Thomas R. Goots (Tom)

Of Counsel

Cleveland + 1.216.586.7011

Tom Goots's practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, as well as counseling clients on a broad range of intellectual property issues, including restrictive covenant issues. Tom's 10 years of experience as an engineer and as a named inventor on United States patents provide him with an understanding of the issues facing clients.

Tom is experienced in counseling clients on noncompetition, trade secrets, nonsolicitation, and employee raiding issues. He has litigated matters involving employment agreements, covenants not-to-compete, and trade secrets in many different state and federal courts.

He has successfully litigated unfair competition matters in federal court.

His experience in patent litigation involves a wide range of technologies, including wireless email, bone screws, tire design, lighting and electrical products, automotive components, and chemical compounds. He also has represented clients in trademark matters, including opposition proceedings and infringement actions.

Tom also counsels clients on intellectual property issues associated with mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions.

Experience

  • Gentex acquires VOXX InternationalJones Day advised Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), a leading supplier of digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass and fire protection technologies, in its acquisition of VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), a worldwide leader in the automotive electronics and consumer electronics industries, in an all-cash transaction.
  • Sky Island Capital portfolio company acquires Becker and Associates Inc.Jones Day represented Sky Island Capital in the acquisition by portfolio company SkyMark Refuelers, LLC of Becker and Associates Inc., a supplier of primarily aviation and ground fueling equipment and accessories.
  • Sherwin-Williams acquires BASF’s Brazilian architectural paints businessJones Day is advising The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) in its acquisition of BASF’s Brazilian architectural paints business (“Suvinil”) for $1.15 billion in an all-cash transaction.
  • Baird Capital portfolio company acquires Integrity Municipal SystemsJones Day represented Baird Capital in the acquisition and financing by portfolio company Cleanwater1, Inc. of Integrity Municipal Systems (IMS), a leading technology and solutions provider of branded, engineered lime systems, odor control and chemical feed system process solutions for the water and wastewater industry.
  • Morgan Stanley portfolio company acquires Richard Heath & AssociatesJones Day advised Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in the acquisition and financing by portfolio company Resource Innovations, Inc. of Richard Heath & Associates, Inc.
  • Bil-Jac Foods receives investment from Entrepreneurial Equity PartnersJones Day represented Bil-Jac Foods, Inc. (Bil-Jac), an Ohio-based leading manufacturer of dog food and treats, in connection with an investment in Bil-Jac by Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, a Chicago, Illinois, based private equity firm.
  • High Road Capital sells portfolio company TavoronJones Day advised High Road Capital Partners in the sale of its portfolio company Tavoron to Fusion Capital Partners, a Los Angeles based private equity firm.
  • American Pacific Group portfolio company acquires OmniData InsightsJones Day advised American Pacific Group in connection with the acquisition by its subsidiary, Fresche Solutions, of OmniData Insights, a leading consulting firm specializing in data and analytics modernization and artificial intelligence solutions.
  • OEConnection acquires PartsTechJones Day advised OEConnection in the acquisition of PartsTech, Inc., an auto parts procurement platform for mechanical repair shops.
  • Accelmed Partners acquires Bioventus Advanced Rehabilitation businessJones Day advised Accelmed Partners in its acquisition of Bioventus Inc.'s Advanced Rehabilitation business.
  • American Pacific Group acquires ServerLIFTJones Day advised American Pacific Group in the acquisition and financing of ServerLIFT LLC, a leading provider of data center and server lift equipment and other related equipment.
  • Diebold Nixdorf completes $950 million Senior Secured Notes offering and obtains $310 million revolving credit facilityJones Day represented Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated (“Diebold”), a global market leader in providing mission-critical hardware, software, and services to global blue-chip banking and retail clients, in connection with various financing transactions, including (i) a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering by Diebold of $950 million aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2030, (ii) obtaining a new $310 million revolving credit facility, and (iii) a Dutch auction to repurchase all of the outstanding term loans under its existing term loan credit facility.
  • Hamilton Beach Brands refinances its $125 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facilityJones Day represented Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a designer, marketer, and distributor of home appliances and commercial restaurant equipment, in connection with the refinancing of their $125 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility.
  • Morgan Stanley Capital Partners acquires FoodScienceJones Day advised Morgan Stanley Capital Partners in the acquisition and financing of FoodScience, a provider of nutritional supplements and products for people and pets.
  • SAP America resolves allegations of trade secret misappropriation by competitorJones Day defended SAP America, Inc. in a trade secret case brought by Paragon Data Systems in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Inflexion Private Equity portfolio company acquires Malco Tools, Inc.Jones Day advised Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP in connection with the acquisition by portfolio company Aspen Pumps Group of Malco Tools, Inc., one of the nation's top manufacturers of high-quality tools for working with sheet metal, fiber cement, vinyl siding, gutters, and other materials in the HVAC and building construction industries.
  • Riverside sells Red Nucleus to Thomas H. Lee PartnersJones Day represented The Riverside Company in its sale of Red Nucleus, an industry-leading integrated provider of learning and development, medical communications, market access, and R&D and clinical solutions to the life sciences industry globally, to Thomas H. Lee Partners.
  • Blue Point Capital acquires Pinnacle MEP HoldingsJones Day represented Blue Point Capital Partners in connection with the acquisition and financing of Pinnacle MEP Holdings, an HVACR, plumbing, and related mechanical services provider with operations throughout the Midwest.
  • Metso USA acquires Screen Machine Industries, LLCJones Day represented Metso USA in its acquisition of Screen Machine Industries LLC, a manufacturer of heavy crushing and screening equipment for the mining, land clearing, and recycling industries.
  • Avient completes $650 million Senior Notes offeringJones Day represented Avient Corporation in connection with a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering of $650 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% Senior Notes due 2031.