The intellectual property law firm of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP announces that Michael H. Baniak, Michael D. Gannon, Christina L. Brown, and Gary E. Hood have joined as partners, along with patent agent Steven B. Courtright. All are from the Baniak Pine & Gannon law firm.
The new members of McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff bring with them extensive experience in all facets of intellectual property law, and will add particularly to the firm’s leading electrical engineering and litigation practices.
“We’re very pleased to welcome our colleagues to McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff,” said managing partner Matthew J. Sampson. “They are all leaders in their field, well-respected by both peers and clients, and we look forward to sharing their experience and talents with our existing clients.”
“As we thought about the future of our individual careers and practices, and our work for our clients, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff provided the ideal environment for us to grow and prosper,” said Baniak. “The firm’s culture, staff, and overwhelming dedication to client service made this an easy decision.”
Sampson and Baniak are available for interviews.
BIOS
Michael H. Baniak is a leading IP trial attorney, having handled more than 150 lawsuits involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright, and unfair competition. His work also includes patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution, licensing, and counseling. Mike has taught Patent Law and Copyright Law courses at Northwestern University School of Law since 1986. He holds a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law and a B.S. in Physics from the University of Dayton.
Michael D. Gannon focuses his practice on patent litigation, prosecution, licensing, and opinion work, especially in the electrical, mechanical, and software fields. He regularly counsels clients on issues involving software, Internet-related technologies, networking and high-speed switching applications, telecommunications, electrical connectors, automotive products, and agricultural machinery. He holds a J.D. from Marquette University School of Law and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University College of Engineering.
Christina L. Brown practices in all areas of intellectual property and has substantial first chair litigation experience. She has been heavily involved in both litigation and prosecution matters, counseling and representing clients on issues involving patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets. She also has broad experience in appellate proceedings, including at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court levels. She holds a J.D. from the University of Toledo and a B.S. in Biology and Political Science from Adrian College.
Gary E. Hood is an experienced trial attorney. He has successfully litigated cases, in both first and second chair roles, covering a variety of substantive legal areas. He presently focuses his practice on litigation involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyright, unfair competition, and related issues. Mr. Hood holds a J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Steven B. Courtright is a registered patent agent and has prepared and prosecuted U.S. and foreign patent applications in various technical areas. Prior to becoming a patent agent, he worked in research and development in the food industry with product development and basic research responsibilities, and is named on seven U.S. patents. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Biology from Bradley University.
About McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, an intellectual property boutique with more than 70 attorneys, was founded in 1996. With offices in Chicago and Washington, MBHB provides comprehensive legal services to obtain and enforce intellectual property rights, from navigating patent office procedures to litigating complex infringement actions. MBHB prosecutes patent and trademark applications in both the U.S. and abroad, handles intellectual property litigation matters in trial and appellate courts across the country, and counsels clients nationwide and worldwide on the enforcement and defense of their intellectual property rights.
