Press Releases

CHICAGO - Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., gladly offered assistance when an administrator at Chicago's Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, told the firm about three of its graduating seniors. Although every graduate receives a diploma, in order to participate in graduation ceremonies, every student is required to pay a fee which covers graduation and prom charges. Unfortunately, the three seniors, all good students with good grades, were unable to afford these charges. Whitney Young's graduation ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 8.

"It's a privilege to be able to assist these young people as they leave high school and embark on what we hope will be a wonderful future," said Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks. "Every senior should be able to walk across the stage, receive his or her diploma and enjoy graduation day celebrations. We wish them and their classmates best wishes, success and happiness in their endeavors."

Brinks has an ongoing partnership with Whitney Young. In conjunction with a program founded by Mayor Richard M. Daley that brings business and civic leaders together to support Chicago public schools, this past year, Mr. Ropski, Jerold A. Jacover, the firm's past president, and ITC Group chair, Laura Beth Miller, served as "Principals for a Day" at the school. Additionally, throughout the year, Brinks donates restored computers to the school for students' use and provides mentoring and financial assistance.

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School is Chicago's first magnet school and has a 32-year tradition of offering a rigorous college-prep curriculum to Chicago's most academically advanced students, representing a range of racial and socio-economic backgrounds. The school takes great pride in preparing its students for admission to the top universities in the U.S. In 2006, 100 per cent of its graduating seniors were accepted to the four-year college of their choice.

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.