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CHICAGO – Brinks shareholders James R. Sobieraj and Allen R. Baum have been named leading licensing lawyers for the second consecutive year in Intellectual Asset Management Licensing 250 – The World’s Leading Patent & Technology Licensing Lawyers.

IAM Licensing 250 lists leading attorneys who have an outstanding reputation for helping IP owners monetize their patent and technology portfolios through licensing.

James R. Sobieraj, who will assume the presidency of Brinks in 2012, has more than 29 years of experience in the enforcement, licensing and procurement of intellectual property rights. He has been lead counsel in lawsuits involving patent infringement, ownership of patent rights, licensing disputes, misappropriation of trade secrets, trade dress infringement, unfair competition, false advertising, fraud, antitrust, breach of contract and other commercial litigation. Mr. Sobieraj has represented companies in a variety of technologies including analog and digital electronics, microprocessors, software, medical devices, automotive components and various consumer goods. His litigation experience includes bench and jury trials, temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, Markman hearings, appeals, arbitrations and mediations.

Mr. Sobieraj is a past president of the Licensing Executives Society USA & Canada, and he currently serves as treasurer and counsel to the board of directors of the Licensing Executives Society International. He is also a past president of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2004 and the IP Hall of Fame Academy in 2007.

Allen R. Baum is the managing shreholder of Brinks' office in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and chairs the firm’s chemical group. He focuses his practice on strategic intellectual property counseling and litigation for clients in chemistry, pharmaceutical development, biochemistry and biotechnology, and medical devices. His experience includes freedom-to-operate studies, due diligence review, infringement/validity studies, licensing, paragraph IV litigation, reexamination, and patent preparation/prosecution. Mr. Baum's representative clients are active in small molecule pharmaceuticals, crop protection, biologics, vaccines, medical devices, ocular medications/implants, green technologies, nuclear power and advanced materials. He has also represented animal health clients in evaluating third-party rights and licensing in the area of small molecule pharmaceuticals and vaccines for both large and small animals.

Mr. Baum is the current president and chairman of the Board of Governors for Certified Licensing Professionals (CLP), is a past president of the Licensing Executives Society USA & Canada, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Triangle Intellectual Property Law Association.

IAM Licensing 250 lists leading licensing lawyers in private practice in more than 20 major jurisdictions. Recognized attorneys are selected through an extensive research process, involving hundreds of interviews with in-house counsel and private attorneys from across the globe.

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.