Press Releases

ANN ARBOR – Robert K. Fergan, an attorney in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., has been elected as a shareholder effective January 2012.

Mr. Fergan specializes in client counseling, licensing, and patent prosecution in the United States and in other countries under the rules of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. He has prepared and prosecuted patents in the electrical, mechanical and computer science arts, specifically including the machine vision and optical inspection industry, and has also prosecuted business methods patents. Before joining Brinks, Mr. Fergan had ten years of industry experience as a product development manager and product marketing manager, experience which gives him deep familiarity with industries and technologies including semi-conductor, electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, metrology, instrumentation and optics.

Mr. Fergan is a frequent speaker and author on intellectual property issues and is active in civic and professional organizations. He is a member of the Representative Assembly, 22nd Circuit of the State Bar of Michigan and former Chair of the Michigan Bar Young Lawyers Section. At the American Bar Association, he is active in the Intellectual Property Law Section and serves on the editorial board of the IP journal, Landslide and the CLE Planning Board and is Chair of the 2012 Annual Meeting. Mr. Fergan is also a member of the current class of Leadership Detroit. He received his J.D. from Wayne State University College of Law in 2002 and a B.S. in electrical engineering with a minor in optics from Kettering University, formerly known as the General Motors Institute, in 1991.

Mr. Fergan is one of seven attorneys throughout the firm elected as shareholders. Speaking on their shareholder milestone, firm president Gary M. Ropski said, “Each of these seven attorneys has exhibited excellence in their individual areas of practice within intellectual property law, and each has shown outstanding ability to serve Brinks' clients. We are pleased to honor their accomplishments and have every confidence in their continued ability to contribute to the success of our firm.”

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., Research Triangle Park, N.C., Salt Lake City, Utah, and Washington, DC. More information is available at www.usebrinks.com.