Press Releases

ANN ARBOR – Lawrence G. Almeda, a shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., has been selected as Chairperson of the State (Michigan) Advisory Committee (SAC) of the U.S Commission on Civil Rights. Mr. Almeda was re-appointed as a member of the Committee in September 2009. He will remain Chairperson for the duration of his two-year term.

In addition to being a federally-appointed member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Mr. Almeda has a prominent leadership role in Michigan’s Asian American community. He is a board member and immediate past president of American Citizens for Justice (ACJ), an organization that was formed in response to the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin, who was fatally beaten by two unemployed auto workers. The case ultimately led to legal milestone changes on issues dealing with hate crimes, minimum sentence guidelines and victims’ rights.

In April 2009, Mr. Almeda was appointed to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission for the State of Michigan by Governor Jennifer Granholm. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Commission as Secretary. Mr. Almeda is also a past member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Assistant Regional Governor of the Central Region for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a past president of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

At Brinks, Mr. Almeda chairs the firm’s Nanotechnology Group. His legal practice focuses on patent opinions and counseling in the medical, chemical, nanotechnology and alternative energy fields. Mr. Almeda earned his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he was a published member of the Law Review, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University. Additionally, he holds an L.L.M in intellectual property law from The John Marshall Law School.

Mr. Almeda resides in Canton.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States and serves the intellectual property needs of clients around the world. Brinks has more than 180 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents who specialize in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. The firm also advises on issues relating to intellectual asset management, trade secret, unfair competition, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments for companies in the electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering sectors; the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries; and for companies whose work relates to Internet and computer technology law. The firm's trademark practice works on behalf of clients who deal in a wide variety of products and services. Founded in 1917, Brinks is based in Chicago and has five additional offices across the country, including its new office in Washington DC.