- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
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Education
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Saint Louis University School of Law,
J.D., 1995
St. Louis University Public Law Review
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Missouri University of Science and Technology,
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1991
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Admissions
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Illinois
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Missouri
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US Patent and Trademark Office
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Affiliations
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Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Chair, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section, 2003-2004
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International Trademark Association
Member, 2001-present
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Recognitions
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Listed in the World Trademark Review 1000 (by Law Business Research) in Missouri, 2022-2023
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Named Lawyer of the Year for Copyright Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2017, 2021, 2024
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Named Lawyer of the Year for Trademark Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2018, 2024
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Named a Best Patent Provider by St. Louis Small Business Monthly, 2018
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Lexology "Client Choice" Award for Intellectual Property - Trademarks - 2017
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Listed in Chambers USA (by Chambers & Partners) - Band 1 for Intellectual Property Law in Missouri, 2012-2023
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (by BL Rankings), 2009-2024
Copyright Law, Patent Law, Trademark Law, Trade Secrets Law
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Named Lawyer of the Year for Patent Law in St. Louis by Best Lawyers, (by BL Rankings) 2016
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Listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, (by Thomson Reuters) 2011-2021
Top 50 in St. Louis, 2013
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Preeminent Rating (by Martindale-Hubbell AV®)
Highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards
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Up & Coming Attorneys Class of 2007
Missouri Lawyers Weekly
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40 Under 40 Class of 2004
St. Louis Business Journal
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2003-Present
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Howell & Haferkamp, L.C.
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Instruction
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Washington University School of Law
Adjunct Professor, 2001-2004
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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, licensing 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 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, licensing, enforcement, brand protection 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.
Case Studies
Thompson Coburn Publications
New U.S. trademark and copyright procedures
Intellectual property and other legal priorities during COVID-19
USPTO: Extensions under the CARES Act during COVID-19
Trademark Office warns about deceptive trademark-related solicitations
What U.S. companies need to know about their IP rights post-Brexit
New changes to U.S. design patent law
Blogs
Copyright Office changes procedures for DMCA agent designations
Publications
Will the Jack Daniel’s case cause “Lotso” issues for Disney?,
World Intellectual Property Review, July 13, 2023
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
Presentations
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
News
Chambers USA Recognizes Thompson Coburn Practices for Excellence in 2023 Guide
Summary judgment win for Canadian Standards Association
World Trademark Review names Tom Polcyn to 2023 WTR 1000 list
Tom Polcyn talks to Thomson Reuters’ ‘Technologist’ about the Metaverse
The Thompson Coburn brand enters the Metaverse
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2022 Chambers USA
World Trademark Review names Tom Polcyn to WTR 1000 list
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2021 Chambers USA
Congratulations to our 2021 Best Lawyers ‘Lawyers of the Year’ and ‘Ones to Watch’
Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2020 Chambers USA
17 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2019 Chambers USA
Thompson Coburn again named best copyright firm in the nation
Congratulations to our 14 'Lawyers of the Year' for 2018
Tom Polcyn named a Lexology Client Choice winner in Trademarks
A stitch in time: Thompson Coburn secures trademark protection for iconic Cherry Dress
Congratulations to our 2017 ‘Lawyers of the Year’
23 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2016 Chambers USA
Congratulations to our 8 ‘Lawyers of the Year’
25 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2015 Chambers USA
27 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2014 Chambers USA