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Tom Friel has 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer specializing in intellectual property matters, in particular licensing, patent, antitrust, trade secret, trademark, copyright, , and other complex cases. He has tried many cases in courts across the United States, in the ITC, and in commercial arbitrations, representing companies from all over the world, universities, and inventors.  He has handled hundreds of patent, trade secret, licensing (including licensing audits), and trademark disputes.  The scope of his practice covers a broad range, from technology, electronics, software, gaming, semiconductors (design, fabrication, and packaging), industrial equipment, and transportation to agriculture, life sciences, medical devices, and drugs.  He has represented clients in federal and state court litigations, judicial and private arbitrations, International Trade Commission (ITC) investigations, and mediations.

Tom has extensive experience in trade secret matters.  He also has extensive experience with copyright matters in the technology industry involving databases, software, and other works. He also has experience with trademark and trade dress matters including invalidating the “386” trademark for microprocessors. He is experienced representing clients in indemnity issues and insurance issues relating to intellectual property.

Tom speaks frequently on patent issues.  He served on the Advisory Committee for the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, a research center at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and has spoken at its events.  He has served on the faculty of the Advanced Patent Law Institute,  as well as the annual Rocky Mountain Intellectual Property & Technology Institute. He has been ranked Chambers USALegal 500Managing Intellectual Property since 2008, is named an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property, has been recognized for many years in editions of  The Best Lawyers in America, and is named among the “Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California” by the Daily Journal.  He has been recognized as a leading lawyer in his practice areas by IAM Patent 1000Super Lawyers, and Euro Money.

Prior to joining King & Spalding, Tom was a partner at Cooley LLP where he was a partner and former chair of the intellectual property litigation practice.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, cum laude

B.G.S., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Magna Cum Laude

California

American Bar Association

International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association

Santa Clara County Bar Association

The Bar Association of San Francisco

Listed, Best Lawyers USA 2023 - Litigation: IP, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law


BEST LAWYERS USA

Listed, Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California


Daily Journal

Recognized, IP Star


Managing Intellectual Property

Listed, Patent Litigation


Legal 500

Listed, IP Litigation


Chambers USA

Recognized, Leading Patent Lawyer


IAM Patent 1000

Listed, Patent Litigation


Best Lawyers in America

Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyer


Super Lawyers

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Lawyers: Intellectual Property


Euromoney

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Patent Law Experts


Euromoney

Close

Recognition

Listed, Best Lawyers USA 2023 - Litigation: IP, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law


BEST LAWYERS USA

Listed, Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California


Daily Journal

Recognized, IP Star


Managing Intellectual Property

Listed, Patent Litigation


Legal 500

Listed, IP Litigation


Chambers USA

Recognized, Leading Patent Lawyer


IAM Patent 1000

Listed, Patent Litigation


Best Lawyers in America

Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyer


Super Lawyers

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Lawyers: Intellectual Property


Euromoney

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Patent Law Experts


Euromoney

Credentials

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, cum laude

B.G.S., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Magna Cum Laude

California

American Bar Association

International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association

Santa Clara County Bar Association

The Bar Association of San Francisco

Listed, Best Lawyers USA 2023 - Litigation: IP, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law


BEST LAWYERS USA

Listed, Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California


Daily Journal

Recognized, IP Star


Managing Intellectual Property

Listed, Patent Litigation


Legal 500

Listed, IP Litigation


Chambers USA

Recognized, Leading Patent Lawyer


IAM Patent 1000

Listed, Patent Litigation


Best Lawyers in America

Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyer


Super Lawyers

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Lawyers: Intellectual Property


Euromoney

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Patent Law Experts


Euromoney

Close

Recognition

Listed, Best Lawyers USA 2023 - Litigation: IP, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law


BEST LAWYERS USA

Listed, Top 75 Intellectual Property Litigators in California


Daily Journal

Recognized, IP Star


Managing Intellectual Property

Listed, Patent Litigation


Legal 500

Listed, IP Litigation


Chambers USA

Recognized, Leading Patent Lawyer


IAM Patent 1000

Listed, Patent Litigation


Best Lawyers in America

Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyer


Super Lawyers

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Lawyers: Intellectual Property


Euromoney

Listed, Guide to Leading U.S. Patent Law Experts


Euromoney