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Meet Our Professionals

Timothy D. St. Clair

Partner
Greenville | 864.577.6371
Fax | 864.242.9888

Tim St. Clair is a registered patent attorney who assists clients through all aspects of intellectual property law. He brings a results-oriented, purposeful approach toward maximizing intellectual property value and minimizing IP risks. His practice is bifocal: both IP litigation and transactions.

Clients turn to Tim for real-world trial lawyer experience that few patent lawyers have. He has litigated 39 patent cases, 38 trademark cases, five trade dress cases, 12 copyright cases, and seven trade secret cases (and counting), from South Carolina to Los Angeles, from Detroit to Atlanta, from Delaware to Dallas, and multiple jurisdictions in between. He is proud to be a “lawyers’ lawyer,” having been retained by other attorneys in IP disputes. His pragmatic approach is steeped in his experience from the first 17 years of his career in which he practiced insurance defense litigation – lots of time on his toes in courtrooms, lots of jury trials, and lots of prioritizing competing demands, all with a focus on effectiveness and commercial practicalities. 

Tim represents clients nationally and internationally in preparing and pursuing patents and trademark registrations around the world. His practice also includes evaluations of IP coverage in freedom-to-operate opinions, infringement analyses, and due diligence assessments of IP assets. Tim's representation emphasizes effective communications, a craftsman-like approach, value management, and right-sizing IP to meet clients' broader business interests.

Representative Experience

Patent Litigation

  • Represented power tool manufacturer in patent case; successfully negotiated advantageous settlement after discovering patent marking failure by patent owner.
  • Represented recreation equipment manufacturer in patent and trademark case; secured a consent injunction for willful patent infringements and other remedies on the eve of trial after two years of litigation.
  • Represented a multinational company accused of patent infringement and secured a positive resolution after discovery uncovered flaws in the plaintiffs' case.
  • Defended an innovative client accused of patent infringement in which the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case after two years of litigation to avoid risking a ruling on summary judgment.
  • Represented a plaintiff against a patent infringer and achieved beneficial settlement terms despite claims of patent invalidity.
  • Secured summary judgment of patent infringement and patent claim validity against a copycat competitor.

Trademark Disputes

  • Successfully defended a client accused of trademark infringement for using Google ad words registered as federal trademarks. Through the settlement, the client was able to keep using the desired ad words.
  • Defended a client against a claim to cancel a federal registration. The case was settled in favorable terms for the client after three years of litigation.
  • Represented a client against a former employee who took website data and passwords. After quickly initiating litigation, the client recovered all relevant content, including domain control and login credentials.

Copyright Litigation

  • Pursued printed apparel copyright case and secured settlement on favorable terms.
  • Defended a business accused of copyright infringement and, after extensive discovery, helped reach a favorable settlement before trial.

Misappropriation of Identity

  • Defended a client sued by a celebrity based on radio advertisements. The case was settled for nominal damages.

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Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America in Trademark Law, Patent Law, Patent Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2011-2025; Trade Secrets Law, 2016-2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" in Greenville for Intellectual Property Litigation, 2013, 2020, 2024; Trademark Law, 2016, 2024; Patent Law, 2014, 2017, 2021, 2023
  • Managing Intellectual Property magazine's IP Stars
  • Greenville Business Magazine's "Legal Elite" in Intellectual Property & Innovation, 2015, 2018-2020, 2022-2023; International Law, 2020
  • South Carolina Super Lawyers, 2012-2024
  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star in South Carolina, 2011-2013

Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section, 2006-2013; Subcommittee of IP Litigation Committee, Co-Chair, 2008-2013; Accelerated Examination Subcommittee of IP Section, Chair, 2008-2009
  • Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association, Secretary and Board Member, 2007-2010
  • JDRF, International Board of Directors, 2013-2016; Development Committee, 2009-2016; National Ride Committee, 2006-present, Chair, 2009-2011; IP Advisory Task Force, 2010; National Head Coach "Ride to Cure Diabetes," 2007-2011
  • Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club, Board of Directors, 2006-2012; President, 2008
  • Greenville Spinners Bicycle Safety Foundation, Chair, 2010-2012