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Thompson Coburn LLP Names Alan Norman and Tom Polcyn Vice Chairs of Its Intellectual Property Practice and Robert A. Shapiro Vice Chair of Its Transportation and International Commerce Practice

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ST. LOUIS, MO—(November 27, 2007) Thompson Coburn LLP has named partner Robert A. Shapiro Vice Chair of the firm’s Transportation and International Commerce practice, and partners Alan Norman and Tom Polcyn Vice Chairs of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice.

With more than 25 attorneys, the firm’s Transportation and International Commerce practice represents clients in transactional and regulatory issues involving all modes of transportation, the international movement of goods and the development and operation of mass transit systems in the United States. The practice has expertise in aviation, mass transit, maritime, trucking, rail and pipeline related issues. Attorneys in the practice regularly appear before courts, federal agencies and the U.S. Congress and handle regulatory matters involving competition and antitrust proceedings, safety and environmental regulation, licensing, joint ventures, trade in services, and import and export controls.

The firm’s Intellectual Property practice includes more than 35 attorneys and is focused on counseling businesses – including nonprofits such as universities – with respect to their intellectual property and information technology needs. The practice provides legal services to a broad spectrum of clients in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection, as well as Internet and new media, electronic commerce, software licensing, unfair competition and false advertising.

A 1996 graduate of Cornell Law School, Mr. Shapiro counsels clients in international transactions and the international regulation of trade. He regularly represents clients before the Bureau of Customs and Borders Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

A 1985 graduate of the University of Florida School of Law, Alan Norman’s practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property litigation, with a strong emphasis on patent litigation at both the trial and appellate court levels, and strategic planning of patent infringement suits. Although in recent years his practice has concentrated in patent litigation, Mr. Norman possesses a wealth of experience in patent application preparation and prosecution, covering a wide variety of mechanical/electro-mechanical technologies, Internet-related patents, and business method patents, and has earned a reputation for developing creative patent application tactics to enhance the business opportunities of his clients.

A 1995 graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law, Tom Polcyn's professional experience includes patent and trademark prosecution both domestically and internationally, as well as related litigation and other contested matters. Mr. Polcyn regularly negotiates and drafts license agreements, settlement agreements and other agreements relating to the domestic and international intellectual property rights of his clients. Mr. Polcyn's practice includes routinely providing counseling and opinions relating to patentability, design and utility patent infringement, trademark registrability, trademark infringement and software licensing, as well as strategic counseling and management of the intellectual property portfolios of his clients.

About Thompson Coburn LLP
Thompson Coburn LLP has 340 attorneys nationwide, with offices in Chicago, St. Louis, MO, Southern Illinois and Washington, D.C.


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