Intellectual Property 2005-2006 Student Spotlight
Class of 2006
Rachel Lynch
 Rachel Lynch is in her last year of law school. Rachel attended
the University of Michigian where she received a B.S. in Materials
Science & Engineering in 2002 and an M.S.E. in Materials Science
& Engineering in 2003. This past summer, she worked for Dickinson
Wright in Bloomfield, MI.
Rachel has accepted a full-time position after graduation with
Bell Boyd &
Lloyd LLC. She chose Bell Boyd & Lloyd because of the
firm's atmosphere and employees, and the opportunities that it
offers in both patent litigation and prosecution.
Luke Shannon
 Luke Shannon is in his third year of law school. Luke received a B.A. in Chemistry from Dordt College in 2002. In the past, he worked for one year as an analytical chemist at a suburban DC pharmaceutical lab.
After graduation, Luke plans to clerk for The Honorable Martin C. Ashman, Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Illinois for one year. Afterwards, he plans to go to Schiff Hardin, LLP. Luke selected Schiff Hardin because of the flexibility they allow in the type of work he'll do. This flexibility will allow him to gain experience in general litigation as well as IP/patent litigation. Schiff also does some patent prosecution.
Brantley Shumaker
 Brantley Shumaker is in his final year of law school. Brantley
received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Kentucky
in 2002.
Last summer, Brantley worked at Kelley
Drye & Warren LLP. He chose this firm because their Chicago
office is small--with a small-firm feel--while the firm as a whole
is very large. In other words, it has the best of both worlds.
Beginning this summer, Brantley has accepted a permanent position
at Kolisch Hartwell
P.C. in their Portland office. Brantley chose Kolisch Hartwell
because he wanted to relocate, but also because his speciality is
software. He also believes that the Pacific Northwest is more "ripe
for the picking."
Brantley suggests that students participate in as many career fairs
as possible, most importantly the Loyola Fair. He also suggests
not to just send out cold cover letters and expect responses.
He states, "I've learned that if you don't follow up, no
matter how good your resume, no one will respond."
Timothy Spann
 Timothy Spann is in his last year of law school. Tim received
a B.S. in Biology from the University of California at Davis in
1982 and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California
at San Diego in 1991.
During the Summer 2005, Tim worked at Cook,
Alex, McFarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler, Ltd. He presently
works there on a part-time basis and has since the Fall 2005.
After Tim graduates and passes the bar, he will join CAMMCM on
a permanent basis.
Tim selected CAMMCM because of their great work environment.
He feels that it is a great learning environment that is collegial,
focused, and avoids unnecessary stress. Additionally, the firm
appears to have plenty of work that is compatible with his technology
background. CAMMCM also has a track record of rapid associate
advancement to partnership.
Matthew Topic
 Matthew Topic is in his third year of law school. Matt has a B.A.
in Music, with a minor in Business, from North Central College.
In the past, Matt has worked as a professional musician and in non-profit
management.
Last summer, Matt worked at Kirkland
& Ellis LLP. Beginning in the Fall 2006 for a one-year term,
Matt will be clerking for Judge Morton Denlow. Afterwards, he will
be returning to Kirkland & Ellis permanently.
Class of 2007
Jeffrey Armstrong
 Jeffrey Armstrong is in his second year of law school. Jeff received
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tulane University. He has
eight years of engineering, consulting, and management experience
in the telecommunications and defense industries. Jeff is also
a registered patent agent.
During the Summer 2006, Jeff will be at McDonnell
Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP. He chose MBHB because of
the quality and diversity of intellectual property work available
at the firm. Jeff also felt that he would enjoy working with the
people he met during the interview process.
Andrew Bateman
 Andrew Bateman is in his second year of law school. Drew received
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois
in Urbana in 1994, and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from National
Technological University in 2001. From 1994-2004, he worked at Motorola
in various departments researching and developing future wireless
communications technologies. His speciality was in radio frequency
hardware design.
Drew will be at McAndrews,
Held & Malloy Ltd. during the Summer 2006. He selected this
firm since he worked there last summer and it has a good reputation.
Kate Berezutskaya
 Kate Berezutskaya is a 3L student in our evening program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Biology/Virology from Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia and her Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Currently, Kate works as a patent agent at Howrey LLP assisting in matters related to patent prosecution and litigation. Before joining Howrey LLP, Kate consulted the University of Chicago Technology Transfer Office on issues related to commercialization of life science technologies and then worked as a scientific advisor and patent agent at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. There are many reasons why Kate likes to work for Howrey LLP, including the collegial atmosphere of the firm, excellent mentors, and an opportunity for career growth.
David E. Blau
 David Blau is in his second year of law school. David received
a B.S. in Math and Computer Science from Caltech.
This summer he will be working in the Boston office of Bromberg
& Sunstein LLP. David interviewed for this position at the
Loyola Patent Fair. He chose Bromberg & Sunstein because he
felt they were the best firm at the career fair.
Dennis Faigal
 Dennis Faigal is in his second year of law school. Dennis received
his B.S. in Biology from Regis University in 2000. Prior to law
school, he worked in professional IT sales.
Dennis will be in the Mountain View, California office of Fenwick
& West, LLP during the Summer 2006. Dennis chose this firm
because it's a general practice firm in the Silicon Valley that
caters to high-tech clients.
Additionally, Dennis feels that his education from Chicago-Kent
has made him highly competitive in the high-tech legal job market
in the Silicon Valley. He states, "I was hired in a class
including recruits from Harvard Law School, Stanford, Georgetown,
Penn, and other top 20 ranked law schools."
Heather Kissling
 Heather Kissling is in her second year of law school. Heather received a B.S. in Biology and Liberal Arts Chemistry from the University of Evansville and an M.S. in Biotechnology from Northwestern University. Prior to law school, she worked as a patent agent at Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Heather will be at Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd. during the Summer 2006. She selected this firm because it is a mid-sized IP boutique with an outstanding client base and attorneys. Heather enjoys the technology of LVM's clients, which includes cutting edge biotechnology companies and research organizations. She also enjoys the collegial atmosphere of the firm and appreciates the opportunity to develop client counseling skills.
John New
 John New is a 3L student in our evening program. John received
his B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Massachusetts
in 1978, an M.S. in Neurobiology from the University of Michigan
in 1981, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Wesleyan University
in 1987. Presently, John
is a Professor of Biology at Loyola University Chicago.
This summer, John will be working at Winston
& Strawn LLP. He selected this firm because of the opportunity
to do both IP litigation and work in other fields of law during
the summer.
Vikas Shah
 Vikas Shah is in his second year of law school. Vikas received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003. Last summer, he worked at The Law Offices of Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates Ltd. Vikas primarily worked in products liability, but also had the opportunity to draft a Brief Amicus Curiae on behalf of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association regarding insurance coverage issues and a Post Conviction Petition with supporting memorandum for relief from a criminal conviction. Currently, Vikas is a judicial extern for The Honorable Matthew F. Kennelly of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
During the Summer 2006, Vikas will be working at Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione. Vikas chose Brinks because it has an excellent reputation and is one of the largest IP firms in the country.
Class of 2008
William Childs
 William Childs is in his first year of law school. William received his B.S. in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary in 1997 and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2004. In 1999, William worked at Closure Medical to develop biodegradable polymers for use in surgical procedures.
William will be working at Sughrue Mion during the summer of 2006. He selected this firm for its excellent reputation in intellectual property.
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