Tom Briggs' practice focuses on commercial transactions where intellectual property, technology, information, and knowledge or other intangible assets are a significant factor. He has particular experience in licenses, joint development, strategic alliances, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and settlement agreements. Tom is co-leader of the Licensing & Technology Transactions services of the Firm's IP Practice.
Tom negotiates and drafts agreements involving the transfer, use, and sharing of intellectual property, including agreements relating to research, development, licensing, clinical trials, confidentiality, noncompetition, consulting, assignment, supply, manufacturing, outsourcing, sales agency, strategic alliance, joint venture, and information technology. He also oversees and evaluates due diligence relating to the acquisition or licensing of technology and intellectual property. Tom has developed particularly effective methods for assisting clients in establishing formal, global intellectual property management programs; he also audits clients' existing property management programs and conducts seminars on IP and technology transaction subjects in public and private settings, including for legal education credits.
Tom serves clients in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, renewable energy, semiconductors, software, steel, and chemicals. These clients include Allergan, Athersys, Bayer, Bunge, Celgene, Genomatica, Harris, IGT, Koch Industries, Kyocera, Merial, Nielsen, and P&G.
In helping clients with their technology transactions, Tom draws upon a rare combination of work experiences. He is a patent lawyer who has litigated cases involving infringement, misappropriation, and noncompetition and has prosecuted patent and trademark registrations. He has served as chief intellectual property officer and assistant general counsel of M.A. Hanna Company (now PolyOne Corporation). He also spent ten years as a practicing chemical engineer and plant supervisor with Union Carbide/Praxair before his career as a lawyer.
