Press Releases

CHICAGO - The intellectual property law firm of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione announced today that six attorneys have been named shareholders, effective January 1, 2001. In addition, one associate was promoted to Counsel and two Counsel, 22 associates and two scientific advisors have joined the firm this year.

"We're extremely pleased with these moves," said Brinks President Jerold A. Jacover. "We grew steadily and smartly over the past year."

The firm announces the following new shareholders and Counsel:

John T. Gabrielides, formerly Counsel for the firm, specializes in trademark, unfair competition, patent and copyright litigation, counseling in all phases of intellectual property law, including licensing, clearance and infringement opinions and trademark and copyright prosecution. He received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

K. Shannon Mrksich, Ph.D specializes in patent prosecution, interference and opinions in biotechnology, organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. She received a B.S. (cum laude) in Chemistry from Houghton College, a Ph.D. in Bio-organic Chemistry from California Institute of Technology and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

Joseph V. Norvell specializes in trademark, copyright, unfair competition and technology law. He received a B.S. (with highest honors) in Finance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

Steven L. Oberholtzer, in the firm's Ann Arbor office, specializes in patent and trademark counseling, including licensing, intellectual property portfolio management and technology ownership policy development. He has extensive experience in the mechanical and electro-mechanical disciplines with particular emphasis on automotive industry issues. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute and a J.D. from the Detroit College of Law.

Helen A. Odar, formerly Counsel for the firm, practices all aspects of intellectual property law, including corporate transactions and licensing, prosecution, preparation of opinions, counseling and litigation. She received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. (summa cum laude) from American University, Washington College of Law.

Andrew D. Stover specializes in litigation and applications in mechanical and electro-mechanical arts. He received a B.S. and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University and a J.D. (cum laude) from Northwestern University School of Law.

Colleen Connors Butler was named as Counsel. She specializes in trademark and unfair competition litigation, counseling, licensing and prosecution. She received a B.S. from Miami University of Ohio, an M.S. in Management from Northwestern University and a J.D. (magna cum laude) from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Daniel B. Schein has joined the firm's San Jose office as Counsel. He specializes in patent prosecution and intellectual property counseling and litigation and has extensive experience with chemical, medical and mechanical technologies. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from Hampden-Sydney College, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Hawaii and a J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

A. James Richardson has joined the firm's Indianapolis office as Counsel. Prior to joining the firm, Richardson was a Partner with the Locke Reynolds Boyd & Weissell firm in Indianapolis. He received an A.B. and M.A. from Colorado State College, a second M.A. from Indiana State University and a law degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University.

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

Darin E. Bartholomew received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University, a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and an LL.M. (with distinction) in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University.

Jonathan M.B. Blanchard received a B.S. in Chemistry from Centre College, an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Syracuse University, an A.M. in Inorganic Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from Washington University and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky.

Richard K. Clark received a B.S. in Metallurgy and Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.

Joseph W. Flerlage received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Zachary Hamilton received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Brad E. Harrigan received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Anastasia Heffner received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a J.D. (with honors) from DePaul University College of Law.

Thomas L. Holt received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and a J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

William D. Jackson received a B.A. in Economics and History from the University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from Cornell University and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

Timothy K. Klintworth received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Timothy P. Lucier received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Michele H. McCoy received a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University and a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Jeffry M. Nichols received a B.S. in Chemistry from Northeast Missouri State University and a J.D. (with honors) from the University of Connecticut.

Justin B. Rand received a B.S. in Biology from Indiana University and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Elisa M. Valenzona received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Lizabeth K. Vitellaro received an A.B. (cum laude) in Chemistry from Kenyon College and a J.D. (cum laude) from The John Marshall Law School.

J. Matthew Buchanan, in the firm's Ann Arbor office, received a B.S. in Microbiology from Ohio State University, an M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology from the Medical College of Ohio and a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Jeffrey M. Cox, in the Ann Arbor office, received a B.S.E. (cum laude) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a J.D., Intellectual Property Law Track, from George Mason University School of Law.

Gael Diane Lindland, in the Ann Arbor office, received a B.S. and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Michigan School of Law.

Sujatha Subramaniam, in the Ann Arbor office, received a B.S. (with honors) in Chemistry from St. Stephens College, New Delhi, India, and an LL.B. from the Delhi School of Law, New Delhi, India. She has an LL.M. (cum laude) in International Law from the University of Notre Dame. She also has a Masters in Intellectual Property Law from Franklin Pierce Law Center.

Dan L. Thompson, in the Ann Arbor office, received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a J.D. from Wayne State University.

Raymond J. Vivacqua, in the Ann Arbor office, received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from the Pennsylvania State University, a Masters in Electronics and Computer Controls from Wayne State University and a J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Additionally, Jonathan Taylor and Gregory M. Zinkl have joined the firm as scientific advisors. Taylor received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Chemistry from Bob Jones University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University. Zinkl received a B.A. (summa cum laude) in Biology from Millikin University and a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University. His postdoctoral studies were completed at the University of Chicago.

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. This year, Brinks Hofer was voted the best law firm for trademark work in the Central U.S., according to Managing Intellectual Property magazine's November issue, which named the firm first in trademark litigation and non-contentious trademark work. For the past five years, the UK-based magazine has annually surveyed approximately 3,500 international readers, primarily in-house counsel and private practitioners, and each year Brinks Hofer has been singled out as one of the top intellectual property law firms in the United States. The firm is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the country, with approximately 120 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.