(RALEIGH, N.C.)—Christopher M. Thomas, a Partner in the Raleigh office of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, was elected to the Board of Directors of Artspace. He will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2012.

Artspace is a non-profit visual art center dedicated to providing inspiring and engaging arts education and community outreach programs, creating a dynamic studio environment of over 30 professional artists, and presenting nationally acclaimed exhibitions. It is one of the largest open studio environments in the country.

Mr. Thomas concentrates his practice on disputes concerning copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, patents, false advertising, unfair competition and unfair and deceptive trade practices. He has extensive experience representing clients in commercial and business tort litigation, including litigation involving infringement of intellectual property rights in federal and state court litigation, before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in proceedings before the National Arbitration Forum.

In addition to his work with Artspace, Mr. Thomas will continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Burning Coal Theatre Company, a role he has held since 2007.

Mr. Thomas was named to Business North Carolina magazine’s “Legal Elite” in Intellectual Property in 2012. He received his JD, cum laude, from the University of Georgia, his MBA from Georgia State University, and his BA from Allegheny College.

About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has 210 lawyers in six offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The Firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on litigation, corporate and regulatory matters. It has been recognized in recent years as one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States and as an award-winning leader in the use of technology to provide better and more efficient service to domestic and international clients.