Thomas A. Rayski
Partner | New York
Thomas A. Rayski

Thomas A. Rayski works with clients to structure and negotiate complex domestic and foreign transactions involving intellectual property and technology assets, including strategic collaborations, acquisitions, licenses, research and development arrangements, joint ventures, financings and manufacturing and distribution agreements. Mr. Rayski also advises clients on the protection, management and enforcement of their patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, including in establishing and improving policies respecting the identification and development of intellectual property assets.

Mr. Rayski advises clients in the life sciences industry in complex collaborations and licensing transactions, including platform and drug discovery collaborations and early and late-stage product deals, on behalf of both licensors and licensees. In addition, Mr. Rayski has broad experience in negotiating development agreements, sponsored research agreements, university licenses and distribution and supply arrangements involving pharmaceutical compounds, biologics and medical devices. 

Mr. Rayski also counsels established and start-up companies in the financial services and information technology industries with respect to a diverse range of matters, including software development and licensing, online agreements, service agreements and data privacy. He also advises on the intellectual property and technology aspects of corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, spin-outs and equity investments.

In 2024, Managing Intellectual Property recognized Mr. Rayski as an “IP STAR” for transactions. In both 2024 and 2023, Mr. Rayski was recognized as a leading practitioner in New York by IAM Patent 1000, which described him as “the name to note for transactional and collaboration matters.”

Prior to beginning his legal career, Mr. Rayski worked as a systems engineer for Electronic Data Systems and was responsible for the development, implementation, and support of custom-developed computer systems for customers in the manufacturing industry.

  • Managing Intellectual Property Life Sciences Forum 2019 — New York, NY (September 19, 2019)
    Speaker, "An Essential Guide to Commercialising your IP" panel. 
  • Managing Intellectual Property U.S. Patent Forum 2018 — New York, NY (March 13, 2018)
    Speaker, "Managing Intellectual Property U.S. Patent Forum 2018" panel focused on: Determining strategic value before the merger; Assessing patent risk when merging portfolios; and Pooling resources in the right places.
  • Intellectual Property Issues in Financial Services Seminar: What's Hot? — Boston, MA (September 27, 2018) 
  • NAPABA Northeast Regional Conference 2017, Philadelphia, PA (September 9, 2017)
  • Life Sciences Forum 2016 — Organized by Managing Intellectual Property, New York (September 14, 2016)
  • 3rd Annual DELVACCA In-House Counsel Conference — Presented by the Delaware Valley Corporate Counsel Association with Sponsorship by Dechert, Philadelphia, PA (April 7, 2011)
Services Industries
    • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1992, High Honors, Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society)
    • Rutgers School of Law - Newark, J.D., 1999, High Honors, Order of the Coif, Research Editor of the Rutgers Law Review
    • New York
    • New Jersey
    • United States Patent and Trademark Office