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ANN ARBOR - Lawrence G. (L.G.) Almeda, a shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., has been appointed to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission for the State of Michigan. Mr. Almeda was appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm by Executive Order 2009-21 to serve on the Commission for a term ending November 30, 2012.

The Asian Pacific American Commission was created by way of Public Act 536 2008 to develop a unified policy and plan of action to serve the needs of Asian Pacific Americans in Michigan; advise the governor, the legislature and the office concerning the administration of state programs serving Asian Pacific Americans; and, to initiate and monitor programs for the betterment of Asian Pacific Americans across the state. The Commission is placed administratively within the State's Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth.

The appointment to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission further solidifies Mr. Almeda's place as a leader in Michigan's Asian American community. He has been recognized by both Crain's Detroit Business and Corp! Magazine for his commitment to diversity and is a federally-appointed member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory Committee. Mr. Almeda is also a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Assistant Regional Governor of the Central Region for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and a past president of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, where he serves on the Global Strategic Committee, and is president of the American Citizens for Justice (ACJ), also known as the Asian American Center for Justice.

At Brinks, Mr. Almeda chairs the firm's Nanotechnology Group. His legal practice focuses on patent opinions and counseling in the medical, chemical, nanotechnology and alternative energy fields. Mr. Almeda earned his J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he was a published member of the Law Review, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Purdue University. Additionally, he holds an L.L.M. in intellectual property law from The John Marshall Law School.

Mr. Almeda resides in Canton.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country, including Ann Arbor, 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.