Darrick strives to help his clients identify and manage their global IP assets. He is able to do this successfully as a result of his deep transactional and litigation experience, including but not limited to, the medical device, pharmaceutical, health care, computer software, chemical, mechanical device, industrial, renewable energy, utility, mechanical engineering, and automotive and transportation industries.
Darrick assists his clients with licensing, risk assessment and management, internal governance, compliance, and due diligence investigations in connection with licensing transactions, mergers and acquisitions. He brings particular strength where intellectual property portfolio acquisitions involve issues of licensing and “freedom to practice” analyses of products, methods, and packaging. This includes conducting patent landscape investigations, and opinion work such as patentability, validity, non-infringement, and freedom-to-operate opinions.
He is also skilled in conducting initial case evaluation and assessment, developing case and trial strategy and settlement options, managing all phases of discovery, as well as with Markman hearings, trial, and post-trial proceedings and appeal.
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.
Professional and Community Involvement
Board of directors, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
Board of directors, Free Spirit Media
Board of directors, Institute for Science Education & Technology Board of Directors
Board of directors, Firehouse Community Arts Center
Member, Indiana University Maurer School of Law Intellectual Property Advisory Board
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, American Bar Association
Fellow, Chicago Bar Association Minority Legal Education Resource Program
Leadership Greater Chicago
Former board of directors, Centers for New Horizons
Honors
The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025
Lawyers of Color, Nation’s Best Honoree, 2019
Illinois Super Lawyers, 2023-2024; Rising Star, 2012-2014
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 40 Under Forty, 2014
Who’s Who in Black Chicago, Chicago’s Counselors at Law, 2010
Stakeholder 100 Academy, 2007