About Thomas J. Friel
Thomas J. Friel Jr. is a partner at King & Spalding LLP, specializing in intellectual property litigation. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1978, holding, and his license is currently active. Mr. Friel's practice encompasses a wide range of intellectual property matters, including patent, trade secret, licensing, trademark, and copyright disputes. He has represented clients in various industries, such as technology, electronics, software, gaming, semiconductors, industrial equipment, transportation, agriculture, life sciences, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. His litigation experience spans federal and state courts, as well as proceedings before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and in commercial arbitrations.
Mr. Friel earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. Prior to law school, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Michigan in 1973. His academic background laid the foundation for his extensive career in intellectual property law.
Throughout his career, Mr. Friel has handled numerous complex cases, including patent, trade secret, licensing, and trademark disputes. He has represented clients in various stages of litigation, from initial case evaluation and discovery to trial proceedings and appeals. His practice also includes arbitration and mediation, providing clients with comprehensive dispute resolution services.
Before joining King & Spalding in 2018, Mr. Friel was a partner at Cooley LLP, where he chaired the intellectual property litigation practice from 2007 to 2016. His experience includes representing semiconductor companies in patent, trade secret, and contract cases, as well as handling trademark and trade dress matters. He has also been involved in indemnity and insurance issues related to intellectual property.
Mr. Friel is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association, the International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association, the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and the Bar Association of San Francisco. He has served on the Advisory Committee for the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and has spoken at its events. He has been recognized in publications such as Chambers USA, Legal 500, Managing Intellectual Property, and The Best Lawyers in America.
