Christopher M. Turoski ’98

Christopher M. Turoski '98 is Director and Assistant Professor of Patent Law Programs at the University of Minnesota Law School. Turoski brings almost two decades of progressive, real-world experience to lead the Master of Science in Patent Law and the LL.M. in Patent Law programs. This role prepares students to excel in the modern business environment.

   Turoski is the author of the treatises "Patent Claims," "Assets & Finance: Intellectual Property in Mergers and Acquisitions," and "The America Invents Act: A Guide to Patent Litigation and Patent Procedure," each published by Thomson Reuters. Turoski's writings are cited in briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and public comments to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

    Turoski currently serves as President of the National Association of Patent Practitioners. Turoski. Previously, Turoski held a series of executive-level positions at Cargill Inc., the largest privately held corporation in the United States. As a vice president at CAN Technologies (a Cargill subsidiary), he led all intellectual property aspects of the company's mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, including a multibillion-dollar purchase of the subsidiary's primary competitor. As secretary and counsel at Format Solutions (another Cargill subsidiary), he managed a worldwide multimillion-dollar intellectual property and software licensing program. Turoski also served as managing senior counsel at Cargill, where he led intellectual property matters for the worldwide legal acquisitions team while leading a global team of lawyers.

    Turoski previously served as secretary and general counsel for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and as a Board Director for the Minnesota Distance Running Association and its Foundation. He began his legal career at Foley & Lardner, an international law firm. Turoski graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School magna cum laude, serving on the law review.