McAndrews

For businesses, innovators, and creators across Illinois, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) is not just a strategic advantage—it's often the cornerstone of their success. In today's dynamic global marketplace, protecting inventions, brands, and creative works requires specialized legal expertise that is both profound and practical. In the heart of Chicago, Illinois, McAndrews stands as a premier intellectual property and technology law firm, dedicated to providing unparalleled legal services to clients ranging from industry leaders to startups and universities throughout the state and beyond.

McAndrews, also known as McAndrews, Held & Malloy, is a distinguished firm that has built a stellar reputation since its founding in 1988. Their focus is exclusively on intellectual property and technology law, which allows them to offer a depth of knowledge and experience rarely found in general practice firms. As succinctly put by a satisfied client, their service is "Top notch!" This commendation reflects their commitment to excellence, strategic thinking, and dedication to achieving optimal outcomes for their clients. With a team of highly skilled attorneys, many of whom possess advanced degrees in science and engineering, McAndrews is uniquely positioned to understand the intricate technical details underlying complex IP matters.

Whether you're in the bustling innovation hubs of Chicago, the growing tech corridors of the suburbs, or anywhere else in Illinois, protecting your intellectual assets is vital. This article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of McAndrews, detailing its strategic Chicago location, its specialized IP services, key features that set it apart as a leader in the field, and why it is a highly suitable choice for any individual or entity in Illinois seeking expert intellectual property legal counsel.

Location and Accessibility

McAndrews is strategically situated in one of Chicago's most prominent and accessible locations, enhancing its reach to clients across Illinois. Their office is located at 500 W Madison St #34, Chicago, IL 60661, USA. This address places the firm directly within the bustling heart of downtown Chicago, specifically in the iconic Citigroup Center building, which is integrated with the Ogilvie Transportation Center.

This prime location offers unparalleled accessibility. For those commuting from various parts of Illinois, the integration with Ogilvie Transportation Center means direct access for Metra commuter rail lines (Union Pacific North, Northwest, and West lines), making it incredibly convenient for clients traveling from the suburbs. Additionally, the office is just a short walk from major CTA 'L' train lines and numerous bus routes, providing excellent access for clients within Chicago.

For clients traveling by car, while downtown Chicago can be busy, the building's central location ensures proximity to major expressways such as I-90/94 (Dan Ryan/Kennedy Expressways) and I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway). Numerous parking garages are available in the immediate vicinity, though clients are advised to factor in downtown parking rates. The office environment within the building is professional and secure, designed to facilitate confidential discussions and provide a comfortable setting for clients. This excellent connectivity makes McAndrews readily reachable for innovators, businesses, and individuals from all corners of Illinois seeking specialized IP legal services.

Services Offered

McAndrews is a full-service intellectual property and technology law firm, with an IP-only focus that provides a competitive advantage to its clients. Their comprehensive suite of services covers all aspects of intellectual property, including:

• Patent Law: This is a core strength of McAndrews. They offer world-class patent portfolio development, which includes patent prosecution (securing patents from the USPTO), patent interferences, and post-grant practice (e.g., Inter Partes Reviews - IPRs, post-grant reviews). Their attorneys possess deep technical backgrounds in various fields, including electrical, computer, chemical, and mechanical engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry, enabling them to handle complex technologies across diverse industries such as life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and quantum technologies.
• Patent Litigation: The firm has an exceptional record of success in high-stakes, complex patent litigation, representing clients in jury trials, bench trials, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. They are known for their ability to distill complex technical concepts and effectively communicate them to non-technical audiences, which is crucial for trial success.
• Trademark Law: McAndrews provides comprehensive services related to trademark procurement and portfolio management, including trademark registrations, oppositions, and cancellations. They also advise clients on early trademark development to avoid conflicts and handle litigation for trademark infringement and unfair competition in state and federal courts.
• Copyright Law: Assisting creators and businesses in protecting their original works of authorship, including registration, licensing, and enforcement of copyrights.
• Design Rights: Offering creative design patent prosecution strategies, providing decisive approaches to avoiding design patent infringement, conducting validity assessments, and offering design-around recommendations. This also includes integrating design rights with trade dress and other IP protections, covering areas like UX/UI design and graphical user interfaces.
• IP Transactions and Due Diligence: Handling billions of dollars in IP transactions, including licensing agreements, joint ventures, and technology transfer agreements. They also conduct thorough IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, providing critical insights into IP assets and risks.
• Antitrust and Technology Matters: Beyond core IP, their expertise extends to related areas such as antitrust issues and broader technology law, providing holistic counsel for innovative companies.
• International Practice: With clients globally, McAndrews handles international IP matters, providing strategic counsel on cross-border issues and coordinating foreign filings and enforcement.

Their IP-only focus means clients receive highly specialized and dedicated legal counsel, providing a significant advantage in protecting their valuable intellectual assets.

Features / Highlights

• Dedicated IP-Only Focus: Unlike general practice firms, McAndrews specializes exclusively in intellectual property and technology law. This singular focus cultivates deep expertise and provides clients with a distinct competitive advantage in navigating complex IP challenges.
• Highly Technical Expertise: A significant portion of their attorneys hold advanced degrees in science and engineering fields (e.g., electrical, computer, chemical, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry). This technical depth allows them to understand and articulate intricate technological concepts, which is critical for effective patent prosecution and litigation.
• Exceptional Litigation Record: McAndrews is renowned for its impressive track record in high-stakes IP litigation, including major victories in patent infringement cases and successful representation in PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) proceedings. This demonstrates their prowess in the courtroom and ability to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Senior-Level Attorney Attention: The firm prides itself on its business model that ensures "extraordinarily high levels of hands-on senior-attorney attention." This means experienced lawyers are directly involved in client matters, leading to more strategic and effective representation.
• Talent Retention: Over 70% of their attorneys have spent their entire legal careers at McAndrews, indicating a stable and experienced team that consistently delivers high-quality service and understands the firm's client-centric culture.
• Cost-Effective Approach: Despite being a top-tier firm, clients often praise McAndrews for their "cost-sensitive approach" and being "responsive and cost-effective versus larger firms who have much higher costs but not the same effectiveness and efficiencies."
• Awards and Recognitions: The firm consistently receives accolades and rankings from reputable legal publications, including being recognized by Best Law Firms and IP Stars, and having a high percentage of attorneys listed in Best Lawyers and IAM Patent 1000.
• Collaborative and Responsive: Clients appreciate the firm's collaborative, team-based approach and the high responsiveness of their attorneys, who are noted to be available 24/7 for urgent matters.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly specialized and top-tier intellectual property law firm, McAndrews does not typically advertise specific promotions or discounted offers. The nature of their high-value, complex IP and technology cases usually involves sophisticated fee arrangements tailored to the scope and requirements of each project, rather than standardized promotional pricing.

However, for businesses, innovators, or individuals in Illinois who require top-tier intellectual property legal services, it is always recommended to contact McAndrews directly for an initial consultation. During this consultation, you can discuss your specific IP needs, explore potential legal strategies, and gain a clear understanding of their fee structure. While not a "promotion," this initial discussion is a valuable opportunity to determine how McAndrews can provide strategic advantage and protect your intellectual assets, without immediate financial commitment for the full scope of work.

Contact Information

For innovators, businesses, and individuals across Illinois seeking premier intellectual property and technology legal services, here is the essential contact information for McAndrews:

• Address: 500 W Madison St #34, Chicago, IL 60661, USA
• Phone: (312) 775-8000
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-775-8000

Given the firm's reputation and specialized focus, it is highly advisable to call and schedule an appointment in advance. This will allow the firm to allocate the appropriate senior-level expertise to understand your specific IP challenges and advise you on the most effective legal strategies. Their team is ready to provide the sophisticated and strategic assistance you need to protect and leverage your intellectual property.

Conclusion: Why McAndrews is Suitable for Locals

For businesses, startups, and innovators across Illinois, McAndrews stands as an exceptionally suitable choice for all intellectual property and technology legal needs. Their singular focus on IP law means they offer an unparalleled depth of expertise that general practice firms cannot match. This specialization is crucial for navigating the intricate and rapidly evolving landscape of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and IP litigation.

The firm's prime location in downtown Chicago, integrated within a major transportation hub, ensures superior accessibility for clients throughout Illinois. Whether you're in the city, the surrounding suburbs, or even further afield in the state, reaching their office is convenient, facilitating direct collaboration with their expert team.

Critically, the firm's reputation, encapsulated by the "Top notch!" review, is backed by numerous features: a team of technically degreed attorneys, an exceptional litigation record, a commitment to senior-level attorney attention, and a client-praised cost-effective approach. Their dedication to a collaborative and responsive client experience ensures that Illinois-based innovators and businesses receive not just legal advice, but strategic partnership. For anyone in Illinois whose success hinges on the protection and enforcement of their intellectual property, McAndrews offers the focused expertise, proven track record, and client-centric approach that makes them a premier and highly effective legal partner.