Friedman Law Group, LTD.

Andrea E. Friedman

Andrea E. Friedman’s principal practice is marketing law. Her expertise covers advertising, public relations, trade practice, sweepstakes and promotions in traditional, electronic and “new” media and event, sponsorship and other entertainment marketing contexts. Her practice areas encompass the marketing-related aspects of privacy, publicity, trademark and copyright law as well as such marketing practices as deceptive pricing, packaging and labeling. She counsels clients with respect to the state laws governing popular marketing devices including gift cards, reward programs and rebates.

In addition, Ms. Friedman drafts and negotiates relevant contracts for a variety of advertising and marketing arrangements, including celebrity talent deals, sponsorship and co-promotion agreements, media agreements, and licensing agreements.

Ms. Friedman represents companies in disputes and regulatory matters involving advertising and marketing issues, including the broadcast networks, the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (NAD) and trademark matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She has served on trial teams in U.S. Federal and state court litigation on various matters of marketing and trademark law.

Ms. Friedman is recognized as a leading lawyer in the fields of Advertising and Media Law, Arts Entertainment and Sports Law, and Intellectual Property Law.

Past Experience

Ms. Friedman was a founding partner of the Chicago office of Hall Dickler Kent Goldstein & Wood, a partner at Schiff Hardin and Associate General Counsel for Marketing Practices at Sears, Roebuck and Co. She began her advertising law career with True North Communications as counsel for its U.S. advertising, media, and promotions agencies. Immediately prior to establishing Friedman Law Group, Ms. Friedman’s practice was affiliated with the intellectual property and advertising boutique firm of Neal & McDevitt. Prior to specializing in advertising law, Ms. Friedman spent eight years practicing corporate law at Schiff Hardin.

Education

• JD - University of Chicago (1985)
• BS - University of Illinois (1979)

Melissa A. Brenner

Melissa A. Brenner currently focuses her practice on sweepstakes and promotions matters, as well as general advertising review and related contract matters. She also has experience in intellectual property, marketing communications, general corporate and entertainment law.

Past Experience

Ms. Brenner began her career in the Intellectual Property group at Winston & Strawn. She has been an Associate General Counsel at True North Communications and an Assistant General Counsel at Interpublic Group. Ms. Brenner has been working with Ms. Friedman since 2006 in the areas of sweepstakes and promotions law, as well as general advertising review and related research and contract matters.

While in law school, Ms. Brenner served as a student extern for the Federal Trade Commission.

Education

• JD - DePaul University College of Law, with honors (1994)
• BS - University of Illinois, with high honors (1991)

Tracey L. Fletcher

Tracey L. Fletcher's practice focuses on cause-marketing, privacy issues, web content and policies, environmental marketing, sponsorship and spokesperson agreements, and Client-Agency agreements. Ms. Fletcher also regularly handles general commercial transactions in the areas of marketing, public relations and advertising.

Past Experience

Ms. Fletcher's experience includes serving as General Counsel, VP, for Daniel J. Edelman, a global public relations company and Senior Assistant General Counsel at the American Hospital Association.

Education

• JD - University of Michigan, cum laude (1987)
• BA - University of Michigan, with distinction (1984)

Debra L. Hutchings

Debra L. Hutchings focuses her practice in the areas of marketing law, e-commerce, data privacy, trademark clearance and security management. Her expertise covers advertising and promotions in traditional and new media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, mobile, etc.). Ms. Hutchings reviews advertising and marketing materials for legal compliance, reviews marketing claims and associated claim substantiation, prepares domestic and international agreements, including those involving spokespersons, vendors, software, data, website privacy policies, consulting services, trademark and copyright licensing, purchase, sales and confidentiality.

Ms. Hutchings also counsels clients on how to meet their obligations under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, HIPAA security breach obligations, PCI Compliance, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its Red Flags Identity Theft Regulations as well as the over 40 state security breach and other requirements for the privacy and security of information. She is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Past Experience

Ms. Hutchings has previously held positions with Navistar, and most recently was an associate with Reed Smith, LLP.

While in law school, she also served as a Judicial Extern for the Federal Judge Ronald Guzman (Northern District of Illinois) and for Judge John Madden (Illinois Circuit Court, Cook: Chancery Div.)

Education

• JD - John Marshall Law School (2002)
• BA - North Central College (1992)

Yanina R. Winner

Nina R. Winner focuses her practice on consumer marketing law. Her practice includes reviewing advertisements for legal compliance; drafting rules for sweepstakes and skill contests for both traditional promotions and complex electronic and new media promotions; and drafting promotion, sponsorship, service and talent agreements. Ms. Winner also regularly advises clients on federal and state deceptive trade practice laws and regulations, as well as legal issues with respect to sweepstakes, Internet and consumer privacy.

Past Experience

Ms. Winner began her career as an associate in the Litigation Department at Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman and was later an associate in the Intellectual Property Department at DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary.

Education

• JD - Loyola University, dean's list; order of the coif (1996)
• BA - Washington University, with high honors (1993)