Barnes & Thornburg Continues Expansion of Intellectual Property Group in Chicago

CHICAGO – Darrick Hooker has joined Barnes & Thornburg’s Intellectual Property Department as a partner in the Chicago office – making him the fifth partner addition in Chicago this year and the fourth in the office’s Intellectual Property Department. 

Darrick, a seasoned counselor and litigator, advises clients on a number of different intellectual property issues. While particularly focused on patents, his work regularly spans trade secret, trademark, copyright, and entertainment matters. Drawing on his deep transactional and litigation experience, Darrick helps clients identify and manage their global intellectual property assets in industries such as medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare, computer software, chemicals, mechanical devices, industrial, renewable energy, utility, mechanical engineering and transportation.

As a commercial litigator, Darrick represents clients in matters involving complex cybersecurity, product liability and premises liability, along with breach of commercial agreements. In the entertainment sphere, he advises on intellectual property, licensing and other contract rights, publishing rights, rights of publicity, and branding issues. 

“Darrick’s almost 20 years of experience will be invaluable as we continue to help clients manage increasingly complex and cross-jurisdictional intellectual property portfolios,” said Julia Gard, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “Our IP group is growing rapidly in Chicago and Darrick’s presence further solidifies our ability to help clients in Illinois and beyond.”

Darrick also assists clients with risk management, internal governance, compliance, and due diligence investigations in connection with licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions. 

“Clients can trust Darrick to understand the ins and outs of their intellectual property issues – and to guide them with confidence and skill,” said Michael Carrillo, Chicago office managing partner. “What’s more, he has been an influential figure in the Chicago community, both professionally and civically, for years. We’re thrilled to have him.”

Darrick earned his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and his B.S. from the University of Illinois. Outside of his legal practice, he serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Science & Education Technology, Free Spirit Media, Firehouse Community Arts Center, and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. 

With more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.