Atty. Thomas Wimbiscus
Thomas J. Wimbiscus, a shareholder with McAndrews, has more than thirty years of experience and practices in all areas of intellectual property litigation, with a special emphasis on patent and trademark litigation.
Litigation Intellectual Property Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL
Profile Summary
About Thomas Wimbiscus at a Glance
Thomas Wimbiscus is a ip attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at McAndrews, Held & Malloy LTD. Admitted to practice in United States, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, United States, U.S. Supreme Court, United States, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and United States, Various Appellate Courts. Educated at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (J.D., 1985) and University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (B.S. Chemistry). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Patent (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Thomas Wimbiscus
- Thomas J. Wimbiscus, a shareholder with McAndrews, has more than thirty years of experience and practices in all areas of intellectual property litigation, with a special emphasis on patent and trademark litigation
- He has appeared in over 100 litigations and over 100 inter partes reviews (IPRs)
- He was named one of the 10 most active IPR practitioners in the U.S. for patent owners. (Patexia 2018.) Tom was named as one of the world’s leading patent professionals by IAM Patent 1000 in 2018, 2019, and 2020
- IAM calls Tom one of the “star quarterbacks” in McAndrew’s “flourishing post-grant practice.” IAM also notes “his more than three decades of frontline litigation experience and limitless post-grant expertise” and that his “many years of success in litigating IP cases in the U.S. courts, the U.S
- International Trade Commission, and the PTAB have led clients to trust him with their most important IP disputes.” Tom has also been inducted as a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA)
- The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American attorneys based on effectiveness and accomplishments in both litigation and trial work
- He is also a member of LCA’s Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute
- He was named one of the Top 500 Leading Lawyers Across the Globe by Intercontinental Finance & Law in 2016 and one of the Top 100 Lawyers for 2016/17 by LegalComprehensive.com
- Tom was also named as “recommended” intellectual property (patent) counsel by an independent, global survey conducted by Practical Law Company (PLC Global Counsel 3000, Choose Your Counsel Wisely)
- In addition, Tom was named as a prominent practitioner by the Practical Law Company in PLC’s Cross-Border IP in Business Transactions Handbook
- From 2004 to 2019, he has been recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” (2004 – 2019), an honor awarded to less than five percent of licensed Illinois lawyers
- His litigation successes include numerous multi-million-dollar awards and settlements, as well as patent infringement defense victories before the U.S
- International Trade Commission
- His experience also encompasses the acquisition and procurement of patents, trademarks and copyrights
- Tom served as co-trial counsel in a four-week jury trial resulting in a patent infringement award of over $80 million with a finding of willful infringement (reversed in part and remanded)
- He has worked in such diverse technologies as prodrug and other pharmaceutical technologies
- semiconductors for cellular telephones, Wi-Fi and GPS technologies
- oil refining
- polyurethane, surfactant, and other technologies in the chemical arts
- alternative fuels (including biodiesel)
- biotechnologies
- and medical devices including implantable cardiac defibrillators, pacemakers, and balloon angioplasty catheters
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas Wimbiscus's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas Wimbiscus handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Intellectual Property in Chicago
IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.
Thomas Wimbiscus is one of 105,285 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose Thomas Wimbiscus
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Thomas Wimbiscus's practice in the field of ip.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in United States, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, United States, U.S. Supreme Court, and United States, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Thomas Wimbiscus can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused IP Practice
Concentrating on ip means Thomas Wimbiscus's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means Thomas Wimbiscus attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Thomas Wimbiscus Handles in Chicago
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Thomas Wimbiscus has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Thomas Wimbiscus directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Thomas Wimbiscus Online
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Thomas Wimbiscus's Practice Areas & Specializations
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Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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