Introduction

Tom is a shareholder in Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Group. He focuses on drafting and prosecuting patents related to machines, devices, equipment, and manufacturing processes, as well as the corresponding software and controls. Many of his clients are in the green technology, medical device, and aerospace/defense industries. Tom also leverages his experience as an intellectual property litigator to support the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group.

Tom works closely with his clients to formulate patent strategies that best advance their business objectives. His clients view him as a trusted counselor and appreciate his creativity and knowledge of the law in dealing with their wide variety of issues.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2003, magna cum laude
  - Minnesota Law Review, Managing Editor
• Minnesota State University, Mankato, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2000, cum laude

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property
• Patents
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• IP Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Strategic Assessments
• Emerging Business
• Life Sciences
• Energy
• Renewable Energy
• Clean Technology

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “Intellectual Property/Technology Transfer/Technology Commercialization,” 2010 South Dakota Biotech Association Summit, South Dakota State University, October 26, 2010
• “IP Strategies in Moving from the Bench Toward Commercialization,” 2010 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop, St. Louis, June 15, 2010
• “USPTO Fast Tracks Green Patent Applications,” co-authored with Adonis Neblett, FredALERT: Cleantech, December 11, 2009
• Moderator, Next Generation Biorefining Technologies, International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), June 2009
• Moderator, Cellulosic Ethanol, Advanced Biofuels Workshop, June 2009
• “Key Cleantech Players Oppose Patent Reform Legislation,” co-authored with Mia Mendoza, FredALERT: Cleantech, March 13, 2009
• “Obtaining and Enforcing Intellectual Property,” 2008 Advanced Biofuels Workshop, Minneapolis, September 30, 2008
• “Don’t Underestimate the Value of Your Point-of-Purchase Displays,” co-authored with Dean R. Karau, Fredrikson & Byron’s Trademark Topics^SM, December 2007
• “Opinions of Patent Counsel as a Defense to Active Inducement Claims,” Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Focus Newsletter, June 2007
• “U.S. Patent Law Implications of: Transnational Production,” Fredrikson & Byron’s Intellectual Property Focus Newsletter, co-authored with Adonis Neblett, July 2006
• A Rebuttable Presumption of Dedication: Protecting the Hard-Luck Patentee from Johnson & Johnston's Dedication Rule, 87 Minn. L. Rev. 779 (2003)

Professional Activities

• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Minnesota American Indian Bar Association
• Defense Alliance of Minnesota

Community Involvement

• Liberty Classical Academy, Board Member
• Twin Cities Christian Legal Aid