Miller Johnson Welcomes IP Litigation Powerhouse Irwin IP

Strategic move expands leading IP Litigation practice, grows Chicago presence

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miller Johnson is pleased to announce it is merging with Irwin IP LLP, a highly-successful Chicago-based firm specializing in mission-critical intellectual property and technology litigation. Irwin IP serves a diverse client base, including Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, enforcing and protecting intellectual property portfolios, and ensuring clients’ product lines remain secure.

This strategic combination further establishes Miller Johnson’s national IP Litigation practice, as the addition of 25 team members allows the firm to collectively better serve clients as they grow. Miller Johnson now has one of the largest IP Litigation practices of any Michigan-based firm. The expansion creates a firm with 178 attorneys and 270 total team members, continuing Miller Johnson’s trend as one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing midsize law firms.

“We are honored to have Irwin IP join our firm. They are dynamic, thoughtful people who share our commitment to excellence in serving clients and communities,” said David Buday, Managing Member of Miller Johnson.

“Joining forces is a tremendous opportunity,” said Jason Keener, Managing Partner of Irwin IP LLP, and now Managing Member, Chicago office, of Miller Johnson. “Our combined strengths provide unparalleled service to those that trust us with their legal needs. We are eager to collaborate as a full-service talented team. Together, we will continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and teamwork in our representation of clients.”

“Barry Irwin has been recognized as one of the nation’s top intellectual property litigators,” said Keener. “He built Irwin IP from the ground up into one of Chicago’s premier IP litigation boutiques. Joining forces with Miller Johnson marks a natural evolution of what Barry built—combining our deep IP expertise with Miller Johnson's broad platform to deliver even greater value to clients. It’s an exciting new chapter for both firms.”

By integrating a team with expertise in IP Litigation, Miller Johnson deepens its proficiency and broadens the services available to clients across various industries. The move comes as Miller Johnson has expanded significantly over the last 3 years across Michigan and into Illinois and Ohio. Irwin IP’s full firm is joining Miller Johnson via the move.

“Irwin IP’s quality and experience complements our general practice model, making us even better positioned to support businesses at every stage of growth,” said Buday. “Adding to our existing Patent, Trademark, and IP Litigation work underscores the fact that we are developing significant depth in an emerging practice of the firm.”

Beyond skills and capabilities, Miller Johnson and Irwin IP share cultural similarities, including a deep commitment to pro bono and community service. Irwin IP has established partnerships and provided financial support and legal assistance to many organizations whose mission matches theirs, aligning closely to Miller Johnson’s award-winning MJ Action initiatives.

About Miller Johnson: Since 1959, Miller Johnson has been Michigan-based and has served clients worldwide as a full-service law firm providing counsel to businesses and individuals in corporate matters including mergers & acquisitions, employment and labor law, litigation, medical recovery, intellectual property, real estate, employee benefits, immigration, education law, and private client representation.

For more information, please contact: Lance Hartman, Director of Communications and Brand, Miller Johnson, 616.831.1861, hartmanl@millerjohnson.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: Link 1, Link 2