Find Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Practice Area Overview
IP is protected by specific laws relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets; these laws acknowledge an innovator’s ownership of his or her novel creation and give that innovator the exclusive right, for a defined period of time, to use and benefit from it.
Litigation of IP matters takes several forms. One involves patents, which cover inventions on designs and products, as well as the processes through which they are manufactured or used. Patent infringement refers to the unauthorized use of a patented invention, at which point litigation can arise. A “Hatch-Waxman” litigation is a particular kind of patent dispute involving generic versus brand pharmaceutical products and processes and infringement of the patent(s) covering these.
Trademarks and copyrights also can be infringed. A trademark can be a symbol, logo, word, sound, color, or name that identifies the source of a product and distinguishes it from that of others. Copyrights protect works of authorship, such as writings, music, and art. Copyrights and trademarks grant holders exclusive rights to use their works, and an unauthorized use can lead to litigation. Trade secrets are information that companies keep secret to give them an advantage over competitors. Misappropriation of trade secrets is a typical litigation scenario when such information is taken without authority.
Licensing disputes can arise that relate to any of these protections. A licensing agreement is essentially a contract between an IP rights owner and an entity authorized to use such rights, usually in exchange for an agreed upon fee or royalty. The extent to which parties do or do not follow the terms of that contract often engenders this type of litigation.
Other kinds of IP litigation can include variations of the above, including trademark dilution, “cybersquatting,” pirated and “knock-off” commercial goods, domain name disputes, domestic and foreign customs seizures, and unfair competition.
IP assets are a valuable foundation of any successful venture, so when unauthorized use occurs, disputes are bound to arise.
Household names in the technology and entertainment sectors and famous brands in all areas of consumer products and services rely on Kristin as an advocate and trusted advisor on IP, general advertising and competition issues. She has counseled multinational clients in multiple high-profile disputes involving novel ecommerce issues. She also gives strategic advice to clients on exploiting their copyrights and trademarks over social media, and on how to best protect their IP rights in software...
Mr. Anderson is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with 37 years of experience at Winston & Strawn LLP. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers who has tried many cases to verdict before federal and state courts and who has has argued many times before federal and state courts of appeal, including two arguments before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Anderson served for many years as the General Counsel and Member of the Executive Committee of Winston & Strawn LLP.
Olivia is an intellectual property litigator who represents individuals and corporations across the country in complex technological matters. She helps clients protect, enforce, and defend intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks. An experienced trial lawyer, Olivia has litigated and tried significant cases before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and other federal courts around the country, and has also briefed and ...
Dan Burnham has a comprehensive intellectual property practice that encompasses a diverse range of sophisticated technologies and legal issues. He is a registered patent attorney who represents clients in federal courts and at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. What do you focus on? I utilize my engineering experience to work closely with clients in the product development process, helping to avoid competitive patents and ensure commercial exploitation of new products through effe...
Christopher V. Carani is a Shareholder at McAndrews and has been at the firm since 1995. He practices in all areas of intellectual property law with a particular emphasis on design law. Chris has extensive experience litigating design patent cases, including representations before U.S. district courts, the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court and the International Trade Commission. In 2019, Chris was named to the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists list, with IAM mag...
Michael P. Chu focuses his practice on all aspects of patent law, including complex litigation, opinions and prosecution. He serves as the Local IP Litigation Practice Group Leader in McDermott’s Chicago office. Mike is also the Chair of the Firm’s Racial & Ethnic Diversity Committee. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/chu-michael-p/
Chris Dolan’s clients rely on his practical, business-oriented advice pertaining to trademark and unfair competition litigation, trademark enforcement and trademark counseling matters. His dispute resolution abilities span virtually all phases of trademark and unfair competition cases in federal court, including preliminary injunction actions, bench and jury trials and appellate matters. Chris has handled dozens of complex trademark disputes before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office&r...
R. David Donoghue is a trial attorney and the deputy practice group leader of Holland & Knight's Intellectual Property Group, focusing his almost 15 years of experience upon intellectual property litigation and particularly upon patent disputes. Mr. Donoghue's most recent trial experience includes a jury verdict finding of willfulness, a full trebling of damages and a full award of attorney's fees in the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Donoghue has also been chosen as lead trial counse...
Steve Feldman is the head of Hahn Loeser’s Intellectual Property Practice Area, the Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. His practice encompasses complex intellectual property litigation, prosecution, licensing, and counseling involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks and unfair competition, copyrights, data privacy and security, and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) compliance, policies, and rights. Steve also regula...
With nearly 30 years of experience working with clients that include household brands and, in particular, mid-market businesses, John is able to remain calm and focused when encountering challenging environments. He helps clients to reduce stress in service of negotiating their desired resolution. Because copyright and trademark litigation is frequently used as a competitive tool, John works to ensure efficiency and preserve client resources throughout the litigation process, including elimin...
Janet Garetto is a partner in the IP group. Her practice spans the firm’s Trademarks & Copyrights, Patents and IP Litigation practice groups. Janet counsels clients on IP issues facing their brands. In addition, she counsels clients on patent protection and litigation prevention issues with a focus on chemical and mechanical technologies. Janet also serves as the Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody’s Chicago office. What do you focus on? I focus my practice on three main areas, ...
Matthew counsels clients on invention harvesting, patent and trademark portfolio management, intellectual property acquisition, domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution, and intellectual property transactions. He has prepared and prosecuted more than 750 patent applications and appeals on behalf of clients, primarily in the mechanical, electrical, electromechanical and software arts. Additionally, Matthew conducts IP asset management for his clients, having extensive experi...
Mark Hagedorn advises on a wide variety of intellectual property matters, including patent, trademark and copyright solicitation and IP litigation, licensing and counseling. Appreciated for his honesty and practical legal advice, Mark consistently delivers utilitarian solutions that help his clients resolve disputes and litigation efficiently and economically. Mark offers broad experience in virtually all phases of IP counseling and litigation. He understands and has represented clients invol...
In each year since 2015, Bryan has been listed in the IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals for Litigation. He is also recognized in Patent Litigation: Full Coverage in the 2018, 2021 and 2022 editions of The Legal 500 United States. Bryan has litigated and counseled on patent matters for companies of various sizes across a variety of complex industries and technologies including medical devices, optical networking, pharmaceuticals, 3-D technology, material co...
Mark is a partner at FisherBroyles, LLP. He is an accomplished trial lawyer who focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation in the United States and abroad. Mark is recoginzed worldwide as a leading practitioner in the development of automated trade secret asset management blockchain systems. Mark is co-author of Trade Secret Asset Management 2018: A Guide to Information Asset Management including RICO and Blockchain. Mark has taught Advanced Trade Secrets Law in the LLM program ...
Mike is a patent attorney who helps clients protect their complex technologies and innovations through representation on all aspects of patent law, including patent counseling, advice and prosecution, transactions, contested proceedings, and opinion preparation. He manages nationwide patent prosecution efforts for assorted technologies, overseeing similar efforts internationally, and counseling clients on the development and implementation of long-term patent portfolio strategies. He is regis...
Richard D. Harrisis Co-Chair of the Chicago Intellectual Property & Technology Practice and the firm's Global Patent Litigation Group. He focuses his practice on U.S. and foreign patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition matters, with particular emphasis on litigation. His practice remains actively involved with patent and trademark prosecution and intellectual property-related transactional projects.
Michael Hartmann is active in all phases of intellectual property law with an emphasis in intellectual property litigation and technology protection and transfer in the United States and internationally. He has acted as lead trial counsel in jury and bench trials, International Trade Commission investigations, and related pre-trial and appellate proceedings in diverse technical fields. These include software, telecommunications, machine vision and semiconductor manufacturing, oil field drilli...
Over the past 25 years, Brian Heidelberger has represented a multitude of the nation’s most revered brands and agencies in the marketing of their products and services. Recognized as Chicago “Lawyer of the Year” in Advertising Law by Best Lawyers and cited by Chambers USA as a “practical solutions-oriented lawyer” and an “expert in the field of advertising,” Brian is sought after by clients for his cutting-edge legal and industry knowledge, responsive...
Monique Howery is a skilled litigator whose practice encompasses a range of complex intellectual property matters involving the development, registration, licensing, and enforcement of trademarks. Valued for her experience across a range of industries, Monique offers strategic guidance to advance her clients’ long-term business goals while protecting their legal interests. Monique is highly regarded for her ability to develop nuanced litigation strategies tailored to the unique needs of...
Sharon Hwang is a member of the Executive Committee and a Shareholder at McAndrews. She practices in all areas of intellectual property law with particular emphasis on patent litigation. She helps her clients maximize the value of their intellectual property and protect their investments in research and development. She has extensive experience in a range of technologies, including medical devices, electronics, and cellular telephony. First, and foremost, Sharon is a hands-on courtroom advoca...
Adam Kelly is a nationally acclaimed counselor in intellectual property law with extensive experience in the U.S. and abroad. He is a trusted business advisor to a wide range of clients, including industry leaders in agricultural science, biotechnology, electronic trading, golf equipment, green energy, hospitality, medical devices, pharmaceutical arts and transportation. His practice focuses on counseling clients on how to competitively use intellectual property to increase market share and r...
Bill Kramer is an intellectual property attorney, focusing his practice on patent prosecution, patent threat analysis/response and intellectual property transfers. He has broad knowledge of many technical subjects, with particular experience in algorithm-based computer software, video distribution systems, cloud computing, artificial intelligence software, modern currency forms and transfers, and blockchain technologies. Bill leverages his technical aptitude and successful experience to help ...
Jason focuses on complex disputes and transactions relating to software and networking technologies. He works with a variety of businesses—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—to aggressively resolve intellectual property (IP) matters. He has litigated copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, patent infringement, trademark infringement, breach of contract, and related claims. Jason has also represented clients in disputes pertaining to ownership of IPv4 address blo...
Garret Leach is a nationally recognized first chair trial lawyer who focuses on patent and other intellectual property litigation. He is a registered patent attorney and has successfully led litigation teams in district courts throughout the country as well as at the International Trade Commission. He has also argued for his clients before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. His appellate arguments include a successful argument in front of ...
Russell is a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP where he has spent his entire 36+ year career. He focuses his trial, appellate and alternative dispute resolution practice on patent infringement matters and disputes involving and related to technology transfer and patent license agreements. His trial practice includes jury trials, arbitrations and Section 337 proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission. His appellate practice concentrates on appeals in the Court of Appeals for ...
Floyd Mandell is the national co-chair and founder of the firm's Intellectual Property department. He has represented some of the world’s most recognizable companies in intellectual property litigation. Few other lawyers have handled as many high-profile cases over the past 20 years involving copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, trade dress, false advertising and defamation. He has been lead counsel in more than 40 published decisions, many involving novel or cutting-edge issues. On m...
As Global Head of McDermott’s Trademark Prosecution and Controversy Practice, Christina (Tina) L. Martini focuses her practice on domestic and international trademark and copyright law, as well as domain name, Internet, social media, advertising, unfair competition and entertainment law. Tina has extensive experience in counseling, prosecution, enforcement, due diligence and licensing matters. She successfully assists clients in protecting their intellectual property rights through liti...
Edward A. Mas II is a Shareholder at McAndrews, and has been described by his clients and peers as a “terrifically savvy litigator” who “routinely secures the best position for his clients.” As an advocate, he is “experienced, smart, aggressive, and effective.” For more than twenty years, Ed’s trial and appellate litigation practice has focused on complex patent and technology-related litigation. He has served as lead trial counsel in numerous patent ...
Douglas Masters litigates and counsels clients primarily in the areas of intellectual property, advertising and unfair competition. He helps brand owners, sports leagues, athletes and advertisers protect and leverage their branding, marketing and other IP assets. Notably, he has worked with the National Collegiate Athletic Association for nearly 20 years on brand protection strategy, helping strengthen the organization’s ability to support college athletics. Doug has counseled major cor...
Peter J. McAndrews is a Shareholder at McAndrews and practices in all areas of intellectual property and complex technology law. He has been involved in all aspects of patent litigation, acquisition and counseling, involving a broad spectrum of electrical, biomedical and mechanical technologies. Peter is a US Patent and Trademark Office-to-Appeals Court patent attorney and litigator who helps his clients secure intellectual property rights, make smart decisions with those rights and litigate,...
A former chief patent counsel to a Fortune 500 communications company with deep first chair trial experience, Thomas Pasternak focuses his practice on patent, trademark, and trade secret litigation, licensing, and prosecution. He protects and defends his clients’ intellectual property rights in district courts throughout the United States, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the Federal Circuit and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. He ...
Brad protects the intellectual property rights of companies with strategic portfolio development and litigation. He is a registered patent attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and has litigated numerous cases through trial verdict—cases involving complex patented technology, design patents, trademark rights to protect market position, as well as false advertisement and unfair competition claims. Throughout his career, he has guided companies to minimize the risk of infring...
Sherry L. Rollo counsels clients in all areas of intellectual property, including the protection, licensing, and enforcement of intellectual property rights, data privacy, and data security both domestically and internationally. Sherry also guides clients with corporate strategies relating to the prosecution, merger, licensing, sale, or acquisition of intellectual property assets, including conducting due diligence, counseling on business strategies, and managing patent, trademark, copyright,...
Doug Sawyer is a partner in the Intellectual Property practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm's Chicago office. Mr. Sawyer’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and enforcement. He has extensive litigation experience, including complex civil litigation, patent and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, deceptive trade practices, antitrust, and breach of contract. Mr. Sawyer has counseled clients on all aspects of intellectua...
Emer Simic is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group and focuses her practice on patent litigation and counseling in the pharmaceutical and biotech space. Emer has substantial experience successfully representing pharmaceutical and biotech companies in Hatch-Waxman and patent infringement disputes before the U.S. District Court and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). A strategic advisor and compelling advocate, Emer partners with her clients to achieve their goals ...
Robert Surrette is a Shareholder and serves as President of McAndrews. He focuses his practice on the resolution of intellectual property and technology-related disputes with an emphasis on patent, trademark, trade secret and trade dress litigation. For the last 15 years, Bob has counseled a leading global medical device manufacturer on numerous litigation and transactional matters. Bob, building on his experience as a federal district court law clerk, has extensive experience in preparing an...
Robert Unikel is a partner in the Chicago office of Paul Hastings and is head of the Chicago and Midwest Intellectual Property practice. Mr. Unikel has a diverse practice that includes litigating patent, trade secret, and trademark cases in a variety of industries, including digital media distribution, consumer products and brands, financial products and services, auto parts, and medical devices. Mr. Unikel's extensive experience includes trying patent and trade secret cases involving varied ...
William J. Voller is an intellectual property attorney focusing on patent litigation and counseling. He has successfully represented patent owners and accused infringers in federal district court and the U.S. International Trade Commission through all stages of litigation, including trial. William has also successfully represented parties on appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and counseled clients regarding Covered Business Method patent proceedings before the U.S. Pa...
Thomas J. Wimbiscus, a shareholder with McAndrews, has more than thirty years of experience and practices in all areas of intellectual property litigation, with a special emphasis on patent and trademark litigation. He has appeared in over 100 litigations and over 100 inter partes reviews (IPRs). He was named one of the 10 most active IPR practitioners in the U.S. for patent owners. (Patexia 2018.) Tom was named as one of the world’s leading patent professionals by IAM Patent 1000 in 20...
Insurance-industry clients count on Lauren Abendshien to produce the smart, well-written briefs and other documents that lead to successful resolutions in complex and difficult coverage disputes. Lauren focuses her litigation practice on representing domestic and international insurers. With a professional background that includes work in the hard sciences, business consulting, and three years of judicial clerkships, Lauren approaches her work with intellectual rigor, attention to detail, and...
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