Bradford P. Lyerla Joins Jenner & Block as a Partner

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Jun 28, 2010, 11:26 ET

CHICAGO, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally renowned intellectual property litigator Bradford P. Lyerla has joined Jenner & Block as a partner in its Chicago office, adding significant experience in patent, trade secret and unfair competition litigation to the Firm's Litigation Department and IP Practice.

During a career that has spanned three decades, Mr. Lyerla has been first-chair in nearly 40 patent litigation matters and lead counsel in numerous other trials and arbitrations, representing some of the most prominent corporations in America. His work has also included handling Lanham Act, antitrust, and trademark and copyright infringement litigation matters across the country.

"We are thrilled that Brad is returning to Jenner & Block," said Managing Partner Susan C. Levy. "His experience in successfully handling sophisticated patent trials has earned him a national reputation, and we are excited that he is continuing his impressive career in our IP Practice."

Among Mr. Lyerla's significant accomplishments are successfully defending the Solo Cup Company in a suit seeking nearly $100 million for alleged infringement of three patents relating to the microstructure of pleats in the rims of paper plates; breaking new ground in trade secrets law in what has become the leading case for a trade secrets doctrine known as "inevitable disclosure;" and representing Business Records Corporation in what is now a leading Illinois case regarding enforcement of non-compete agreements ancillary to the sale of a business. Mr. Lyerla, whose career began at Jenner & Block, was most recently a partner at Chicago IP boutique firm Marshall, Gerstein & Borun.

"Brad is a seasoned trial lawyer who will add depth to our patent trial practice and augment our already strong platform in pharmaceuticals, chemicals and power electronics, as well as semiconductor, internet and automotive related issues," said Harry J. Roper, Chair of the Firm's Intellectual Property Practice.

"I am extremely pleased to be returning to Jenner & Block, where I enjoyed practicing before and learned to try cases from outstanding trial lawyers. The values of exceptional service to clients and service to the community that originally attracted me to the Firm continue to distinguish it," said Mr. Lyerla.

Mr. Lyerla's intellectual property practice has been consistently recognized in Chambers USA, Leading Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He was recently appointed Chair of the Antitrust Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago, the oldest intellectual property bar association in the United States. In 2009, he was a member of the seven-lawyer committee that drafted proposed local rules for patent litigation in the Northern District of Illinois and he is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

In addition to his work in the intellectual property arena, Mr. Lyerla has tried more than a dozen criminal trials on a pro bono basis, including the successful defense of two death penalty cases. For his pro bono trial work, he has received the John Powers Crowley Justice Award.

Mr. Lyerla received his B.A. in philosophy from the University of Illinois, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and awarded the Donald W. Doerscher Memorial Prize as the outstanding senior in the Philosophy Department. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1980, and was a member and staff editor of the law review.

SOURCE Jenner & Block