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
Illinois
Missouri
US Patent and Trademark Office
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Chair, Patent, Trademark and Copyright Section, 2003-2004
International Trademark Association
Member, 2001-present
Named Lawyer of the Year for Copyright Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2017, 2021
Named Lawyer of the Year for Trademark Law in St. Louis by The Best Lawyers in America, (by BL Rankings) 2018
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-Present
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America,(by BL Rankings) 2009-2021
Copyright Law, Patent Law, Trademark 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) 2011-2019
Top 50 in St. Louis, 2013
Up & Coming Attorneys Class of 2007
Missouri Lawyers Weekly
40 Under 40 Class of 2004
St. Louis Business Journal
Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2003-Present
Howell & Haferkamp, L.C.
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, 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.
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
Copyright Office changes procedures for DMCA agent designations
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
NOTICE.
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that
doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited
information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information
about any matter that may involve you until you receive a written statement from
us that we represent you (an ‘engagement letter’).
By clicking the ‘ACCEPT’ button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that our review of your information, even if you submitted it in a good faith effort to retain us, and, further, even if you consider it confidential, does not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you. Please click the ‘ACCEPT’ button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.