Thomas J. Connelly - Wisconsin Intellectual Property Attorney

Thomas J. Connelly

Appleton, Wisconsin

Phone: (920) 831-0100

Fax: (920) 831-0101

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thomas Connelly joined Wilhelm Law Firm in Appleton, Wisconsin in February, 2007 after 19 years with Kimberly-Clark Corporation. While with Kimberly-Clark, Attorney Connelly During that time, Tom drafted and prosecuted U.S. and foreign patent applications in the mechanical, fiber 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 Connelly also handled several 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 Connelly 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 take-off's, transmissions, and the like. Tom also drafted a number of Confidentiality Agreements, Purchase Agreements, Consulting Agreements, and 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 Wilhelm Law, Tom has drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications dealing with various mechanical devices, has handled trademark work, and has handled some copyright matters. Tom has also successfully defended a client in a trademark infringement action and has represented another client as the plaintiff in a trademark action.