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T.  Patrick Johnson photo

With a decade of experience in mechanical engineering, Patrick brings a wealth of technical and practical experience to his clients' intellectual property strategy. His real-world design know-how enables him to get up to speed on his clients' technology very quickly—and, as importantly, understand the practical limitations of building and implementing inventive ideas. He uses these skills to write patent applications and counsel clients on strategies for moving within their markets at the highest level.

Patrick practices general intellectual property law with an emphasis on patent prosecution. In his ten-year career as a mechanical engineer, most recently with Karges-Faulconbridge Inc., Patrick managed the company's small patent portfolio and acted as the representative for coordinating IP activities with outside counsel. As a registered professional engineer, Patrick also specialized in the design of hydronic systems for large-scale facilities, the specification of building automation systems, and the development of detailed life cycle cost analyses for complex mechanical and electrical systems.

Patrick serves on the library committee at Merchant & Gould, and he does pro bono family law through the Volunteer Lawyers Network. He is a rower who works out to relax when he's not keeping up with his three young children.

  • William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2008,

    magna cum laude

  • University of Tulsa, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1996
  • Minnesota State Bar, 2008

Minnesota Professional Engineer – Mechanical

American Intellectual Property Law Association
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE) – Full Member
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) – Full Member

CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (highest scoring student in class) for Licensing, Comparative and International Patent Law, and Patent Prosecution