Thomas E. Williams

Partner

Overview

Tom is a registered patent attorney and former rocket engineer who helps clients develop, enforce, defend, and monetize global patent and trademark portfolios. He represents clients in a variety of industries and technologies, including vehicle drive and control systems; motors and pumps/hydraulic systems; refrigeration systems and heat exchangers; electronic flight bag systems; aircraft control systems; propulsion technologies including rocket engines and turbine engines; electromechanical fuel controls; aerial firefighting equipment; consumer products, dispensers, packaging, and displays; electric heating elements for consumer appliances; fire protection garments; Internet and software applications; telecommunications and data encryption technologies; consumer credit and finance technologies; financial services; electronic payment technologies; surgical and dental instruments; health care IT and MRI technologies; and countless software as a service (SaaS) applications.

A significant portion of Tom’s practice involves leading IP-related diligence activities in connection with a variety of buy-side and sell-side acquisitions, mergers, and divestitures for public and private companies. Likewise, Tom's practice includes preparing and negotiating a variety of business agreements, including IP licenses, supply, vendor, joint venture, consulting, settlement, and coexistence agreements.

Before entering the legal profession, Tom enjoyed working as a rocket engine turbomachinery engineer on NASA’s Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Tom’s experience supporting more than 47 successful space shuttle missions led to a position designing the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen turbopumps for the RS-68 liquid main engine for the Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). Tom draws on his substantial engineering and manufacturing experience to counsel clients on IP-related matters in diverse technical fields.

Career & Education

    • Fuel Control Valve Project Manager, Knowles Corporation, 1999–2000
    • Gas Turbine Engine Senior Designer/Project Engineer, Rolls-Royce Corporation, 1997–1999
    • Rocket Engine Turbomachinery Engineer, The Boeing Company, 1988–1997
    • Fuel Control Valve Project Manager, Knowles Corporation, 1999–2000
    • Gas Turbine Engine Senior Designer/Project Engineer, Rolls-Royce Corporation, 1997–1999
    • Rocket Engine Turbomachinery Engineer, The Boeing Company, 1988–1997
    • DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 2002
    • California State University, Northridge, M.S.M.E., 1995
    • Purdue University, B.S.A.A.E., 1988
    • DePaul University College of Law, J.D., 2002
    • California State University, Northridge, M.S.M.E., 1995
    • Purdue University, B.S.A.A.E., 1988
    • Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
    • Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 05.22.26

Crowell & Moring Represents Kanders & Company in Acquisition of Ginkgo Bioworks’ Biosecurity Business

May 22, 2026: A Crowell & Moring team represented Kanders & Company in a complex carveout transaction in which Kanders acquired the biosecurity business of publicly traded Ginkgo Bioworks. The resulting company, Perimeter Systems, has launched as the world’s first integrated biosecurity infrastructure platform, designed to transform biological signals into real-time intelligence and accelerate decisive response. At closing, Perimeter secured $60 million in growth capital, led by Kanders in partnership with SCS Financial, Goldcrest Capital, Four Cities Capital, and the Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund (SAIF)....

Representative Matters

  • RBC Nice Bearings et. al. v. Peer Bearing Company, 3:06-CV-01380 (TLM) (D. Conn.)/10-383 (2nd Cir.) - Assisted in defense of trademark and copyright infringement claims involving ball bearings. Client won partial summary judgment in the district court, which was affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit. Plaintiff dismissed all remaining claims with prejudice.
  • Highway Equipment Company v. Cives Corporation and Monroe Truck Equipment, Inc., C04-147 LRR (N.D. IA) - Assisted in action for declaratory judgment of non-infringement involving truck bodies. Patent owner dismissed all claims with prejudice after a Markman Hearing.
  • Miscellaneous Matters: Prevailed on summary judgment and successfully awarded attorney fees in the district of Delaware in trade secrets litigation; district court in a patent infringement lawsuit adopted client’s patent claim construction; negotiated settlement of numerous trademark oppositions.

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 05.22.26

Crowell & Moring Represents Kanders & Company in Acquisition of Ginkgo Bioworks’ Biosecurity Business

May 22, 2026: A Crowell & Moring team represented Kanders & Company in a complex carveout transaction in which Kanders acquired the biosecurity business of publicly traded Ginkgo Bioworks. The resulting company, Perimeter Systems, has launched as the world’s first integrated biosecurity infrastructure platform, designed to transform biological signals into real-time intelligence and accelerate decisive response. At closing, Perimeter secured $60 million in growth capital, led by Kanders in partnership with SCS Financial, Goldcrest Capital, Four Cities Capital, and the Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund (SAIF)....

Thomas's Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 05.22.26

Crowell & Moring Represents Kanders & Company in Acquisition of Ginkgo Bioworks’ Biosecurity Business

May 22, 2026: A Crowell & Moring team represented Kanders & Company in a complex carveout transaction in which Kanders acquired the biosecurity business of publicly traded Ginkgo Bioworks. The resulting company, Perimeter Systems, has launched as the world’s first integrated biosecurity infrastructure platform, designed to transform biological signals into real-time intelligence and accelerate decisive response. At closing, Perimeter secured $60 million in growth capital, led by Kanders in partnership with SCS Financial, Goldcrest Capital, Four Cities Capital, and the Safe Artificial Intelligence Fund (SAIF)....