Tom Gemmell is an experienced intellectual property and business litigator. His practice is national in scope and he represents clients across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on medical devices, health care, aviation, transportation and manufacturing. Tom is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars on intellectual property and machine-made systems.

Tom has jury and bench tried cases in federal and state courts nationwide and, as a former fighter pilot, brings a mission-oriented focus in the courtroom to the advantage of his industry clients. Tom’s victories on behalf of clients include:

  • Jury verdict for leading health care provider in $780 million patent infringement lawsuit
  • Summary judgment for distributor of building products on $380 million false advertising claim
  • Summary judgment on direct infringement for industrial solutions provider in multi-million dollar patent infringement lawsuit
  • Arbitration award for tracking technologies company on multi-million dollar claim for breach of patent licensing agreement
  • Arbitration award for global energy producer on theft of trade secrets claim

Tom’s clients have included, among others: General Motors Co.; United Airlines, Inc.; Cardinal Health, Inc.; Guardian Industries; Gogo, Inc.; Zebra Technologies Corp.; Crate & Barrel; XSport Fitness; Jack in the Box, Inc.

Education

  • University of Colorado (B.A., 1984)
    • Distinguished Graduate, Dean's List; Phi Beta Kappa
  • Stanford Law School (J.D., 1995)
    • Managing Editor, Stanford Journal of Law, Business and Finance; Editor, Stanford Journal of International Law

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 1995

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar, 2012
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1995
  • State of Illinois, 1995
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2000
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2006
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, 2009
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2012
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 2014
  • State of Missouri, 2014
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2017

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • ABA, Section of Science & Technology Law: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Committee
    • Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
    • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Advisory Network
    • Stanford Law Alumni Association

    Civic Organizations

    • Stanford University Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Applicant Interviewer (OVAL)
    • Northwestern University Office of Fellowships, Truman Scholarship Committee
    • 1st Fighter Association 
    • American Legion

    Military Awards

    • Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster)
    • Air Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)
    • Aerial Achievement Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)
    • Air Force Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster)
    • Southwest Asia Service Medal (with two bronze stars)

    Recognition

    • Named "Illinois Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation, 2022-2026
    • Named "Leading Lawyer" by Leading Lawyer and Leading Lawyer Magazine, 2022
    • Recognized, Crain's Chicago Business, Notable Veteran Executive, 2021-2022