Tom has 30+ years of experience in all aspects of intellectual property law. Tom is the Managing Partner of the Firm, and concentrates his practice on pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and life science patent prosecution and opinion work. Tom places special emphasis on strategic development and management of IP portfolios, and evaluation of IP rights. He represents many of the top businesses and institutions in the region, including Biomet, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Indiana University, Purdue University, and Roche Diagnostics, Inc.
Tom is active in the legal field and in the community. He has been President of the Indianapolis Bar Association, and has served on the boards of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indiana State and Indianapolis Bar Foundations. Tom is a past President of the Board of Alumni of the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, and is a recipient of its Distinguished Alumni Award. Tom has also chaired the boards of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Indiana, Inc. and the American Pianists Association and has served on the boards of numerous other charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
EDUCATION:
- Purdue University
B.S. Chemical Engineering, cum laude, 1972
- Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis
J.D., magna cum laude, 1975
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- Missouri (pro hac vice)
- Colorado (pro hac vice)
- Indiana, 1975
- U.S. Patent Bar, 1976
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE:
Tom focuses particularly on strategic development and management of IP portfolios with special emphasis on business-focused legal advice. Tom has a significant practice in evaluating IP coverage, protecting core IP assets, handling Hatch-Waxman cases, domestic and international patent prosecution, and preparing infringement, noninfringement, freedom to operate, and validity opinions.
Tom’s clients include major pharmaceutical, health science and medical device companies, educational institutions, and retail businesses, as well as small start-up companies. He has also acquired extensive trademark experience while managing trademark portfolios comprising thousands of marks worldwide.
Tom has represented a diverse clientele including: Biomet, Inc., IU Health, Eli Lilly and Company, Great Lakes Chemical Company, Indiana University, Purdue University, Resort Condominiums International, Inc., Roche Diagnostics, Inc., and Steak & Shake, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Indiana State Bar Association (Board of Managers; Chair IP Law Section)
Indianapolis Bar Association (President; Board of Governors; Chair IP Law Section)
Board of Alumni of the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis (President)
Indiana State Bar Foundation (Board)
Indianapolis Bar Foundation (Board)
PUBLICATIONS:
Tom is the author of the book “Overview of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Trade Secrets in the Business Setting, A Reference Guide for the Indiana Employer,” published by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Tom has written numerous publications for a column in the Indiana Lawyers entitled “Intellectual Property Law”, including: “A Primer on Copyrights, Parts I and II”, “Administering Trade Secrets in a Business”, “Intellectual Property Rights and the Internet”, “Strategic IP Processes”, ”Key Patent Deadlines”, and “The Cost of Intellectual Property Protection”.
PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
Adjunct Professor of Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law at the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis (22 years)
Chair, Midwestern Biotech Intellectual Property Law Symposium
“Developments in Intellectual Property Law”, Annual Year in Review program of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum
Testified in District Court for the ND of Indiana as an Expert Witness in Patent Law
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Indianapolis Zoological Society (Board)
United Way of Central Indiana (Resource Committee)
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Indiana, Inc. (Board Chair)American Pianists Association (Board Chair)
Indy Jazz Festival (Event Chair)
Indianapolis Air Show (Development Chair)
Zoobilation (Event Chair)
AWARDS/HONORS:
2015 US News & World Report "Patent Lawyer of the Year" for the Indianapolis Region
Indiana “Super Lawyer” 2004-2017
Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis
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