Brinks Hofer Lays Off Staff

Brinks Hofer, a boutique intellectual property firm, laid off 18 workers this week largely as the result of a still-sluggish economy.

According to legal tabloid Above The Law, which broke the news Wednesday, most of the layoffs occurred at the firm’s Chicago office. Brinks Hofer President Gary Ropski told ATL the layoffs equate to less than 5 percent of the firm’s 400-strong workforce.

“We want to make sure the firm is well-positioned for 2011, with the right resources in the right places,” Ropski said.

In addition to Chicago, Brinks Hofer has offices, in Morrisville, N.C., Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Ann Arbor and Washington D.C.