Intellectual Property: Illinois

THE FIRM This firm is known to have an excellent national IP practice, and is generally recognized as being particularly strong in Illinois. Recent expansion has bolstered the team's reputation for contentious work and strength in trademark protection. Recent highlights include acting for 3M in a long-standing patent dispute with Pall Corporation, and representing BP Lubricants in a significant appeal which obtained nationwide clarification of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in relation to dismissals of false marking suits. 

Sources say: "A Rolls-Royce firm that will cause shivers and tremors in the opposition."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kenneth Adamo has a broad IP experience which extends to antitrust expertise, particularly in litigation before a wide range of tribunals. He is regarded by his clients as "an outstanding patent litigator." 

Russell Levine specializes in patent infringement cases and licensing disputes. He is an experienced appellate advocate at the federal level and regularly appears before the ITC. Sources note that he is an "excellent lawyer with a bright future."

William Streff has a renowned transactional and advisory practice. He focuses on computer and telecommunications issues, and also represents clients in contentious matters. Peers are highly complimentary about his federal circuit work.

Trial lawyer David Callahan has experience in patent, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition matters among many others. He is known for his expertise in complex medical and industrial technology. 

THE FIRM This IP department focuses on patent litigation, with specific expertise in life sciences, computers, telecommunications and other electronic equipment. The team has acted for several major clients, including Microsoft in litigation against Motorola over smartphone patent infringements. The firm has also successfully defended Microsoft in patent infringement matters relating to the Xbox console and its Xbox Live service. It has also acted for major client Apple in web browser issues. In copyright matters, the firm recently acted for Random House in a lawsuit over copyrights related to the Chicago Bears.

Sources say: "A good, diligent team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head David Pritikin is known for his litigation work across a wide variety of industries. He has experience in both jury and Bench trials, the federal courts and the ITC, as well as being an experienced appellate advocate. Peers comment that he has "a very nice manner about him in front of the courts and juries."

Richard Cederoth is an experienced and established patent litigator. He is well known for his work in computer technologies and in semiconductors.

THE FIRM This IP specialist firm is known for its high volume of US design patent procurement on behalf of a diverse array of nationwide clients from a strong Chicago base. The team has acted for household names including the AMA, Kimberly-Clark and Harley-Davidson. Recently the firm also defended Nike against a patent infringement claim relating to online shopping cataloging systems.

Sources say: "The firm provides a high quality of work. We receive excellent service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marc Cooperman has a broad IP practice covering trademark, copyright and patent cases across a varied spread of industries. He is praised by clients for his ability to keep them abreast of current market issues. 

Practice head Helen Hill Minsker is best known for her work in trademark and copyright law as part of a broad practice including advisory work and licensing. According to clients, "her knowledge and attention to detail are unsurpassed and she is extremely responsive."

THE FIRM A broad IP practice enables this firm to handle a range of matters including patent litigation, trademarks and unfair competition both at home and abroad. The team also has expertise in copyright in multinational transactions and internet work. Lawyers at the firm are supported by scientific advisers and patent agents to assist clients in various industries, including hi-tech nanotechnology, engineering and internet and computer technologies. Recent highlights include representing Kimberly-Clark against an action brought by Georgia-Pacific of trademark infringement concerning bath tissue.

Sources say: "A historic firm with an old reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gary Ropski is an experienced jury trial lawyer and is hailed as an "excellent litigator" by commentators. He has handled various major patent disputes all over the country. 

ITC department head Laura Beth Miller is held in excellent regard by her peers for antitrust, IP and commercial litigation. According to commentators, she is "a great lawyer who you would hire in a heartbeat."

Patent litigation head Ralph Gabric has a broad IP litigation practice which includes trade secrets, copyright and antitrust disputes among others.

Jerome Gilson is a renowned trademark lawyer with a particularly prestigious reputation for his work in trademark and unfair competition matters.

THE FIRM With a global presence in various fields of business law, DLA Piper's Chicago-based IP team often works in matters relating to international M&A transactions, and is particularly highly regarded for its work in global franchising. The Chicago office has a particularly strong stable of global trademark clients from a diverse selection of industries including pharmaceuticals, education, sporting goods and restaurants. Recent highlights include representing Amgen on its international trademark portfolio. 

Sources say: "Top-notch service, responsive and practical."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Feldman is a recognized expert in the area of cross-border trademark ownership. He receives unanimously high praise from clients and peers. Commentators describe him as "a great guy, very capable and organized."

Chicago IP group vice chair Christina Martini focuses on international trademark and copyright law, with a respected track record relating to the internet and entertainment law. "She is exceptional. Serious, strategic and highly intelligent. She is sensitive to our business needs and very commercially minded," say clients. 

Keith Medansky is experienced in trademark and copyright law. His work includes advice on filing and clearance strategies, and he is known for acting in counterfeiting and piracy cases. He is also known for his high-profile transactional practice related to licensing and divestitures.

THE FIRM This respected boutique represents a diverse range of clients from large corporations to individuals in licensing matters and litigation. The firm has recently worked for clients such as Huawei Technologies, for which it acted in litigation concerning trade secret appropriation. It also represented major client Teva in a number of patent infringement suits.

Sources say: "This is our go-to firm for trademark issues. Great practical legal advice that achieves the right business result."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Hartmann heads the IP department. His practice focuses on litigating and counseling in areas relating to patents and trade secrets, for which he enjoys "a spectacular reputation."

Respected practitioner John Kozak works in patent litigation and counseling and in technology licensing.  

THE FIRM This boutique IP firm specializes in representing technology clients in patent work across industries such as medical devices, electronics, pharmaceuticals and chemical engineering. It serves clients across the full spectrum of IP rights, with recent work including a $166 million patent litigation on behalf of a cardiovascular product manufacturer.

Sources say: "An excellent firm. A great level of client service and a model for others. I would not hesitate to recommend it."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm chair Timothy Malloy is a trial lawyer who focuses on patent, contract and antitrust disputes. Peers agree he is a genuine leader in the field.

Founding partner and esteemed practitioner George McAndrews specializes in counseling on all areas of IP law as well as litigation.  

THE FIRM This specialist firm based in Chicago and Washington state provides a full-service IP practice. The team represents clients in a wide variety of industries including chemicals, biotechnology and business methods. It is known for being able to represent clients in both patent litigation and patent prosecution.

Sources say: "Doing a good job in biotechnology and chemicals with some fine lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Litigator Daniel Boehnen is able to represent clients in a variety of tribunals and has long experience as an IP advocate. "He has been tremendously helpful, handling our work economically and efficiently," say clients.

THE FIRM This boutique has a broad practice, litigating both patent and trademark matters. It is also highly capable in noncontentious matters with a broad client base from Fortune 500 companies to individual inventors. The team has a successful track record in the automotive, telecommunications, industrial machinery, foodstuffs and software industries. Peers particularly note the firm's capacity for contingency fee-based work.

Sources say: "The firm is a zealous advocate for the little guy."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Raymond Niro has an extremely impressive track record in all kinds of IP litigation, earning significant and lucrative victories for his clients in a variety of federal and state courts. "He is the number-one lawyer in the USA for patent infringement," say sources.

THE FIRM The Illinois practice at this national full-service firm is at the forefront of its IP activity thanks to its focus on technology and media, with recent expansion boosting its healthy presence. Highlights of the team's recent activity include acting for Midtronics in a patent infringement case and for Archstone Communities in two trademark infringement matters. Other key clients include Lincoln National Life Insurance, Nutrimed Biotech and Roche Diagnostics.

Sources say: "A nice group of people to do business with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Donovan is the chair of the department. Clients appreciate his "solid litigation and good analysis."

THE FIRM The Illinois department at this national giant forms part of a 220-strong IP practice. Recent highlights include representing a hotel chain, a chain of retail stores and an international insurance company in trademark clearance and worldwide protection issues. It has also been involved in legal protection matters related to patent licensing, domain name and keyword ownership.

Sources say: "The service is excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Samuel Fifer is known for his work in the entertainment and media industries. His work is primarily in trademark strategy, protection and enforcement. One peer calls him a "guru in the industry."

THE FIRM The 17-strong department at this firm is part of a nationwide network of attorneys that  is active in both litigation and noncontentious work for clients such as B/E Aerospace, Hanley Wood, Illinois State University and GC America. Recent important work undertaken by the firm includes defending SAMSUNG against allegations of patent infringement in USB communication technology applying to digital cameras.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Darren Cahr is a key partner in the IP practice group.

THE FIRM This firm specializes in patent litigation. Recent highlights have included successfully representing Viskase over allegations of patent infringement in the company's core business. The firm was also successful in representing Dow Chemical before a jury, winning a $60 million verdict. It also undertook litigation on behalf of Nissan in several patent infringement cases relating to automobile safety equipment.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice chair Harry Roper is well known for representing major chemical and petroleum companies. He is held in excellent regard by market commentators, who describe him as a "terrific lawyer."

Bradford Lyerla is well respected for his deep experience in handling IP disputes. One source commented: "He is a very talented IP litigator and I love the opportunity to work with him."

THE FIRM The Chicago team at this firm functions as part of its established global practice. Examples of the firm's activity include working for Abbott Laboratories to protect patents against a generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer under the Hatch-Waxman Act. In multijurisdictional work, the team acted before the ITC as part of the firm's large-scale case representing Freescale Semiconductor and Motorola among others in a major international patent infringement case.

Sources say: "They have been very professional and have provided excellent service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Witcoff has long-standing experience as a patent litigator. Clients laud him as "pleasant, intelligent and low-key: he's sharp, but not arrogant or over the top."

THE FIRM This firm's work is local, national and international in scope, and forms part of a nationwide group of 70 partners practicing IP. Recent highlights for the Chicago office include acting for Arcadia in protecting the TopShop brand in litigation against Studio Moderna. The firm also acted for FriendFinder in significant litigation involving First Amendment issues concerning the use of a trademark in the title of a film.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "outstanding" Floyd Mandell is the firm's national practice cochair. He focuses on trademarks, unfair competition and trade secrets, and he is particularly known for his work in the advertising, media and internet industries. According to commentators, he is a "really smart and resourceful guy with a terrific client base, who gives great advice."

Timothy Vezeau's practice is primarily focused on hi-tech patent disputes, while he is also well known for his work in trade secret and unfair trade matters. He is universally praised by his peers for his expertise and "great personality."

THE FIRM This specialist 44-partner firm is highly focused on patent matters. Industries in which it has a notable practice include biotechnology, renewable energy, chemicals, electrical engineering, software and medical devices. The firm has recently expanded its trademark practice with lateral hires. Recent highlights for the firm include acting for Charter Communications in several lawsuits concerning communications and cable television patents.

Sources say: "The firm takes a very practical view from a commercial perspective and understands that our business cannot be paralyzed by uncertainty."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeremy Kriegel  is known for his work in medical device patents. He is well respected by peers for his expertise in patent prosecution.  

THE FIRM This firm's full-service offering includes a renowned IP practice. The firm's high-profile nationwide business law presence enables it to represent major financial sector clients, as well as representing telecommunications and pharmaceutical organizations. The Chicago IP team recently represented Dow Chemical in a $168 million transaction selling the IP assets of a polymer-manufacturing joint venture.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Litigator Joseph Mahoney is the firm's practice contact.

THE FIRM This firm's strength in patent litigation is bolstered by expertise in trademark, copyright, domain name and trade secrets matters. Recent highlights included representing a large group of retailers as defendants in alleged patent infringement relating to online retail. The team earns praise for its biotechnology and chemical expertise. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department leader Margaret Duncan is best known for her work in patent litigation across various industries, and has also conducted litigation in other IP areas including trademark, copyright and trade secrets matters.

THE FIRM The broad IP expertise at this firm spans from patent litigation to advertising claims. The team handles transactional work leveraging IP asset value through licensing and transfer of rights. Recent matters include acting as lead joint defense counsel in litigation with Parallel Networks alleging patent infringement against a large number of online retailers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice cochair Robert Browne has a wealth of experience appearing before federal district and appellate courts, as well as the ITC. Clients say he is "timely, responsive and comprehensive in his advice," and also praise his commercial approach.

Antony McShane focuses his practice on litigation surrounding patents, trademarks and trade secrets.

THE FIRM This brand protection specialist firm focuses on trademark matters and a range of related issues such as trade secrets and unfair competition. The firm's practice includes USPTO proceedings, as well as appearing before the ITC. Its work includes international case management and multicountry trademark filing.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior practitioner David Hilliard is a trial lawyer with extensive experience in matters ranging from anticounterfeiting to false advertising to brand protection.

THE FIRM This firm's Chicago team recently acted for Sun Pharmaceuticals in the successful challenge to a 'double patent'. Other eye-catching work done by this firm included acting for a group of generic pharmaceuticals manufacturers in defeating a patent registered over a leading cancer treatment.

Sources say: "The firm should be on anyone's list of the strongest litigators."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Hurst  is the leader of the firm's practice and is known for his experience in the pharmaceutical sector.

George Lombardi is a renowned trial lawyer with particular expertise in patent cases.