L to R: Keegan Federal & Mauricio Dávalos - Mira Avocado Oil - Business luncheon with representatives from Uyamá Farms, MirAmerica and Corporacion Financiera Nacional in Quito, Ecuador

Acting as legal counsel for MirAmerica, Inc., Keegan Federal of Federal & Hasson, LLP, traveled to Quito, Ecuador to assist co-founder, Ray Reyes, in finalizing the exclusive distribution agreement for Mira® avocado cooking oil in the United Sates.

Mira® avocado cooking oil is a product of Uyamá Farms S.A. The company's president, Mauricio Dávalos, is the former Minister of Agriculture for Ecuador (2000), Minister of Coordination for Economic Policy and Production (2007),  and most recently a member of Ecuador’s Foreign Relations Advisory Board.  Dávalos, a true visionary in the realms of business and economics, founded and managed AgroFlora S.A. and Queenroses S.A., the forerunners of Ecuador’s international floral industry.  The Mira® avocado line is the most recent success of Dávalos.

 Accompanying the business team, were renowned chef and author, Nathalie Dupree.  Twice the recipient of the coveted James Beard award, head chef for three restaurants (one in Majorca, Spain), and author of ten cookbooks, Dupree generously agreed to join the business party to share her insight with  Uyamá Farms and MirAmerica regarding the introduction of the avocado oil to the American consumer market and the restaurant industry.  The five-day business trip was beautifully documented by Charleston's, Sarah Bates, photographer and multimedia artist.

As guests of Mauricio and Rita Dávalos, the business party was royally treated to an amazing panoply of Ecuadorian history and culture. Some of the highlights included: a horseback tour of the avocado orchards, an inspection and “tasting” at the cold-press oil production and packaging facility, a trip to the bustling Otavalo art market, and the chance encounter of the Festival of Santa Rosa in a tiny village outside of the city of El Angel in the magnificent Ecuadorian highlands of Carchi Province.

While in Quito, in addition to business meetings with Uyamá Farms, and Ecuadorian financiers from CFN (Corporacion Financiera Nacional), there were days filled with touring Quito and the surrounding regions north and south.  Points of interest included the UNESCO Heritage site of Old Colonial Quito, shopping for traditional folk art, sampling fine Ecuadorian cuisine, and a visit to El Mitád del Mundo (the Middle of the World -O° O' O " longitude, and 78° 27' 20" latitude).

Through Federal & Hasson’s contacts within the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mexican American Business Chamber, Hispanic Contractor’s Association of Georgia, and with colleagues like El Club Commerciantes and others, the law firm of Federal & Hasson continues to expand its international practice to the Hispano-Americano market.  Should you require additional information regarding the firm and the services we provide, or if you have an urgent legal need, we would be honored to help you.  Please contact us at 678.443.4044.

“Trial By Jury: What’s the Big Deal?” is an animated educational presentation for high school civics classes in Georgia to increase court literacy among young people. This presentation was created to be used by high school civics teachers as a tool in fulfilling four specific requirements of the Social Studies Civics and Government performance standards.

This animated presentation reviews the history and importance of trial by jury through a discussion of the Magna Carta, the Star Chamber, the trial of William Penn, the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Also covered in the presentation are how citizens are selected for jury duty, the role of a juror, and the importance of an impartial and diverse jury.

The State Bar of Georgia’s Law-Related Education Program offers several other opportunities for students and teachers to explore the law. Students can participate in Journey Through Justice, a free class tour program at the Bar Center, during which they learn a law lesson and then participate in a mock trial. Teachers can attend free workshops correlated to the Georgia Performance standards on such topics as the juvenile and criminal justice systems, federal and state courts, and the Bill of Rights. The LRE program also produces the textbook An Introduction to Law in Georgia for use in middle and high school classrooms.

You may view “Trial By Jury: What’s the Big Deal?” at www.gabar.org/cornerstones_of_freedom/civics_video/.
For a free DVD copy, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call
404-527-8792. For more information on the LRE Program,
contact Deborah Craytor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or
404-527-8785.

Brigadier General (retired) Feroz Khan of the Pakistan Army has been hosted by Keegan Federal to speak to the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) at a private luncheon August 25.  General Khan is currently a Visiting Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School. in Monterey, CA, USA.