Brandon Helms has more than 15 years of experience as an attorney in government and private practice. He has first- and second-chaired multiple jury and bench trials and has experience with a wide range of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and biomedical sciences.
Prior to joining AddyHart P.C., Helms served for eight years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, where he investigated and prosecuted complex health care fraud, immigration fraud, and white-collar crime cases such as bank fraud involving U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and grants. He also investigated, negotiated, and litigated cases under the False Claims Act and defended federal agencies and employees in civil suits alleging excessive force, medical malpractice, and employment discrimination. During his tenure, Helms first-chaired three multiple-week jury trials, drafted appellate briefs, and argued at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Before joining the DOJ, Helms spent three years as a senior associate at AmLaw 100 firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP in Chicago, where he first-chaired and second-chaired multiple jury and bench trials in federal court; litigated patent infringement actions involving semiconductor technology; litigated Hatch-Waxman (ANDA) cases on behalf of generic drug companies; drafted discovery documents, motions, and briefs through all phases of district court and appellate litigation; and took and defended depositions of fact and expert witnesses.
Helms began his legal career at intellectual property law firm Brinks Gilson & Lione (now Crowell & Moring), first as a summer associate and then for four years as an associate. He represented companies in patent infringement cases, particularly generic drug companies in Hatch-Waxman lawsuits, and prepared, filed, and prosecuted utility and design patent applications.
Throughout his career, Helms has prioritized pro bono service. At Steptoe, he initiated the firm’s involvement with the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. He has also represented pro bono clients in Title VII discrimination lawsuits. Helms earned his J.D. at DePaul University College of Law, where he was an associate editor of the DePaul Law Review. He earned a B.A. in chemistry from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He works in our Chicago office.
