Morrison Cohen LLP | Alvin C. Lin

Alvin C. Lin

Alvin Lin’s practice focuses on litigating intellectual property disputes, IP portfolio management and intellectual property transactions.

Alvin litigates a wide variety of intellectual property disputes, including matters involving trademark, copyright, trade secrets, patents and false advertising claims. He advises clients on IP portfolio management (including best practices to preserve trade secrets) and intellectual property transactions, including licensing and trademark co-existence arrangements and regulatory review of advertisements.

Alvin also litigates a broad range of business litigation disputes, including health insurance defense, labor and employment, commercial real estate (including RPAPL 881 licenses) and general contract and partnership disputes. He advises clients on construction and architectural contracts and commercial lease disputes. He practices primarily in state and federal courts in New York and before various arbitral tribunals.

Alvin is chair of Morrison Cohen’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. He joined Morrison Cohen in 2004, after working as an associate in the Litigation Department of Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP, focusing mainly on securities and reinsurance. Alvin began his legal career as a law clerk and senior law clerk to the Honorable John R. Padova, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Prior to studying law, Alvin was a publishing editor specializing in the analysis, research and interpretation of federal statutes and regulations.

Experience

Obtained preliminary injunction permitting physical access to neighboring premises to enable installation of Department of Buildings-mandated protections and continuation of real estate development project.
Obtained dismissal of claim by unengaged broker for fee in connection with sale of real estate project.
Obtained temporary restraining order enjoining local municipality from enforcing unjustified stop work order on residential real estate construction project.
Litigated (and settled) claims by European transportation manufacturer against its former U.S. subsidiary, including division of intellectual property and trade secret issues.
Negotiated commercial lease disputes, including concerning build-out, on behalf of major U.S. retailer.
Defended and negotiated settlement in trademark dispute on behalf of international jewelry designer.
Represented foreign manufacturer in patent dispute concerning agricultural device.
Obtained a preliminary injunction preventing a UCC foreclosure of a commercial real estate property on behalf of a major real estate developer, and negotiated resulting settlement and profit-sharing agreements.
As a member of the trial team, represented a European industrial equipment manufacturer that successfully obtained judgment against breach of contract and warranty liability claims in connection with machinery sold by an independent subsidiary in the United States.
Defended a major real estate developer against multiple motions for receivership and preliminary injunctions in connection with a partnership dispute.
With co-counsel, obtained dismissal of civil RICO and antitrust claims in a federal civil complaint on behalf of several major national liquor distributors and manufacturers.
Obtained, on behalf of several corporate clients, anti-cybersquatting arbitration awards ordering the surrender and transfer of trademark-infringing Internet domain names on the basis of bad faith registration.
Obtained, on behalf of several prominent cosmetics and jewelry designers, removal of trademark- and copyright- infringing content from marketing and on-line materials.
Obtained settlement of copyright claims on behalf of an author against an entertainment company.
Prosecuted and defended trademark infringement claims on behalf of multiple clients in proceedings before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
Represented major health care insurer in connection with reimbursement claims made by network physicians.

Professional Activities

New York State Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section
New York City Bar Association
Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund
LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York

Recognition

Thomson Reuters' Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2024

Lawyers of Color Power List, 2023

Practices

Sectors

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, Georgetown Law Journal
Harvard University, A.B., magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

New York
New Jersey
U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit