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ANN ARBOR -- Robert K. Fergan, an attorney in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., was named a fellow in the American Bar Association's Business Law Section. It is a two year appointment. Mr. Fergan, along with the four other fellows named nationally, was recognized during the Section's annual meeting in Dallas on April 10, 2008. The designation of fellow is awarded to a select group of attorneys who have practiced law for less than ten years and have demonstrated impressive leadership skills in their young legal careers.

Mr. Fergan joined Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione in 2003. His practice at Brinks focuses on client counseling, licensing and patent prosecution in the United States and in other countries under the rules of the Patent Cooperation Treaty. He has prepared and prosecuted patents in the electrical, mechanical, electro-optical and computer science arts as well as patents related to business methods.

Mr. Fergan is active in the legal profession. He is a member of the American Bar Association's Intellectual Property Law Section and serves on the ABA's magazine editorial board as well as co-chairing the section's pro bono committee. In addition, he serves on the membership board of the ABA's Young Lawyers Division. Mr. Fergan is also active in the State Bar of Michigan. His leadership positions include serving on the Board of Commissioners of the State Bar of Michigan and Chair of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Mr. Fergan received his J.D. from Wayne State University College of Law and a B.S. in electrical engineering with a minor in optics from Kettering University, formerly known as the General Motors Institute. Mr. Fergan is a resident of Livonia.

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.