Category: News

HFZ capital member Chris George will lead a meeting featuring former USPTO Director David Kappos at the 2026 IPO Annual Meeting, September 27–29 in Toronto. Sunday’s meeting is a joint session of IPO’s AI and Software Committees.

Their discussion will focus on the future relevance of the intellectual property system as AI plays a growing role in producing creative content. The Annual Meeting brings together IP professionals for educational programs, committee meetings and opportunities to connect with colleagues from around the world.

HFZ capital members Michael Lenisa, Marianne Buckley and Brandon Dube will also attend.

Hanley Flight & Zimmerman has once again been recognized among Chicago’s leading intellectual property law firms in the 2027 Chambers Spotlight Guide for Illinois.

Published by Chambers USA, Chambers Spotlight recognizes small and medium-sized law firms that demonstrate notable strength in their respective practice areas. Firms included in the guide are selected through Chambers’ independent research process, which evaluates factors including experience, expertise and the caliber of legal talent.

HFZ’s recognition in the 2027 guide reflects the firm’s continued strength in intellectual property law and its work helping clients protect their brands and inventions through strategic counsel.

Learn more about HFZ’s 2027 Chambers Spotlight ranking here.

Nazeer Ali, a Capital Member of Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, will speak at the International Intellectual Property Law Association (IIPLA) USA Conference on Monday, September 21, 2026, in Palo Alto, California.

Nazeer will participate in the opening session, “The Future of Intellectual Property in the AI Economy”. The session will explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property and what emerging technologies may mean for the future of IP protection and strategy.

Nazeer brings more than 12 years of experience in U.S. patent prosecution and IP strategy, along with a design engineering background working with cellular phones, base stations and fitness equipment. His combination of legal and technical experience has informed patent strategies involving mechanical systems, electro-mechanical innovations, manufacturing processes and advanced computing technologies.

Two Hanley Flight & Zimmerman attorneys are included in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch.

Justin Lizalek and Mary (Vollmar) Harvey were each named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for their work in intellectual property law. Both attorneys earned this recognition for the second consecutive year, reflecting their continued professional achievement early in their legal careers.

Every year, Best Lawyers analyzes more than 13 million lawyer evaluations to compile their rankings, which are based on peer review and feedback. More information about Best Lawyers’ methodology is available here.

Three Hanley Flight & Zimmerman attorneys are included in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

James Flight, Chris George and Mark Zimmerman were recognized for their work in patent law, placing them among the top lawyers in the Chicago area with more than a decade of experience. Jim earned the distinction for the second consecutive year, while Chris and Mark were recognized for the first time.

Every year, Best Lawyers analyzes more than 13 million lawyer evaluations to compile their rankings, which are based on peer review and feedback. More information about Best Lawyers’ methodology is available here.

James (Jim) Flight, a founding member of Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, has been selected for the fifth consecutive year to the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists.

The IAM Strategy 300 recognizes professionals who are leading the development of strategies that maximize the value of intellectual property portfolios. Honorees represent private practice, corporations, research institutions, universities and other areas of the global IP community. Jim is recognized in the Legal category.

The annual guide is compiled through an extensive research process that includes peer nominations and interviews with members of the global IP community.
Jim’s recognition follows his inclusion in the IAM Patent 1000 alongside HFZ and firm co-founders Mark Hanley and Mark Zimmerman. Jim has also previously been recognized in IAM’s Strategy 300: Global Leaders.

Hanley Flight & Zimmerman is pleased to announce Eric Ha has joined its intellectual property law practice as a Patent Agent.

Eric brings extensive experience in engineering, research, and higher education. Most recently, he served as a tenured Associate Professor at Eastern Illinois University. Prior to that, he conducted research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland and worked as an engineer for SK Hynix Semiconductor.

Eric holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland and recently passed the USPTO Registration Examination. At HFZ, he will leverage his technical background and research experience to assist clients in preparing and prosecuting patent applications across a wide range of technologies.

HFZ Capital Member Marianne Buckley recently attended the 6th Annual Women Leaders in IP Law Summit in Washington, D.C., an event that brings together law firm practitioners, in-house counsel, government officials, and industry leaders to discuss emerging issues shaping the intellectual property landscape.

“I enjoyed hearing the perspectives of law firm practitioners and in-house counsel on topics such as inventorship in the age of AI and protection of IP in different global jurisdictions,” Marianne said. “I also found the insights of former government officials with respect to developments at the Patent Office to be valuable. The keynote address from the Honorable Pauline Newman was also a highlight.”

The summit is designed to provide practical tools that help intellectual property professionals enhance their legal knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and expand their business acumen. Marianne’s participation reflects HFZ’s commitment to staying informed on the latest developments affecting innovators, patent owners, and technology-focused businesses.

Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, as well as firm co-founders Mark Hanley, James Flight, and Mark Zimmerman, are ranked for the fourth straight year in the IAM Patent 1000, an annual guide to the world’s leading patent law firms and individuals.

Along with the co-founders, IAM once again lists HFZ as “recommended” for patent prosecution in Illinois. IAM’s review describes HFZ as a trusted supporter of leading innovators that offers “top-tier services” from consulting to patent prosecution. The publication also notes the firm’s “ability to embed itself within clients’ innovation teams as a trusted, strategic extension of their IP function.”

IAM highlights Mark Hanley, James Flight, and Mark Zimmerman as key practitioners, recognizing their close work with inventors and their longstanding support of clients across a range of technology sectors.

HFZ’s complete Patent 1000 profile is available here.

The Patent 1000, published by Law Business Research, uses qualitative research, including interviews and written submissions, to identify leading firms and individuals in patent law. More information about the methodology is available here.

Hanley Flight & Zimmerman is pleased to announce Charlie McCormick has joined its intellectual property law practice as a Patent Engineer.

Prior to joining HFZ, Charlie gained experience in corporate and manufacturing-based engineering roles for a medical-surgical product and supply chain provider. He brings experience drafting comprehensive technical specifications for Class I & II medical devices as well as his contributions that led to a patent for a medical device.

Charlie says his participation in the patent process as an inventor fueled his desire to explore the world of intellectual property law. At HFZ, Charlie will leverage his engineering background by assisting in preparing and prosecuting patent applications as he pursues his aspiration of becoming a patent attorney.