January 19, 2010

Barbara Fornasiero
barbara.eafocus@sbcglobal.net
248.651.7536

CHICAGO - Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States, announces that shareholder James P. Naughton was a featured speaker at the 17th Annual Law Firm Marketing Partner Forum 2010, an industry-leading conference on strategic marketing and business development. Mr. Naughton, who just completed his final year of a three-year term as Chair of Brinks’ Client Service Committee, spoke at a session entitled, “What’s Not Going to Work Anymore: Effective Pricing Strategies for the New Economy.”

Designed as a primer on billing principles, alternative fees and project billing, the panel discussion explored current examples of successful partnerships with clients on pricing issues. Featuring both general counsel and outside counsel as speakers, Mr. Naugton partnered with Brinks’ client Cynthia Kretz, General Counsel, Cook Group Incorporated, to explain how the two organizations agreed to alternative billing options.

“Billing is an important part of the larger value discussion and the billing arrangement has to match the perceived value by the client,” notes Mr. Naughton. “Brinks has a history of providing value-driven services and, as the profession adapts to new economic realities, we recognize there is an increased push to adopt alternative billing arrangements. We have done that with Cook Group Incorporated and other clients and will continue to be proactive in this area.”

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 180 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks and brand names for a wide variety of products and services.