Thomas F. Lebens

Partner

Thomas F. Lebens

Partner

805.541.2800

TLebens@sjlmlaw.com

Tom Lebens practices intellectual property law with expertise in business strategy, licensing, infringement & validity analysis, patentability, infringement, & validity opinions, and copyright for artistic works and computer software.  Tom joined the firm as a principal in September 2000.
He is a registered U.S. Patent and Trademark attorney.

Representative Accomplishments:

* Supervised nearly a dozen patent attorneys in the preparation and prosecution of patent and trademark applications, including appeals & interference practice
* Supervised due diligence and contract review in the acquisition of a DVD solutions company by a public media software company
* Supervised intellectual property due diligence and contract review, including renewal of all license agreements, in the acquisition of a digital media applications company by a public software company
* Prepared and prosecuted patents relating to the invehicle security system of a "Big 3" automotive company
* Admitted to the California Bar, California Supreme Court, and U.S. District Court for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California (1993)
* Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (1994)
* Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court (1997)

Background:

Tom received his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he also served as student body president.  Tom attended the University of San Diego School of Law where he received his law degree, with honors, and later taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law.

While residing in San Diego, California, Tom served as managing partner for the San Diego office of Fitch, Even, Tabin and Flannery, and later moved to San Luis Obispo to join the firm.  In addition to his partnership with the firm, in 2003, Tom accepted the position as managing partner of West Coast operations for Fitch, Even, Tabin and Flannery, supervising operations of their San Diego and Los Angeles offices.

Tom and his wife reside in Arroyo Grande with their two children.

Professional Affiliations:

* Computer Law Association (Member)
* American Intellectual Property Association (Member)
* Licensing Executives Society (Member)
* American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property (Member)
* San Diego Intellectual Property Association (Member)
* San Luis Obispo County, Intellectual Property Section (Member/Co-Chair)
* San Diego County Bar Associations, Intellectual Property Section (Member)
* The State Bar of California (Member)
* Los Angeles County Bar Association (Member)
 

Community Contributions:

Softec, Central Coast Software and Technology Association (Member/Director/Chair, High Technology Companies Symposium) 
* San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce (Chair, Director and Board Counsel) 
* Technology Advocacy Committee, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce (Member/Chair) 
* Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Alumni Association (Director)
* American Youth Soccer (Area Director for Area 10/Q, serving over 6,500 athletes from Santa Ynez to Paso Robles/Coach/Regional Board Member/Regional Commissioner)
* American Youth Soccer (Member, Legal Commission)
* Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Association (Member)
* Central Coast Natural History Association (Former Chair of the Development Committee and Former Chair of the Board of Directors)
* San Luis Obispo Literacy Council (Director) 
* Friends of Prado Day Center (Board Member)
* Cal Poly Corporation Board (Director)