Overview

Tim Grimsrud is a trial lawyer and leader of Faegre Drinker’s national patent litigation practice. A former Federal Circuit law clerk with a master’s degree in chemistry, Tim represents clients in high-stakes cases around the country, including regularly representing clients in cases with exposure in excess of $100 million. Tim has been frequently recognized as a leading professional in IP litigation — including by Chambers USA; Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals; and Minnesota Super Lawyers — and was a finalist for General Patent Litigator of the Year-Midwest by LMG Life Sciences in 2024.
In addition to trials, Tim also represents clients in appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and post-grant proceedings at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Thought Leadership

Tim regularly writes and speaks on topics in IP and high-stakes litigation and is an author of the casebook Winning Patent Litigation (currently in its 5th edition).

Faculty Positions

Outside the firm, Tim is actively involved with the University of Minnesota Law School, where he teaches patent litigation as an Adjunct Professor and serves on the Law School’s Alumni Advisory Board.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Clerkships

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Hon. Alvin A. Schall, 2004-2005

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Law Review (managing editor) (2004)

University of Wisconsin
M.S. in Chemistry (2000)

St. Olaf College
B.A. cum laude (1999)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • Notable Federal District Court Patent Cases and Trends 2022-23
    Co-author of chapter for The IP Book, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2023
  • 2023 IP Book
    Co-editor, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2023
  • 2022 IP Book
    Co-editor, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2022
  • You Can’t Spell Medical Without 'AI'
    Co-Author, Medical Alley, March 2019
  • Keys to a Successful Markman Hearing
    Minnesota CLE, 2017
  • The New Rules for Pleading Direct Patent Infringement
    Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2016
  • Effective Appellate Advocacy before the Federal Circuit
    Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2015
  • Choosing the Best Post-Grant Proceeding for Your Case
    Co-author, Law360, 2015
  • 75 Keys to Winning Your Next Patent Case
    Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2013
  • Winning Patent Litigation Casebook
    Editor, Faegre Baker Daniels, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2016

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • Intellectual Property Owners Association  Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Issues Committee, 2016-17
  • The Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna Intellectual Property American Inn of Court (founding member)
  • AIPLA Quarterly Journal — Editorial Board, 2013-15
  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Chemical Society

Firm Leadership

  • Leader, Patent Litigation Team

Honors

  • Chambers USA — Minnesota, Intellectual Property, 2022-24
  • LMG Life Sciences — General Patent Litigator of the Year – Midwest, shortlisted, 2024
  • Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals — 2015-21
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014
  • Minnesota Super Lawyers — Rising Star, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2011-16