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
