International law firm Crowell & Moring and Chicago-based Brinks Gilson & Lione have combined, according to a statement from the firms. The deal brings together the practice of the 100-year-old, Chicago-based IP firm, recognized for its deep technical experience and scientific savvy, with Crowell & Moring’s intellectual property, technology, brand protection, and digital transformation capabilities.

Brinks Gilson & Lione is renowned for assisting clients to maximize the value of cutting-edge technologies and advancing the interests of intellectual property owners.

With a proven track record in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, helping inventors tackle the unique challenges they face, and working with companies to protect their brands, Brinks has developed enduring client relationships, which range from large multinationals with sophisticated IP portfolios to emerging companies advancing business-forward innovations. Gustavo Siller, president of Brinks Gilson & Lione, will co-chair the firm’s technology and intellectual property department, with Cheryl A. Falvey,one of the principal architects of Crowell & Moring’s digital transformation and technology practice and former general counsel of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Crowell & Moring has a long-established global regulatory, litigation, transactional, and public policy platform that provides guidance to clients ranging from Fortune 500 enterprises to start-up companies across the broad spectrum of issues that accompany digital transformation and other advancements at the intersection of business and technology. The firm’s cross-disciplinary approach helps leading companies and entrepreneurs protect, commercialize, and bring new innovations to market, compete in the increasingly data-driven economy, mitigate risk, resolve disputes, and navigate a dynamic regulatory environment.

With the addition of the Brinks team, Crowell & Moring becomes among the most active technology protection firms in the United States, as measured by patent activity tracked by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Joining Crowell & Moring are 60 lawyers, including 27 partners, 10 senior counsel, 23 counsel and associates, five registered patent agents, and two scientific advisors.

This move builds on Crowell & Moring’s strategic growth in the United States and around the globe, and represents the firm’s first presence in the Midwest. Over the past three years, the firm has added close to 90 lateral partners and 21 senior counsel. In April, 24 lawyers from Wall Street boutique Kibbe & Orbe joined the firm’s New York, London, and Washington offices, including 13 partners. In addition, last year, the firm established an office in Doha with the addition of an infrastructure development and controversy team, opened an office in Shanghai and, through C&M International, its global government relations, public policy, and public affairs affiliate, launched an office in Singapore.

As the result of joining forces with Brinks Gilson & Lione, Crowell & Moring will have more than 625 lawyers in the United States, Europe, MENA and Asia. The firm will immediately add offices in Chicago and Indianapolis. In addition, Crowell & Moring has initiated the process with the Chinese government to open an office in Shenzhen with Brinks Gilson & Lione’s Shenzhen-based professionals. Brinks Gilson & Lione’s Shenzhen office was established in 2017.

“By joining forces, we create a powerful network of talent that will strengthen our combined technology practices,” Falvey said. “With doctorates in life sciences, computer science, and electrical engineering, Brinks lawyers know the science inside and out. They will be an exceptional resource for clients when it comes to the technical side of litigation, but they also bring exceptional people—lawyers and professionals—who are as committed to delivering superior client service and developing a diverse culture as we are.”