Press Releases

CHICAGO – For the fourth year in a row, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione shares the top tier among intellectual property law firms in Illinois, according to Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Seven of the firm’s shareholders have been recognized as leading lawyers in their field. The 2006-2007 listing, just released by Chambers USA, is the fourth edition of the survey. The seven attorneys from Brinks appearing in the guide are: Jerome Gilson, Roy E. Hofer, Gary M. Ropski, Jerold A. Jacover, Ralph J. Gabric, Laura Beth Miller, and Meredith Martin Addy.

The 2006 Chambers USA guide described Brinks as follows: “This ‘top-tier, first-class act’ is clearly synonymous with excellence. Clients were quick to comment on the high-caliber service provided, stating: ‘The support infrastructure is excellent, the team meticulous and detailed.’ The sheer size of the group - over 150 specialist lawyers - guarantees it prominence in the market. ‘Steeped in science and technology,’ the firm takes a full-service approach to the sector and has a particular flair for sophisticated patent matters and high-stakes litigation. The broadest spectrum of IP services is provided, including patent and trademark procurement and litigation, copyright, trade secrets and matters before the ITC.”

Jerome Gilson, designated a “Senior Statesman” in the 2006 survey, is a name shareholder in the firm’s Trademark practice. According to Chambers, his “longevity and experience have earned him the title of ‘dean of the trademark Bar’ and he has crafted the leading treatise on the subject.” Gilson has specialized in trademark and unfair competition law for more than 40 years and is the author of the acclaimed treatise Trademark Protection and Practice.

Roy E. Hofer, also named a “Senior Statesman,” is a name shareholder in the firm’s Litigation practice and has more than 40 years of experience in the litigation of patent, trade secret, trade dress and related antitrust and contract matters. Chambers states that Hofer is “similarly distinguished as ‘the superb, premier litigator’ and a legend in the field. His ‘sound and fair style - litigation minus the personality contest’ has won him a loyal following.”

Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks, is singled out in the individual rankings as one of the top lawyers in the state. “Despite his relative youth, Gary Ropski has firmly made his mark in the IP market… Litigation is his forte, especially damage claims, where commentators describe him as ‘experienced, articulate and confident,’” cites Chambers. Ropski is a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice. His practice has included patent prosecution and litigation, trademark prosecution, including oppositions, and litigation, trade dress litigation, copyright registration and litigation, trade secret litigation, right of publicity counseling and litigation and related unfair competition and antitrust matters in federal and state courts.

Jerold A. Jacover, according to Chambers, is the firm’s “outgoing president and is also a skilled courtroom performer, particularly in patent litigation. He ‘develops a great rapport with judges and jury’ and yet has the capacity to ‘really dig his heels in and argue with the best’." Jacover is a shareholder in the firm’s Litigation practice. His practice includes significant experience in patent, copyright and unfair competition, including litigation and trials.

Ralph J. Gabric is a shareholder in the firm’s Litigation practice, who concentrates on patent, trade secrets, copyright, trademark and unfair competition litigation, counseling and prosecution. Chambers refers to Gabric as “‘bright, young and energetic’ [whose] involvement in the RJ Reynolds case involving over $1 billion in a claim for damages has cast the spotlight on him.”

Laura Beth Miller, chair of the firm’s International Trade Commission practice and a shareholder, has experience in a variety of Internet-related issues, as well as in traditional areas of intellectual property including patent, trademark, unfair competition, trade secret and copyright law. According to Chambers, she “is noted for her ‘mastery of detail’ and ‘tremendous amount of intellectual depth’ especially in ITC work and Internet-related issues. She is committed to her clients and places a lot of emphasis on client care.”

Meredith Martin Addy, who achieved the individual ranking of “Up and Coming,” focuses on intellectual property litigation, including appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Chambers states that Addy is “destined for success” and is "sharply intelligent." Further, “she impresses with her work for Genentech, her experience in appellate matters and her understanding of the federal circuit. Her intellectual strength has instilled such confidence that even her most seasoned rivals stated: ‘I'd refer to her before most others.’” Addy, a shareholder, has litigation experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, chemical and electrical arts and has testified before a subcommittee of the United States House of Representatives on the state of the Federal Circuit and patent appeals.

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners, based in London, have published the Chambers Guide to the UK legal profession. First introduced in 2003, its annual guide, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, is based on in-depth interviews with leading private practice attorneys and key in-house counsel. For more information about Chambers and Partners, visit www.chambersandpartners.com.

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.