Press Releases

CHICAGO – Brinks associate Michelle A. Miller was named Pro Bono Volunteer of the Month for June 2011 by Illinois Legal Aid Online, which provides training and practice support for volunteer attorneys. Illinois Legal Aid Online allows pro bono legal professionals to search for volunteer opportunities categorized by specific preferences and expertise, provides online training sessions, connects volunteers to mentors and case partners, and distributes news about events happening in the pro bono community.

Brinks was the first intellectual property law firm in Chicago to establish a formal pro bono program. Its attorneys have been actively involved with such organizations as Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, National Immigrant Justice Center, Center for Disability and Elder Law, and Cabrini-Green Legal Aid Clinic.

“Ms. Miller started in our pro bono program as a summer associate and has continued to be committed to her work as an associate,” said Vincent J. Gnoffo, who chairs the Pro Bono Committee at Brinks. "We encourage our attorneys to contribute time, skills and other resources to members of the public who could not otherwise afford representation."

Ms. Miller practices in the firm’s Washington D.C. and Chicago offices, focusing on domestic and international trademark, trade dress, copyright, false advertising and unfair competition matters. She has substantial experience in managing domestic and international trademark portfolios and litigation matters. Ms. Miller also helps clients develop strategies for brand promotion and protection in social media and other online spaces.

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 150 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. Brinks is based in Chicago and has offices in Ann Arbor, Mich., Indianapolis, Ind., Raleigh, N.C., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington, DC. More information is available at www.usebrinks.com.