Erik Swenson offers a wealth of experience to Carlson Caspers clients. Erik’s vast experience includes providing an array of legal services for sophisticated companies in the commercial, industrial, technology, and retail business sectors in both the United States and abroad. He has extensive knowledge in electrical, mechanical, and software technology. His work for clients includes handling complex patent and high technology litigation, IPRs, opinion work, and transactional matters, as well as managing high profile patent portfolios.
As a registered U.S. patent attorney, Erik works with clients to develop cross-border litigation strategies and works to protect foreign conglomerates from U.S. litigation. He represents two of the world’s largest international companies regularly in litigation and contested matters.
Clients also benefit from Erik’s experience with transactional matters, including strategic patent prosecution, licensing, due diligence, opinions, and client counseling. His I.P. litigation and transactional expertise, coupled with an advanced computer engineering degree from MIT, give him the unique ability to advise and represent clients in a full spectrum of I.P. matters. He is both a skilled technical person and a qualified trial attorney.
He is additionally active in handling complex patent litigation in federal jurisdictions across the country and representing clients in Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings challenging the validity of U.S. patents conducted by the USPTO. He has been the lead counsel in over 150 adverse matters, including all aspects of trials, appeals, and administrative proceedings.
Erik brings in-house experience as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in a major company, where he was responsible for developing and implementing software and hardware systems, including cost control, document control, and scheduling software. Erik formally was the Partner-in-charge of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Minneapolis Office and a member of Fulbright’s Munich office.
Erik has received multiple awards and accolades throughout his legal career, including “The Best Lawyers in America,” “Rising Stars,” and “Super Lawyers.”
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota
J.D. 1998
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S. Computer Engineering 1992
Marquette University
B.S. Civil Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics, 1991
BAR ADMISSIONS
Minnesota Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
DDR Holdings, LLC. V. Hotels.com: Lead Counsel for Digital River and instrumental in developing case law around 35 USC 101 for software patents.
Fontem Ventures B.v. v. Logic Technology Development LLC: Lead Counsel for Logic.
Snap-on Inc. v. Robert Bosch, LLC: Lead Counsel for Robert Bosch
Giant Snacks, Inc. v. Wild Dutchman Products: Lead Counsel for Wild Dutchman Products