Joe is a litigator who focuses primarily on patent, trade secret, trademark, licensing and contract disputes. He has worked on matters involving a wide array of established and emerging technologies, from complex medical, optical, telecommunications and three-dimensional printing products to apparel, lawn care, concrete retaining wall blocks and paint. Joe quickly identifies the core issues facing his clients and develops solutions that meet the unique business, competitive and legal challenges they face.
Joe has extensive trial experience and has been integrally involved with a number of multimillion-dollar Carlson Caspers trial wins. He has argued before numerous federal and state courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He has also counseled clients in relation to USPTO review proceedings and International Trade Commission matters.
In addition to litigation work, Joe advises his clients on patent portfolio management, pre-acquisition and joint venture due diligence, and provides freedom to operate opinions. He has conducted IP portfolio investigations on behalf of leading innovators in a number of technology areas, including medical devices, surgical instruments, and telecommunications products. Joe also worked on the development and sale of a large patent portfolio relating to wireless communication technologies.
Joe is a member of the Leaders Council for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans and served on LSC’s Opioid Task Force.
Joe serves on the firm’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. He previously served as President of the Wayzata Country Club.
Outside of work, Joe spends much of his time at sporting events for his two children, and a little time golfing and hunting.
University of Minnesota Law School, JD, magna cum laude
University of Notre Dame, BS, Mechanical Engineering, summa cum laude
Tau Beta Pi
Minnesota Supreme Court
US District Court for the District of Minnesota US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
US Supreme Court
Carlson Caspers successfully enforced patents on behalf of CSI (an Emerson Electric Co. subsidiary) relating to machinery health maintenance vibration data analyzers incorporating sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters. In response to the patent infringement litigation,...
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. v. Commscope Solutions Properties, LLC and Commscope Solutions, Inc.
Carlson Caspers successfully enforced ADC patents relating to advanced telecommunications jacks and panels against Commscope products.
Phil Caspers, Sam Hamer and Joe Winkels successfully enforced patents on behalf of CSI Technology, Inc. (an Emerson Electric Company subsidiary) relating to machinery health maintenance vibration data analyzers incorporating sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters. In...
ADC Telecommunications, Inc. v. Panduit Corp.
Our firm successfully enforced ADC patents relating to fiber optic cable routing systems against Panduit cable routing products.
Fargo Elecs. Inc. v. IRIS LTD.
Our client was sued for patent infringement for its sale of printer ribbon for photo ID printers. We prevailed on a motion for summary judgment of no infringement, and the Federal Circuit affirmed...
Carlson Caspers scores $30 million in damages for retaining wall block manufacturer. With over 50 licensees in 21 countries, Anchor Wall Systems’s retaining wall blocks are everywhere. With such an established licensing regime, Anchor...
Medtronic Inc. et al. v. Teleflex Life Sciences Ltd. (PTAB)
Carlson Caspers secured a key series of wins for Teleflex in a set of 17 inter partes review challenges filed by rival medical device maker Medtronic. Medtronic challenged seven Teleflex patents related to...
Spectralytics, Inc. v. Cordis Corporation and Norman Noble, Inc.
Carlson Caspers represented Spectralytics, Inc. against Cordis Corporation and its supplier Norman Noble in a three-week infringement trial involving a Spectralytics patent on a method of making cardiovascular stents with a laser. In...
$75 Million Win for Wireless OFDM Portfolio
Phil Caspers, Sam Hamer and Joe Winkels scored a $75 million win for ADC Telecommunications, Inc. Following the dot-com bubble, ADC divested its data transport business unit, but retained the patent assets. Looking...
Exmark Mfg. Co. v. Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group
Carlson Caspers successfully prevailed in Nebraska federal court when a jury awarded its client, lawnmower maker Exmark Manufacturing Company, Inc. (a subsidiary of The Toro Company), $14.38 million in damages after a six-day...
Speaking Engagements, Webinars, and Presentations
Association of Corporate Counsel, Minnesota 11th Annual In-House Counsel Conference (2022)
Midwest IP Institute, Guest speaker (2019-2021)
American Intellectual Property Law Association Spring Meeting, Guest speaker (2018)
American Intellectual Property Law Association Mid-Winter Institute, Guest speaker, (2017)
Best Lawyers® 2024, 2025
Minnesota Monthly 2024 Top Minnesota Attorneys
Joe has repeatedly been named a “Super Lawyer” in Minnesota Super Lawyers®.
Joe was listed in Patexia’s ANDA Litigation Intelligence Report, 2022 Edition, recognizing Carlson Caspers as among the Top 10 ANDA Best Performing Firms and the Top 25 Most Active Firms for Hatch-Waxman Litigation.
