ANN ARBOR — Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., is pleased to announce that Kelly K. Burris, a shareholder in the firm’s Ann Arbor office, is a recipient of the 2010 Women in the Law award from Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Ms. Burris was one of 20 women attorneys in the state of Michigan to be recognized based on the following criteria:
 

• Commitment to excellence in the law;
• Serving as an aspiring and accomplished leader in the profession;
• Serving as a mentor to other women; and
• Contributing significant time and effort to volunteerism and/or pro bono.

The honorees serve in all aspects of the legal profession, from private practice to corporations and academia. Ms. Burris was recognized for her success with intellectual property protection for the firm’s international clients, the creation of a sustainable electronic/paperless filing system that has been implemented firm-wide for ease of client service and reduced costs, her work with academia, and her long-time volunteerism and fundraising for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic and Angel Flight Central, part of the Air Charity Network.

A licensed pilot since 1984, Ms. Burris serves on a variety of missions transporting people with medical conditions who are unable to fly commercially to and from medical appointments, military personnel and their families, and medical supplies. Since 2008, Ms. Burris has raised more than $50,000 for Angel Flight, largely through her participation in the Air Race Classic, an all-female aviation race that dates back to 1929 and famed pilot Amelia Earhart. Ms. Burris won the Air Race Classic in 2009 and recently completed her third race in 2010. In 2009, Ms. Burris won the Unsung Hero Award from the State Bar of Michigan for her efforts with Angel Flight.

Brinks shareholder and Diversity Chair, Cynthia A. Homan, sees Ms. Burris’ award as a win for the entire firm.

“Kelly is an outstanding attorney and humanitarian and is reflective of the fine caliber of women attorneys who have chosen to build their careers at Brinks,” notes Ms. Homan. “Our clients are well-served by Kelly’s legal acumen, engineering background and demonstrated commitment to her work.”

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. Prior to practicing law, Ms. Burris spent more than 11 years in the aerospace industry with McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, where she worked in diverse areas such as advanced composite materials, advanced design, production manufacturing, ballistics research and in virtual reality and CAD/CAM technology and applications. Ms. Burris holds a U.S. Patent in the area of fiber optics.

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 is also an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

About Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, a legal newspaper founded in 1986, reports on legal opinions from state and federal courts in Michigan, as well as changes to court rules, verdict and settlement reports, attorney and judicial discipline matters and all other news vital to attorneys in the state. Learn more at www.milawyersweekly.com.

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 170 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 D.C. More information is available at www.usebrinks.com.