Tom Cowan

Tom focuses on IP protection for a variety of technologies.  With an emphasis on medical devices, he also serves mechanical and aerospace clients.  He counsels on overall IP strategy, prosecutes patents and trademarks, negotiates licenses, and conducts offensive and defensive diligence such as patentability and infringement studies.

Tom develops and executes worldwide patent and trademark protection strategies for a broad range of clients, from solo inventors, startups and small businesses to mid-size and large corporations.  Example technologies include cardiac devices and procedures, annuloplasty devices, transcatheter implants, intracranial devices, upper and lower limb prosthetics and orthotics, mechatronic control systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), high altitude balloons, automotive systems, industrial thermal and destratification systems, semiconductor processing equipment, hyperbaric accessories, and more (see Additional Information for sample technology lists).

Tom was named a “Top Author” in JD Supra’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards due to the high level of visibility and engagement he attained with readers in the medical device industry.  He is currently co-chair of the San Diego chapter of the Licensing Executives Society (LES).  Before attending law school, Tom interned at NASA and was a mechanical engineer at Northrop Grumman, where he designed and tested complex structures and mechanisms for various spacecraft programs. 

Tom joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2013.