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Maurer School of Law
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Last modified: Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Longtime intellectual property practitioner joins IU Maurer School of Law Center for Intellectual Property Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- An internationally known intellectual property practitioner will join the IU Maurer School of Law Center for Intellectual Property Research in the fall of 2011.

Donald E. Knebel has been named adjunct professor and senior advisor to the law school's new Center for Intellectual Property Research. He will teach a course in intellectual property and antitrust this fall and contribute to the center's research and outreach activities. The purpose of the center is to support the study of all aspects of intellectual property law and related fields, including patent, trademark and unfair competition, copyright and information policy. It is located at the Maurer School of Law's main building in Bloomington.

Donald E. Knebel

Donald E. Knebel

Knebel is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg LLP, resident in its Indianapolis office. He joined the firm in 1974 after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University Law School. Knebel's practice concentrates on cases involving claims of patent infringement, violations of the antitrust laws, unfair competition and trademark infringement, improper termination of distributors and sales representatives, and violation of non-competition agreements. He has been involved in cases in 23 states and has tried cases to verdict in 10 states.

Knebel is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since the first edition in 1983. He has been identified by Chambers USA's America's Leading Lawyers for Business publication as "the best in Indiana for patent litigation." A survey by Mondaq, an English company, identified him as one of the most recommended lawyers in the world in the field of patent law. Knebel is the co-author of the Indiana chapter of the American Bar Association state antitrust law treatise and gives lectures around the world on antitrust laws.

"I am delighted to be joining the Maurer School of Law," Knebel said. "The Center for Intellectual Property Research is at the forefront of scholarship and teaching in this important field, and I look forward to contributing to its success."

"We take great pride in seeing one of our own selected for such an important role at the Maurer School of Law," said Alan A. Levin, JD'82, Barnes & Thornburg's firm-wide managing partner. "While Don continues to use his vast experience to serve the IP needs of Barnes & Thornburg clients throughout the country, we relish knowing that he will help educate a new generation of IP practitioners in the future."

Mark D. Janis, JD'89, Robert A. Lucas Chair of Law and the Center's Director, said that Knebel's association with the Maurer School of Law will greatly enhance the Center's capacity for outreach to the IP practice community. "As a former colleague of Don's at Barnes & Thornburg, I have first-hand knowledge of Don's skill as an advocate and the respect he has earned in the IP community," he said. "Don's presence at the Center will benefit us in countless ways. I couldn't overstate how thrilled I am to be gaining the benefit of Don's experience and expertise."

An active civic leader, Knebel recently completed a term as 2010 Campaign Chair for the United Way of Central Indiana, which raised more than $38 million. He was the first practicing lawyer to serve in that capacity. He has also served two terms as Chair of the Board of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, one of the oldest and largest such organizations in the country. For 10 years, he has been a member of the Executive Committee of TechPoint, a technology advocacy organization headquartered in Indianapolis.

Knebel will remain an active partner in Barnes & Thornburg through December 2013. His role with the law school's Center for Intellectual Property Research will expand as that date approaches.