Tom Polcyn provides strategic intellectual property counseling to some of the world’s most well-known consumer products companies and service providers. His focus is on global trademark and patent portfolio management and enforcement.
Tom’s nearly 30 years of experience provide him with valuable big-picture insights that his clients with significant IP assets find especially valuable.
Tom has extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of domestic and international patent and trademark applications, covering a broad range of industries—including food and beverage, sports nutrition, transportation, financial services, sports, telecommunications, consumer products, fashion, industrial machinery, manufacturing and business methods. Before law school, Tom studied mechanical engineering and worked with an environmental engineering consulting firm.
He prides himself on his resulting ability to translate often highly technical concepts into plain English, whether to clients, judges or opposing counsel.
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 as well as infringement proceedings in federal court. Tom regularly negotiates and drafts license agreements, settlement agreements and other agreements relating to the domestic and international intellectual property rights of his clients.
Clients appreciate Tom’s commitment to streamlining processes for IP management and enforcement, providing clear oversight and greater predictability for legal expenses. Highly responsive, Tom still delights in both solving companies’ problems and making the lives of his in-house client counterparts easier.
As chair of Thompson Coburn’s IP group, and as a member of the firm’s Management and Executive Committees, Tom is always looking for opportunities to grow the firm and truly enjoys mentoring the next generation of partners and associates.
Professional
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Chair, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section, 2003-2004
- International Trademark Association, Member, 2001-present
Community
- Youth soccer coach
- 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), 2009-2024
- 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
- Washington University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2001-2004
- “Protecting Non-Traditional Trademarks, Trade Dress and Product Configuration”
Presentation to Washington University School of Law, March 28, 2018 - “IP Licensing: What entrepreneurs should know, and pitfalls to avoid”
Presentation to American Chemical Society, November 16, 2017 - “Trademarks and Trade Dress”
Presentation to Washington University School of Law, April 6, 2016
I love training daily. I have run 28 marathons to date—including 10 in Boston. I’m also very into soccer, as a lifelong player turned parent, coach and fan.