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Solveson engineers creative solutions

By: TONY ANDERSON//February 16, 2011//

Solveson engineers creative solutions

By: TONY ANDERSON//February 16, 2011//

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George H. Solveson – Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall

Photo by Kevin Harnack
Photo by Kevin Harnack

George H. Solveson has been involved in intellectual property law for more than 40 years. However, his legal work actually began before he ever attended law school.

While serving two years in the U.S. Army during the mid-1960s, Solveson took on the role of prosecutor. His military service took place right after he had graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. The legal work was one aspect of that service.

“I’d been assigned to conduct trials for a year,” said Solveson, who is now a senior partner at Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall in Milwaukee, “Most of the time, I was a prosecutor in special and summary court-martials, even though I wasn’t a lawyer.”

Solveson said he handled two to three cases a week during that time. The experience had a profound effect on him, sparking his interest in the law. So when Solveson left the military, he decided to pursue a law degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School, using the G.I. Bill.

Although he had a degree in engineering, Solveson had not gone to law school intending to connect the two.

But that’s exactly what happened when an opportunity arose at Andrus. He has handled the whole gamut of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyright and more. Most of his career has been in litigation and advising corporate clients and individuals. And for the past two dozen years, he has led the firm’s intellectual property litigation team.

Throughout his career, Solveson has practiced in federal district and appellate courts all over the country.

Based on those experiences, he lauds the federal judiciary in this state.

“Our federal courts in Wisconsin and our federal judges here are far superior to many, many judges in other jurisdictions around the country,” Solveson said. “I don’t always agree with every decision they make, but I feel very assured that they tried to do their best and they are very diligent for the most part.

I think we are blessed in Wisconsin.”

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