Chris Turoski.

Christopher M. Turoski ’98

Assistant Professor of Patent Law Programs
438 Mondale Hall

Degrees

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D.

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property
  • Patent Law

Christopher M. Turoski ’98 is Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the M.S. and LL.M. in Patent Law degree programs at the University of Minnesota Law School. Before joining academia, he served as the global intellectual property lead for mergers, acquisitions, and technology transactions across Cargill’s worldwide operations, including work as the primary IP lead for Cargill’s multibillion dollar Provimi acquisition. His experience includes cross border licensing, joint development agreements, and innovation strategy across multiple continents, with broad exposure to global science focused industries and depth in animal protein and animal health.

He is a registered patent attorney and advises technology organizations on intellectual property strategy, governance, and legal risk. His work includes supporting emerging companies such as a cultivated meat biotechnology company operating at the intersection of food science and advanced manufacturing.

His scholarly and professional activities include authoring treatises used by practitioners, courts, and policymakers; submitting an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court; and providing policy commentary to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on transparency and public access to administrative case law. He has written and presented nationally and internationally on intellectual property, innovation strategy, and governance.

At the Law School, Professor Turoski leads development of online and distributed learning for the patent law programs.

Intellectual Property in Practice


Patent Law in Practice


M.S. Patent Legal Research and Writing


Moot Court Competition Team Academic Year


Patent Competition Team


Patent Field Placement


Patent Practicum: M.S. Program


Books

Patent Claims (Thomson Reuters, 3d ed., 2022; rev. ed. 2023-2024 & 2024-2025)
Patent Jury Instruction Handbook (Thomson Reuters, 2025 ed.)
Assets & Finance: Intellectual Property in Mergers and Acquisitions (Thomson Reuters, 2020; rev. ed. 2021, 2023, 2024 & 2025)
The America Invents Act: A Guide to Patent Litigation and Patent Procedure (Thomson Reuters, 2021-2022 ed., 2021; rev. ed. 2023, 2024 & 2025)

Journal Articles

Promoting Patent Practitioner Diversity: Expanding Non-JD Pathways and Removing Barriers, 24 Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law 57 (2022)
Pre-Conference Workshop—What Educators and Engineers Need to Know about Patents, 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE) (2019)
The Gut Microbiome: Patent Landscape, 30(6) Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech 14 (2019)
(with
Anil K. Sharma
)

Other Publications

We Need Reliable Data On Patent Agent, Atty Gender Diversity, Law360, June 24, 2021
Opening the Gate: Expanding non-J.D. Pathways and Removing Barriers to Better Promote Patent Practitioner Diversity,  JETLaw Blog (Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law) (May 26, 2021)
Solutions for Promoting Patent Practitioner Diversity at the USPTO in the Battle Against Systemic Racism, IP Watchdog, Apr. 15, 2021
Intellectual Property Owners Association Patent Search Committee, Commissioning and Reviewing a Patent Landscape Study (2020) (contributor)
Patent Filings Indicate Continued Growth in Gut Microbiome Market, IFT: Brain Food (Aug. 30, 2019)
(with
Anil K. Sharma
)
2009 Trade Secrets Committee of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, Competitive Intelligence White Paper (Sept. 1, 2009)
(with
Gina Culbert
and
Carey Jordan
)

Selected Legal Briefs

Brief of Professor Christopher M. Turoski and the National Association of Patent Practitioners as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner, Vanda Pharmaceuticals v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, No. 23-768 (U.S. filed Feb. 16, 2024)