Fitch Even is pleased to announce that Giles N. Turner has been elected partner and Alisa C. Simmons and Maureen R. Smith have been made equity partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2021.
Giles N. Turner has notable experience in the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications. He also conducts invalidity, infringement, and freedom-to-operate analyses in addition to providing counsel on other IP-related issues. His overseas clients include large Japanese corporations as well as companies based in France and Germany. Giles works with diverse technologies that include material science, semiconductors, chemical engineering, energy, biotechnology, food science, and mechanical arts, among others. He holds a J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Highest Honors from Montana State University.
Alisa C. Simmons safeguards brands and copyrighted works throughout the world. She advances and protects the interests of clients ranging from hotels, universities, retailers, and charitable organizations to product manufacturers in the consumer, fashion and cosmetics, electronics, and food and healthcare industries. Alisa manages worldwide portfolios including prosecution of applications, enforcement, oppositions, and cancellations, as well as licensing. In addition, she advises clients on advertising review and claims and product packaging and has extensive experience handling matters involving unfair competition, domain name counseling, and dispute resolution. Alisa participates in many professional and service organizations and currently serves as the national project team leader for the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition hosted by the International Trademark Association and as president of the Educational Foundation of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago. She earned her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and holds a B.A. in Biology from Indiana University.
Maureen R. Smith has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of trademark law, helping clients in myriad industries choose, protect, build, and enforce brands in the U.S. and abroad. She has cared for some of the most valuable brands in the world, overseeing the development and enforcement of those brands in nearly every existing jurisdiction. She has served as global trademark counsel for major multinational brand owners, often advising at the C-level. Her in-house experience enables her to assist brand owners and lawyers, providing them with a practical and business-driven perspective. Maureen has advised on intellectual property aspects in many acquisitions, including several eight-figure deals. She has practiced extensively in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and before federal district courts. She is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School and earned a B.A. in News-Editorial Journalism, cum laude, from Drake University.