Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione sponsors legal institute

Each week Chicago Lawyer will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, a sponsor of Just the Beginning Foundation’s 2008 Summer Legal Institute, hosted a panel discussion June 20 for more than 40 high school juniors and seniors.

The panelists, which consisted of Brinks president Gary Ropkski; shareholder Nick de la Torre; and associates Julie Leichtman, Michelle Miller, and Rashad Morgan, introduced students to the field of intellectual property, shared memorable cases and answered students’ questions.

Morgan said the students were not afraid to ask questions and talk to the lawyers. They were very impressive, Morgan said. They even came with business cards that they handed out to lawyers they met.

Just the Beginning Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting students of color and traditionally underrepresented groups by providing free educational and mentoring programs to inspire at-risk students and increase diversity in the judiciary and legal profession.

The foundation was built on the contributions of African-Americans in the federal judiciary, and offers a series of pipeline programs aimed at keeping underrepresented students of all ages on a path towards a legal career.

Morgan said, “It’s a great program to explain to kids what kind of law our firm is involved in, open them to areas of law beyond those exposed on TV, and show these kids we do care about them.”

– Danielle Feinstein

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione sponsors legal institute

Each week Chicago Lawyer will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, a sponsor of Just the Beginning Foundation’s 2008 Summer Legal Institute, hosted a panel discussion June 20 for more than 40 high school juniors and seniors.

The panelists, which consisted of Brinks president Gary Ropkski; shareholder Nick de la Torre; and associates Julie Leichtman, Michelle Miller, and Rashad Morgan, introduced students to the field of intellectual property, shared memorable cases and answered students’ questions.

Morgan said the students were not afraid to ask questions and talk to the lawyers. They were very impressive, Morgan said. They even came with business cards that they handed out to lawyers they met.

Just the Beginning Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting students of color and traditionally underrepresented groups by providing free educational and mentoring programs to inspire at-risk students and increase diversity in the judiciary and legal profession.

The foundation was built on the contributions of African-Americans in the federal judiciary, and offers a series of pipeline programs aimed at keeping underrepresented students of all ages on a path towards a legal career.

Morgan said, “It’s a great program to explain to kids what kind of law our firm is involved in, open them to areas of law beyond those exposed on TV, and show these kids we do care about them.”

– Danielle Feinstein

Q & A with Sandra Frantzen

Each week we will pose these three questions to different lawyers in the legal community.

This week we talk with Sandra Frantzen, a shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, who has been practicing since 1999.

– What do you find the most interesting about your practice?

Patent lawyers are lucky because we are constantly learning about new technologies.  I have litigated cases involving ultrasonic toothbrushes, angioplasty catheters, rail car parts, printers, bone paste, and other technologies.  In one case, I got to learn how a lava lamp works. It’s a lot of fun. You always get a chance to challenge yourself.

– What makes a good lawyer?

There’s a tendency sometimes to “over-lawyer” things.  A good lawyer takes a business-focused and value-oriented approach to legal matters. He or she understands the client’s business and finds the most cost-effective and value-enhancing way to meet the client’s objectives.

– What is the biggest legal news right now, and what is its impact?

For me, two things. As a patent lawyer, the big news is the Supreme Court’s sudden interest in patent cases. In the past, like many courts, the Supreme Court seemed to avoid patent issues. However, in the last few years, the Supreme Court has changed the patent landscape quite a bit with rulings limiting the scope of patent owner’s rights; for example, making it easier to invalidate patents and harder to get an injunction. The Federal Circuit (which generally has jurisdiction over patent cases) has seemed to respond to this trend.  And even the Patent Office has tried to implement changes. As the public becomes more aware of patent rights, it’s a new world out there.

As an Arab American, I constantly hear about issues swirling around my community.  In fact, there has been a lot of news about immigration generally. Sometimes we forget that we are a nation of immigrants, but there has been a lot of progress. We are in a period in history where we have to strike a delicate balance between national security and the freedoms that make our country so great.  Justice Kennedy recently said that “[l]iberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system they are reconciled within the framework of the law.”  I believe that. And, as legal practitioners, we should work to ensure it.

Q & A with Sandra Frantzen

Each week we will pose these three questions to different lawyers in the legal community.

This week we talk with Sandra Frantzen, a shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, who has been practicing since 1999.

– What do you find the most interesting about your practice?

Patent lawyers are lucky because we are constantly learning about new technologies.  I have litigated cases involving ultrasonic toothbrushes, angioplasty catheters, rail car parts, printers, bone paste, and other technologies.  In one case, I got to learn how a lava lamp works. It’s a lot of fun. You always get a chance to challenge yourself.

– What makes a good lawyer?

There’s a tendency sometimes to “over-lawyer” things.  A good lawyer takes a business-focused and value-oriented approach to legal matters. He or she understands the client’s business and finds the most cost-effective and value-enhancing way to meet the client’s objectives.

– What is the biggest legal news right now, and what is its impact?

For me, two things. As a patent lawyer, the big news is the Supreme Court’s sudden interest in patent cases. In the past, like many courts, the Supreme Court seemed to avoid patent issues. However, in the last few years, the Supreme Court has changed the patent landscape quite a bit with rulings limiting the scope of patent owner’s rights; for example, making it easier to invalidate patents and harder to get an injunction. The Federal Circuit (which generally has jurisdiction over patent cases) has seemed to respond to this trend.  And even the Patent Office has tried to implement changes. As the public becomes more aware of patent rights, it’s a new world out there.

As an Arab American, I constantly hear about issues swirling around my community.  In fact, there has been a lot of news about immigration generally. Sometimes we forget that we are a nation of immigrants, but there has been a lot of progress. We are in a period in history where we have to strike a delicate balance between national security and the freedoms that make our country so great.  Justice Kennedy recently said that “[l]iberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system they are reconciled within the framework of the law.”  I believe that. And, as legal practitioners, we should work to ensure it.

DLA Piper and Accenture’s partnership

Each week I will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

About 10 years ago Accenture and DLA Piper attorney David Mendelsohn began working together on the issue of Y2K.

That client-lawyer relationship blossomed over time and today DLA Piper and Accenture team up not only on legal matters, but also on projects to improve diversity through pipeline programs, and provide pro bono services.

“Both of the organizations have values that are in common,” said Christina Martini, hiring partner for DLA Piper’s Chicago office. “A lot of it is about giving back to the community, and a lot of it is about diversity.”

Both companies work together on a number of programs and projects.

For example, they participate in a project with Chicago Public Schools’ John Barry Elementary School to help improve the students’ literacy and vocabulary skills. Each fall attorneys from both organizations teach a semester-long program about the basics of constitutional law. There is also an annual literacy night where volunteers read to the students, and that occurs in tandem with a book drive. And in the spring they work together on a career-tutoring program to help the Barry students think about career interests early on.

“You have to reach out to students at all levels, and try to make a meaningful difference in their lives,” Martini said.

Accenture and DLA Piper also work together on a program called, “Accentuating the DLA Piper Summer Experience” It’s a summer associate program where a group of DLA Piper summer associates get to spend two weeks at Accenture learning about what an inside counsel does.

Last year, five summer associates participated. This year six participated, and visited the Chicago and Reston, Va. Accenture offices for two weeks on a rotation basis, said Joel Stern, Accenture’s director of legal services, Americas.

This program has a number of benefits including exposing summer associates to inside counsel, giving them additional mentors, and helping them create a relationship with Accenture that may benefit them when they someday work at DLA Piper, Stern said.

Many of the law students who participated went back to their law school excited about what they experienced, and excited about Accenture and DLA Piper, he said.

Accenture gets to not only experience high-quality, cost-effective legal support with DLA Piper, but also experiences a partnership that allows them to try to make a difference in people’s lives, he said.

“We have been able to take a normal attorney-client relationship and extend it to the corporate citizenship area,” Stern said. “It continues to grow to this day. It is not only a partnership, but also a lot of fun … The more we talk about it the more these messages will get out and once again that will make a difference. We want other companies to copy us and we are looking at what other companies are doing as well.”

“I think it would be fair to say that the personal relationships that exist are much more meaningful,” Mendelsohn said. “and much more personal than ever would be the case if we would not work on these projects together.”

Lawyer endows IP speaker fund

Each week I will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Welsh & Katz founding partner A. Sidney Katz endowed a new intellectual property law speaker fund at The George Washington University Law School called The A. Sidney Katz Intellectual Property Law Speaker Fund.

The law school plans to host at least four speakers each year, and is contemplating also hosting lectures of interest to law school students pursuing a career in intellectual property law. All of the events will take place at the university’s campus in Washington, D.C.

“I think it’s a way of keeping abreast of the changes in intellectual property law, and from people who are in the know,” Katz said. “There are a number of legislative proposals to revise the patent laws in the United States pending in Congress. I would expect those issues will be the subject of discussion also. It could help even our legislators get a handle on what the best reform should be for patents.

“Intellectual property is really become more and more important, I think, strategically for corporate America. There have been a number of recent and major developments in intellectual property.”

Katz received his law degree from the school in 1966 and serves on the Dean’s Intellectual Property Advisory Board. He’s also endowed the A. Sidney Katz Admissions and Financial Aid Reception Center in 2003, and the A. Sidney Katz Archway in 2006, which connects the University Yard to 20^th Street, between G and H Streets, on the school’s campus.

“When I went to George Washington in the 1960s, I think they had the most prominent patent law department in the country,” he said. “And I still think, in my view, that it ranks at the top of all the law schools with respect to particularly patent law. Because that’s my profession, I’ve stayed in touch with them.”

Husch Blackwell Sanders announced in June its intent to combine with Welsh & Katz.

Lawyer joining council

Each week I will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias recently appointed Anita Ponder to the Women’s Affairs Council.

The goals of the council include making recommendations to the Illinois State Treasurer regarding initiatives, policies and programs that will have a tangible, positive impact on the female community in Illinois.

Ponder, a partner in Drinker Biddle & Reath’s government and regulatory affairs group, said some of her responsibilities in the council include advising the treasurer’s office on broad community trends, upcoming events, potential partnerships and outreach opportunities. The council will also help the office develop programs, and connect with the community.

“I think this council will help the treasurer have an open dialogue with women throughout the state,” she said, “and build positive relationships that can help him kind of initiate and implement significant programs and services that make a difference in the lives of women in Illinois.”

She said the council will meet quarterly, and members will receive information regarding activities and initiative that they can also pass along to others.

“I’m very honored to be part of a group that I think will be making a significant difference in how the treasurer’s office will affect change in the lives of women,” she said.

Sailing with Alice O. Martin

Each week I will highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Alice O. Martin has been on water since about age 3.

Her father owned many powerboats that they used on Lake Erie. By the time she was a teen she was joining racing boat crews.

Now a partner and co-chair of the life sciences practice group at Barnes & Thornburg, she’s been racing in Chicago since about 1976 or 1977.

It’s not unusual for her to be one of only a small group of female skippers competing in a boat race. Her gender often makes her more noticeable, which can be good and bad. If she makes a mistake, then everyone notices it, she said.

“More women are getting involved at the crew level, and on some smaller boats,” she said. “But it is still basically a man’s sport. It’s a little rough. You have to be a little bit more aggressive, and a bit more thick-skinned.”

She plans to compete in the 100th Race to Mackinac, which begin July 19 off of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. With the largest fleet in race history, more than 400 crafts will make the 333-mile trek. The race centennial will be celebrated on Mackinac Island with a gala fireworks display on July 22.

She’s competed in about 15 Macs. She plans to do most of the driving of her boat, “Painkiller4,” which is named after a drink that uses Pusser’s rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and hallucinogenic nutmeg.

Her crew for the Mac will consist of nine people and herself.  Her crew will alternate shifts in four-hour increments, unless the weather gets bad.

“It’s very challenging,” she said about racing. “It’s one of the places where it is you against the elements. It promotes teamwork. I’ve met a lot of interesting crews, and it’s very physically demanding. It keeps you in good shape. And it’s unpredictable, so it’s a good problem-solving activity.”

Sailing helps her connect with some of her clients, Martin said. She’s brought some clients out on her boat for social sails, and a few clients have been on past crews.

Clients tend to trust her lawyering skills even more after they see her on her boat maneuvering through potentially challenging situations, she said.

Her boat at the Mac may be easy to see because it has a very large, pink, shiny wheel; and she sometimes wears a pink flamingo hat and pink boa.

“We do win races,” she said. “We are serious about the races, but when we finish we like to have a lot of fun.”

Q & A with Dave Glatz

Each week we will pose these three questions to different lawyers in the legal community.

This week we talk with Dave Glatz, a partner at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, who has been practicing almost 10 years.

– What do you find the most interesting about your practice?

The variety. Every day it’s something new. The intellectual challenge is constant.

— What makes a good lawyer?

Technical knowledge is always necessary, but I think communications skills, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence are key.

– What is the biggest legal news right now and what is its impact?

In my area of practice – M & A and Securities – the economy is the big story.

Deal flow has slowed considerably but the middle market still has some life. The credit markets have tightened up, this has led to a decrease in financing for private equity firms on the buy side and has caused investment companies and mutual fund complexes to find alternative sources of leverage financing for their funds.

Sailing

Each week I highlight a different case or legal happening, and solicit your thoughts on the impact of it in the legal community.

Leif Sigmond said he’s been sailing practically his whole life.

He grew up in New Jersey in a family that enjoyed sailing. Now 43, sailing continues to be a passion.

“There are no cell phones ringing,” said Sigmond, a partner and former managing partner at McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff. “No one from the office is calling.

“What I really enjoy when racing sailboats is, you are so focused on trying to win the race or sail the boat as fast as you can that you are not thinking about work. It is a really nice getaway from being a lawyer.”

Most weekends during the summer, from about mid-May to mid-September, he races. And if he’s not racing then he’s sailing for fun.

His firm is the official law firm sponsor of the 100th Race to Mackinac.

Sigmond will participate in the race this year with his Tartan Ten or T-10 boat, named Norboy. His dad grew up in Norway and his family was in the sardine canning business. When his father was a boy, he was pictured on the Norboy brand of sardines. He named the boat in his father’s honor because he taught Sigmond how to sail.

The 100th Race to Mackinac will begin July 19 off the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. With the largest fleet in race history, more than 400 crafts will make the 333-mile trek. The race centennial will be celebrated on Mackinac Island with a gala fireworks display on July 22.

He said his boat will have a crew of six, and they will sail night and day — a situation that many do not realize. He describes the amenities to that of camping out. The weather is often unexpected, and the race takes a lot of strategy.

“It’s really an interesting race,” Sigmond said. “The Mac race is really something. It’s a Lake Michigan legend, and every sailor knows about it and talks about it. You plan your summer around that race.”

Co-skippers and patent attorneys, Sigmond, and Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, recently took third place for their USA team when they crossed the finish line in the Patent Cup Regatta held in Venice, Italy, off Lido Island in the Adriatic Sea.

Participating for the second time in this event, Sigmond, Ropski, and their crew sailed a Giro 34, also known as a G34, manufactured by the French yacht design company, Groupe Finot. None of the boats were individually named except for a letter designation. The USA boat was boat “L.” All of the boats were identically rigged.

In 2006, the Sigmond-Ropski team earned the first-ever first place USA victory in the Patent Cup race, which was at the Chicago Yacht.

In addition to Sigmond and Ropski, members of this year’s third-place winning U.S. team included: Marcus Thymian and Michael Gannon, both attorneys at McDonnell Boehnen; Derek Minihane, in-house counsel at Intermolecular in San Jose; and Michael Pophal, in-house counsel at Energizer in Cleveland.

Established in 1989 by two friends, a German patent attorney, and a French patent attorney, the Patent Cup, unique to the field of intellectual property law, was created to foster camaraderie and help cultivate strong relations among patent attorneys from around the world as well as provide opportunities for new and exciting sailing venues.

According to the Patent Cup charter, each sailing boat must have a crew consisting primarily of patent attorneys. Every year the race is held in a different country with the host country responsible for the organization, terms and conditions of the race, the boats chosen and all other arrangements for the event.