Press Releases

CHICAGO – K. Shannon Mrksich, Ph.D. (center), a shareholder at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., accepts the WORLD Leaders Global IP Award for Excellence in Intellectual Property Litigation for 2007 – North America/Canada on behalf of Brinks and the winning litigation team. Brinks received the award in recognition of its successful defense of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in a billion dollar patent infringement claim brought by Star Scientific, Inc. The R.J. Reynolds defense team was led by Brinks attorneys Richard A. Kaplan, Ralph J. Gabric, Jerold A. Jacover and Dr. Mrksich and from R.J. Reynolds, chief patent counsel, August J. Borschke and Thomas F. McKim, vice president, deputy general counsel. Also pictured are presenters, attorney Matt Todd (left) and Sylvia Waycot (right), editor of Patent World, Copyright World and Trademark World, published by Informa, London, sponsors of the WORLD Leaders Global IP Awards. The award ceremonies were held on November 15, 2007, at Grosvenor House, London.

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 170 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.