Thomas Polcyn

Practice Areas

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.