- President: Gary M Ropski
- Number of partners: 75
- Number of other lawyers: 76
FIRM OVERVIEW: Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States and is at the cutting edge of intellectual property law. With more than 150 attorneys, supported by a full complement of scientific advisors, patent agents and paralegals, the firm specializes in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks is experienced in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical,mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks or brand names for a wide variety of products and services.The firm is repeatedly ranked by Chambers & Partners as the #1 IP firm in Chicago and the Midwest, and in 2010 was named Best Law Firm, National, Intellectual Property Law, by U.S. News & World Report.
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Patents: Brinks patent lawyers have experience prosecuting patents in every major technical field and help clients obtain and license patents, enforce them against infringers and defend against charges of infringement. In 2010, Managing Intellectual Property magazine named Brinks a Top 5 Regional Patent Prosecution firm.
Litigation: Brinks has earned a nationwide reputation as litigators with a long history of winning jury verdicts, leveraging a thorough knowledge of technology, mastering the nuances of the law and effectively communicating with clients. The firm represents clients at all levels of the judicial system, as well as guides them through alternative means to resolve important disputes. In 2010, Managing Intellectual Property magazine named Brinks the Patent Litigation Firm of the Year for the Midwest Region and one of the Top 5 Patent Litigation Firms in the U.S.
Trademarks & Unfair Competition: Brinks performs a full range of trademark-related services in the United States and abroad, including registering, enforcing, opposing and defending trademark rights. Brinks represents victims and alleged infringers in the resolution of unfair competition disputes involving design and trade dress infringement, counterfeit products, dilution, unfair trade practices, trade secret misappropriation and rights of publicity. Brinks was named a Top Trademark Firm in the Midwest and Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year – Midwest by Managing Intellectual Property magazine in 2010.
International Trade Commission: Brinks’ ITC Group represents matters before the U.S. International Trade Commission involving claims of patent, trademark or copyright infringement by imported goods, unfair competition related to imported products, misappropriation of trade secrets or trade dress, false advertising and antitrust issues.
Copyright: Brinks protects the copyrights of its clients on issues involving the Internet, multinational transactions, licensing or work-for-hire agreements. The firm assists clients in registering domestic and foreign copyrights in many fields, including publishing; sound recordings; visual arts; television and motion pictures; theater and dance; databases; software; video games;multimedia; and the Internet.
CLIENTS: Brinks represents a wide range of major US and international corporations, including Ball Corporation,Amway Corporation,Alticor, Inc., Brunswick Corporation,Cook, Inc., Deere&Company, ESCO Technologies Company,Herman Miller, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., The Progressive Corporation, United Airlines, Inc., Visteon Corporation and Wm.Wrigley Jr.Company to name a few.