Share This Article

Facebooktwitterlinkedin

Davis|Kuelthau Adds Northwind IP Law Team, Expanding Service in Fox Valley with an Appleton Office

September 15, 2020

APPLETON, GREEN BAY, MILWAUKEE, WI — Davis|Kuelthau, s.c. announced today that the attorneys of Northwind IP Law, S.C., formerly Wilhelm Law, will join Davis|Kuelthau on September 30, 2020. The addition of these colleagues reflects Davis|Kuelthau’s long-standing commitment to the Fox Valley region and further serves as an opportunity for our Appleton-resident and other native attorneys to better serve our local clientele.

For over 30 years, Northwind IP Law has served entrepreneurs, inventors, and manufacturers that need to protect their inventions and other intellectual creativity. Northwind IP Law has served clients throughout the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin region in innovative areas such as agricultural and construction equipment, chemical products, food, medical devices, multilayered polymer films, optical devices, packaging, paper products, petroleum, and software applications. Attorneys Stephen C. Jensen and Thomas J. Connelly have over 50 years of experience in patent law, trademarks, and copyrights.

“Northwind IP Law’s commitment to client service and entrepreneurship aligns with the values we hold dear at Davis|Kuelthau,” said Joseph Tierney, President of Davis|Kuelthau. “This combination of these two dedicated attorneys pairs well with our existing intellectual property team as well as our commitment to providing the full scope of business law services to the New North region.”

Davis|Kuelthau has long sought a more formal presence in the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin regions. This opportunity allows Davis|Kuelthau to expand and broaden the intellectual property knowledge and services offered to clients and more greatly meet the needs of existing clients.

Stephen C. Jensen
Steve has extensive IP experience, including patent preparation; U.S. and worldwide patent prosecution, infringement, non-infringement, and product clearance analyses and opinions; client counseling; and litigation support, including discovery, motion practice, and participation in court-ordered mediation sessions in connection with patent infringement litigation. In addition to international patent prosecution, Steve’s experience includes non-disclosure agreements, licensing agreements and development agreements, and trademark issues. His technical experience includes optical films and barrier films; backlit displays and other displays; LED devices and other optical components; micromachining and microreplication; cardiac pacemakers and other medical devices; magnetic disk drives; flow sensors; laboratory analytical equipment; audio systems and devices; and software apps.

Steve earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota; Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in optical engineering from University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and Bachelor of Science degree in Physics (summa cum laude) from Marquette University.

Steve worked as a patent agent for several years, followed by over 12 years as in-house patent counsel for Fortune 500 companies, including 10 years at 3M Company. Before his legal career, Steve worked as an engineer for 6 years developing and investigating optically-based pressure, temperature, flow, and analytical sensors.

Thomas J. Connelly
Tom started his patent law career with the Standard Oil Company of Indiana (Amoco), which has since merged with British Petroleum (BP). He then transitioned into various IP counsel positions at Deere & Company, Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), and Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Tom has drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications dealing with various mechanical devices, has handled trademark and copyright matters. He has also successfully defended a client in a trademark infringement action and has represented another client as the plaintiff in a trademark action. His experience includes both U.S. and foreign patent applications in the mechanical, fiber, and chemical arts. Tom has also handled several European Opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office in Munich, Germany. He has drafted non-infringement opinions, various agreements, including licensing agreements. His technical experience includes absorbent products, chemical compositions, business method patents, packaging products, engine, and large tractor machinery, transmissions, and oil refinery and petroleum processes.

Tom earned his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts; Masters of Law Degree from John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois; Masters in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York; and Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York.

* * * * *

About Davis|Kuelthau, s.c.
Davis|Kuelthau, s.c. offers an array of innovative legal solutions to business owners and corporations of all sizes, including emerging, middle-market and Fortune 500 companies, high net worth individuals and families, private and institutional investors, and lenders. The firm’s attorneys, who practice from multiple locations across Wisconsin, have national experience combined with strong community ties.