Thomas J. Nikolai

e-mail: tom.nikolai@nm-iplaw.com
direct: 612-392-7307

Tom graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1956, receiving a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree. While employed as a registered patent agent at Univac and at Minneapolis Honeywell, he attended William Mitchell College of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree cum laude. He was admitted to the State and Federal Bars in 1962 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He served as Manager of Sperry Univac’s Twin Cities Patent Operation. In 1977 he left corporate practice and entered into private practice. Mr. Nikolai has special expertise in complex electronic and computer systems and in the biomedical fields. He has frequently been called upon by his peers to serve as an “expert” in litigation involving patent related issues. Professional association memberships include the Dakota County Bar Association, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Intellectual Property Association (Secretary 1973, Vice President 1977 and President 1978) and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Current Employment Position(s):
President
Shareholder

Year Joined Organization:
1977

Areas of Practice:
Biotechnology Patent Prosecution
Computers and Software
Computer and Software Patent Prosecution
Copyrights
Electrical Patent Prosecution
Intellectual Property Law
IP Licensing
Mechanical Patent Prosecution
Patent Prosecution
Patentability and Right-to-Make Opinions
Trade Secrets
Trademark Opinions
Trademark Registration
Unfair Competition

Certification/Specialties:
Patent Law, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Bar Admissions:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1958
Minnesota, 1962
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1962
U. S. Court of Claims, 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, 1982

Education:
William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1962
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1956
B.S.
Major: Electrical Engineering

University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1952
Major: Pre-Engineering

Past Employment Positions:
Sperry Corporation (Unisys), Manager of Western Patent Operations, 1964 - 1977

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, 1959 - Present

Dakota County Bar Association, 1995-Present

Minnesota Bar Association, 1977 - Present

American Intellectual Property Law Association, 1977-Present

Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, 1973
Secretary

Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, 1977
Vice President

Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, 1978
President