Michael E. Milz

Michael Milz joined Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione in 1990. Mr. Milz counsels clients in avoiding U.S. and foreign (primarily European and Canadian) patents. He also prepares and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patents. To date, he has prepared and/or prosecuted more than 100 U.S. patents in such mechanical and related technologies as heavy industrial construction equipment, medical devices, electro-mechanical devices, harvesting machinery, electric and gas fireplaces, office furniture and machinery for the printing/converting industry.

Mr. Milz has significant litigation experience relating to the infringement, validity and enforceability of patents in numerous commercial and industrial technologies. He also has litigation experience in the areas of trade secret misappropriations, tortious interference with prospective economic advantage and breach of contract.

• Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer, Leading Lawyers Network, Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009

• Scheffer v. Western Printing Machinery. Second chair in patent litigation involving high-speed machinery for shingling paper products.
• Western Printing Machinery v. Walter Powley et al. Second chair in litigation against former employee for misappropriation of trade secrets, false advertising and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage.
• CFM v. Heat-N-610. Second chair in patent litigation involving direct vent gas fireplaces.
• Carry v. CFM. Second chair in litigation for patent infringement, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets relating to ceramic fiber products.
• Superion v. CFM. Second chair in patent litigation involving rent-free gas stoves.

• Haworth v. Herman Miller. Multi-billion dollar patent litigation involving electric powered office panels and panel systems.
• Viskase v. Grace. Patent litigation involving oxygen barrier bags.
• Motor Wheel v. Kelsey-Hayes. Patent litigation involving automotive wheels.

• Chicago Bar Association
• American Bar Association
  Member, Intellectual Property Law Section
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Registered Professional Engineer - State of Illinois