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Thomas J. Connelly, Attorney
Appleton, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 831-0100
Fax: (920) 831-0101
Email: tconnelly@wilhelmlaw.com
Thomas Connelly joined our firm
in February, 2007 after 19 years with Kimberly-Clark
Corporation. During that time, Tom drafted and prosecuted U.S.
and foreign patent applications in the mechanical and chemical arts.
His primary focus was on various types of absorbent products, the machines
and processes used to make such products, chemical compositions, as well
as business method patents.
Tom also handled seven European Opposition proceedings
before the European Patent Office in Munich. Germany. Tom also drafted
multiple non-infringement opinions, various agreements, was involved
in several litigations, drafted and negotiated several licensing agreements,
mentored new patent attorneys, served as a team leader and was Chairman
of several in-house patent committees.
Before joining Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Tom worked for over 3 years
at Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) in Pittsburgh, PA. During that
time, Tom drafted and prosecuted U.S. and foreign
patents on inventions coming out of the Packaging Products Division. Tom also negotiated and
drafted several Licensing Agreements and handled a major Interference
Proceeding before the United States Patent & Trademark Office. A
U.S. Interference proceeding determines who is the rightful owner of
a U.S. patent. ALOCA won this Interference against another major U.S.
corporation. Tom also was involved in assessing and valuing the Intellectual
Property Rights associated with the purchase of a business and the sale
of several small businesses by ALCOA.
Before working for ALCOA, Tom worked for 5 1/2 years at Deere &
Company, the agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer in
Moline, Illinois. Tom was the primary patent attorney for the Engine
and Large Tractor Divisions. During this time, Tom
drafted and filed over 100 U.S. patent applications directed
to the design of engines, engine components, hydraulic systems, steering
systems, power takeoff's, transmissions, etc. Tom also drafted a number
of Confidentiality Agreements, Purchase Agreements, Consulting Agreements,
Non-infringement opinions and helped out on a patent litigation and
antitrust law suit in Federal Court. Tom also assisted another in-house
patent attorney in doing trademarks. During Tom's employment at Deere & Company,
Tom completed his thesis and received his Master in Law degree
in Intellectual Property.
Tom started his patent law career with the Standard Oil Company of Indiana
(Amoco) which has since merged with British Petroleum (BP). Tom spent
a major portion of his first two years in patent
litigation doing everything
from document discovery, drafting motions, taking depositions, attending
court proceeding, etc. Tom also honed his craft in drafting and prosecuting
a number of patent applications relating to oil refinery and petroleum
processes. These included alkylation to make high-octane fuels, sulfonation,
and catalytic cracking to refine gasoline. Also during his 3 plus years
at Amoco, Tom argued several patent application cases before the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office's Board of Patent Appeals & Interference.
Since joining our firm, Tom has drafted and prosecuted several patent
applications dealing with various mechanical devices, has handled all
of our trademark work, and has handled a couple of copyrights matters.
Tom has also successfully defended one of our clients in a trademark
infringement action and is now representing another client who is the
plaintiff in a trademark action.
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