Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Opens New Office in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., today officially announces its new office in Washington D.C.

Brinks attorney and shareholder Thomas L. Holt, formerly based in the firm's Chicago office, is leading the firm's new D.C. office as managing partner. Attorneys Scott W. Brim and Michelle A. Miller, also formerly based in Chicago, have joined the new office as well.

"We are very pleased to have expanded our presence to the nation's capital," said firm president Gary M. Ropski. "This allows us to extend our expertise to clients throughout the region and provides greater access to the Federal Circuit and D.C.-area district courts, the International Trade Commission, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office."

Leaders of several Brinks' groups, including Meredith Martin Addy, chair of the firm's Appellate Group, Laura Beth Miller, chair of the International Trade Commission (ITC) Group, and G. Peter Nichols, chair of the Patent Prosecution Group, will use the Washington D.C. office as a platform to further enhance the firm's practices.

Thomas Holt's practice focuses on trademark, trade dress, copyright, patent and unfair competition law. He has experience in all phases of federal court litigation and has represented numerous clients in inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and in proceedings involving Internet domain name disputes. Holt is also actively involved in counseling clients on intellectual property protection and enforcement issues and in managing U.S. and international intellectual property portfolios.

Meredith Martin Addy, chair of Brinks' Appellate Group, focuses on litigation including appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She represents clients in the biotech, pharmaceutical, electrical and software industries. Addy has successfully argued many leading IP cases. In 2008, she was named one of the "Top 10 Illinois Super Lawyers" across all practice areas, and she represented clients in three cases listed among the "Top 13 Patent Cases of 2007," as reported by the IPO Daily News™. Addy is active at the Federal Circuit both as counsel and as a member of the Federal Circuit Advisory Council that works closely with the Federal Circuit on policy and operations. She has testified on the state of the Federal Circuit and Patent Appeals before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property. Addy has been recognized as one of Illinois' leading intellectual property attorneys by Chambers USA from 2006-2009.

Laura Beth Miller is a shareholder at Brinks, where she chairs the ITC Group. A skilled trial attorney with experience in intellectual property law, as well as antitrust and commercial litigation, Miller focuses her practice on district court litigation and ITC proceedings. Her experience spans into areas of technology including chemistry, biotechnology, Internet (computer) and mechanical arts. In addition to representing major Fortune 500 companies in patent and trademark matters, she is an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School. Miller has been recognized as one of Illinois' leading intellectual property lawyers by Chambers USA, and has been named a Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer and one of the Top 50 Women Business Litigation Lawyers in Illinois by the Leading Lawyers Network.

Peter Nichols is the chair of the Prosecution and Transactional Group at Brinks. His practice focuses on patent prosecution, counseling, and opinions concerning infringement and validity in the chemical, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, green technology and mechanical arts. Nichols' patent prosecution work includes direct and supervisory responsibility for the preparation and prosecution of U.S. utility and design applications, and foreign and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent applications. Subject matters include bioleaching, chemical processing, cosmetics, cleaners, detergents, food technology, green technology, mineral processing, nutritional supplements, nano-sized particle processing, nanotechnology and power tools. Nichols has also been involved in several opposition proceedings before the Australian Patent Office, the Chilean Patent Office and the European Patent Office.

Scott Brim focuses on patent prosecution and client counseling in areas relating to Internet commerce, communication networks, navigation systems and various types of electronic hardware.  He provides assistance with the preparation and submission of legal documents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other foreign patent offices, including patent applications, responses to Office Actions, and appeal briefs. Brim was named a 2009 Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers.

Michelle Miller's intellectual property law practice focuses on all aspects of domestic and international trademarks, trade dress, copyright and unfair competition law. She has experience in federal court litigation matters and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. A member of the Illinois bar, Miller has applied for admission to the Washington D.C. bar and will be supervised by Thomas Holt until her admission to the D.C. bar has occurred.

Brinks personnel in the firm's Arlington, Va., office, who provide a number of D.C.-area support services, have been consolidated into the new Washington D.C. office.

Brinks' new office is located at 1850 K Street NW, Washington DC, 20006; telephone (202) 296-8700 and fax (202) 296-8701.

About Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S. and serves the intellectual property needs of clients around the world. Brinks has more than 180 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents who specialize in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. The firm also advises on issues relating to intellectual asset management, trade secret, unfair competition, and technology and licensing agreements.

Brinks routinely handles assignments for companies in the electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering sectors; the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries, and for companies whose work relates to Internet and computer technology law. The firm's trademark practice works on behalf of clients who deal in a wide variety of products and services. Founded in 1917, Brinks is based in Chicago and has five additional offices across the country. More information is available at www.usebrinks.com.

SOURCE Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione