Tom Hipkins Email & Phone Number

Tom is the Chair of Fredrikson & Byron’s Patents Group. He helps technology-driven clients minimize patent infringement risk by developing noninfringement and invalidity positions with respect to their competitors’ patents, while also helping protect and leverage their own technology.Tom's clients come to him with complex freedom-to-operate issues. He works with them to stake out noninfringement and/or invalidity positions. When circumstances warrant, Tom documents those positions in clear, concise written opinions.Tom also helps protect his clients’ technology by drafting and prosecuting patent applications. His clients value his detailed understanding of their machines, mechanical and electro-mechanical devices (especially medical devices), software, and manufacturing processes, as well as his skillful approach to working with patent examiners to move applications through to allowance.When Tom's clients want to leverage their patents, he assesses the likelihood of the relevant competitor’s product or process being covered by the client’s patents and then helps devise and implement an enforcement strategy.Tom enjoys working closely with his clients to formulate comprehensive 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.