Prominent Reinhart Intellectual Property Lawyer Named "International IP Attorney of the Year in Illinois"

ROCKFORD – Jeffery J. Makeever, a prominent local attorney and chair of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren's Intellectual Property Practice, has been named "International IP Attorney of the Year in Illinois" by Corporate International Magazine. The influential publication reaches a global audience of legal and financial advisors, senior management and in-house counsel.

The award is given after an extensive review of each individual's qualifications and body of work, and also draws on insight from business leaders around the world.

"This award is a great honor, and it represents the effort that our team has put in over the years to build a world-class IP practice," said Makeever. "Our clients certainly recognize that and see the difference, and I'm proud that others are starting to take notice, as well. I think what sets our practice apart is that we get out there and make genuine personal connections with our clients."

Gaining recognition for international legal work in intellectual property is significant in today's dynamic business environment, as trends have shifted toward multinational companies wanting to file trademarks and patents in the U.S., even though they may not have a domestic presence. Foreign companies are very savvy in hiring their legal counsel, said Makeever, and conduct a lot of research on a firm before deciding to hire them.

Makeever's practice has experience working with dozens of international clients in countries like Germany, Korea, India and the United Kingdom. The practice represents a strong growth area for both Makeever and Reinhart—only a decade ago, Reinhart had four patent attorneys. Today, the practice has nearly tripled in size.

Makeever is a shareholder and managing partner of Reinhart's Rockford office. He serves a wide range of corporate clients in a variety of industries including aerospace; consumer products and components; industrial equipment; medical research and equipment; automotive and structural components; electric vehicle; metal working processes and alloys; and consumer software.

Makeever's clientele includes multinational clients headquartered in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as research universities. Leveraging his own experience as a design and research engineer in the aerospace industry, he frequently functions as a trusted advisor to senior management and to clients' in-house counsel, providing advice regarding forward planning and the training of engineering and marketing personnel.