McAndrews, Held & Malloy

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	03/18/2004 McAndrews, Held & Malloy Announces Five New Partners
	For Immediate Release CHICAGO, IL – March 18, 2004 – McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., one of the nation’s preeminent law firms specializing in intellectual property and complex technology law, today announced the promotion of five attorneys to its partnership. In addition to their legal experience, each of the five possesses significant science and/or engineering credentials. “We are very pleased to announce the promotion of these talented attorneys,” said John Held, founding partner at McAndrews, Held & Malloy. “As our firm continues to grow in size, strength and experience, so does our ability to consistently provide our clients with the top intellectual property legal counsel the industry has to offer.” The new partners at McAndrews, Held & Malloy include the following: Christopher V. Carani specializes in intellectual property litigation involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and unfair competition, as well as the acquisition and management of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. He has gained particular expertise working with intellectual property rights in the industrial design arena. Carani received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School, and also graduated with a bachelor of science degree in engineering from Marquette University. Carani served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rebecca A. Pallmeyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Carani is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Mirut P. Dalal has more than six years experience writing patents in such diverse areas as video compression, wireless telecommunications, computer software and hardware, fiber optics and biomedical devices. In addition to preparing patent portfolios and rendering opinions on patent validity and infringement issues, Dalal has also counseled clients on intellectual property issues relating to corporate mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he has taken roles in the litigation of complex cases, including primary responsibility for briefing dispositive motions. Dalal graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. He also received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas, and a master of science degree in computer engineering from the University of Houston. Dalal is admitted to practice in Illinois and Texas, and is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Sandra A. Frantzen specializes in a broad range of intellectual property law, with particular focus on patent and trademark litigation, licensing and acquisition. Frantzen’s substantial patent litigation experience includes work at both the trial and appellate level relating to technologies ranging from bone cement to ultrasonic toothbrushes to bar code label printers. Frantzen graduated with bachelor of science degrees in chemistry and environmental studies with highest distinction from Iowa State University. She also graduated with honors from the University of Chicago Law School. Frantzen is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Wil Rao, a registered patent attorney, specializes in complex patent litigation, appellate litigation, and patent and trademark transaction work on behalf of companies ranging from multinationals to small businesses. Rao also possesses significant experience dealing with diverse products and technologies, including pigment granules, electronic dart games, fluid control devices, synthetic engine oils, refuse container lifting devices, HVAC equipment, sporting equipment and tuner circuits. He graduated cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering (structures), a master’s degree in structural engineering and a minor in economics. He also graduated with honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Rao is a member of several federal court bars, including the U.S. Court of Appeals For The Federal Circuit. Hank Spuhler possesses a broad range of intellectual property and technology law experience, specializing in areas such as litigation, licensing, and patent and trademark prosecution. He has also been involved in numerous trademark and trade-dress infringement matters, as well as several opposition and cancellation proceedings, in industries ranging from sporting goods to medical devices to satellite communication technologies. Spuhler graduated with honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He also graduated with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. Spuhler is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. About McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. Founded in 1988, McAndrews, Held & Malloy is one of the nation’s preeminent legal resources on intellectual property, antitrust and technology matters, serving institutions ranging from major multinationals and start-ups to world-class colleges and universities. Our technically trained attorneys have built an unparalleled record of litigation successes in jury trials, bench trials and ADR proceedings. In addition, McAndrews, Held & Malloy offers its clients services in the following areas: patent and trademark procurement and portfolio management, patent interferences, trademark oppositions and cancellations, international practice, intellectual property/technology opinions and investigations, due diligence and M&A support, technology licensing and joint ventures, and technology transfers and donations. Additional information can be found at http://www.mcandrews-ip.com. CONTACT: Jeremy J. Ahto Healy Communications 312/440-3900 jahto@healyco.com