Foley announced today that Eley Thompson has joined the firm’s Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Litigation Practices as a partner in its Chicago office.
Thompson’s practice focuses on a wide variety of intellectual property areas, including patent and trademark prosecution, protecting trade secrets and litigation. He strategically counsels multi-national corporations and Fortune 500 companies, using his electrical engineering background to troubleshoot complex intellectual property and technology matters. Thompson’s experience spans an array of technologies, including high-tech mobile, software and internet systems, polymer chemistry in relation to industrial and consumer products, video game systems, gene sequencing devices and manufacturing technologies.
“Eley’s wealth of experience as a patent strategist covering prosecution and litigation, trade secret and trademark matters will add significant depth to our established bench of IP attorneys,” said Pavan Agarwal, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice. “His capabilities will add value to our clients across the country and internationally.”
Thompson has more than 23 years of experience with complex patent and trade secret issues, which has yielded more than $100 million in recoveries. He litigated fundamental patents establishing the video game industry, representing an inventor who has since been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Thompson also regularly counsels clients with large intellectual property portfolios of more than 1,000 active applications and patents.
“Eley’s electrical engineering background brings a unique perspective that will benefit our clients and add a new perspective to our team,” said Myles Berman, managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office.
Thompson currently serves as vice chair of the Intellectual Property Owners Association’s Litigation Committee. He is a recognized speaker and educator, and has been an invited guest of the White House and United States Patent and Trademark Office to discuss intellectual property issues. He joins Foley from Leydig, Voit & Mayer in Chicago.
