June 4, 2010

Barbara Fornasiero
Barbara.eafocus@sbcglobal.net
248.651.7536

2009 Winner Will Again Race for Charity, Camaraderie and Competition

ANN ARBOR - Kelly K. Burris, a shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., and the defending champion of the Air Race Classic, an all-female aviation race that dates back to 1929 and the era of famed woman pilot Amelia Earhart, is preparing to reclaim her title in the 2010 race. The race route covers approximately 2,158 miles and will be held from June 22-25. Ms. Burris will fly from her Ann Arbor base on June 16 to the race starting point in Fort Myers, Florida. The race will finish in Frederick, Maryland, where the top ten winners will split a $15,000 prize.

 Ms. Burris will be piloting her 1962 Beechcraft Debonair airplane, which is affectionately known as “The Deb.” Fifty-five (55) teams are registered to participate in this year’s Air Race Classic, up from 34 in 2009; Ms. Burris is on Team 40, a/k/a “Classic #40,” with co-pilot, Theresa Whiting of Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is the third Air Race Classic for Ms. Burris and the first for Ms. Whiting, both of whom are graduates of Western Michigan University.

Participation in the Air Race Classic combines Ms. Burris’ love of flying and competition with the ability to raise money for Angel Flight, a charity that matches people in need with free flights and other travel resources. She has been a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic and Angel Flight Central, members of the Air Charity Network, since 2004.

“The Air Race Classic has proven to be both a challenging and rewarding experience in a myriad of ways. First and foremost is the flying, both the hands-on racing and the ability to participate in an event that has such a rich aviation history,” comments Ms. Burris. “The race has also provided an opportunity to promote Angel Flight and raise funds for a charity that is near and dear to my heart. And then there are the friendships that are created and grown each year, which I treasure and hope to nurture for many years to come.”

Following her 2009 win, Ms. Burris donated approximately $25,000 to Angel Flight Central with funds she’d gathered from her exhaustive fundraising efforts, race winnings and her own personal financial contribution. This was in addition to the $12,000 she raised for Air Charity Network through her efforts with the 2008 Air Race Classic. This year, Ms. Burris aims to raise $40,000 for Angel Flight Central and has again enlisted the assistance of the Angel Flight Central member organizations throughout the race route to promote the charity to communities along the route stops. Additionally, she is hosting a fundraiser at the Ann Arbor Airport on Thursday, June 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every dollar raised by Ms. Burris will be donated directly to Angel Flight Central; no donated monies will be used to offset the expenses Ms. Burris incurs to compete in the race. In September 2009, Ms. Burris received the Unsung Hero award from the Michigan Bar Association for her charitable efforts on behalf of Angel Flight.

A pilot since 1984, Ms. Burris learned to fly at Western Michigan University while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Burris worked for more than 11 years as an engineer in the aviation industry with McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. As a practicing attorney, she has handled hundreds of patent issues involving aviation and often uses her plane for business purposes.

When she’s not flying, Ms. Burris focuses her legal practice on the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications in the mechanical, material science and electrical arts. She prepares clearance/freedom-to-practice opinions, drafts and negotiates licensing agreements and joint development agreements, and supports patent and trademark litigation, including client counseling, discovery, depositions and brief writing. Ms. Burris is also involved in due diligence with mergers and acquisitions, transactional matters, management and administration of corporate intellectual property portfolios and policies and strategic competitive intelligence.

Ms. Burris is a resident of Ann Arbor. She holds a law degree from Saint Louis University, a Master of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Washington University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Western Michigan University. Ms. Burris has also served as an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

About Air Charity Network
Air Charity Network (www.aircharitynetwork.org) is a national network of several independent member organizations arranging free flights of hope and healing by transporting children and adults in need.

About Women’s Air Racing
Women’s air racing started in 1929 with the First Women’s Air Derby. Twenty pilots raced from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio, site of the National Air Races. Racing continued through the ’30s and was renewed again after WWII when the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), better known as the Powder Puff Derby,came into being. The AWTAR held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977. When the AWTAR was discontinued, the Air Race Classic, Ltd., (ARC) stepped in to continue the tradition of transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race. The Air Race Classic was reincorporated in 2002 into the Air Race Classic, Inc. Learn more at www.airraceclassic.org.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country, including Ann Arbor, 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 170 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.