Press Releases

CHICAGO - The intellectual property law firm of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione announces that three attorneys were named as shareholders and 18 attorneys and two scientific advisors joined the firm in 2003.

"We're extremely pleased to promote these three outstanding attorneys to shareholder and to have such a strong group of attorneys join our firm this past year," said Brinks President Jerry Jacover. "We are continuing to grow and expand all practice areas and we look forward to great contributions from this group." 

The firm announces the following new shareholders, effective Jan. 1, 2004: 

Tadashi Horie specializes in patent opinions and prosecution. He received a B.S. in General Engineering from Nagoya Institute of Technology and a J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. He also received an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a Japanese Patent Attorney (Benrishi). Prior to practicing law, Mr. Horie was a computer engineer at Seiko Systems, where he designed computer hardware and software of intelligent computer terminals. He presented his treatise, Remedies for Patent Infringement in Japan, at the 25th Biennial Conference of the International Bar Association in 1993.

John G. Rauch specializes in patent prosecution, licensing and counseling, primarily in the areas of computers, telecommunications and semiconductors. Before joining the firm, Mr. Rauch was a patent attorney with Motorola, Inc. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law (Advanced Research in Intellectual Property) at the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law and the author of The Realities of Our Times: The Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984 and the Evolution of the Semiconductor Industry. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and a J.D. (with high honors) from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Mark H. Remus specializes in patent prosecution and litigation in the chemical and mechanical arts, trade secrets and unfair competition. His experience includes jury trials, appellate practice and alternate dispute resolution. He received a B.S. (with distinction) in Chemical Engineering and a J.D. (cum laude), both from University of Illinois. Mr. Remus is the author of The Federal Circuit Redefines the Effect of Prosecution History Estoppel on the Doctrine of Equivalents. He is a Regenstein Mentor for the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago.

The firm also announces the following new attorneys who have joined the firm this past year: 

Jennifer J. Baumann specializes in trademark, copyright, unfair competition, and patent law. She received a B.A. (with distinction) in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. 

Jon H. Beaupre specializes in patent preparation and prosecution in the mechanical arts in the firm's Ann Arbor office. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude) from University of Michigan and a J.D. (magna cum laude) from University of Wisconsin Law School.

William A. Beckman specializes in patent prosecution and litigation. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and a J.D. (with high honors) from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 

Nicholas M. Boivin specializes in patent prosecution in chemical and mechanical arts, litigation and client counseling. He received a B.A. in Chemistry (with honors) from Northwestern University, an M.A. in Chemistry from Princeton University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. 

Peter C. Breen specializes in patent prosecution, opinions and litigation in the computer, mechanical and electrical arts. He received a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a recipient of the Notre Dame Law Scholarship. 

John M. Card, PhD., specializes in patent prosecution in electrical, mechanical and chemical arts, non-infringement and invalidity opinions and due diligence investigations in the firm's Ann Arbor office. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the University of California, San Diego, and a J.D. from the Vermont Law School. 

Chikiu (Charles) Chan specializes in patent prosecution in the chemical arts, trademark prosecution and litigation. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (magna cum laude) from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School. 

Trevor K. Copeland specializes in patent prosecution in biotechnology and opinion work. He received a B.S. Ed. in Biology from Arkansas State University, an M.S. in Molecular, Cellular Developmental Biology and Genetics, as well as a J.D. (Joint Degree Program) from the University of Minnesota. 

Margaret A. Dobrowitsky, who is Counsel in the firm's Ann Arbor office, has 11 years of experience in the fields of intellectual property and general business law. She received a B.S. in Electrical/Computer Engineering (summa cum laude) from Wayne State University and a J. D. (magna cum laude) from the Detroit College of Law. 

Stephanie J. Felicetty specializes in U.S. and international patent prosecution in the chemical arts. She received a B.E. (highest honors) in Chemical Engineering from Youngstown State University and her J.D. (summa cum laude) with a Certificate in Intellectual Property from the University of Akron. 

Robert K. Fergan specializes in patent preparation and prosecution in the firm's Ann Arbor office. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Optics from Kettering University and a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law. 

Brian A. Garcia specializes in opinions in the biochemical and chemical arts and patent prosecution and preparation. He received a B.A. (magna cum laude) in Chemistry from Lake Forest College and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in Organic Chemistry. He received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

Timothy J. Le Duc specializes in patent prosecution and litigation. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Minnesota. 

Rashida Y.V. MacMurray specializes in prosecuting utility patent applications and litigation support for intellectual property matters. She received a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia, an M.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law. 

John Nethery specializes in patent prosecution and infringement opinions. He received a B.S. in Computer Engineering and Computer Science from Iowa State University, an M.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

Amir N. Penn, Counsel, specializes in opinions and patent preparation and prosecution in the electrical and mechanical arts, including semiconductor devices, software related technology, medical devices and telecommunications. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. 

Miyoung Shin specializes in patent prosecution and litigation in the electrical and computer arts. She received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Korea University in Seoul and a J.D. (cum laude, Order of the Coif) from Northwestern University School of Law. 

Stephen C. Smith specializes in patent prosecution and litigation. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He also received a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

Additionally, two scientific advisors joined the firm: 

Sid Bennett has 40 years experience in engineering and management of defense and communications systems and was the recipient of the IEEE Third Millennium Medal. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from New York University. 

Kader Gacem received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of Algiers and received an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Missouri at Rolla. He also received an M.S. in Systems Science and Mathematics from Washington University at St. Louis and conducted Doctoral Studies and Research in Electrical Engineering there as well. 

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago, with offices in San Jose, Calif., Indianapolis, Ind., Ann Arbor, Mich., and Arlington, Va. The firm is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the country, with approximately 150 attorneys who specialize in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and Internet work, unfair competition and technology and licensing agreements.