Erik Swenson offers a wealth of experience to Carlson Caspers clients. Erik’s vast experience includes providing an array of legal services for sophisticated high-tech companies in both the United States and Europe. He has extensive knowledge in artificial intelligence, electrical, mechanical, and software technology. His work for clients includes handling complex patent and high-technology litigation, IPRs, opinion work, transactional matters, and managing high-profile patent portfolios.
As a registered US patent attorney, Erik works with clients to develop cross-border litigation and prosecution strategies and works to protect foreign conglomerates from US litigation. He represents two of the world’s largest international companies regularly in patent 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 IP 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 IP 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 (PR) proceedings challenging the validity of U.S. patents conducted by the USPTO. He has been the lead counsel in over 200 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, with responsibilities for developing and implementing knowledge-based expert systems, cost control, document control, and scheduling software. He formally was the Partner-in-charge of Norton Rose Fulbright’s Minneapolis Office and a member of Fulbright’s Munich office for many years where he developed a unique skill set for different legal strategies and approaches between European laws and U.S. laws. He also became adept at European privacy laws, shielding Europe companies from US litigation and protecting them from discovery in Europe.
Erik enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, fishing, and boating.
University of Minnesota, JD 1998 – Magna Cum Laude and Managing Editor of Minnesota Law Review
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MS Computer Engineering 1992
Marquette University, BS CE with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics, 1991
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
US District Court for the District of Minnesota
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Minnesota Supreme Court
US Patent and Trademark Office
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. Logic Technology Development LLC: Lead Counsel for Logic/JTI.
Snap-on Inc. v. Robert Bosch, LLC: Lead Counsel for Bosch
Giant Snacks, Inc. v. Wild Dutchman Products: Lead Counsel for Wild Dutchman Products
Speaking Engagements, Webinars, and Presentations
“35 USC 101 – Patentable Subject Matter – Current Trends and Best Practices,” ACC Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 12, 2021,
“Negotiating Cross-border Agreements,” ACC Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, October 29, 2019
Articles & Publications
“How to Negotiate Cross-border IP Agreements,” ACC Docket, December 2020
Erik has received many awards, including “The Best Lawyers in America®,” “Rising Stars,” and “Super Lawyers.”
