McAndrews, Held & Malloy Shareholder Sandra A. Frantzen Named One of the 2014 ‘40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch’
10.07.14
Annual List Highlights the Most Talented Attorneys in the State
CHICAGO, IL – October 7, 2014 – McAndrews, Held & Malloy shareholder Sandra A. Frantzen was named one of the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” for 2014 by Law Bulletin Publishing Company. Frantzen was selected from among more than 1,400 lawyers nominated by their peers. The selection process is based in part on how quickly the nominees have risen within their area of practice.
In her profile article in the “40 Under Forty” publication, Frantzen was commended by both her clients and peers for her deep experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, and praised for her skills as a patent litigator, particularly in complex, high-stakes cases. Indeed, Frantzen has produced a number of exceptional litigation results, including successes at trial and arbitration. Most recently, she represented a defendant in a series of successful cases where several patents were invalidated on summary judgment by the district court with the judgment affirmed by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.
The former head of global legal affairs at a leading international biotechnology company said the following about Frantzen and her abilities: “I first came to know Sandra when I was hired as an in-house counsel at a biotech company that was embroiled in a fierce fight to defend its marquis technology – indeed the technology upon which the company was built – against an aggressive plaintiff that also happened to be one of the company’s biggest competitors. Sandra was absolutely instrumental in the successful defense and resolution of this case that was, quite literally, ‘bet-the-company’ litigation. This experience led my company to work with Sandra on multiple other matters, and she has never failed to deliver. Having worked with and against some of the best lawyers our profession has to offer, I can unequivocally say that Sandra is among the elite of the elite. As a client and as a professional colleague, this is one lawyer that I definitely want on my side of the table.”
Jean Dudek Kuelper, now retired from McAndrews and who worked with Frantzen for many years on several cases, said of Frantzen: “Although hard working and brilliant, the skill that stands out the most is Sandra’s ability to quickly discern the key issue that will win the case. That is no small thing in patent litigation.”
Another former colleague of Frantzen’s who is now in-house counsel said, “Sandra was a mentor to me during the early stages of my career and continues to be an example of an attorney who goes above and beyond for her clients. She takes on clients’ issues as if they are her own and is relentless in developing creative and long-term solutions.”
In addition to helping clients litigate disputes, Frantzen also regularly advises on strategic IP development, acquisition, protection and enforcement. She assists clients in evaluating patents and patent portfolios, drafting and negotiating license agreements, performing due diligence review and analysis of intellectual property rights for corporate acquisitions, and assisting clients in obtaining patents, copyright, and trademark registrations. The Chief Executive Officer of one of Frantzen’s clients said, “Sandra Frantzen’s capabilities in several areas have been crucial for us. She is excellent at IP contract development and negotiation, and she has successfully navigated a path that provides us with solid patents that have added notable value to our company.”
Frantzen is recognized as an international expert on intellectual property issues. Recently, the U.S. Department of State invited her to give a presentation on IP developments for the U.S. embassy in Jordan. In addition to other engagements, Frantzen also recently spoke on U.S. regulations and legal practice at conferences in Istanbul, Turkey, and Dalian, China.
As an active participant in the McAndrews’ mentoring program, Frantzen has provided professional guidance to young attorneys and serves on the firm’s Recruiting and Diversity committees. She is Vice President of the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois and is a pro bono volunteer with the Heartland Alliance National Immigration Justice Center.
Frantzen graduated from Iowa State University with high distinction with B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Environmental Science, and received her law degree from The University of Chicago Law School, where she also graduated with honors.
Tim Malloy, founding partner, chairman and shareholder of McAndrews, said, “Sandra is a high-powered, eminently likable litigator who makes key points in understandable and compelling ways, representing the firm’s clients in bet-the-company litigation. We congratulate her on her achievements and wish her continued success in the future.”
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About McAndrews, Held & Malloy
McAndrews, Held & Malloy boasts one of the most highly regarded teams of intellectual property attorneys, agents and technology specialists in the United States. Founded in 1988, the firm offers deep bench strength in matters relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition. McAndrews attorneys have underlying scientific-based degrees and extensive prior experience in technology and IP-focused professions, and they routinely handle cases that involve innovative and cutting-edge technologies in specialized industries. While best known for their record of litigation successes, the firm also offers services in IP procurement, patent interferences, trademark oppositions and cancellations, IP/technology opinions and investigations, global portfolio management, development and licensing, M&A support, due diligence, design rights and joint ventures. Clients include multi-national corporations, Fortune 500 companies, startups and world-renowned universities. For more information, visit www.mcandrews-ip.com.