Thomas J. Leach

Thomas J. Leach is a Partner and trial lawyer specializing in intellectual property litigation at Merchant & Gould P.C., with over twenty years of experience in the field. His practice encompasses patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation. He handles patent infringement cases across a range of technologies, including mechanical, electrical, medical devices, and computer-related technologies, with specific experience in turf-care equipment, software patents, adjustable dumbbells, construction tools, and retractable screen doors.

Leach demonstrates experience on both sides of patent disputes, having represented plaintiffs in three tracked cases and defendants in five, indicating a balanced practice with a slight lean towards defense. He is particularly recognized for successfully defending large corporations against patent trolls.

A significant portion of his patent litigation experience involves the recurring disputes between Champion Power Equipment Inc. and Generac Power Systems Inc., where he has consistently represented Generac Power Systems Inc. as lead counsel and counsel. These cases primarily concern patents related to multi-fuel generators and carbon monoxide detection systems.

Leach also possesses extensive experience with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office post-grant proceedings, including Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) and reexaminations, utilizing these to defend against infringement claims. Notably, he is listed as counsel for Generac Power Systems, Inc. in IPR2025-01457 against Champion Power Equipment, Inc., further linking his PTAB work to his key district court cases.

He was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 2001, is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 2003. He earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2001.