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Thatcher A. Rahmeier

Partner

Overview

Thatcher Rahmeier is a registered patent attorney and established presence in our Wilmington, Delaware office. Thatcher focuses his practice on patent and trade secret litigation, representing clients in Delaware courts and other courts and tribunals throughout the nation. Thatcher focuses his practice on all matters concerning intellectual property and related business disputes, with particular focus and extensive experience in patent and trade secret litigation. Thatcher has significant experience litigating copyright claims related to software, as well as claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), including those involving “Right to Repair” issues. He also has substantial experience practicing before the Patent Office and counseling clients outside of litigation. Thatcher participates and has considerable experience in all aspects of litigation — from pre-suit analysis through trial and appeal — including negotiating settlement and license agreements.

Thatcher’s work and wide-ranging experience extends to diverse technology, industries and legal matters. Thatcher’s technical training in electrical and computer engineering is unique, given its focus on audio engineering topics, particularly relevant to various industries including music technology, gaming and entertainment, telecommunications, and speech and signal processing.

A native of Delaware, a top venue for patent litigation, Thatcher is well known in the local and legal community and frequently serves as Delaware counsel for out-of-town attorneys, playing substantial roles to leverage his particular skills when appropriate. He also has experience as first chair representing Delaware inmates in civil rights cases through trial. During law school, Thatcher served as a judicial extern for Judge Fred Silverman of the Superior Court of Delaware.

Recent Representative Matters

  • Successfully represented Vital Pharmaceuticals in a patent infringement matter where client was accused of infringing upon plaintiff’s patents concerning nutritional compositions and methods of use. Out of 81 original defendants, Vital was one of three defendants who refused to settle. Court invalidated all 17 claims of the four asserted patents. Trial counsel team then successfully moved to have the case declared exceptional, and Vital was awarded its attorneys’ fees and expenses, which was affirmed on appeal by the Federal Circuit.
  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant client Proximex Corporation based on plaintiffs failure to identify its alleged trade secret.
  • Successfully represented Genzyme Corporation in a breach of patent license matter, obtaining a stipulated judgment in view of a case dispositive claim construction ruling that was affirmed on appeal to the Federal Circuit.

Faculty Positions

  • Widener University Delaware Law School — Dissertation Research Adjunct Faculty, 2019-21

Personal Interests

Thatcher’s interests are varied but center on film and music, particularly The Beatles, and military and British history. Thatcher is a member of the Shakespeare Oxford Fellowship.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Delaware
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Certifications
Registered Patent Attorney
Education

University of Pittsburgh School of Law
J.D. cum laude, Pittsburgh Journal of Technology Law and Policy (2008)

University of Miami
B.S.E.E. (2004)

Insights & Events

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

Thatcher has represented multiple Delaware prison inmates in matters involving civil rights claims. Thatcher also volunteered as a “Lawyer in the Classroom” for the Chicago school system during the COVID pandemic in 2021.

Professional Associations

  • Delaware Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • FBA Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition — Judge
  • Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition — Judge

Firm Leadership

  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — First Year Associate Development Program, Apprenticeship Designee

Honors

  • Chambers USA — Delaware, Intellectual Property, 2024
  • Best Lawyers® — "Ones to Watch," Litigation - Intellectual Property, 2024-25
  • University of Miami — Eta Kappa Nu (honor society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)), Alpha Lambda Delta (national honor society), NSCS (National Society of Collegiate Scholars), Gamma Sigma Alpha (national academic Greek honor society)
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.