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Christopher M. Thomas

Partner
Raleigh | 919.835.4641
Fax | 919.834.4564

Chris Thomas concentrates his practice on intellectual property rights and disputes concerning them. He is a North Carolina State Bar board-certified specialist in trademark law who was awarded "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh for copyright law in 2019, for trademark law in 2022 and 2024, and for intellectual property litigation in 2025 by The Best Lawyers in America®.

Chris represents clients in federal and state courts and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). He counsels clients on trademark adoption, search and clearance, prosecution, opposition, maintenance, enforcement, and licensing. He also assists clients with copyright registration, licensing, and transfers.

World Trademark Review, which included Chris in its 2020-2023 editions of WTR™ 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, quotes clients who describe Chris as an attorney who "resolves complex matters in the most responsive, pragmatic, efficient and creative way. He is a brilliant litigator with outstanding communication skills and a resolutely customer-focused approach."

Chris is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Federal Circuit.

Chris chairs the NC Bar Association’s Copyright Committee and is a member of the International Trademark Association's Data Protection Committee.

Prior to law school, Chris worked in information technology for a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.

Representative Experience

  • Obtained $1.7 million jury verdict for software client plaintiff on claim for false advertising in violation of the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
  • Successfully defended clients at jury trial in federal court against claims of trade secret misappropriation, false advertising, unfair and deceptive trade practices, tortious interference with actual and prospective economic advantage, and breach of contract.
  • Obtained summary judgment on a copyright infringement claim based on the affirmative defense of implied nonexclusive license from a joint author.
  • Successfully defended client against plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction based on alleged trade dress rights.
  • Obtained summary judgment on claim of ownership of a mark and defeating counterclaims for copyright infringement and trademark infringement.

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Honors & Awards

  • North Carolina Bar Board Certified Specialist in Trademark Law
  • The Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh for Intellectual Property Litigation, 2025; Trademark Law, 2022, 2024; Copyright Law, 2019
  • The Best Lawyers in America in Advertising Law, 2025; Copyright Law, 2019-2025; Trademark Law, 2020-2025; Trade Secrets Law, 2021-2025; Intellectual Property Litigation, 2018-2025
  • Business North Carolina magazine’s "Legal Elite" in Intellectual Property, 2012-2013, 2018, 2024
  • World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, 2020-2024
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers in Intellectual Property, 2013-2024
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2021-2024; Rising Star, 2013

Memberships

  • North Carolina Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section, Copyright Committee, Chair
  • International Trademark Association (INTA), Data Protection Committee
  • Artspace, Board of Directors, 2012-2018
  • Burning Coal Theatre Company, Board of Directors, 2007-2012