Dr. Thomas J. (TJ) O’Connor is a patent agent in the Seattle office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he is a member of the patents and innovations group. TJ’s practice centers on the preparation and prosecution of patents relating to the fields of chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Prior to joining the firm, TJ accumulated a wide breadth of experience in the chemical sciences over nearly a decade of academic research. His scientific training was conducted at institutions including Vassar College; the University of California, Berkeley; and the University of California Los Angeles. At UC Berkeley, TJ worked in the lab of Professor F. Dean Toste where he developed synthetic methods with organometallic catalysts to generate fluorinated molecules, in both stereospecific and enantioselective fashions. During his doctoral studies, TJ established a strong background in both organic synthesis, organometallics, and physical organic chemistry. Afterwards, he became a postdoctoral research associate in the Lab of Professor Doyle, whose lab recently transferred to UCLA from Princeton University. At UCLA, TJ’s studies focused on harnessing photocatalysis, nickel catalysis, as well as metallaphotoredox to improve synthetic access to chemical motifs desired in medicinal chemistry.