Press Releases

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 named to the Executive Board of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission of Michigan. Mr. Almeda was originally appointed to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission in April 2009 by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. As a member of the Executive Board, Mr. Almeda will serve as Secretary. Additionally, he will serve as Business Development Committee Chair for the Commission. The Business Development committee will study Asian Pacific Americans participation in the Minority Business Enterprise program and state government contracting and will also explore ways to promote trade with Asia and foreign direct investment from Asia.

As a leader in Michigan's Asian American community, Mr. Almeda is active in numerous professional and civic groups in addition to the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. He is the President of American Citizens for Justice (ACJ) 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.

At Brinks, Mr. Almeda chairs the firm's Nanotechnology Group. His legal practice focuses on patent procurement and patent opinions involving non-infringment, invalidity, and patentability. He counsels clients on intellectual property matters relating to the medical, chemical, nanotechnology, mechanical and alternative energy fields, as well as on trademark and copyright issues.

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 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.