Laurel V. Dineff is a distinguished trademark attorney who has worked in this field for over twenty years.

A graduate of Occidental College, the American Graduate School of International Management and DePaul University's School of Law as well as its Graduate School of Business, Laurel has the capability of combining her knowledge of all areas of law and business to the benefit of clients.

Fluent in several languages, Laurel's relationships with foreign counsel have proven to be one of the firm's most unique aspects. Her understanding of working with co-counsel comes from her strong ties to her ethnic background as well as to the fact that she has had the opportunity to both live and work overseas. Laurel has spent over three years in Japan while studying International Business at Waseda University and Law at Tokyo University, both in Tokyo. She has been the recipient of a Rotary International Fellowship as well as a grant from Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

Laurel has been a featured speaker at several intellectual property forums and has engaged in team teaching international trademark law, bringing her knowledge and experience to others. She has co-authored an article in The Trademark Reporter on International Trademark Law.

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Linda Nowlin is an intellectual property practitioner with over twelve years experience in the legal field. She has worked for two Fortune 500 companies as in-house corporate counsel, responsible for their respective trademark portfolios.

As a trademark attorney at Dineff Trademark Law, Linda adds her experience of being a corporate counsel to the firm's make-up. Her understanding of the client, along with the client's needs and perspectives, have assisted the firm in providing comprehensive service to its corporate clients.

A graduate of the University of Illinois and 1991 graduate of the Law School at Loyola University in Chicago, Linda returned to Chicago in 1999 to join the firm from California where she still actively assists in the administration of one of the firm's clients with its in-house portfolio.

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R. Peter Spies is the firm's resident German attorney, having graduated with a law degree from the Rheinische-Fredrich-Wilhelms Universität in Bonn, Germany. Peter has also attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where he has earned his LL.M. in Intellectual Property with honors.

Peter is now admitted to the bar in the state of Michigan, as well as licensed before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Peter is a licensed practitioner in Germany, providing the firm with his expertise in European Community Trademark issues as well as individual country laws in Europe.

Prior to his association with the firm, Peter worked in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois. Peter has been a member of the firm since December 1998.

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Justin Young has been with Dineff Trademark Law since January 2000. He is licensed to practice law in Paraguay, as well as being admitted to the bar in the state of New York. He is also licensed before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

A graduate of the School of Law and Social Sciences of the National University in Asuncion, Paraguay, Justin has several years of intellectual property experience from his work with renowned firms there. In addition, Justin has earned a LL.M. in Comparative Legal Studies with a Concentration in Intellectual Property with Honors from John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

Justin's extensive experience in intellectual property law practice in South America has enabled him to provide the firm's clients with an insight that only is achieved by first-hand knowledge and exposure in the area. Without question, his practical experience has proven to be an invaluable asset to the firm.

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Jenny M. Cruz is an alumnus of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where she graduated at the top of her class. Being both a Member of Staff Editor of The John Marshall Law Review while there, Jenny is well prepared and able to use her writing abilities to address the issues of trademark law before the firm. Having worked with the office for numerous years, Jenny has been exposed to all aspects of international trademark law. From basic administrative matters to complex trademark matters, she is capable of using her experience to respond to the needs of our clients.