on January 10, 2012, at 4:30 p.m., at the Irvine office of Greenberg Traurig.  The firm will present her with a copy of her patent.

The Astounding Inventions competition was started by Irvine Valley College in 1987 to promote creativity and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education among students. Hundreds of students participate in the annual event hosted by Irvine Valley College Foundation.  As the title sponsor, Greenberg Traurig awards the top winner(s) a pro bono provisional patent application for their inventions.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with approximately 1800 attorneys serving clients from more than 30 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia. In the U.S., the firm has more offices than any other among the Top 10 on The National Law Journal's 2011 NLJ 250. In Mexico, the firm operates as Greenberg Traurig, S.C., and in the U.K., as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP. Greenberg Traurig has a strategic alliance with the independent law firm, Studio Santa Maria with offices in Milan and Rome. The firm was Chambers and Partners' USA Law Firm of the Year in 2007 and among the Top 3 in the International Law Firm of the Year at the 2009 The Lawyer Awards. For additional information, please visit www.gtlaw.com.

About Irvine Valley College
Irvine Valley College is recognized throughout the State of California for its academic excellence. It has the #1 transfer rate in Orange County and is ranked #3 for its transfer rates among all California Community Colleges.  IVC has 63 associate degree majors and 43 career and technical certificates.  Founded more than 25 years ago, the Irvine Valley College Foundation is committed to raising funds and friends in support of the current and future students of Irvine Valley College. The IVC Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Tax ID # 77-0239916). For more information about Astounding Inventions, IVC or the IVC Foundation www.ivc.edu.

Editor's Note:

Young inventors from kindergarten through eighth grade will compete on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in the 25th Annual Irvine Valley College "Astounding Inventions" competition, presented by the Orange County Office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and the Irvine Valley College Foundation.

The competition and exhibition will be held in IVC's Hart Gymnasium with judging of the entries held from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 11:15 a.m. Public viewing of the entries will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and an awards ceremony beginning at 1:00 p.m. In addition, a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, displays, and demonstrations will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the courtyard outside of Hart Gymnasium.  Irvine Valley College is located at 5500 Irvine Center Drive, on the corner of Jeffrey Road and Irvine Center Drive in Irvine, CA 92620. 

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig