Tom is an intellectual property attorney who regularly counsels clients on patent and trademark prosecution, IP litigation, and post-grant patent challenges before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). His practice reflects a balance of strategic portfolio development and dispute-driven risk assessment, uniquely blending transactional work with intellectual property litigation. This integrated approach enables him to advise clients with a practical, end‑to‑end perspective on how patents are drafted, challenged, defended, and ultimately leveraged as business assets.
A key strength of Tom’s practice is the way his litigation experience informs his prosecution strategy. Drawing on substantial experience litigating patent and trade secret matters, he approaches patent drafting and prosecution with a clear understanding of how to describe and claim his clients’ inventions based on the current legal landscape. Clients rely on this dual perspective to help build stronger, more defensible patent portfolios aligned with long‑term commercial goals.
Tom’s experience includes drafting invalidity opinions, conducting freedom‑to‑operate analyses, advising on strategic portfolio management, and leading intellectual property due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions. His broad technical background spans pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and medical device inventions, enabling him to collaborate seamlessly with in‑house teams, researchers, and inventors across disciplines. Tom is also at the forefront of counseling clients on the use and protection of artificial intelligence (AI) inventions. He is credentialed in Generative AI through Microsoft and obtained an Applied Generative AI Specialization from Purdue University in 2026.
Before entering the legal profession, Tom built a career as a pharmacologist in the Advanced Technology Division of Abbott Laboratories, where he focused on identifying safe and efficacious drug candidates. His leadership and research contributions were recognized with Abbott’s Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development Award for Leadership. He also conducted chemical and biological research at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, with work spanning organometallic catalysis, electrophysiology, evolutionary developmental biology, and genetics. This scientific foundation enables Tom to assess complex technologies and develop clear legal strategies to protect critical technology. Tom is a published author in both scientific and legal arenas. His peer‑reviewed scientific publications include multiple articles in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. He has also been published in the National Law Journal and has coauthored chapters in the American Bar Association’s ANDA Litigation and Pre‑ANDA Litigation publications.
Beyond his client work, Tom remains committed to pro bono service, representing clients through organizations such as Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Equip for Equality. His contributions to the profession have been consistently recognized by peer and industry groups for his work in patent law.
