Press Releases

Ann Arbor, MI – Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., announces that Lawrence G. Almeda, a shareholder in the firm's Ann Arbor office, has been appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to the Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Mr. Almeda has been appointed for a term expiring on April 30, 2011.

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs (ACAPAA) serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor. ACAPAA provides information and counsels on issues of importance within the Asian Pacific American communities. The Council also makes recommendations regarding programs and policies for the betterment of Asian Pacific Americans in Michigan and helps to promote awareness of the contributions and accomplishments of these communities.

Mr. Almeda is the president of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association and is a member of Leadership Detroit 2006-2007. He is the current chair of the Business Law Section of the Washtenaw County Bar Association and former chair of its Intellectual Property Law Section. He also was an Executive Council Member of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Mr. Almeda focuses his practice on patent opinions and prosecution in the medical, chemical, mechanical and nanotechnological arts. He received his LL.M. in intellectual property from The John Marshall Law School (Chicago), his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he was a published member of Law Review, and received his B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with four additional 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 and brand names for a wide variety of products and services.