Carlson, Caspers, Vandenburgh, Lindquist & Schuman

Carlson, Caspers, Vandenburgh, Lindquist & Schuman, commonly known as Carlson Caspers, is an intellectual property (IP) boutique law firm headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Founded in 2003, the firm operates from a single office and comprises approximately 30-33 attorneys who focus exclusively on IP matters. Carlson Caspers is consistently recognized as a leading IP firm by industry publications, including top-tier rankings for Litigation-Intellectual Property and Litigation-Patent Law by Best Law Firms® in Minnesota, and its attorneys are frequently listed in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers.

The firm specializes in high-stakes patent litigation and counseling across a diverse range of technology sectors. Their expertise spans areas such as telecommunications and wireless communications (e.g., LTE, WiMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth), software, electrical, mechanical, optical arts, medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceuticals (including extensive Hatch-Waxman/ANDA litigation), nutraceuticals, polymers, chemicals, and data privacy. While the firm has demonstrated capability in representing both plaintiffs and defendants, its tracked case appearances indicate a defendant-side focus, including its role as of counsel in Velocity Communication Technologies, LLC v. Cisco. Carlson Caspers is also recognized by Patexia as a highly active and performing defendant firm in ANDA litigation.

Carlson Caspers maintains a robust post-grant practice, actively engaging in Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) and other contested proceedings before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), often pursuing parallel actions alongside district court litigation. Founding Partner Philip P. Caspers has served as lead counsel in over a hundred post-grant proceedings. Key IP litigation partners include J. Derek Vandenburgh, a founding and managing partner recognized for his trial wins and extensive Federal Circuit appellate advocacy, and Alan G. Carlson, a founding partner with deep experience in various IP disputes. Additional prominent partners include Philip P. Caspers, known for his high-tech patent litigation and post-grant work, and Tara C. Norgard, noted as a capable patent litigator. The firm has achieved significant outcomes, including a $75 million win for ADC Telecommunications, Inc. and successful negotiations for DuPont Pioneer regarding CRISPR-Cas9 licensing agreements.