Press Releases

CHICAGO – RalphJ. Gabric, a partner and a member of the Board of Directors at the intellectual property law firm of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, has been elected an officer of the Governance Board for the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS). Mr. Gabric will serve as Secretary.

Mr. Gabric’s father, Ralph A. Gabric, was a member of the CARPLS Governance Board from 1998 until 2002, when he passed away. The senior Mr. Gabric was a significant CARPLS donor and headed several fund-raising projects. CARPLS established the “Ralph A. Gabric Advocate Award” in his honor. The award is given annually to an individual who has dedicated his or her professional life to increasing access to the legal system for all members of the community.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve an organization that had such a prominent place in my father’s life and that does so much good work in the community,” said Gabric. “I look forward to continuing that work and my father’s legacy.”

Gabric focuses his practice on patent, trade secret, copyright, trademark and unfair competition litigation, counseling and prosecution. He has represented clients in various sectors, including medical devices, electronic trading systems, computers, analytical instrumentation and various technologies in the chemical and food arts. He has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

CARPLS was established in 1993 in response to a major study which found that 80% of the legal needs of the poor in Illinois went unmet. By providing speedy, effective access to legal advice,pro se materials and accurate referrals, CARPLS has made great strides in opening the doors to legal services for indigent clients. Since its inception, CARPLS' attorneys have answered over 200,000 phone calls from low-income individuals seeking legal assistance. Calls are referred to CARPLS only after an affiliated legal service provider determines that it is unable to assist the client.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with three other offices across the country serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 150 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition,intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks or brand names for a wide variety of products and services.