Neal Gerber Eisenberg (NGE) is pleased to announce that six attorneys from the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group have been ranked in the 2025 edition of World Trademark Review 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (WTR 1000). Partners Ian J. Block, Lee J. Eulgen, Michael G. Kelber, Thomas C. McDonough, Antony J. McShane and Andrea Stein Fuelleman have again been individually recognized practitioners. In the “Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy” category, Kelber earned gold band status, with Eulgen and McShane earning silver band status and McDonough, Block and Stein Fuelleman earning bronze. In the “Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation” category, Eulgen, Kelber and McShane all garnered silver band status.
The Intellectual Property practice group once again received gold band status in the 2025 edition, making it one of only five IP practices in Illinois to achieve this top level ranking. NGE has achieved gold status for eight straight years and has been ranked consistently in the WTR 1000 yearly since 2013.
WTR 1000 stated, "Neal Gerber & Eisenberg boasts one of Chicago’s strongest teams when it comes to trademark work, offering up a strong presence on both sides of the contentious/non-contentious divide.” WTR describes Michael Kelber as “effective, proactive, responsive and very knowledgeable. He is extremely personable and able to break down complex issues.” Ian Block “focuses on assisting clients to build and protect their brands.” Lee Eulgen is a “deeply experienced practitioner who takes on a wide range of trademark assessments, from portfolio management through transactions to dispute work.” Thomas McDonough “has deep expertise in negotiating software licences and other IP-rich agreements.” Antony McShane provides “savvy counsel and strategy grounded in a comprehensive approach to intellectual rights.” Andrea Stein Fuelleman is “a skilled portfolio manager and brand enforcer. A growing part of her practice comprises enforcement on social media platforms and the securing and protection of domain names through UDRP proceedings.”
The firm launched its Intellectual Property practice group in 2002 with just three attorneys. Today, the group consists of 33 IP attorneys supported by a team of 17, which includes six paralegals, a robust docket team and a dedicated IP operations director. The practice manages, prosecutes and enforces global patent and trademark portfolios for some of the most cutting-edge technology and Fortune 500 companies, managing about 25,000 active patent and trademark files. Additionally, it has obtained significant IP litigation victories for its clients before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and federal courts across the United States and counsels clients on a broad range of technologies, including life sciences, electronics, blockchain and AI, as well as on privacy and IP transactions.
A team of full-time WTR 1000 analysts conducted qualitative research over four months, resulting from extensive research, client feedback, and peer review, ensuring it reflects the realities of the modern trademark practice. This year, the 15th edition features approximately 90 jurisdictions, highlighting the knowledge, leadership and innovation driving the global trademark industry.