Introduction

Phil joined Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Group in 1992, after serving for 10 years in 3M’s Office of Intellectual Property Counsel. He holds a B.S. in Biochemistry, an M.S. in Microbiology, has completed pre-doctoral work in Radiation and Molecular Biology, and has worked as a research biochemist.

Phil's intellectual property experience includes all aspects of U.S. and international work relating to the health, animal, and agricultural industries, with a particular focus on biomedical devices and biologics. He is also active in the firm’s technology transfer and intellectual property litigation, and university technology management.

Phil is particularly interested in helping new and early stage high tech start up companies develop their intellectual property position and strategy, and access the funding, that they need to survive and progress.

In a related manner, Phil seeks to provide sophisticated intellectual property protection at a budget that reflects his clients’ priorities and funding capabilities, including where possible, to provide ‘creative billing’ strategies that permit costs to be controlled so as to not place an undue burden on early stage or start up efforts.

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., cum laude
• University of Wisconsin, Pre-doctoral studies, Radiation Biology, Minor in Molecular Biology
• Colorado State University, M.S., Microbiology
• University of Wisconsin, B.S., Biochemistry

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property
• Patents
• Food, Drug & Medical Device Regulation
• Bioscience & Chemical Technology
• Life Sciences

Representative Experience

Patent Preparation and Prosecution

• Phil has handled an array of patents and applications, on a global basis, and in diverse technology areas, working with partner law firms abroad in a reciprocal manner, in order to protect our clients’ inventions around the world, and to help them protect their clients’ inventions here.

Transactional

• He is involved in all aspects of tech transfer, including joint development and sponsored research, licensing in and out, and assignment matters, dealing with inventor and owner disputes, and developing corresponding tech transfer agreements and strategies.

Litigation

• Phil works closely with the firm’s IP litigators to enforce rights and defend clients against challenge.

Pro Bono

• Phil served as a volunteer to Minnesota Project Innovation, including as a speaker on topic of IP rights under government funding (including SBIR funding), and as a member of its Minnesota Seed Capital Network, reviewing new business plans and presentations of start-up companies, in order to provide feedback and support on their path toward seeking government and other forms of early stage funding.
• Phil has been a constant and dependable resource of pro bono activities in the state, ever since his time at 3M, where he served as liaison between its legal department and the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), to today, where he serves as a resource for MEDA and its clients, as well as other pro bono causes.

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “Algae Blooms at the Patent Office,” co-authored with Todd Taylor, FredNEWS: Energy, February 2009
• “Algae Bloom at the Patent Office,” co-authored with Todd Taylor, Biomass Magazine, February 2009
• “Inventor Rights to Government Funded Inventions,” Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Focus Newsletter, June 2007
• Speaker, 5th Annual LifeScience Alley Conference and Expo, St. Paul, Minnesota, December 6, 2006
• “Patent Pending,” Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Focus Newsletter, co-authored with Elisabeth Lacy Belden, July 2006

Professional Activities

• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association (past President)
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• LifeScience Alley
• Association of University Technology Managers
• University of Minnesota Law School - Joint Degree Program (past Advisory Board Member)

Prior Experience

• 3M, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1981-1992, Intellectual Property Counsel
• Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1978-1981, Research Biochemist
• Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, 1978, Research Biochemist

Honors & Distinctions

• “MEDA Volunteer of the Year 2008,” Metropolitan Economic Development Association
• Volunteer of the Year, Mount Zion Temple

Community Involvement

• Mount Zion Temple, Past President, current Board Member
• United Jewish Fund and Council, Men’s Division Chair