Chicago Patent Law Firm Posts Original Letter from Thomas Jefferson, First Head of U.S. Patent Office, on Firm Web Site

Letter from President Jefferson to his cousin regarding newly invented horse bridle among historical memorabilia made available on Hallihan IP Partners Web site

I have always been a collector of interesting historical memorabilia, but the opportunity to acquire such a rare piece of American patent history was one that we simply could not miss On January 18, 1809, Jefferson writes to his cousin, Richard Randolph, and encourages him to secure a patent on an innovative horse bridle he just invented It gives us rare insight into the importance Jefferson placed on protecting inventions, a fundamental principle in the practice of intellectual property law here in America 200 years later.

Chicago (Lexis Nexis) August 17, 2009 -- A rare original letter written by Thomas Jefferson while he was president of the United States has been posted for free viewing online at the Web site of a new group of Chicago patent attorneys.

The letter was recently acquired by Hallihan IP Partners, which opened for business this spring and has already been engaged by a number of US and Overseas companies to handle a variety of intellectual property matters.

"I have always been a collector of interesting historical memorabilia, but the opportunity to acquire such a rare piece of American patent history was one that we simply could not miss," explained William J. (Hal) Hallihan.

In addition to the Jefferson letter, Hallihan IP Partners has posted images of other items from this historical collection, including documents signed by inventors Thomas Edison, Lee De Forest and William Shockley. They are available for viewing at the Web site of these Chicago intellectual property attorneys.

Prior to serving as the nation's third President, Jefferson was the first Secretary of State and also the first head of the U.S. patent system under President George Washington. He is widely viewed as having done more to encourage the flourishing of invention through his direction of the patent system than any other American in history.

"On January 18, 1809, Jefferson writes to his cousin, Richard Randolph, and encourages him to secure a patent on an innovative horse bridle he just invented," said Hallihan. "It gives us rare insight into the importance Jefferson placed on protecting inventions, a fundamental principle in the practice of intellectual property law here in America 200 years later."

Hallihan's concept in forming his new boutique law firm was to assemble a team of experienced intellectual property attorneys without the typical overhead and business practices often associated with the larger law firms. The firm's litigators have earned a reputation for success with defending clients in patent cases brought in the notoriously "plaintiff-friendly" Eastern District of Texas. The firm is located at 117 N. Jefferson, Suite 200, in downtown Chicago. For more information about Hallihan IP Partners, please go to www.hallihan.com or call 312.784.3000.

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