Connie advises clients in complex transactional matters related to intellectual property, as well as preparing foreign and domestic trademark and copyright applications, and assisting with the preparation of foreign and domestic design patent applications.
As an advisor, Connie represents clients in key strategic aspects of IP protection and management, such as preparation and negotiation of technology transfer agreements, technology license agreements, trademark license agreements, joint development agreements, alliance agreements, service agreements, consulting agreements, distribution agreements, publishing agreements, non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements and letters of intent. Connie also advised clients on issues related to the distribution of digital content on the Internet and has prepared various contracts related to content creation, use and distribution.
Connie refined her contract drafting and negotiation skills and developed her intellectual property knowledge as an independent contractor in the law department of Harman International Industries Incorporated. She assisted in-house counsel with the drafting and negotiation of patent, trademark and software licenses and joint development agreements for Harman’s consumer, automotive and professional divisions. In this capacity Connie interacted regularly with chief engineering officers and managers, finance officers, and product managers on financial and compliance risks and obligations.
Prior to joining The Eclipse Group and serving as a contractor for Harman International Industries Incorporated, Connie served as an Associate at Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman (Chicago) and Holcomb & Holcomb (Chicago), where she gained extensive experience managing cases and litigation strategy; preparing pleadings and discovery; researching, drafting and arguing dispositive and discovery motions in federal, state and administrative agencies; conducting depositions; handling settlement negotiations, arbitrations and mediations; researching and drafting appellate briefs; and co-chairing a federal jury trial.
- B.A., History with French minor (honors, Phi Beta Kappa), University of Illinois at Chicago, 1992
- J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, 1995
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, International Trademark Association (INTA)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois