Darrick J. Hooker

Darrick J. Hooker successfully represents Fortune 500 in defense of intellectual property interests.

Darrick, 39, focuses on Intellectual Property for Krieg DeVault LLP. Darrick has represented a number of large corporations in intellectual property litigation. In one case, he represented a large company in a matter involving a patent on ethylene oxide catalysts and processes for making ethylene oxide.  The jury verdict in that case resulted in a $153 million dollar result.

Hooker graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington- Maurer School of Law, Order of Barristers.  He is a member, panel moderator and panelist for the Patent Litigation Seminar of PLI in Chicago, a member, panelist and moderator for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association’s Commercial Law Section, Black Entertainment & Sports Law Association, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.  

Fellow attorneys respect Hooker’s accomplishments.

Reginald J. Hill, of Jenner & Block, LLP, met Hooker in 2003 when Darrick joined Jenner & Block.  He said Darrick has distinguished himself as an exceptional, full-service intellectual property attorney.

“Darrick’s experience includes all disciplines in intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.”

Hill said while Hooker has earned great results for big clients, he also excels at big wins for individuals and smaller clients.

“I personally worked with Darrick on a couple of IP license negotiations where he performed as a very zealous advocate, while being quite practical in obtaining an agreement beneficial to our client,” Hill said.  Other lawyers and Hooker’s clients echo this refrain.

Lindsey D. G. Dates, of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, has worked with Hooker on several civic endeavors.

“Darrick is a superb lawyer. He has built a phenomenal reputation for having a unique ability to delve into his client’s businesses, in ways that few in our profession can, so that he can gain keen insight with respect to what issues and objectives matter most to his clients,” Dates said, adding Hooker exhibits wisdom beyond his years.

Dates also commended Hooker’s civic accomplishments.

“He works relentlessly to lead on issues of significance to our city and country, including those that uniquely impact African American youth who grapple with hopelessness on a daily basis,” Dates said. 

Gail Hasbrouck, General Counsel of Advocate Health Care, has retained Darrick to handle Advocate’s IP matters. “Since hiring Darrick as outside counsel, he has handled several Intellectual Property matters on behalf of Advocate.  I can attest that beginning with the first matter he handled for Advocate, Darrick was motivated, responsive and diligent with confronting the various complex issues that were raised, Gail said.  Gail added that “as an Intellectual Property counselor and litigator, Darrick routinely selects the right options to fit Advocate’s business strategy, whether he is assessing Advocate’s IP portfolio, performing due diligence, securing a patent, trademark, trade secret or copyright, or using litigation to resolve disputes over infringement or misappropriation.”

Gail also firmly believes that Darrick is “results-oriented and is not afraid to tackle extremely complex IP issues.”  Recently, Darrick handled a matter on behalf of Advocate that involved a third-party that infringed one of Advocate’s core trademarks by improperly utilizing Advocate’s trademark on its pharmacy signage.  Gail explained that “Darrick assessed the third-party’s business and other potentially improper uses of Advocate’s trademarks, drafted a desist letter and followed-up with a visit to the third-party’s pharmacy. Within a week, Darrick aggressively persuaded the infringing pharmacy to sign the cease and desist and adhere to all of the terms contained therein.” 

Earl J. Barnes, II, former Interim General Counsel for Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, said Hooker is able to successfully anticipate the needs of his clients.

“Darrick’s ability to reduce very technical concepts to understandable bits of information in a way that will be understood by other lawyers and juries alike is a gift,” Barnes said. “Darrick has developed a reputation for developing an in-depth understanding of a client’s business and technology.”

Darrick is also a Fellow of and serves on the Distinguished Fellow Selection Committee of Leadership Greater Chicago, and is a general board member and Science Symposium Chair for the Institute for Science and Education Technology.  Hooker also serves as a general board member for Free Spirit Media and The Firehouse Community Arts Center.