Illinois Intellectual Property Alliance Names Marshall Gerstein Partner Meggan Duffy to Board of Directors
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is proud to announce partner Meggan Duffy has been named to the Board of Directors for the newly established Illinois Intellectual Property Alliance (Alliance). The Alliance, which was formed through a recent merger with the Chicago IP Alliance (CIPA), serves as a hub for collaborative thought leaders to improve the quality of life for Illinois citizens through the efficient utilization of intellectual property (IP). Members of The Alliance represent interests from academia, advisory services, banking and finance, business and community organizations, law, incubators and accelerators, not-for-profit organizations, public and private companies and research laboratories.
Duffy, who served as a CIPA board member since 2014, will continue her work developing programs that encourage the creation, enablement and protection of innovations for the benefit of Illinois residents. The Mentorship Program, co-founded by Duffy who also served as its co-chair, is one such program that The Alliance will continue. Duffy will work with her fellow board members to expand mentorship resources across the state to guide potential creators and innovators at a variety of levels. She will also serve as a member of the Education and Awareness Committee.
“Merging with the Alliance is an excellent opportunity for CIPA and allows us to enhance and expand our programs throughout the Chicagoland area and across the state,” said Duffy. “The Alliance is unique in that it connects not just protectors of IP, but also creators and enablers of IP with a goal of including all to promote innovation for the benefit of Illinois citizens. I am honored and excited to be a part of the Illinois IP Alliance and look forward to working with the talented group of board members.”
Along with Duffy, several other Marshall Gerstein attorneys will continue their longstanding commitment to the regional IP community with their involvement in The Alliance. Partners David Read and Paul Stephens previously served on CIPA Board of Directors, Associate Rob Jacobson is the recent co-chair of the Mentorship Program, and several of the firm’s attorneys and professionals have served as mentors and judges for CIPA’s Chicago Public Schools Science Fair Most Inventive Awards.
“We are pleased Meggan will continue her CIPA leadership through The Alliance,” said Jeffrey Sharp, managing partner of Marshall Gerstein. “The Alliance promises to expand the great work of so many contributors like Meggan to enhance and advance Illinois’ IP community. Our firm is proud to continue our role in that growth, and we remain committed to supporting Meggan and other members of The Alliance to that end.”
The Alliance was formed after 2019 discussions with the Georgia IP Alliance revealed synergies that could be enhanced through expansion to a collaborative statewide model. With the integration of regional membership, programs, networking, education and other opportunities, The Alliance will work to promote the Midwest as a center for new ideas and innovation.