Thomas J. Ring

Thomas Ring is a founding partner and Team Leader of the patent practice of the Intellectual Property Department of Wildman Harrold. With over 25 years of experience representing both international corporations as well as start-ups in numerous patent matters, Tom has built a stellar reputation as a sophisticated patent strategist and counselor who is well versed in a wide variety of technologies.

During his career, Tom has been designing both offensive and defensive patent strategies for patent prosecution and litigation matters on behalf of his numerous corporate clients. His experience spans all the significant stages of litigation, including, early initial due diligence, claim construction, infringement, validity, damages, and appeal.

Tom has represented various industry leaders, Fortune 500 companies and franchises in sophisticated patent matters including preparing, developing and prosecuting the client’s entire patent portfolio from the ground up, which resulted in a substantial eight figure purchase of those assets by a competitor; handling intellectual property litigation that resulted in the plaintiff-client receiving one of the largest jury verdict punitive damage awards at that time; and successfully conducting interference proceedings instigated in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by one of the client’s fiercest competitors.

In addition, Tom is a respected counselor regarding preventative measures that can be taken to insulate the client from unfriendly patents. He often counsels clients on how to optimize their patent portfolios and reduce risk. He also has in-depth experience in clearing products for market, designing around certain problematic patent(s), invalidating potentially threatening patents, as well as drafting non-infringement and/or invalidity opinions to thwart off accusations of willfulness.

In his years of experience, Tom has not only marshaled numerous patent applications through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office USPTO to issuance, but has represented them in strategic administrative ex parte and inter parte proceedings. His work has involved a wide variety of technologies including, for example, automotive components, tools, house ware products, mass transit equipment, telecommunication devices, heating and ventilation systems and controls, network cable management, mining products, medical devices, ballistic resistant materials and devices, waste water treatment processes and devices, aircraft propulsion and structural components, and hydraulic pumps.

Professional Associations:

Illinois State Bar Association

American Intellectual Property Law Association

Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago

Tau Beta Pi

Phi Eta Sigma

Chi Epsilon

Bar Admissions:

Illinois 1978

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar member)

U.S. Court of Appeals of the Seventh Circuit

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Registered to Practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

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