Four Hilgers Attorneys Earn Global IP Honors from Lawdragon

Recognition highlights firm's strength across intellectual property litigation, patent, trademark and trade secret matters

LINCOLN, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Four Hilgers PLLC attorneys have been selected for the second consecutive year to the Lawdragon 500 Global IP Lawyers guide, which recognizes leading intellectual property practitioners from around the world.

Lawdragon describes the honorees as lawyers who are "protecting innovation, defending brand integrity and leveraging the assets at the heart of their clients' businesses" amid a year shaped by trademark disputes, biotechnology patent challenges and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.

Hilgers' mainstays on the 2026 list are partners Mary Ann Novak of Lincoln, Theodore Kwong of Dallas and Jonathan Musch of St. Louis, along with senior counsel Sue O'Brien of Chicago.

“IP is a vital topic for businesses and entrepreneurs in every walk of life,” said Hilgers CEO Heather Hilgers. "This recognition reflects our team's commitment to helping clients protect the ideas, innovations and assets that drive their success."

The honor follows another active year for Hilgers' intellectual property practice. Earlier this year, firm attorneys helped secure the dismissal of trademark infringement claims against the National Football League and NFL Properties involving the Pro Football Hall of Fame's iconic "Gold Jacket," one of the most recognizable symbols in professional sports.

Ms. Novak and Ms. O’Brien both were recognized for IP litigation, trademark and patent litigation work.

Ms. Novak, who chairs the firm’s trademark practice group, conducts trademark clearance searches and prosecutes trademark applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and regularly appears before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Mr. Kwong, who was recognized for patent and trademark litigation work, augments his legal skills with technical knowledge gained through his University of Arizona degree in molecular and cellular biology.

Mr. Musch, who was honored for his work on IP, trademark, patent and trade secret cases, regularly litigates matters throughout the country and has also appeared before administrative boards, including the Patent Trial and Appeals Board, Trademark Trial and Appeals Board and International Trade Commission.

Ms. O’Brien has handled cases involving pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical devices, biologics, software and mechanical devices in federal district and appeals courts and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

Hilgers PLLC is a nationwide law firm with elite legal talent specializing in complex commercial and IP litigation, government investigations, reputation protection, discovery counsel, corporate and trademark services.