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Tom De Coster is a partner and heads our Intellectual Property and Technology practice.

Tom’s practice spans high-stake contentious and non-contentious matters involving all types of intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc.), IT, and technologies. He advises on licensing, agency, concession, distribution, franchising, transitional and longer-term services and outsourcing agreements. His team also handles data privacy, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and EU digital initiatives-related assignments.

Tom has an established track record in advising international and Belgian clients on strategic innovation decisions and projects. These include, for example, BD&L and R&D in the context of IP commercialization and cross-border transactions. With his experience, Tom is skilled in leading complex negotiations and drafting critical agreements to help clients monetize their IP rights and bolster their overall business goals. Over the years, Tom has earned many accolades for his legal work and business acumen as recognized in major legal directories.

Tom’s expertise covers many industries, yet his focus is on healthcare, technology, FMCG, and financial services. He provides strategic legal guidance on emerging trends (including AI and GenAI) in these sectors. He identifies business risks and opportunities and supports clients in navigating complex regulatory frameworks.

Tom has written and co-written several articles on IP and IT law doctrine and is a regular speaker on this subject area at conferences and seminars.

Before joining Strelia, Tom was a senior IP and technology expert for nearly 15 years in the IP/TMT department of a prominent Magic Circle firm’s Brussels office.

Education

Tom earned his law degree magna cum laude from KU Leuven (2010), a Master of Laws from Columbia Law School (New York, 2015), and Master of Laws magna cum laude specializing in intellectual property and information technology law from the KU Leuven Brussels Campus (2016).

Admission

Tom was admitted to the Brussels Bar in 2010.


Areas of expertise
Office

Brussels

Languages

Dutch, English, French

recommendations

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

Recognitions

IAM Patent 1000 2025, Recommended Individual (Litigation and Transactions)

The commercially astute Tom De Coster is an important figure for leading industry players seeking to maximise their IP assets in the business world. Tom is a highly qualified professional who masterfully manages to turn the odds in his clients’ favour. He is a great IP and commercial deal maker and negotiator, who expertly manages to reconcile views by taking a collaborative and pragmatic approach.

IAM Patent 1000, Ranked Individual for IP Litigations and Transactions for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024)

Tom’s extensive IP expertise has established his place as an excellent advocate in technology. Clients trust in his ability to perform a stellar operation behind the scenes, leaving no stone unturned, and is rightfully lauded for his fantastic, personable and professional demeanor.

Tom is “a persuasive advocate who works tirelessly to achieve his patrons’ goals and is also distinguished by his transactional prowess” and is noted for his ability “to dispense wise counsel on IP-rich licensing agreements and showcase his refined negotiation skills".