Press Releases

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione’s Christopher Harkins Receives Prestigious 2007 Burton Award for Legal Achievement

June 15, 2007 - CHICAGO – Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., is pleased to announce that Christopher A. Harkins, counsel in the firm’s Chicago office, is a recipient of the 2007 Burton Award for Excellence in Legal Achievement in the law firm category for his article, “Tattoos and Copyright Infringement: Celebrities, Marketeers, and Businesses Beware of the Ink” which was published in the Lewis & Clark Law Review, Volume 10, pp 313- 332 (2006). The award ceremonies were held on June 4, 2007, in the Coolidge Auditorium and the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Although written for a scholarly legal publication, Mr. Harkins’ article has crossed over into popular culture media and has been cited as “non-lawyer friendly” and “recommended” reading for a wide range of audiences. Mr. Harkins follows in the notable footsteps of Jerome Gilson, name partner of the firm and Burton Award winner for excellence in legal writing for three consecutive years, 2004-2006.

"We are proud of Chris and congratulate him on his first Burton Award, “said Gary M. Ropski, president of Brinks. “This is a significant achievement for Chris and for our firm. We look forward to his future literary contributions to the field of intellectual property law.”

Mr. Harkins focuses on litigation and patent prosecution. He has litigated in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright, tort and contracts and has prosecuted patents in the mechanical arts and medical devices. In addition, his experience has included drafting the firm’s pro bono policy and serving on the firm’s award-winning pro bono program, as well as representing many pro bono clients.

The Burton Award program receives nominations from managing partners of the nation’s largest law firms and from professors at academic institutions, representing every geographic region in the U.S. This year, of the more than 1,000 submissions received, there were only 30 awards presented.

Now in its eighth year, this national industry award program, which is run in conjunction with the Library of Congress and its Law Library, annually acknowledges and rewards concise and effective legal writing by partners in law firms and by law students. Founded by lawyer and author, William C. Burton, the Burton Foundation, is a nonprofit, cultural and academic organization. The Foundation and The Burton Awards for Legal Achievement are devoted to further promoting the stature of the legal profession. More information about The Burton Awards can be found at www.burtonawards.com.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with four additional offices across the country 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 160 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.

Sydney Iglitzen
siglitzen@usebrinks.com
312.840.3163