Capes, Nelson R.

Current Employment Position(s)

; Business Law

Year Joined Organization: 2002

Languages

• German

Lawyer Overview

Nelson is Of Counsel in the firm of Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association. He is a licensed patent attorney. Nelson is a member of our Business Law Section and practices principally in the areas of:

Nelson has been practicing in intellectual property since 1993. He has a strong technical background in mechanical, electro-mechanical, digital electronics, communications and biotechnology, and experience in medical, automotive, dental, food, heavy equipment, sports, outdoor, toy, building, fluid and air handling, petroleum, jewelry and chemical technologies.

Nelson is well qualified both in educational background and real-world experience to help his clients protect their intellectual property with United States and foreign patents, particularly in areas of high technology: computer software, biotechnology and medical technology. He has more than 17 years of experience in the computer and data communications industries, culminating as a director at a major computer manufacturer in Minneapolis and as vice president at a startup communications software company. His technical experience includes the TCP/IP communications protocol, communication hardware including modems, routers, and telecommunications technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, and Systems Network Architecture. He has an educational background in biotechnology, specifically molecular genetics and medicine.  Nelson is ideally suited to prosecute patent applications in computer software, biotechnology and medical technology.

As a patent attorney, Nelson combines his technical and management skills with his license to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to provide superb legal services to his clients. He works closely with his clients to understand their technology and emphasizes excellence in legal draftsmanship to translate technology-specific language into the requirements of the Patent and Trademark Office. He also provides consulting, licensing and litigation support to further help clients in protecting their intellectual property.

Nelson has 15 years of legal experience with hundreds of large and small companies, as well as individuals. Some of Nelson's past and present satisfied clients include: Jostens, Advanced Communication Design Inc., Bite Tech Inc., Criticom International Corp., Genesis Equipment and Manufacturing Co., International Refining & Manufacturing Inc., Malco Products Inc., The Miner Group Limited, Park Tool Co., Rockler Companies, Schaefer Ventilation Equipment, LLC, Vortex International, LLC, Wildlife Research Center Inc., Golden Key-Futura Inc., Kolpin Outdoors, Specialty Archery Products, Magnum Research/Desert Eagle, North American Archery Group, LCC, Muzzy Products Corp. and Trail Timer Inc.

In his personal life, Nelson is a choir member and lector at St. Olaf Catholic Church. In addition, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology at the University of St. Thomas.

Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, Nelson received his A.B. summa cum laude in biology from Boston University, a M.S. in biochemistry from Cornell University, and an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas. He received his law degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School and was named to the Order of the Coif. Nelson practiced with another Minneapolis law firm before joining Briggs in 2002.

Areas of Practice

• Intellectual Property
• Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Prosecution
• Corporate and Business Law

West Practice Categories

Banking & Finance Law, Business & Commercial Law, Business Organizations, Closely Held Businesses, Copyrights, Corporate Governance, Corporate Taxation, Formation & Business Planning, Franchising, Intellectual Property Law, International Intellectual Property, Joint Ventures, Joint Ventures, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Patents, Secured Transactions, Shareholders' Rights, Taxation Law, Technology Licensing, Trade Associations, Trade Dress, Trade Secrets, Trademarks, Transactions, Venture Capital

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1992

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member
• American Bar Association
• Member
• Computer Law Association
• Member
• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Member
• International Trademark Association
• Member
• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association
• Member

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, 1992
  J.D.
  Honors: Magna Cum Laude Order of the Coif
• College of St. Thomas, 1985
  M.B.A.
• Cornell University, 1971
  M.S.
  Major: Biochemistry
• Boston University, 1968
  B.A.
  Honors: Summa Cum Laude
  Major: Biology

Published Works

• The Patentability of Processes, 2008

Address

2200 IDS Center
80 South Eighth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Phones

612.977.8486 (Business Phone)

Faxes

612.977.8650 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

http://www.briggs.com/