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Tom Polcyn

Partner

St. Louis
314 552 6331 314 552 6331 direct
314 667 3633 fax

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RELATED INFORMATION

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PRACTICES

Education
- Saint Louis University School of Law,
  
  J.D., 1995
  
  St. Louis University Public Law Review
- Missouri University of Science and Technology,
  
  B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1991
Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
- US Patent and Trademark Office
Affiliations
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  
  Chair, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section, 2003-2004
- International Trademark Association
  
  Member, 2001-present
Recognitions
- Listed, World Trademark Review Global Leaders (by Law Business Research), 2024
- Listed in the World Trademark Review 1000 (by Law Business Research) in Missouri, 2022-2024
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Copyright Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2017, 2021, 2024
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Trademark Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2018, 2024
- Named a Best Patent Provider by St. Louis Small Business Monthly, 2018
- Lexology "Client Choice" Award for Intellectual Property - Trademarks - 2017
- Listed in Chambers USA (by Chambers & Partners) - Band 1 for Intellectual Property Law in Missouri, 2012-2023
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (by BL Rankings), 2009-2025
  
  Copyright Law, Patent Law, Trademark Law, Trade Secrets Law
- Named Lawyer of the Year for Patent Law in St. Louis by Best Lawyers, (by BL Rankings) 2016
- Listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, (by Thomson Reuters) 2011-2021
  
  Top 50 in St. Louis, 2013
- Preeminent Rating (by Martindale-Hubbell AV®)
  
  Highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards
- Up & Coming Attorneys Class of 2007
  
  Missouri Lawyers Weekly
- 40 Under 40 Class of 2004
  
  St. Louis Business Journal
Employment
- Thompson Coburn LLP
  
  Partner, 2003-Present
- Howell & Haferkamp, L.C.
Instruction
- Washington University School of Law
  
  Adjunct Professor, 2001-2004

Tom provides strategic intellectual property counseling to some of the world's largest consumer products companies and service providers, with a focus on IP portfolio management and enforcement. He is the co-chair of Thompson Coburn's Intellectual Property Practice Group and a member of the Firm's Management Committee.

Tom has spent his career helping companies protect and enforce their brands across the country and around the world. He excels at building strong, transparent relationships with in-house legal teams and developing streamlined processes for IP management and enforcement that provide clear oversight of global IP portfolios and greater predictability for legal expenses.

As chair of Thompson Coburn's IP group, Tom leads an experienced intellectual property team that focuses on strategic counseling, global IP portfolio management, litigation, and dispute resolution for some of the world's best-known consumer products companies and service providers. Their priority for each client is to design and implement long-term strategies for securing and maintaining the maximum protection and value of intellectual property assets.

Tom has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications both domestically and internationally, covering a broad range of technical disciplines, including electric motor technology, industrial valve technology, sheet metal processing technology, vehicle drive systems, ballistic armor systems and business methods. Before attending law school, Tom studied mechanical engineering and worked with an environmental engineering consulting firm.

In his extensive work on international trademarks, Tom has prosecuted trademark applications in nearly 200 countries, and led work on trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings globally. Tom regularly negotiates and drafts license agreements, settlement agreements and other agreements relating to the domestic and international intellectual property rights of his clients.

Intellectual property and other legal priorities during COVID-19;
Thompson Coburn website, June 5, 2020

Supreme Court harmonizes showing necessary for an award of profits, resolving circuit split in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil Inc;
Thompson Coburn website, April 23, 2020

USPTO: Extensions under the CARES Act during COVID-19;
Thompson Coburn website, April 2, 2020

Trademark Office warns about deceptive trademark-related solicitations;
Thompson Coburn website, January 5, 2017

Copyright Office changes procedures for DMCA agent designations;
Thompson Coburn’s Internet Law Twists & Turns Blog, December 9, 2016

What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit;
Thompson Coburn website, October 3, 2016

New changes to U.S. design patent law;
Thompson Coburn website, May 5, 2015