Press Releases
Sydney Iglitzen
siglitzen@brinkshofer.com
312.840.3163
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| Chief Judge Paul R. Michel, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. |
CHICAGO - Chief Judge Paul R. Michel, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, addressed an enthusiastic audience at the season's first meeting of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court hosted by Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione on September 29, 2009, at the firm's Chicago offices.
Circuit Judge Richard Linn, also of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and Chief Judge James Holderman, Judge Matthew Kennelly and Judge James Zagel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois were in attendance.
"The economic health of this country rests on the American innovation system," said Judge Michel. "Innovation is the engine of prosperity and allows us to enjoy the standard of living we have in this country. Intellectual property attorneys are the custodians of the American IP system because they practice within the system and understand it."
With regard to patent reform, Judge Michel said that "patent reform is the watchword of the day. But, it is yet to be decided whether reform will be better or just different. The answer is not clear; the verdict is still undetermined."
Judge Michel was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in March of 1988. The Federal Circuit hears appeals in all patent cases from regional district courts and from the U.S. Patent and Trade Office. Judge Michel assumed the duties of Chief Judge in 2004. In 2008, Chief Judge Michel was awarded the first annual Lifetime Achievement Award by the Richard Linn American Inn of Court for "Dedication to Justice for All."
In his welcome remarks, Judge Linn acknowledged the late attorney Mark Banner of Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a leader in the field of IP law and a founding master of the Linn Inn. As a tribute to Mr. Banner, the Linn Inn has established a $5,000 scholarship in his name. According to Judge Linn, "This tribute speaks volumes to Banner's devotion to the profession and is representative of what the Linn Inn is about."
"We are moved by Chief Judge Michel's message reminding all patent attorneys of our duty as custodians of the patent system to participate in the reform process so that Congress receives a balanced message," said Meredith Martin Addy, a founder and the first president of the Linn Inn, chair of the Appellate Group at Brinks and a former law clerk for Judge Michel.
"Our firm is honored to welcome Chief Judge Michel to the first meeting of the 2009-2010 season of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court," said Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks and a member of the Linn Inn. "We are pleased to provide our award-winning space to host this memorable event."
The Linn Inn of Court is based in Chicago, IL, and focuses solely on intellectual property matters. The Linn Inn is part of the American Inns of Court (AIC) and named in honor of Judge Linn for his role in intellectual property law throughout his career. Nominated by President Clinton, Judge Linn has been a member of the Federal Circuit since 2000.
The AIC are comprised of judges, attorneys, professors and students who participate in established "inns" across the country. Originally formed in the late 1970's as a means to improve trial advocacy, today inns meet monthly to offer programs on ethics and professionalism as well as on the improvement of skills and mentoring. For more information on the Linn Inn of Court, please visit www.linninn.org and for more information on the AIC, please visit www.innsofcourt.org.
Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five 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 180 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.
